Went to Marina Square to spend my shopping vouchers....and I forgot to go to the jade shop to take a look to see if there are new stocks!!
Really feel like banging my head against the wall......................
Monday, June 28, 2010
Quiet...
It's the world cup season and Argentina just scored a controversial goal against Mexico...
But how come my neighbourhood is sooooooooooooo quiet???!!
No screams of G-O-A-LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL??!
But how come my neighbourhood is sooooooooooooo quiet???!!
No screams of G-O-A-LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL??!
国府
Celebrated Uncle Tan's last day at 国府 on 22 Jun 2010. But 国府's standard appeared to have dropped a little. One of the service staff's attitude was really bad too and Marcus told her off. So...abit of spoil mood....
In attendance: Uncle Tan, Jac, Diana, Candy, Marcus, Wendy, SL and ME!
Absent with apologies: Kat (sore throat and need to rest for flight to Taiwan the next day), ZZ (son needs to cultivate good sleeping habits), Yimei (mum's birthday)
The cake that SL bought on my behalf that was meant as a 'surprise' for Uncle Tan...
Let's sing a happy farewell song!!!
Uncle Tan very 感动ly reading out what was written by Ms 3 layers!
What was this uncle up to again?!
Food food so much food!!
All of us love 葱油饼！！
How come never take farewell picture with Uncle Tan leh??!!
In attendance: Uncle Tan, Jac, Diana, Candy, Marcus, Wendy, SL and ME!
Absent with apologies: Kat (sore throat and need to rest for flight to Taiwan the next day), ZZ (son needs to cultivate good sleeping habits), Yimei (mum's birthday)
The cake that SL bought on my behalf that was meant as a 'surprise' for Uncle Tan...
Let's sing a happy farewell song!!!
Uncle Tan very 感动ly reading out what was written by Ms 3 layers!
What was this uncle up to again?!
Food food so much food!!
All of us love 葱油饼！！
How come never take farewell picture with Uncle Tan leh??!!
Thrashed!
Woo hoo, England got thrashed 3-1 by Germany!!
Yes, the linesman was either blind or too fat to catch up with the pace of the game to deny England that goal. But even if that goal was counted, the German's were in good form and England's definately not their match!
Yes, the linesman was either blind or too fat to catch up with the pace of the game to deny England that goal. But even if that goal was counted, the German's were in good form and England's definately not their match!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Jade
Still looking out for a nice jade bangle.
Shall go to the jade shops at Chinatown and Marina Square again soon to see if there is any new stock.
Shall go to the jade shops at Chinatown and Marina Square again soon to see if there is any new stock.
Magic number 8558
Went dinner at PS with Elaine last Monday.
Browsed around the shops. Lee Hwa was having renovation sales. Wanted to check out the price of their loose diamond. 1.01 carat, Colour F, Clarity SI, selling at $8558.
Setting is free as long as above 1 carat. Very good buy for this one.
For a Clarity VS ring, it was another $3000 more.
Shall not spend money on this first...
Browsed around the shops. Lee Hwa was having renovation sales. Wanted to check out the price of their loose diamond. 1.01 carat, Colour F, Clarity SI, selling at $8558.
Setting is free as long as above 1 carat. Very good buy for this one.
For a Clarity VS ring, it was another $3000 more.
Shall not spend money on this first...
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The day, 23 Jun 2010
Finally the rubberband has snapped beyond repair. I told my immediate boss that I want a transfer.
She asked me what happened. Actually nothing particular sparked it off. I just felt that I had enough.
Talk till the cows come home, things will hardly change. That is the nature of our job, I suppose. The other factors only adds on to the stress and frustration just built up.
Anyway, I am on a 'Project Search'. Looking out at which branch I want to go to.
Met with an ex-colleague over lunch 2 days ago. She was transferred to the adoption branch not too long ago. Meeting another friend from the fostering branch. Well, let's see how things work out.
