Hotel Saujana

It has been years since I was last here.  I first stay this hotel when I got the job to transfer from Canada to Singapore.  It was a hotel I stayed for a few trips until my sales manager suggested Sunway Lagoon and since then I have not been back until today.  This hotel is a golf resort.  There is nothing else here.  It is peace and tranquility.   I like Sunway hotel or Royale Bintang or Boulevard as there is a mall right beside the hotel and I can take walks whenever I can.  It is good exercise and therapeutic.  I do not buy lots of stuff but do enjoys exploring the resturants and supermarkets.  Best of all, bookshops especially Borders.

My colleague prefers the quiet place where he can stay in the room work.  He will be in all day working on the spreadsheets and numbers.  I need to do people watching and to do this I need a place where people come and go. 

I also like malls that offers kopi tiam or local style coffeeshop like Pappa Rich, Uncle Lim or Kuang Station.  Actually, Jom Bali in The Curve is one of my favorite coffeeshop.  Maybe more will show up in Singapore once the company start to expand outside Malaysia like the Comedian, Mark Lee who franchise OldTown Coffee.

Yes, I am old fashioned to be in love with Kopitiam.

Flute and Guzhen Live!

B2 is working in Metro, City Square Mall, selling toys.  We send him there after his tuition.  At level One, there is a live performance of two ladies who play Chinese Orchestra music using flute and guzhen.  They played quite well.  Their performance attract a number of shoppers who enjoys the music.  I, too joined in to listen to a number of pieces.  It must have taken them years to practise and performing only during the mooncake festival bring in the mood.

Home-cooked Food

My first home-cooked meal in 7 days!  My current maid is not a good cook.  But it is good to eat home-cooked food.  We had two vegetable dishes and a tofu dish accompanied by black rice for carbo.  My first healthy meal too.

I am glad to get a break before I leave on Sunday to KL.  I like KL.  The malls are bigger and the food is similar yet different.  Everything is much cheaper too. 

My wife went to pick up her iPhone 5.  She is still using her iPhone 3 and it is wearing out.  I am more interested in the Samsung SIII.  I am looking forward to the SIII note.  I hope it is available when it is time for me to renew my contract. 

B3 is quite happy with the candy that I brought back.  They were gifts from Ana lounge because they cannot get the internet to work. 

Roppongi

I had a wonderful dinner at Lawry's.  The beef was good but the lobster's tail is just ok.  Maybe it is just because I am not a seafood lover.  The beef was medium well and is very tender.  I am glad I did not eat so much that I do not feel a forced fed duck.

After dinner, I walk to exercise and digest my stomach.  I was on the way to Roppongi and it drizzles.  The sky was heavy with clouds.  So I change my mind and walk around Ana Intercon instead.  Then the rain stopped and I walked to Roppongi.  The place is buzzing.  Lots of black men in suit trying to get attention of foreign men.  One came up to me offering topless show.  I ignore him and he gave up. 

At the cross junction, women dressed sexily looking bored waiting for clients.  So of the girls are good looking.  Most are just so so.  All very sexy.  There is even a black "woman" who I think look like she was not born a baby girl. 

Interestingly, or at least interesting for me, is a fairly big bookshop with a small English section.  I spent some time there.  I walk around to look for candy shop as B3 requested for a specific brand of candy which can only be found in candy shops.  I checked out all the convenient stores and one supermarket but no luck.

Plenty of clubs or "drinking place" as my ex-Japanese colleague would say.  Even opposite my hotel on the hill is full of drinking place staffed by pretty women.  Many Japanese men looked drunk.  I wonder why they need use alcohol and women as stress relief.  From what I see, it seems they spent lots of money on the women but no sex.  So I think the job for the women is not bad.  However, I have only snapshot look and did not have indepth understanding.  So I am just jumping to conclusion as it is probably a dog's life for the women who have to keep strange men happy and occupied.

Breather

Now I can take a breather.  Work is over for now and it is just following up on the discussions we had.  Best of all, we are on our own for dinner tonight.  We can order what we like and control what and how much we eat.  This is so nice. 

