Durian Fest

Durian season is on.  We have to go to Potong Pasir to get a Comissioner of Oaths.  Cost us $20 for signature and $5 for Certified True copy.  If we go to a lawyer, it will cost $500 an hour.  Lawyers charge exorbitant rates!  I may change my mind about this if my B1 decides to become a lawyer;)

Right beside the Potong Pasir MRT station is a kopi tiam and a fruit stall.  There are plenty of durians on sales.  I bought two XO at $10 each and 3 D24 at $5 each.  I had durian for lunch and dinner.  It is nice to have B1 and B3 sharing the durians with us at the dining table.  B2 is not a durian fan.  So he always miss out on durian festival.

My Classmate - my Cardiologist

I went to Mount Alvernia Hospital to consult my classmate and she is now officially my cardiologist.  I was hoping not to take any medications but she insisted.  With my wife who accomplished me to the doctor, I was naturally outnumbered.  I basically have to take the medication for preventive measures.  My LAD has a high calcium score at less than 50%(zero is best, 50% should plagues occluding the artery).  Clearly my arteries are still patent but they are not in good shape.  It is also better to prevent than to put in a stent.  Once I have stent, I will need more medication according to my classmate.  So it is better to prevent my heart from getting worse with medication.

She has a daughter who just finished first year in Melbourne University.  Her son is in J2 and wants to be a vet. Her daughter studied in RI.  My classmates' kids are all doing well in school.

For now, I will get my cholesterol down and eat more fruits and less meats.

Heart Scan

Yesterday morning, I had heart scan in Asia Medic in Shaw House.  It is an interesting set-up with Wellness, PET or Positron Emission Tomography and CT scanners.  The procedure is slow the heart rate down to about 65 beats per second.  Then take a series of x-ray slices.  Rebuild the slices into 2 dimensional pictures to see the blood vessels. 

The report is supposed to go to my cardiologist directly this morning.  But the centre called and asked me to collect it at 4pm because the despatch cannot send the report by 10 am today.  It is also good that I read the report first.  I am at 75 percentile for the calcium score i.e. at my age group only 25% will have higher calcium score than me.  Not a good sign.  The report also recommended aggressive treatment for cholesterol. 

The dye injected into my veins caused me to have nausea.  I also slept early last night at 9pm.  Early to bed, early to rise.  Makes a man healthy and wise.  I am up early.  The moon is almost full and very bright when the clouds did not obscure it.

I am going to have to reduce my red meat intake.  It will be a difficult change for me and my family.  Less barbeques!!!!! 

Wicked Good Barbeque

This cookbook was in New Book section and caught my eyes.  I borrowed it together with some audiobooks.  I love the recipe and the pictures.  They are mouth-watering good.  I went looking for the Turbinado sugar recommended for the dry rub but could not find it in our local supermarkets.  I checked out Cold Storage and Market Place as they tends to carry more exotic products.  NTUC Fairprice has only run of the mill products for the mass market.

Anyway, I can try out cooking the meats in different ways.  It is nice to barbeque meats although they may not be healthy in a long run.  It is good living.

A Family Day

It is rare to have a day without tuition and today is the day.  It is also rare to have all 3 boys together.  The two older boys usually have some activities like meeting up with friends or giving tuition.  Today, all 3 boys have both lunch and dinner together.

We had Japanese lunch in Anchorage at the sushi resturant.  We did not have discount card.  So have to contact my wife's brother-in-law to get free green tea ice-cream.  We had california maki, prawn maki with avocado and soft-shell crab maki.  Our main meal is their weekend set and Christmas set.  After lunch, we walk around the tiny mall.  There was a deal for facial.  So we sent B2 for a two hours facial.  The deal was a farce.  They keep advertising it is $29.  In the end, it cost $45 for B2's session.  Anyway, B2 has plenty of scars from bursting his own pimples and it is not good.  He has itchy fingers and cannot stop squeezing and bursting the pimples.

We moved on to Takashimaya to past time and check out cast iron pots.  We are interested in getting an oval pot to try out cooking stews.  Right now we are deciding between 29 cm or 31 cm.  The key issue with cast iron pots is the weight.  They are heavy!!

We spent so much time window shopping that it was dinner time and I was hungry.  I check out all the resturants in Lucky Plaza.  Finally, we settled on Indonesian food on third floor where there is a Strait Times article published in 2006 on the resturant.  We had the Bakar Gurame Fish, 2 chicken satay, beef soup and gado gado.  The food is excellent and total price is $70 for 5 with two avocado drink and a passion fruit soda. 