Ms Manager said she wanted to talk 2 days ago. Told her we would wait till next week. I know what she wants to talk about. Need to think of ways to reject her 'counter-offer'.
It's time to go.
Nothing is official yet. Anyone who read this, please shhhh first...:))
She asked me what happened. Actually nothing particular sparked it off. I just felt that I had enough.
Talk till the cows come home, things will hardly change. That is the nature of our job, I suppose. The other factors only adds on to the stress and frustration just built up.
Anyway, I am on a 'Project Search'. Looking out at which branch I want to go to.
Met with an ex-colleague over lunch 2 days ago. She was transferred to the adoption branch not too long ago. Meeting another friend from the fostering branch. Well, let's see how things work out.
Ms Manager said she wanted to talk 2 days ago. Told her we would wait till next week. I know what she wants to talk about. Need to think of ways to reject her 'counter-offer'.
It's time to go.
Nothing is official yet. Anyone who read this, please shhhh first...:))
This Jul, I dislike....
Alvin has left, Kat has left and Marcus has left.
Calvin was on leave since last month. He will not be back until the 3rd week of Jul.
Out of the 5 saturdays in Jul, I have to work on 3 and on stand-by on another.
Shitty month......
Calvin was on leave since last month. He will not be back until the 3rd week of Jul.
Out of the 5 saturdays in Jul, I have to work on 3 and on stand-by on another.
Shitty month......
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Batam 12 to 13 Jun 2010
Our trip, albeit only to Batam, finally materialised!
We took the noon ferry from tanah merry ferry terminal. Of course, not forgetting to buy some booze before hoping onto the ferry!
We reached Batam around 12.45pm and took the arranged transport to our chalet at Nongsa Resort.
The transport that would bring us to our chalet!
Our chalet!
First Floor:
Living room
Kitchen
Bedroom with 2 single size beds
Common bathroom
Second Floor:
1 Bedroom with queen sized bed and attached bathroom
1 Bedroom with king size bed and attached bathroom with bathtub
After that we arranged for transport to bring out for seafood lunch, sightseeing, shopping and supermarketing.
I must say that the transport service is really quite bad. The driver made us wait for an hour, attributing it to bad traffic. WTH.
The driver FINALLY came to fetch us!!
And when we asked him if there were any place good for sightseeing, he was not able to give much suggestion, until we asked him about the Barelang Bridge, all thanks to my iphone I was able to surf for information just before we went onto the ferry. At the end of the day, he even charged us extra money because he brought us to the bridge. I mean, we do not mind paying but at least he should have informed us of the extra cost before hand right?
Seafood lunch was alright. Less than $20 each for the amount of food we ordered was really dirt cheap. We order steamed crab, chilli crab, steamed prawn, stir-fry tapioca leaves, chilli kangkong, steamed fish, mee goreng and grilled scallops.
After we had out fill, we went to the Balerang Bridge, which is apparantly the first bridge in Batam.
After that we went to Nagoya Hill Shopping Centre, the biggest shopping mall which housed their Matahari Department Store. Although it is the biggest shopping centre, there really wasn't much things to shop! :D But, the biggest buyer was Candy because the diapers were really cheap!!
Shopping and supermarketing.
Anyway it was close to 1030pm when we returned to the chalet. Some of the guys wanted to eat supper so we prepared maggie me, fried egg and canned sardines.
Alvin preparing supper.
Then it was chit chat and booze time. Drink we did, except Siew Ling and Alvin. And vomit we did, with the exception of Kat, Marcus and me. But I had a terrible hangover the next morning. Damn giddy la, could not take in any breakfast. Rested awhile, pooped and felt better. Haha...the others vomit to rid the alcohol while I pooped. Weird ya?! :P
Booze and chat time!
Checked out at 1pm the next day. Again, the driver was late!!!
Went to collect our tickets at the ferry terminal and then proceeded to Mega Mall for lunch, shopping and buy kuay lapis.