The last few dinners, while I enjoys the food, it is ordered by someone else and I do not have a chance to decide and have to keep eating to show my enjoyment.  I have gained weight. 

Tonight, it is Lawry's Prime Rib.  So I am looking forward to eating the quantity I will enjoy instead of stuffed like a duck fattening up for its liver.

Tokyo!

Up early in the morning at 5am to go to Incheon airport for Narita.  We should have gone by Gimpo to Haneda and save at least two hours of travel.  It is Roppongi area.  US Embassy's security is tight.  Surround by plenty of policemen on patrol and pedestrians have to give wide berth and walk around far from the building.

I had a short walk to Roppongi commercial area.  It has resturants like TGIF, Outback and Tony Romas.  It is a busy place. 

I had a walk after dinner to check out the train station for tomorrow and decided to take the backlane.  It look parallel and after a while I was deep inside somewhere and lost!!  I decided to get directions and the guy cannot read English.  So his colleague asked me if I can understand Chinese and gave me directions in Chinese.  I am glad to find my hotel and now safe and sound.  It is bedtime now...

Karaoke!

My host enjoys karaoke.  So I have to sing one song.  I chose Beautiful Sunday.  Halfway, he asked me to stop.  I guess he finally agrees that I am terrible in singing.  Anyway, it is quite fun just to make a fool of myself.  I do it just to be sporting and make him happy.

He is a warm host and like a big brother always insisting on his way.  I ate so much in the last few days that I am going to gain weight.  Gain a lot of weight.  I have to do more exercise when I reached home.

Another Day in Seoul

We had two meetings with 2 customers.  On a quick break before we have dinner.  I had a short walk for exercise and now writing down how my day go.

As usual, I look at all the local food offering.  Plenty of fried chicken with spicy sauce.  Then there are fairly exotic fare by my standard.  There is a huge live octupus available for sashimi.  The Paris Baguette shop did not look much difference from other bakery shops.  So I do not understand why it is so popular in Wisma Atria.

It will be an early start tomorrow.  We have to go to Incheon to fly to Narita.  We should have fly through Gimpo and going to Haneda.  We would have save at least two hours of travel.  We tried to change but the American Airlines is so inflexible on any changes. 

Seoul Good Dinner

It is always about food.  I had traditional Korean dinner with my host and my boss.  It is a real hole in the wall place.  We walk through the hole in the wall and it is a tiny shop lot like a single stall coffeeshop in Singapore.  The place can sit about 15 diners.  The old lady owner is the chef  and cook home-style traditional Korean meals.  We had hot plate pork accompanied by various sauces and kimchi.  Even the kimchi taste different from all the resturants we had been so far.  She is just a sweet lady and was not feeling good when she saw that we did not finished her soup.  So she made another bowl of the same soup for us.

I feel like a guest to someone's home.  It is obviously a favorite with local men.  Most smoked and eat their meals and go.  This is so like eating in a neighbourhood coffeeshop.  The meal was really enjoyable.  We ate so much.  The auntie is very warm even though she did not understand us.  She read our body language well.  I am sure she will be very happy to see me again if I drop by to eat.  I will be very happy as if I am visiting an old friend or relative.

Haelim Park

The photos were around Haelim Park.  Haelim Park is a botanic garden cum caves.  It has lava and limestone cave which is unusual as it is rare to have both combined.  It is usually one or the other.  The cave was easy walk.  Not climbing needed.  The cave is dripping water all the time and everywhere.  The limestone feature is interesting as well.  I looked at the caves and it is very interesting to see it live instead of on documentaries.  It is all lit up.  I am thinking the explorers of caves will need all the right gear and equipment.  On top of that, they have to bring lights and cameras to video and record the caves.  I was quite blown away to be inside a cave that is dripping water and then seeing the stalactites and stalagmites forming right in front of my eyes.  This is the best thing that happens for this trip.  I feel like a real scientist.

Jeju is a Volcanic Island

Old Movies and Happiness

My host has lots of old movies and I am watching them all over again.  I love them!  Maybe I am getting old.  Reliving old movies.  To Sir with Love, Love Story.  Amazing stories.  Classics, just like Sounds of Music.  Only thing is Love Story is a tragedy.  Not a good ending.  So sad and touching.  Maybe it is good to bleed once in a while. 