After dinner, we continue with more window shopping in Times, Toys R Us and Metro.  We feel like we were on holiday with all our boys.  I have backache from walking all day.  I used the Philips Infrared heater on my back and it helps relief the aches.

B1 cooks Dinner and Dessert!

B1 did guard duty recently with a chef.  He learn cooking tips from this guy and is enthusiastic about cooking.  He wanted to try cooking potatoes, searing the meats and making tiramisu.  So we go to Fairprice to get the supplies - Russet Potatoes, Yellow Gold Potatoes, Marcaporne cheese, cream, salmon fillet and dill for seasoning the fish. 

I left B1 alone to figure out what to do.  He made potato wedges and cooked the fish.  He also seared the tenderloin and pork loin chops.  I barbequed the meats and made the salad.  I also warmed up the walnut loaf.  The  dinner ends late but it was an excellent dinner.  B1 is good at cooking.  I now have a son who loves to cook like daddy!

Seafood Linguine

I love the seafood linguine in Modestos.  The squid, clams and mussels are fresh.  Very fresh that they do not contain fishy smell or taste.  Even my ex-colleague was surprise as she knows I do not like seafood.  The food was good and it is good to catch up on anything and everything.  I ate so much that I will gain weight.  I love the food in Modesto's.

Interesting Character

Richard Feynman is an interesting character and a good story teller.  He is full of humor.  His first wife died of tubercolosis of the lymphs.  He regales tales of staying in cheap hotel and attending the UN conference in Switzerland.  It is funny.  He does not have big egos and loves physics.  His troubleshooting skills are tip top as he was asked to investigate into the shuttle's explosion.  The basic problem is communication.  People in the management do not listen to the people working on the ground.  This is typical of large organisation.

What Do You Care What Other People Think?

I read the first book "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman" after the interview with CEO of OCBC was published.  Now, I have book the second book in audio form.  It is interesting read as Richard Feynman is humorous.  I was laughing as I cycle.  So the joggers I overtake as I as cycled past them must have thought I am going bonkers!! I enjoyed this book!  I hope the library has more audio book books on Feynman's series. 

I will enjoy my rides more....

King of Baking

The Korean drama is taking Singapore by storm.  There are so many Korean drama in Channel U.  It used to be Hong Kong drama.  Taiwanese drama is least popular.  I am following the "Bread, Love and Dreams".  It is titled "King of Baking" in Philippines.  The drama according to Google is Baker King is taking Philippines by storm.  I am not sure what exactly it meant but I am sure it must be very popular.

My son says how can making bread become such an amazing story.

Puppy Reunites with Mum

We were riding on the PCN.  Just below Punggol Road, there was a puppy barking pitefully.  It was on the opposite side of the river.  Meanwhile, mum and another puppy is upslope.  Mum just stayed where she is and take care of the puppy that is with her.  Meanwhile this little is trying so hard and getting a lot of attention from the cyclists and B1.  B1 tried to help but the puppy was scared and keeps hiding from him.  Finally, two female cyclists trying to catch the puppy.  The puppy had no choice but to jump into the river to escape.  So, it manage to cross the river and reunites with mum. 

B1 is quite interested in animals nowadays.  He loves to play with cats whenever he sees them.   He used to be afraid of them.

Rahim Mee Rebus

I have been following Rahim's Mee Rebus since Johnny Wong brought me to try more than 20 years ago.  Rahim mee rebus has pass from father to son.  So I think Rahim should be the father.  Today, it is a husband and wife team running the stall.

The stall moved suddenly and now is in Ang Mo Kio Central.  We had two mee rebus special, one beehoon soto and 10 sticks of chicken satay.  The meal cost $16 and fed B2, B3, mummy and me.  The trade mark of the stall is a sign that says "Taste Good, Tell Your Friends.  Taste No Good, Tell Us."  It is a good way to get feedback.  I always enjoys the food.  The satay used to be at a good price.  Now at 55cents per stick, it is getting dear. 

Now that the stall is in AMK Central, it will be easy access as carparks are plentiful.  The previous stall opposite the mosque in Serangoon had very limited carparks and was an issue with patrons who get fine while eating.

A Tiring Night for My in-laws

Early morning call from my mother-in-law!  The Wife was rudely yanked out of dreamland.  Me too!  My in-law had a tiring night!  Their daughter-in-law is in hospital and requires high attention and maintenance.  My poor mother-in-law and father-in-law are busy taking care of the latest addition to their family.   I had a "soul misalignment" as Lobsang Rampa explained and had a headache for the morning.

