Char Siew, Rice and Roast DUCK! Yum yummmm! + 328 KATONG LAKSA!!!!!

After tea break with MamaBear :) who is finally BACK in SG!! [mee pok soup - just like mi nuoc], I had dinner with Jack!

My gymnastics place is around this outdoor mall-ish area in Toa Payoh...so we ate around there. Originally we were going for chicken rice (*doh) but because it was closed...(it's ok. I've had enough chicken rice for this week) ^.^



I had...(as you surmised from the title of the post).....char siew (sa sieu in Vietnamese), rice, and roast duck! yum yum yum!


Ok in all fairness, the char siew was a bit overcooked and burnt. And the roast duck was decent. There is an accompany black sauce that was drizzled over the plate of meat, and it was a sweet/slightly salty mixture.





And this is a super cute white grape drink! SO CUTE!!!


So today for lunch I am a bit full despite the small bowl of laksa I had. I usually go to a place in Roxy Square, but we decided to try the one across the street. Here is a shot of it on the overpass on the way there!






The coconut broth of the laksa was so delicious, but it was a bit too heavy (I can feel the cholesterol building up in my arteries) for me. It was more spicy than the "Original Katong Laksa" in Roxy Square, but I think it was a bit much. The owner's wife of this 328 Katong Laksa is actually "Classic Mrs. Singapore," and despite her interesting hair color, she is quite cute! She has a nice smile that makes you feel warm inside! Hooray! There are pictures of her all over, as well as local celebrities inside! You have the option to eat in the A/C (or as Singaporeans say, 'aircon') area or outside (with fans blowing every which way!), so we chose the A/C spot.

OK but afterwards I was feeling 1. lethargic and 2. kinda sick to my stomach, so I suspect that something didn't agree with my body. Oh yeah. This one goes for $3.50 for the smallest bowl (then S$4.50, S$5.50) - which is 50 cents more than other comparable places.

Due to the unhappiness of my stomach (despite the enjoyment of the spicy kick), I don't think I'll return here again. I prefer the one inside Roxy Square (agreeable and doesn't make me feel like my arteries are clogging).

Chicken Rice...again!

Oh my goodness. Just thinking about how delicious lunch was yesterday made me want to visit the same stall again.

So, confirming details:
01-144 Hai Nan Xu Ji Chicken (they sell porridge and macaroni as well)
sooooo delicious
full meal cost of S$3.50 and the drink (iced peach tea...again ^.^) cost me S$1.20.

I even got a bunch of weird looks from taking pictures of my meal! haha!

angry bunny with stupid wireless@sg. tails!

So Singapore has free wireless in a lot of locations all around the city-state, but AFTER I SIGNED UP FOR IT, IT WON'T WORK AT ALL FOR ME. I THINK IT WORKED ONCE SINCE 4 MONTHS AGO WHEN I SIGNED UP FOR IT.

STUPID SINGTEL WON'T TROUBLESHOOT THE STUPID THING EITHER!!!!!!!!!!!! I CALLED THEIR TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND IT KEEPS SAYING THAT I EXCEEDED NUMBER OF TRIES. AND THEN I CALLED GENERAL INQUIRIES AND THEY WERE LIKE CALL TECHNICAL SUPPORT. AND I TRIED AGAIN AND AGAIN AND I WANT TO KILL SOMEONE.

ANGRY BUNNY!

NOW I MUST PAY FOR MY SINGTEL PHONE. WAHLAU SO EXPENSIVE!!

New Blog!

Yes, I am doing the most awesome thing and managing two separate blogs now. One is dedicated to Singapore, and the other is dedicated to food. Hopefully I will be a good girl and keep both up, but you can find the other one at:

http://foodhappiness.blogspot.com

Love,
M

Surprising Lunch of CHICKEN RICE!

Today I resent myself for not taking a picture before everyone dug into our Chicken Rice meal. If you don't know, Chicken Rice is a very popular dish here. You have your choice of steamed (?) or roasted chicken plus lots and lots of rice. And chicken broth (with dried onions and fresh green onions inside - hooray!) to accompany your deliciousness.

I'm not positive of the address (again) but it was at the Hawker Centre next to Parkway Parade (Marine Parade Promenade) #1-144 (I think...sorry if I'm wrong!!). It was definitely the first time I have ever finished my rice in Singapore. I love to pour the broth over the rice and make it a bit damp (though not soupy).

Because there was three of us, we spent (always in Singapore dollars unless I specify otherwise) S$9.90 and there was LEFT OVER MEAT!!!!! Oh, and I love cucumber with Chicken Rice though I haven't figured out what is so special about the accompanying sticky [sweet?] black sauce. The red sauce is obvious - spicy :(. SO CHEAP and so much food!

I HEART SG!