I realised I was quite happy for a while after the exercise of graditude for 3 things everyday.  I must start the whole exercise again.  It is not that I am unhappy but being happier is better.

I am grateful to be healthy.  I enjoy exercising.  I am grateful to have friends and family.  I am grateful for my well behaved boys.

Jeju Island!

What is lovely island this is!  A beautiful lush and green island.  It is full of farms, horse farms, cattle farms, mandarin oranges farms and vegetables farms.  There are plenty of golf resorts as well.  Many of the same flight as us from Seoul brought their golf clubs.

I am here watching To Sir with Love in the Raon Pivate Town.  It is so tranquil and relaxing .  A serene place away from the Madding Crowd.  I love this place.  Nothing much to do except to soak into the atmosphere and enjoy the scenery.  Of course if you like golf...

Good Evening

Dinner was our usual tofu with minced meat, stir-fried kailan and pork braised in soya sauce.  Dessert after dinner was cookies and coffee instead of our usual fruits.  The boys enjoy eating butter cookies from Mark and Spencer.  They dipped the cookies into my coffee.  Only B2 has a small cup to try.

We were talking about everything and nothing.  Until we realised iPhone 5 will be launched tomorrow.  So we decided to go to our regular Singtel outlet and check when we can get the phone.  The lady told us the launch is at MBS tomorrow.  We can get the phone only on Sunday.  I will not be in.  So it will be mummy who will claim the new toy.  Anyway, the iPhone 5 is for mummy as she is overdue.  The iPhone 4 Siri version was claimed by B2.  He upsets mummy tremendously when he sulked feeling that he should be the one to have the phone.  Mummy relented.  Now it is mummy's turn to claim the latest phone.

It is good to have a relationship with regular store because we can book and get the phone without any hassle.  We went to the supermarket to get some groceries before returning home.  I enjoys the two older boys following us to Singtel and supermarket doing routine errands.  We are a happy family.

I almost forgot.  We had a buffet lunch at a Japanese resturant in UE Square.  B1 went to this resturant with his army friends a few weeks ago and raving about it.  B3 is still in school.  So only B1 and B2 and we tried quite a few dishes.  We are so full after lunch as I drank at least for 4 cups of drinks.  The lunch is $50.50 per head!

Travel

Tomorrow is travel day for me.  I will be out for almost two weeks accompanying my boss for his Asian tour.  There will be several stops and we have set up many meetings with customers.  It will be busy time. 

My worry is I will eat too much.  With so many lunch and dinner meetings included, I expect to gain at least 2kgs.  The bad thing is I am the one who set up all the meetings to include meals.  Business relationships improved at a more relaxed setting like lunch or dinner.  The other key is go to office to talk golf and conduct business at the golf course.

I must observe my food intake during meetings as I tend to focus on business and forget that I am drinking and eating too much.

Tensions Easing

I am glad to hear on the news that the China-Japan tension over the Daoyu island is easing.  It was a worrying issue.  Now that the tension eases, it is good for everyone.  On the interview, the security was tight at the Japanese embassy and passerbys were interviewed.  Protest cause disruptions to people's lives.  Once you prove your point, it is time to get back to regular living.

I like the attitude.  The police or public security as it is known in China had send sms to tell people to avoid the area.  So calm prevails although under heavy police presence.  This is far better than cries for war.  I hope the issue get resolved peacefully.

War Cries

It is worrying to see on the news that the Chinese are protesting and calling for war with Japan.  The leadership transition is China means delicate times.  I reads on the papers the Chinese and the rest of Asia do not like Japanese superior attitude and condesending manner when it come to their war crimes.  Chinese military has gone from strength to strength.  Now there is an aircraft carrier in its arsenal.  I hope the countries find ways to de-escalate the tensions.  Otherwise, the military brass will find an excuse to go to war.  War give the military the reason to justify its existence and increase the money it will get.