Bee hoon soto, sweet and sour vege soup and Nasi goreng. The sweet and sour soup and nasi goreng were nice but the soto was way too oily!
Gado-gado and MINI ayam pengnek. The gado-gado was nice! I like the ayam pengyek but some said the chicken was too dry. Of course still cannot be compared to Singapore's ayam pengyek though.
The LOOT for Candy! :)) Marcus was the extra.
Our tea before we head off to the ferry terminal.
Final group shot!
We took the noon ferry from tanah merry ferry terminal. Of course, not forgetting to buy some booze before hoping onto the ferry!
We reached Batam around 12.45pm and took the arranged transport to our chalet at Nongsa Resort.
The transport that would bring us to our chalet!
Our chalet!
First Floor:
Living room
Kitchen
Bedroom with 2 single size beds
Common bathroom
Second Floor:
1 Bedroom with queen sized bed and attached bathroom
1 Bedroom with king size bed and attached bathroom with bathtub
After that we arranged for transport to bring out for seafood lunch, sightseeing, shopping and supermarketing.
I must say that the transport service is really quite bad. The driver made us wait for an hour, attributing it to bad traffic. WTH.
The driver FINALLY came to fetch us!!
And when we asked him if there were any place good for sightseeing, he was not able to give much suggestion, until we asked him about the Barelang Bridge, all thanks to my iphone I was able to surf for information just before we went onto the ferry. At the end of the day, he even charged us extra money because he brought us to the bridge. I mean, we do not mind paying but at least he should have informed us of the extra cost before hand right?
Seafood lunch was alright. Less than $20 each for the amount of food we ordered was really dirt cheap. We order steamed crab, chilli crab, steamed prawn, stir-fry tapioca leaves, chilli kangkong, steamed fish, mee goreng and grilled scallops.
After we had out fill, we went to the Balerang Bridge, which is apparantly the first bridge in Batam.
After that we went to Nagoya Hill Shopping Centre, the biggest shopping mall which housed their Matahari Department Store. Although it is the biggest shopping centre, there really wasn't much things to shop! :D But, the biggest buyer was Candy because the diapers were really cheap!!
Shopping and supermarketing.
Anyway it was close to 1030pm when we returned to the chalet. Some of the guys wanted to eat supper so we prepared maggie me, fried egg and canned sardines.
Alvin preparing supper.
Then it was chit chat and booze time. Drink we did, except Siew Ling and Alvin. And vomit we did, with the exception of Kat, Marcus and me. But I had a terrible hangover the next morning. Damn giddy la, could not take in any breakfast. Rested awhile, pooped and felt better. Haha...the others vomit to rid the alcohol while I pooped. Weird ya?! :P
Booze and chat time!
Checked out at 1pm the next day. Again, the driver was late!!!
Went to collect our tickets at the ferry terminal and then proceeded to Mega Mall for lunch, shopping and buy kuay lapis.
Bee hoon soto, sweet and sour vege soup and Nasi goreng. The sweet and sour soup and nasi goreng were nice but the soto was way too oily!
Gado-gado and MINI ayam pengnek. The gado-gado was nice! I like the ayam pengyek but some said the chicken was too dry. Of course still cannot be compared to Singapore's ayam pengyek though.
The LOOT for Candy! :)) Marcus was the extra.
Our tea before we head off to the ferry terminal.
Final group shot!
Recipe for steam yam cake
Ingredients:
500g yam(skinned, diced)
500g rice flour
2 tbsp tapioca flour
1800ml water
5 dried mushrooms(soaked & diced)
2 chinese sausages(diced)
150g pork(diced)
100g dried prawns(soaked, chopped)
100g shallots(sliced)
4 Tbsp cooking oil
Seasoning:
1 tsp light soya sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp vetsin
1/2 tsp five-spice powder(optional)
Garnishing:
2 stalks spring onions(diced)
2 fresh red chillies(diced)
Fried shallot crisps
2 tbsp sesame seeds
Method:
1. Mix rice flour and tapioca flour with 900ml water. Strain mixture and set aside for 15 minutes.
2. Heat 4 tbsp oil in wok, fry the sliced shallots until golden brown. Remove and set aside for garnishing.
3. In the same oil, stir-fry the chopped dried prawns and sausages until aromatic. Remove half of it for garnishing.
4. Add pork and mushrooms and stir-fry for a while. Add in the yam cubes, seasoning and some water and let simmer for a while. Dish up and set aside.