However, for my two in-laws, they were up till 2am last night.  Then they get up at 5am to pray and go to work.  Luckily, my father-in-law is good now since his open-heart.  I visited them during lunch.  My mother-in-law showed me a creeper that has bear fruits.  My father-in-law asked me to go to his house to pick up the oranges which he had lots of since they are offerings for the gods.  He has vegetable seeds and asked if I like to grow them.  I will have to go and pick up some seeds for my hydroponics microfarm.

My in-laws love their son very much and spoils him since young as he is the only boy out of 6 children they have.  Now with a daughter-in-law that keep acting up and need attention at night is exhausting for them.  I feel sorry for them.  They are old and should have peaceful retirement.  Now my FIL has to actively manage the business while his son is busy taking care of his newly married wife. 

My wife used this incident to teach her two sons (B1 is in camp) the importance of marrying a good wife.

Night Ride at PCN

After dinner, B2 and B3 joined me for a night ride at the PCN.  A number of lights were out making the route looked different as B2 commented.  There are a number of cyclists and most have fancy lights.  One rider had a blinding flashing light on his helmet.  He is very inconsiderate as it is hard to see when he is coming in from opposite direction. 

B2 talks a lot about his billard exploits.  He has improved a lot and is very knowledgeable in the billard paraphernalia that he sells.  He is now doing business on a small scale.

Rainy Days

It is getting hard to cycle on the PCN with rain coming in almost every day.  There are hardcores who jogs or cycle in the rain.  Maybe I need to learn from them.  I wonder if they fall sick from exercising while getting drenched.

The rain also bring in more mosquitoes.  At the PCN, the uncompleted drainage is an excellent ground for breeding an army of mosquitoes. 

The positive effect is the cooler temperature.  We need the rain to bring respite from the heat. 

I am grateful for the cool weather and a loving family.  It is a real path to happiness.

Lazy Day

What is lazy day.  It is like a Sunday.  The supermarket was busy at 4 plus.  We did not go anywhere.  Not to Orchard for mall crawling nor to visit in-laws nor eating out.  Just spend the day lazing at home.  Our meals were leftovers from the party on Saturday and Sunday.

My car tyre was flat.  There is a screw in the tyre.  Changing the tyre in Prius is quite easy.  Took me fifteen minutes even though it is my first time.  It was hard work and I was sweating profusely.

I just peeled oranges for the Wife to juice it using a Hurom Slow Juicer.  The slow juicer retain all the antioxidants.  So it is healthier than the high speed spinning type.

Tomorrow is back to work...

Roast Potatoes

Today, we decided to have hamburgers for dinner like when we lived in Canada.  For carbohydrates, we usually make french fries as it is simple and easy.  Frozen french fries into the deep fryer or oven for healthier choice.  For change, I thought of roast potatoes which is quite tasty and different.  I loved the roast potatoes in US.  So we bought a bag of small potatoes and look up for the recipes in our library of cookbooks. Unfortunately, there is no recipes for roast potatoes.  So it is internet time.  Google "roast potatoes recipes" and a million entries found!!

I read a couple of recipes and they are quite similar making it a cinch to follow.  Boil the potatoes for 6 mins, take them out and add flour.  Fry them in the oil of your choice and oven them for 35 mins, turnover and over until brown at the edge.

They were good!  My boys loved the roast potatoes.

Nice Dinner

The wife cooks the dinner tonight.  She uses "soft bone" pork to boil soup and flavored with the water used to boil the prawns.  Add the Penang Prawn Noodle seasoning and a wonderful and delicious soup for our noodle.

My brother picks up his two girls and bring them here.  The baby girl does not like to come.  Anyway, I am very happy to host the two girls.  They are grown and it is good to keep regular contact.  My brother has gain 12 kgs since his open heart and he refuses to cut down his diet.  So it is challenging for his doctor to manage.

Good to have Family Over

My eldest and baby sister came with their kids.  It was good that my niece and her husband are working.   For some time they have been doing their own business but the 2nd hand cars market is bad now with the prices so high due the record price of COEs.  I am glad niece P came as she was travelling like crazy.  One nephew is in Taiwan for military training.

They enjoyed the food especially my nephew and nephew-in-law.  They loved my bbq beef tenderloin and ribeye.  My nephew loved the ribs and pork fillet.  I enjoyed them eating up the food.  The pork chop is tough.  So I will not do pork chop unless I am deep frying into tonkatsu.