Bonjour and Lavender

Both are bread shop near the hotel.  Just before checking out, I went to buy some of the interesting looking bread.  My family loved the cream puffs from Bonjour.  Luckily, I bought half a dozen.  They looked yummy and best of all cost RM2.80 each or slightly over a dollar Sin.  The same puff will cost S$2.50 in Singapore.  From Lavendar, it is the long Danish stick with cream that got my family's votes.  The other breads did not get special mention.  So my next trip to KL, I will just focus on the two winners and buy more of them instead.

Bonjour's sales staff is quite nice.  He knows that I am a visitor and asked if I am going to take a long time before eating the puffs.  So he get a ice-pack for me.  The garlic loaf is not so good.  Maybe it is no longer fresh and the french loaf gets very tough.  The olive loaf is quite nice.

From Lavender, we tasted the red bean in a long bun (average although looked appealing), cheese stick and cheese bun(both okay).  The round pastry bun with maple syrup is also ok.  Again looked delicious but does not taste as good as its look.

It is really fun to stay in different hotels with different malls.  We get to try out different kind of bread.  I was sad when Japanese loaf with custard bakery closed.  Each loaf is RM18 and I will always buy one loaf home and my boys loved them.  They can be kept in the fridge and toasted before eating.  It is quite heavenly actually. 

One Utama

My guest from Korea says that this mall is huge and we were just walking on the basement part.  I told him Coex mall is big too.  But he says only underground.  There is nothing above which is true except for Hyundai Store which is 7 floors or more.  1U must be one of the largest mall in South East Asia.  I told him we just like to shop as we do not have anything else to do.  Actually, there are plenty to do in Malaysia with kampungs, National Parks, beaches and islands.

One Utama is massive and full of shoppers.  I am a shopper too.  I just enjoys window shopping as I believe it is not green to buy stuff.  I need to see new gadgets, products and food items. It is an enjoyable pastime beside reading, blogging or eating.

Budget Terminal

The budget terminal in Changi reminds me of small airports.  It is quite retro.  Bring back memories of growing up. On the 25th of September at 2am, it will closed permanently and be rebuilt into Terminal 4.  The price of F&B is very reasonable compared to those in T1, T2 or T3.  The shops are designed like in what you see in exhibitions, long horizontal signage supported by thin vertical pillars.  The signages and letterings are similar with those in exhibitions.  There are plenty of ATMs or teller machines from different banks and all of them are in line of sight unlike the other terminals which are lost in the crowded and massive thoroughfare.  The atmosphere is cosy as there are not as many people.  It is like living in a small town.

I am sorry to see it has to make way for a spanking new and modern Terminal 4.

House Warming Surprise

At about 10:30am, my mother-in-law called my wife.  Her brother is having a house warming party at 11am.  Kind of short notice.  We have to change our plans for our errands.  When we reached the house, we realised we were the last to be informed.  Obviously, my wife is bottom on the totem pole.  As usual, I am frank and open to point this out.  My mother-in-law tried very hard to explain why.  At the end of the day, actions speak a million words. 

The food was vegetarian and we had fried noodles, braised mushrooms with romaine lettuce, vegetarian abalone and celebrate her birthday, another surprise!  So plenty of surprises for today. 

After the house warming, mummy brought the two older boys to do some shopping as Denizen has sales ending today.  B3 wanted to go home.  Only when we reached home do I realise why.  He wants to play with his friends.  He is so lucky to have so many friends to play with.  He is very happy in the pool and he has three new friends from France who recently moved to our estate. 

B1 managed to get some new pants as all his current ones were kind of worn out. 

Closing Down Sales

B1 was excited about 30% discount storewide by Carrefour.  So after dinner, we went to Carrefour in Plaza Singapura.  Most of the items are sold.  There are not much merchanise left. All perishables are gone except for some fishes and packaged fresh meat.  The boys bought toothbrush and toothpaste as they are running low.  I had Salonpas, the spray type for aching muscles.

Plaza Sin is quite busy.  We reach about 8pm and at 9:30pm it is still full of shoppers.  On the way home, we can see Serangoon Road is full of merry makers. 

Singapore come alive on Saturday night!

Forgot to Write!

I was so busy with work that I forgot to write yesterday!  I promised to write everyday as a discipline and to improve my writings.  I was a little surprised that I have forgotten to write my entry yesterday when I signed in to blog.