5. Boil the remaining 900ml of water with 1 tsp salt. When water is boiling, turn off heat immediately. Add in the mixture from (4) and the flour solution from (1) and keep on stirring till mixture becomes thick. Pour batter into a greased 23cm steaming tray.
6. Steam mixture over high heat for 45 minutes or until cooked.
7. Whilst still hot, spread remaining fried dried prawns and sausages on top. Garnish with chopped spring onions, chillies and coriander leaves. Sprinkle with lightly toasted sesame seeds and fried shallot crisps.
8. When cold, cut into serving pieces and serve with chilli sauce.
500g yam(skinned, diced)
500g rice flour
2 tbsp tapioca flour
1800ml water
5 dried mushrooms(soaked & diced)
2 chinese sausages(diced)
150g pork(diced)
100g dried prawns(soaked, chopped)
100g shallots(sliced)
4 Tbsp cooking oil
Seasoning:
1 tsp light soya sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp vetsin
1/2 tsp five-spice powder(optional)
Garnishing:
2 stalks spring onions(diced)
2 fresh red chillies(diced)
Fried shallot crisps
2 tbsp sesame seeds
Method:
1. Mix rice flour and tapioca flour with 900ml water. Strain mixture and set aside for 15 minutes.
2. Heat 4 tbsp oil in wok, fry the sliced shallots until golden brown. Remove and set aside for garnishing.
3. In the same oil, stir-fry the chopped dried prawns and sausages until aromatic. Remove half of it for garnishing.
4. Add pork and mushrooms and stir-fry for a while. Add in the yam cubes, seasoning and some water and let simmer for a while. Dish up and set aside.
5. Boil the remaining 900ml of water with 1 tsp salt. When water is boiling, turn off heat immediately. Add in the mixture from (4) and the flour solution from (1) and keep on stirring till mixture becomes thick. Pour batter into a greased 23cm steaming tray.
6. Steam mixture over high heat for 45 minutes or until cooked.
7. Whilst still hot, spread remaining fried dried prawns and sausages on top. Garnish with chopped spring onions, chillies and coriander leaves. Sprinkle with lightly toasted sesame seeds and fried shallot crisps.
8. When cold, cut into serving pieces and serve with chilli sauce.
Recipe for yam rice
Ingredients:
1 cup yam, diced
50g dried shrimp, soaked
Button mushroom, sliced
Chinese mushroom, soaked and sliced
chicken/pork, sliced
Shallot
Rice
Seasoning:
1tbp light soya sauce
1tbp dark soya sauce
1/4 tbp pepper
1 tsp salt
- Fry shallot and dried shrimp till fragrant.
- Add chicken/pork, mushrooms, rice and seasoning.
- Add some water. Use the water that you use to soak the dried shrimp.
- Mix well.
- Transfer to cooker. Add water. Water should be 1cm above the rice.
Alternative method:
- Cook plain rice in cooker.
- Cook all other ingredients as mention above then pour into cook rice inside cooker. The ingredients must not have too much gravy if not the rice will be too soft and sticky.
1 cup yam, diced
50g dried shrimp, soaked
Button mushroom, sliced
Chinese mushroom, soaked and sliced
chicken/pork, sliced
Shallot
Rice
Seasoning:
1tbp light soya sauce
1tbp dark soya sauce
1/4 tbp pepper
1 tsp salt
- Fry shallot and dried shrimp till fragrant.
- Add chicken/pork, mushrooms, rice and seasoning.