I will have to take a picture another time. The usual chicken rice food stalls have closed, unexpectedly & sadly. But I'm sure that I will visit 1-144 again.

Somewhere in Batam

I think this was my most favorite meal in Batam, Indonesia.

Sorry, I am not quite sure of the address (it was quite ghetto, if you ask me), and I did manage to get about 44 mosquito bites on June 4, 2008 from this restaurant (being that the seating area is on a pier).

Let's have a look:


OH yes. This crab was amazing. I remember the first time I had crab in Asia, I noticed that the crabs are super small. But now, it doesn't matter. Well, it does because I don't know how to crack open the shells. This is why it's important to go eat crab with lots of friends who take pity on you (Jack).



I love variety! By the way, I have confused many a person by saying 'shrimp' instead of 'prawn'.



I CAN STILL HEAR THE SIZZLES!!!!


This is a picture of my buddy Hedwig, who likes to pop into the camera at times. This is a picture of the lantern hanging over our heads while I was eaten alive by mosquitoes (but was in such a euphoric state with the food that I failed to notice...sob).

OK This place also has the best chicken wings ever (black peppered.....goodness), but I didn't manage to take a picture because 1. it was the second time I was at the place and 2. I was still really (upset) itchy.

First Day & Introductions!

I guess a bit of an introduction is necessary to figure out WHAT this blog aims to do.

I currently live in Singapore, which means that I have been exposed to Singaporean food (as well as other ones from my many travels for business) for a few months now. I am totally in love with it. Yes, I know that there are other websites dedicated to Singaporean food (I can recommend yum.sg, for one), but I was a bit dissatisfied with my options, so why not try my hand at making my own blog about Singaporean food?

Please keep in mind that:
1. I am no professional food taste tester. I wouldn't know truffles from mushrooms, but I will know ketchup from mustard.
2. I only like things that make me happy. Delicious food (not necessarily "good" or "healthy") makes me happy.
3. I tend to enjoy unhealthy food more than healthy food (this means that I do not share Karl Lagerfeld's view that cheese and icing are "plastic").
4. Sometimes I may cheat and talk about food that I've had in the past. The date usually will correspond, but if it doesn't I will mention it.
5. I hate labeling posts. I will try...and fail.

At the end of the day, I hope that I share with (perhaps impart on) you some sort of appreciation for [Singaporean] food.

Love!

P.S. This URL does not mean to imply ANYTHING other than that, simply put, I love to eat food.

123people.com

123people.com scares the bejesus out of me. It is a website where you go and search for information on anyone. Baby is lucky because there are lots of clueless people out there like her. But Bunny is special, and she cannot hide as well. So bunny deletes her other accounts that she doesn't use. la.

so yeah I just heard about the German Film Festival in Singapore (www.goethe.de/singapore), and I'm really excited about some of the films that they are showing starting next week! Of COURSE, most of them stem from WWII and the Holocaust, which sadly I am history illiterate and ...not necessarily turn a blind eye at all but just that I don't like to watch depressing movies. Or, for that matter, any type of scary film.

But there are a few I am keen to see: (oh shoot, I just used the word "keen" o_o) [summaries taken from the goethe.de website]

1. The Counterfeiters (which won the 2008 Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film)

Written and directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, it fictionalizes Operation Bernhard, a secret plan by the Nazis during the Second World War to destabilize the United Kingdom by flooding its economy with forged Bank of England currency. The film centers on a Jewish counterfeiter, Salomon Sorowitsch, who is coerced into assisting the Nazi operation at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. The film is based on a memoir written by Adolf Burger, a Jewish Slovak typographer who was imprisoned in 1942 for forging baptismal certificates to save Jews from deportation, and later interned at Sachsenhausen to work on Operation Bernhard. It won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar at the 80th Academy Awards in 2008.
Source: 57. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin (Catalogue) / www.wikipedia.com

2. The Wave ("loosely-based" on a short book that I recommend reading)

The Wave is loosely based on the real experience of an American high school class in 1967. History teacher Ron Jones (Jürgen Vogel, in a standout performance) attempted to teach his pupils the realities of fascism and how easily an ideology of superiority can take root. The movement became so popular that the life of the whole school was affected. Director Dennis Gansel fashions an energetic, gripping drama that goes straight for the veins--the human psychologies and individual behaviours that contribute to collective movements. In unpeeling the emotional layers and contradictions of his characters, Gansel offers a humanistic perspective on the terrifying irony that these students may welcome the very things they denounce.
Source: Sundance Festival

3. The Vow

The Vow was inspired by the old sentimental ballad of the same name. Stripped to its essentials, the story concerned the "forbidden" romance between a monk and a nun. Though the monk never declares himself, he writes innumerable love songs dedicated to the nun. Upon his death, the songs are discovered -- and, out of respect to the sacred vows taken by both hero and heroine, those songs are buried in the same coffin with the love struck monk. When originally presented in New York, The Vow was provided with a "live" accompaniment by baritone Raymond Ellis, violinist Adi Duam, and organist Nelson Spreckling.
Source: All Movie Guide