My mind is busy and working on the future.  Boh Tong always advise me not to write about work as it is boring.  I try to write about other subjects like my daily events or books I read.  I enjoys going back to read what had happened in the past.  It is a good way to relive my memories.  Also I like it words more than pictures.  Words can describe emotions and feelings which pictures cannot.  Neither can pictures tell you about taste or smell.

Writing is a good way to relax.  It is also rewarding as there is clear outcome.  My boys have stopped writing their blogs.  All their classmates have stopped too.  I guess young kids have busy lives and writing blogs get dropped off first.

Recently, there is a lot of buzz about young adults leaving Singapore disillusioned by the life here.  There are plenty of responses from older folks who have left and now thinking of returning.  They had a wonderful life elsewhere but now starting to miss the hawkers food.  Talking about food, I will like to live in Thailand.  The food is good, choice is wide and cost is low.  What a wonderful combination!

Busy Busy Busy!

It is crunch time.  Plenty of work to do and plenty of thinking to do.  Yes, it is the time for planning and forecasting.  I am glad to most of my customers are very nice and give me support when I need.  It is nice to good customers who understand. 

Billards

B2 has been bitten by the billard bug.  He first played billard maybe 6 months ago after visiting a friend's who lives in City Square condo.  Since then, he has been playing regularly and spending about $90 last month.  I was a little concern even though he is spending the money he earns by giving tuition.

Today, he cycled to Punggol to play.  B1 was having two days off from camp and wanted to cycle with me.  So off we go and we decided to stop by Punggol Prawn Fishing to have a look and at the same time check on B2. 

B2 was playing pool with his friend.  He is actually quite good as he managed to hit the balls into the pockets.  So I am impressed!

Why I return to Singapore

I left Singapore at the age of 28, older than the 20 year olds who are leaving the country today. I lived in Canada.  Starting life in a total new country was hard in the beginning.  Over time, we made friends and life become better.  We go fishing in summer, cut grass, maintain the house and explore the country.  We drove to Ottawa, Kingston, and other cities.  In winter, we visit friends and invite them over.  Except for sports, we are more or less living a Canadian life.  Income tax was high at 48% and consumption tax was 15% comprising 7% gst and 8% pst or provincial sales tax.  It was as Beeconomics founder describes in today's Sunday Times, living from paycheck to paycheck.  But we were happy.

Tragedy strikes.  My wife's younger sister died on the plane on the way to visit us in Canada.  So we returned to Singapore where our families are.  Singapore has many advantages.  Tax is low and environment is safe.  It is a good place to raise kids.  School is pressure cooker which is a negative.  We were mystified by the obsession with money, buying property and IPOs when we have lunch with our colleagues. 

The general atmosphere is also tense as there are constant reminders from the government to work harder and strive harder, or as a country we will not survive.  This makes a highly stressed society.  Seeing a doctor is free in Canada but you have to pay for the drugs and the pharmacist for every drug he or she picks for you.  While seeing doctor is free, you are also tied to the system.  If you requires specialist, your family doctor must be convinced and refer you to the specialist.  The queue to the specialist will be at least 3 months.  In Singapore, you just go to the Heart Center or Cancer Center or Skin Center and pay as a private patient to shorten the queue.  In Canada, there is no choice.  If you want to shorten the waiting time, you have to cross the border to US.

Singapore runs well almost to the clockwork of Switzerland but not quite.  Traffic conditions is far better than Highway 401 traffic in Toronto.  There is  wider choice than before, even gambling but no Playboy yet.  The primary purpose focus is do well in school and do well at work.  You can volunteer to help the less fortunate but there is no way to get out of the rat race.  Life is Singapore is stable and comfortable.  We are at leading edge of technology.  We can afford to outsource our housekeeping chores.  In Canada, we have to do all the household ourselves.  We treat ourselves on alternate week with part-time help.