- Add some water. Use the water that you use to soak the dried shrimp.
- Mix well.
- Transfer to cooker. Add water. Water should be 1cm above the rice.
Alternative method:
- Cook plain rice in cooker.
- Cook all other ingredients as mention above then pour into cook rice inside cooker. The ingredients must not have too much gravy if not the rice will be too soft and sticky.
Recipe for fried kuay teow
Ingredients:
Garlic
Bean sprouts
Chinese sausage
Fish cake
Kuay teow
2 tsp light soya sauce
1 tsp dark soya sauce
Salt
Pepper
Eggs
- Fry garlic till fragrant.
- Add kuay teow and fry tell frangrant.
- Add chinese sausage and fish cake.
- Add light and dark soya sauce, salt and pepper.
- Mix well. Create a well in the center and pour in egg.
- Add bean sprout and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Garlic
Bean sprouts
Chinese sausage
Fish cake
Kuay teow
2 tsp light soya sauce
1 tsp dark soya sauce
Salt
Pepper
Eggs
- Fry garlic till fragrant.
- Add kuay teow and fry tell frangrant.
- Add chinese sausage and fish cake.
- Add light and dark soya sauce, salt and pepper.
- Mix well. Create a well in the center and pour in egg.
- Add bean sprout and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Recipe for chocolate chips and cream cheese muffin
Ingredients:
80g sugar
2 large eggs
60g milk
70g melted butter
100g cream cheese
1/1/2 tbsp caster sugar
chocolate chips
180g cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 isp salt
- Cream cheese topping: mix together cream cheese and caster sugar.
- Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
- Whisk eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add milk and butter into whisked eggs and lightly mix it.
- Pour in sifted ingredients and mix well.
- Pour into paper cups and scoope a teaspoon of cream cheese mixture on top.
- Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Bake at 180C for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.
80g sugar
2 large eggs
60g milk
70g melted butter
100g cream cheese
1/1/2 tbsp caster sugar
chocolate chips
180g cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 isp salt
- Cream cheese topping: mix together cream cheese and caster sugar.
- Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
- Whisk eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add milk and butter into whisked eggs and lightly mix it.
- Pour in sifted ingredients and mix well.
- Pour into paper cups and scoope a teaspoon of cream cheese mixture on top.
- Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
- Bake at 180C for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.
Recipe for grilled honey garlic chicken wings
Ingredient:
Chicken Wings
Marinate:
1 Tbsp garlic
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp black pepper
2 Tbsp brown sugar
- Marinate chicken wings. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours.
- Grill chicken wings until brown.
Chicken Wings
Marinate:
1 Tbsp garlic
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp black pepper
2 Tbsp brown sugar
- Marinate chicken wings. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours.
- Grill chicken wings until brown.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Decision decision decision....
Went to the orthodontist last friday. He said my teeth would take about 15 to 18 months to correct. After treatment, the bottom would be straightened and the top would be pushed in....
But, he would need to extract 2 teeth on top. The forth, counting from the front from each side. And he does not do the extraction. Meaning, he would give me a referral letter for another dentist to extract, then go back to him to fix the braces.
The committment is once a week visit for the first 3 weeks, then monthly subsequently.
Total cost of treatment not including the extraction is $3800, payable $500 each visit during the first 3 weeks, and the rest spread out through the period of treatment. To my surprise, the consultation was FOC. Really know how to 放长线钓大鱼！But to be fair, the orthodontist did tell me not to rush and give it a good thought.
I forgot to ask when I can have the braces fixed after the extraction. I do not fancy having no teeth for too long a period.
How how how?? Should put anot???
But, he would need to extract 2 teeth on top. The forth, counting from the front from each side. And he does not do the extraction. Meaning, he would give me a referral letter for another dentist to extract, then go back to him to fix the braces.
The committment is once a week visit for the first 3 weeks, then monthly subsequently.