I have to cook different food the next time they come. 

Tomorrow, it is prawn noodles soup.  So I will go to market early to get prawns and soft bone to boil soup.  I am looking forward to see my brother and his two elder daughters.

Buying Food for Tomorrow

I bought plenty of food for tomorrow.  Ribeye beef steak, frozen baby back ribs and frozen pork chops from Foodie Market.  It will be pure Western meal.  So I will prepare salad and french fries as well.  I told my two older boys to be home by 3pm as my sister do come early.   I am glad that Foodie Market supplies a good value of frozen meat. 

Tonight while preparing the calamansi drink, I had B3 stirring the pot of boiling water with rock sugar.  B1 had to prepare the chopped garlic for the cold cucumber dish.  It is good they participated and learn a little about cooking.

Obama Wins! Romney Loses.

At least we have some continuity.  Obama did a good job of campaigning and retaining his Presidency.  He has poised and is less emotional.  On the TV, he behaved like a gentleman constrasting Mitt Romney's body language of throwing his weight and skeptical look.  In all three debates, Mitt's mannerism remind me of my ex-boss.  He is so distasteful and totally ugly in his behaviour.  You can see the ego and self-importance Mitt has of himself.  Romney deserves to lose and eat the humble pie.

Fixing our Compost Bin

Today, we basically poured out all the rotting matter and lined them with cardboard.  We learned not to be greedy and have plenty of cardboard vs rotting green.  It is two parts brown and one part green.  So now we have reset the whole bin, I am optimistic that it will work.  Learn as you go kind of experiment.

Smelly Compost

I was trying to make compost but keep adding the green and fruit waste that it becomes smelly.  Now I have to fix it.  It is so easy nowadays.  So google and the answer pops out.  Unlike yore days, I have to make a trip to the library to search for answers.  This does not take away my love for books.  The internet is really heavenly for quick answers.    Now I know I have to add cardboard or newspaper and make it balance.  Too much waste  without dry twigs and sawdust would not work.  I now know not to be greedy and have to be patient.

Good to know there are many who made the same mistake.  This is why the video on how to fix is made.

Field Work

B3 looked hard yesterday and today and cannot find any of the tadpoles in the big pond.  So, I did more field work to collect frog tadpoles.  I managed to collect three today and put them on a separate tank.   I do not know if they will survive and grow.  I like to see them developing into frogs.  Toads had gone through several generations in our pond.  This rainy season, they did not come.  I realised they must have known that there is a serious predator, the Arowana.  Usually, the toads will be croaking noisily at our front yard during rainy season, now the silence is very loud! 

On top of the tadpoles, there were a couple of tiny water fleas.  I put them in the sea monkey's container and hope they will grow big.  I like to see what are they.

Collecting water samples makes me feel like a kid again.  I am a child scientist now.  Tadpoles are the easy first steps for a child:)

Tadpoles Hatched!

It is good news.  This morning, the eggs looked longish but not moving.  By late after there are plenty of tadpoles wriggling about.  Some of the tadpoles are active.  So many has hatched.  Since the tank is small and may not have enough food, I decided to put them into the big pond. 

There were some water fleas before the tadpoles hatched but they are all gone.  I will have to go and collect some more samples of the pond life to study them.

Frogs

It rained frequently now that the rainy season is in.  At the PCN, the incomplete drain has stagnant water.  The amazing thing is how quick nature take advantage of the situation.  There are frog eggs.  it is a surprise as frogs usually do not stay in the field.  I did notice that a foreign worker catches frogs before.  He even know where to look.  They were hiding under a large rectangular plank.

Now, I am not surprised to see the frog's eggs.  I looked around and found a old plastic bag that used for coffee and washed it in the reservoir as it was very dirty.  With the plastic bag, I managed to bring back some of the eggs.  However, all the eggs sank into the water when I put them in water tank.  I think it may be not be viable after getting shocks when I hit bumps and uneven ground as I hang the plastic bag on the handle bar.

In the afternoon, B3 and I went to the same place to take more eggs.  Hopefully, some will survive and turned into tadpoles and then frogs in our pond.

Trash Pack Prize

Finally, B3 got his prize for getting a "rare" or limited edition trash pack.  He was so excited and spent time on it even though he has the last paper for tomorrow.  Science is his strong subject, so we are not so concern.  However, he should revise and review his notes.  I am happy that he is happy.

The prize is worth $44 retail.  It is trash road sweeper.  His cousin is very excited about the limited edition and keep asking him how he managed to get one.  So B3 is the object of envy.