I loved the 4 seasons but do not miss the long winter.  Singapore still get the thumbs up for weather - no need to clear snow on the driveway before going to work.  Happiness levels have been increasing with more parks and park connectors.  We are a food heaven!  We are spoilt for choice here.  In Toronto, it is Hong Kong style food or Vietnamese for Asian fare.  I do love the Italian or Canadian resturants.  Eating out is so affordable in Singapore compared to Western countries.

Economies in Asia are doing well and growing.  Opportunities are plenty compared to Canada.  Finding work or starting business is relatively easier.  We are less tolerant of same sex relationships, it does not affect me or my family.  Crime rate is low and it is safe to go anywhere anytime.  The political climate is resticted according to some but we are not into politics, so it does not matter.

Singapore has its warts.  We loved living here.  It is safe, comfortable with good healthcare system.  I do hope Singapore will treat the elders (seniors in Canada) with more respect and help them age gracefully instead make them eked out a living cleaning hawkers centers, toilets or collecting cans and waste cartons boxes.

Yes, life here is a rat race and we are all rats.

Ocean Resturant

B1 and B3 had lunch at Ocean Resturant in Ngee Ann City 5th floor with us.  It is new resturant right beside Imperial treasure.  B2 was at Kovan Center for his pool tournament.  The resturant is very popular and we had to wait for some time to get a table.  It is Teochew food but Hong Kong style.  So there is a lot of Cantonese dim sum. 

The food is not bad but the price is higher than Imperial Treasure.  It does have roast goose.  Only Teochews eat goose.  Cantonese has only roast ducks.  After lunch, mummy brought B3 to get some new clothings.  His t-shirts and shorts have plenty of holes in them.  They are also too small for him now.  B1 and I go to Kinokuniya to browse books.  I loved spending time in Kino.  It is relaxing for me.  I hope Kino will continue to stay for a long time now that we have lost Borders and Page One.

20 years old leaving Singapore

The article posted by Yahoo! caught my interest.  The letter by zing is articulate and touching.  It was reposted by you don't have to agree and there are plenty of comments which is interesting reading.

This bring memories of why I left Singapore and live in Canada.  I did not leave Singapore because I was disillusioned by the pragmatism or just chasing after jobs, careers or money as many of the Singaporean youths are feeling today.  Nor did I leave because of the tight controls Singapore government impose on every aspect of citizen's life. 

I left because I want to experience living in different country.   Many youths on the says they love the warts and failings of other city they are living or going to live.  There is nowhere that will fit into all our ideal lifestyle.    We have to experience different lifestyle in the different countries or cities to know and understand and then to love. 

Singapore really have very little in terms range of lifestyles as it is a city-state.  There is no rural community or different cities in the country to move to.  You can only move from Ang Mo Kio to East Coast or Jurong.  There are regional differences but it is impossible to experience a significant lifestyle difference.  Singapore does not has enough space to have a couple more Bollywood farms.  Kampong Buangkok is so tiny and will likely be gone once the owner who is single and about 60 years old pass on.

So to all the youths of Singapore who are disillusioned and want to move on to another country.  I would say "go forth and experience something else".  You are in the prime of life and it is time to broaden your horizon.  The world is your oyster.  Make the world a better place.  You may return to Singapore like I do or if you love your new home, live there.  I may go back to live in Canada when I retire.  It is a good country and take good care of seniors.

Trash Packs

B3 was very interested in the latest toy fad, trash packs.  He got interested and insist on buying the trash packs when we were in Italy.  He will survey every kiosk sells magazines in train stations and along the streets for trash packs.  Once we are home, he is still excited about the toys.  He sincerely believe it will come to Singapore.  And a couple months ago, trash packs was indeed launched.  Now he is very excited that series 2 trash packs will be launch next week.  It is hard for an adult to understand why kids like small pieces of coloured plastics.

Steak and Ribs

We went to Foodie Market in Tiong Bahru and bought a lot of meat.  One beef tenderloin weighing more than 2kgs.  Six racks of BBQ baby back ribs.  Ribeye pork chops and regular pork chops.  I cook up one tenderloin steak and two racks of ribs.  Mmmm.  Yummy!  We did not cook any rice, so we had naans and french fries for our carbo.  I like my steak medium but my wife always complains and I have to slice out a portion and make it well-done.  The bbq back ribs are easy, just heat and serve.  No need to watch for the cooking time or heat level.