Total cost of treatment not including the extraction is $3800, payable $500 each visit during the first 3 weeks, and the rest spread out through the period of treatment. To my surprise, the consultation was FOC. Really know how to 放长线钓大鱼！But to be fair, the orthodontist did tell me not to rush and give it a good thought.
I forgot to ask when I can have the braces fixed after the extraction. I do not fancy having no teeth for too long a period.
How how how?? Should put anot???
Most stressful ever...
Last Thursday was the most stressful gym session ever. Don't know why Junwei decided to join Joel's class as a 'student'. And he was standing just next to me....
Darn stressful to have an instructor beside all the time lor.... >.
Darn stressful to have an instructor beside all the time lor.... >.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Hilariously speechless
Dropped by Marina Bay Sands Casino/Shopping Centre on Saturday night to have a look since we were at Marina Square.
I wonder what is wrong with those foreigners. All the queues at the various entrances of the casino were so long! Would you queue hours to get into the casino to gamble?
The shopping centre is not fully opened yet and still under renovation. Only a few miserable shops were opened with hardly any business. The 'pond' in the middle is not ready and the water is really dirty. Breeding grounds for mosquitoes!!
Hard try at trying to copy The Venice Hotel in Macau? Well, then we are seriously no where near.
The Helix Bridge is pretty. Ya just pretty, nothing amazing I feel. Nothing amazing as it is the stardard expected from Singapore! :P
I wonder what is wrong with those foreigners. All the queues at the various entrances of the casino were so long! Would you queue hours to get into the casino to gamble?
The shopping centre is not fully opened yet and still under renovation. Only a few miserable shops were opened with hardly any business. The 'pond' in the middle is not ready and the water is really dirty. Breeding grounds for mosquitoes!!
Hard try at trying to copy The Venice Hotel in Macau? Well, then we are seriously no where near.
The Helix Bridge is pretty. Ya just pretty, nothing amazing I feel. Nothing amazing as it is the stardard expected from Singapore! :P
Never rested...
Yeah...the report churning machine never rested. Finally going to Batam with the gang this weekend, but got to complete 3 reports first.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Recipe for Curry Chicken
Ingredients
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 small onions, minced
1 slice fresh ginger root (substitute: I used about 1/2 tbsp of ground ginger)
5 tablespoons curry powder
5 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup yogurt
1 cup coconut milk (substitute: I replaced with 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/2 cup milk)
1 cup milk
1 cup water
2 large potatoes, cubed
1 (4 pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (substitute: I used chicken wings instead)
salt to taste
Directions
1.In a small bowl, grind together garlic, onion and ginger. In a separate small bowl, mix together curry powder and 5 tablespoons water. (I used the electric blender)
2.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Saute garlic, ginger and onion until brown; add curry paste and saute together until smell is strong and fragrant.
3.Add yogurt,coconut milk and regular milk along with 1 cup of water, and stir all together. Then add potatoes and chicken and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes.
4.Season with salt to taste and simmer for another 2 minutes; the curry is ready!
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 small onions, minced
1 slice fresh ginger root (substitute: I used about 1/2 tbsp of ground ginger)
5 tablespoons curry powder
5 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup yogurt
1 cup coconut milk (substitute: I replaced with 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/2 cup milk)
1 cup milk
1 cup water
2 large potatoes, cubed
1 (4 pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (substitute: I used chicken wings instead)
salt to taste
Directions
1.In a small bowl, grind together garlic, onion and ginger. In a separate small bowl, mix together curry powder and 5 tablespoons water. (I used the electric blender)
2.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Saute garlic, ginger and onion until brown; add curry paste and saute together until smell is strong and fragrant.
3.Add yogurt,
4.Season with salt to taste and simmer for another 2 minutes; the curry is ready!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Finally did it!
Yup finally picked up the phone and made my first consultation appointment with Alfred Cheng Orthodontist Clinic. Appointment scheduled for next friday. After that facial, gym and then Batam on Saturday :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)