4. Rabbit without ears (GASP!!!!!!)

Blessed with virile bravado and unshakable self-confidence, muckraking reporter Ludo (Til Schweiger) usually gets the interviews. All goes well until he lands in big trouble in the midst of a celebrity party and is sentenced to 300 hours of social work in a pre-school nursery. Expecting it to be child's play, Ludo is in for a big surprise when he discovers that the place is run by Anna (Nora Tschirner), whom he enjoyed making malicious fun of in their primary-school days. Now Anna is ready to take revenge. Mercilessly. Resolutely. Adorably.
Source: http://thecia.com.au

So there are a total of about 30 movies (some are shown twice because they are more acclaimed).

So the fourth one is definitely a romance of sorts, I suspect. It's good to have laughs once in a while. And a good cry, but that is for another time :)

And over the weekend I got a TON of sleep ^.^ and watched Max Payne (which is just OK).

And I was sad to hear that Terrence Howard has been DROPPED!!!!!!! from Ironman 2. what the heck? OH MAN. That is sad.

I'm thinking about starting a blog specifically about the food I eat in Singapore. I'm not sure yet. And what about one where I make comments about celebrities? Haha.


Oh yes, and Friday is Halloween, which really isn't celebrated in Singapore. :( But it's all right. I was never one to dress up once I hit that certain age anyways.

I had a dream that I was back in high school. Weird. Out of the blue!

OK WHAT ELSE? I started taking gymnastics classes again, and my body has not forgiven me yet. I am going again tomorrow night, but at least I make new friends ^.^!!!!!

OK adventures.....this weekend I hope that I can get some sort of TAN because I am a pale pale girl who uses Clarisonic (which keeps your face uber pale man........UBER PALE). But since it has been especially cloudy, we'll see.

I'm thinking about going to Bali (Indonesia) around Christmas time ^.^ with some friends! YIPEE!

love,
sansies

I Love Lorie Line!

Goodness me! It’s been a while. So Wednesday I went to a “programme” by the Singapore International Photography Festival to Jim Orca’s talk “21st Century and Beyond: Images Transcending Culture”, which was quite a name for a half interesting/half boring talk. But he has done a lot for the community. He is a commercial photographer by trade, but he’s used his photography to help himself connect to people – as well as use his photography to connect different worlds together.
One of his projects is for the World Toilet Organization, which is for promoting sanitation (and buying toilets, I presume) for the poorest parts of the world. Another project was for a school that is for ex-convict/juvenile delinquents that want a second chance and go back to school. He had a model who actually was a student, and he did a lot of “breaking free” motifs as well as interesting (sometimes a tad more obvious than suits my personal tastes, but it’s ok) schemes. I wish that he sold some of the pictures as t-shirts  promoting a good cause while supporting it as well. I really like how he has a ‘resurrection’ theme while the body actually made the outline of an up-arrow.
The other thing (while bringing up the movie Born in Brothels) was going to teach Indian children of various ages to shoot photography (and I believe how to use the Internet as well) with use of a translator.
Even though another talk I went to (Institute of Critical Zoologists) was quite creative and definitely an eccentric perspective, I think that Jim Orca’s work has moved me more. I actually decided today to try to be a nicer person (but only to strangers). I helped a girl (who later turned out to be Korean, who knew?) get her tray for lunch today. Small, but I guess since I had nothing else to think about during lunch, why not?

This weekend was pretty pretty crazy. Friday night I met up with some of my friends for dinner. Then I met my Indonesian friend (who was here for a wedding) and we hung out first at New Asia Bar (VIPs again....^.^) and then we went out to ButterFactory as well.
On Saturday...yes I spoiled myself like crazy. I got a massage and then a facial at this cute little place in Adelphi (it only cost $113 for three hours!!!). I am definitely going back!! And bringing my friends!! Then I bought a bunch of makeup (because I need to start wearing makeup for work...oh man)...from Make Up For Ever (used by lots of make-up artists, apparently). We had a lot of fun with the make-up artist, and I will need to go back (though I did spend a whopping amount there) do learn how to do more fun eyes (i totally just bought one nude colour...color...color.....:p).

So then met up at Supper Club (which was completely amazing) with my friend + his “indo” friends for some fun; then I went home, and slept like a log.

Sunday was more subdued. Met SH at Orchard to buy some art supplies at Art Friend in Takashimaya (after sharing some Jampong(?) [spicy Korean seafood noodle soup] and japchae [my favourite]) that favourite was intentional ok?! Then we went back to her place, and i painted like there was no tomorrow, and my painting is ok, but I learned two important things: (1) paint the background first and (2) sketch or else everything looks lopsided. Don’t worry, I have no chance at becoming the next amazing painter because definitely cannot paint fine details like them. I don’t have an inherent grasp of color and light yet.