All three boys are in for dinner tonight.  B1 is home from army.  B2 just returned from a 3 days robotics camp in Pei Hwa. 

Now that the boys are growing up, they are having more and more activities that they stay out.  Slowly, they are going to "flew the coop".  I hope my boys will continue to stay us after they finished army and university.  This will only happen if they work in Singapore.  If they find work outside Singapore, then they will be living outside the home they grew up in.  What will be will be.

You are Hired!

I am not a big fan TV series.  I got hooked onto this series when I left my TV on channel U at 8 plus in the evening.  What pip my interest is it is business themed show.  There is a lot of business strategies and advice.  So it is very easy to relate to the caricatures of the business situations and office politics.  Hong Kong script writers are really amazing.  The political situations are depicted colourfully and injected with humour.  So it is both funny and educational. 

I was impatient.  So my wife who is a master in watching TV series free help me to locate the show for .... yes! FREE!  It cannot be watch in internet explorer, only on safari or google chrome.  You can go to alodrama.com to view this HK drama.  The advantage of watching in the net rather than the Channel U is there is English subtitles.

I watch You are Hired on alodrama.  The second last disk and a couple other disks was deleted from the servers.  No worries.  The final episode is fine.

Murtabak at Victory in North Bridge Road

Last night, the documentary on century old business, Victory Resturant was featured.  It is more than 100 years old and it is the third generation running the business.  I decided to try the signature dish murtabak.  Like the owner who was interviewed, it is just normal.

Mummy did not like the murtabak as it contains too much chopped onions.  She requested for egg prata.  Her first bite and there is a long strand of grey hair.  It is terrible.  Just like Zam Zam, the Indian resturant next door, the hygiene factor is not so good.  Zam Zam, I recall was suspended before many years now for faeces found in the nasi bryani.  I did not complain.  She later regrets eating up the egg prata.  Sigh!  I am more tolerant of less hygiene conditions.  After all, in the army during my time when we are out in the field, we ate with very dirty hand and did not get sick(I lied!  I did a couple of times but recovered).

After lunch, we explores the shops along the road.  B3 was happy to get kooti kooti from Tai Sing.  The kooti kooti is just a piece to foam unlike the small hard figurines made of hard plastics of different colors during my time. 

Yesterday's Event in PCN

We missed the event in the Punggol PCN yesterday.  We ride there today to check it out.  However, all the temporary shelters are being dismantled.  All the sound systems are gone.  Only a gigantic red banner behind the water curtains remain.  It reads "Official Opening of National Games 2012".  B1 and B3 ride with me and we went through Punggol Point.  There are lots of fishermen but no one seems to have caught anything yet.

Home-made Chendol

It is so easy to make chendol nowadays.  Everything is available at NTUC Fairprice.  The black jelly, the green "worms" (i.e. the real chendol), cold prepacked coconut milk and gula melaka.  I used young coconut as a container.  It cost only $1!  The taste is very passable considering it is such a shortcut.  It is not as nice as freshly squeeze coconut milk but far superior than canned coconut milk or those in a tetrapak.

I am satiated with my home-made dessert.  My boys are happy with the chuck tender beef although mummy is quite concerned with the rare part.

Turkish Lunch

This afternoon, we had our lunch in what B3 called "Ali Baba's Place" when he was very young.  We were very surprised and actually delighted that as a toddler he can recognised this place as Ali Baba's place.  I was explaining to the older boys that this place has historical significance as it is where all the Arab traders used to stay, Arab Street.  B3 who was 5 or 6 years old burbed out Ali Baba's Place.  I realise he saw the mosque with the domes. 

It was exactly like Disney's cartoon, Ali Baba.  Since then, I always called it Ali Baba's Place.  Today, he corrected me and tell me it is Kampong Glam.  He had excursions in school where they are brought to different areas in Singapore to learn history including Chinatown and Little India.

We went to a resturant that has good Turkish bread.  Our boys like the breads very much as they are freshly baked and tasted heavenly.  We had a dish of assorted bbq items.  We loved to bring our boys for cultural experience especially when it comes to food.