My husband ^.^ (good friend) drew me a picture with watercolour pencils....i laughed a lot, but it actually is very nice because he used the Chinese calligraphy strokes. Then Sunday night we went out to eat some CRAB (OH SO DELICIOUS ......drool.........droooooooooool.......-wipe-) and then play some pool (my ‘husband’ played with me and made me feel better about myself, so i played better this time than last time :p.

Don’t worry, my so-called husband is not my boyfriend. No boyfriend for me! He is a very good friend though (we go to the bookstore together because I cannot go with my tinkers anymore...) (tear). I tinkled my friend’s piano, and I’m about to go buy some sheet music I think (from some place in Orchard sometime later this week) so that I can have a good time running the fingers around. The tone is vaire close to m. Hasbrook’s old one. But out of tune as well. :p just old and antiquey...
I’m looking for something to fill the bottom portion of my painting though. It’s complete except that I want to put a poem or something else there. (maybe even in Chinese, if the husband consents) lol.

I’m about to sign up for gymnastics classes as well. Oh dear. I know I am going to be a log the next morning, but I need things to keep my body in  better shape. Blah. Everything is a little tighter now that I am in my old ways.

Gotta run! Going to see a movie with a friend tonight  My Magic by Eric Khoo.

Love, love, love
Sansie

Weekend Treats!

Saturday morning I went off to the URA Gallery. Then we went off to buy a duffel bag at Peninsula Plaza, then to buy The Three Kingdoms (two volumes) at a second-hand bookstore for me and look at art supplies We might have stopped for ice cream along the way in ArtHouse (near the Asian Civilizations Museum)! Then we met up with the gang and went to see a Portuguese movie about police in Brazil. Very intense and violent movie. I think the guys liked it a lot, but I think the effect was more fun for Sunday's adventure. Afterwards we watched a soccer match. The taxi home didn't really know the area where I live, but we worked it out in the end. I was just so tired.

Sunday, I woke up later because I got home really late. Mommy called me...I was so tired :(. Anyways, then I got a text waking me up. HP and I met up in Bugis to go through Arab St and the surrounding area. Then we ran around looking for Arabic calligraphy (of an ostrich or a lion are the prints I want). So we ate REALLY good food at an Egyptian restaurant; I had been there before but not ordered anything except hummus. Then we walked all the way to the Malay Heritage Centre (and talked to an artist there drawing orchids with some sort of liquid gold. Very nice!!! And the tools were very unique...melted gold? Mixed with some sort of medium...or at least gold-colored liquid that spread like ink. I guess ink that had to be heated up...ok. I give up trying to determine what it is.

We pretended to be a SWAT team today. We even made a stop into Parkview, which they call "gothic" here, but I don't think it's gothic at all. It's ...I don't know what is the appropriate term. Let me see if I can find it online. ok no. so then what...

So enough about that. Then I went into National Library with the intention to read Mirror Mirror (Gregory Macguire, I think...the author of Wicked for those of you who do not know), but I think I fell asleep instead...but only for 20 minutes or so :(

Then we went off to City Hall (Raffles City) MRT Station, but we stopped into Raoul for a bit (to look at some office wear for me...but I didn't like the way any of the cuts fit me, so I didn't buy anything). Then watched some people eat at Bishan coffeeshop near the station (I was quiet I think because I was so tired today)...then went off to walk to Bishan Sports Hall. I will try other stores for cuts.

Played ping pong and badminton. Jumped on the trampoline. (fun!)

Home now...talked to Co Bay. :) Miss the family...very much.

now time to recharge the energizer bunny. toodles!

ding dong = ping pong

Last week was a zoo/mess! Monday night I went to a Selamat Hari Raya Bazaar thingy with friends, then Tuesday night I went out again because we didn't work on Wednesday (which is the Muslim new year: Hari Raya equals public holiday).

Thursday went to work, then Thursday night some friends came over and helped me start my scrapbook. Then Friday night I stayed in to work on some stuff. Saturday was filled with a trip to the zoo, went to Mustafa to buy more photo albums, and then at night went to a friend's house to watch the Manchester United v. Blackburn game (2-0). Then Sunday woke up in the afternoon :) and went to a friend's house for a bit, then we went to Tampines for a massage (which really wasn't that good) and some dinner. Then we went to Tampines Sports Hall to play PING PONG (which I insist on calling instead of table tennis because table tennis is not as much fun to say) and BADMINTON (i got nothing here). I like trying to slam in badminton. It's fun :) even if the shuttlecock doesn't like to be slammed. la.

OK Here starts a new week. Hooray Mondays!