Thursday, 30 July 2009
Scallops Rice Burger!!!!
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Couldn't they have done it better?
One was teaching you how to wash your hands the proper way so that we can control the spread of the disease. I felt the photos of each of the stages were just cut and paste pictures displayed in such an inelegant manner.
The other one was teaching you how to wear a mask. A similar display of cut and paste. And that lady, don't you think one eye was smaller than the other? I felt the designs were amatuerish, any layman who knows a little about Photoshop could do this. And the colour scheme used was so boring that I wonder how many people would actually bother to read the fineprint below.
Couldn't they have done it better?
Brunches
New York New York
I also finally sent my laptop for servicing and have to wait a few more days. I just asked them to reformat my harddisk and replace my keyboard. I cannot be bothered to trial and error anymore. Waste of time. Now I am comfortably using my very basic netbook and exploring the new features of Blogger Draft version.
Anyway I was at New York New York over the weekend. Just passed by for a quick late lunch. Everywhere was crowded, especially the cafes nearby. So I had no choice.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
I'm a genius
I am wondering if it was that Product Manager from Blogger who has seen my tweet (complaint) about my Blogger woes. She asked me to list down the problems encountered and email her. I shall check it out later and if it was her, I need to thank her! Because she was the one and only Blogger employee who HEARD me. Otherwise I had already been checking out Wordpress and planning my big migration.
Some of you know I am a gadget/handphone lover. Sometimes I buy good qual
ity second-hand models online and re-sell them. Sometimes I try to repackage them to make them new and then re-sell. I have a pair of Nokia phones which I wanted to change the entire housing. For the Nokia N82 I wanted to change to a black housing from its current silver body. And for Nokia N81, I had wanted to replace the housing to a new body (it was all cracked and chipped but otherwise in good working condition). Mind you, when I said change the housing, it is not just a plastic cover on top of the phone but rather, dismantle the whole phone, take out the parts and then to assemble back with new housing.If I were to send to Nokia to replace the housing they are charging at least $100 or more for each phone. I have been searching for alternatives and finally found a supplier in Malaysia who was selling the e
mpty housings and they only cost $20+ each including postage! He even sent me an instruction manual how to do it. So over the weekend, I spent half a day dismantling and assembling them back to original stage. At first I found out I need special screw drivers and tools to dismantle the phone but I am sure they are not selling anywhere to laymen. I tried using the jewellery screw drivers and one of them worked! So I set to work. There were many heart-stopping moments because there were so many tiny parts and screws and chips and the screen and buttons to take special care of. And I had to remember the steps properly (there were probably about 100 steps for each phone!).After many hours of careful fiddling with the 2 phones I finally did it!!! I have 2 beautiful shiny black phones in perfect working condition. I beamed brightly. I was so very proud of myself. This was the first time I dismantled an entire phone and assembled it back. I kept telling myself "I'm so proud of myself, I'm so proud of myself, I so smart, I'm a genius, I'm a genius...". Now the phones are as good as new. I should have been an Electrical Engineer or something, hehehe.
P.S. In case I start getting requests from people to fix their phones, sorry I will not do it for anyone, as I do not want to spoil others' phones. I will only take the risk on my own phones. Haha.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Wasting our time?

In a way, thanks to Bill Gates, it is true we have become slaves of technology. We cannot live without our PCs / mobile phones / because we feel we NEED to be online all the time. We feel withdrawal symptoms if we do not check emails regularly, if we do not chat on MSN with friends, if we do not check our Facebook status, if we do not check our Tweets, if we do not surf the net, if we do not blog.... etc... lots of “if”.
These few weeks, I have been having some problems with my laptop, first it was virus or spyware which resulted in me having funny intermittent problems. Once resolved, other problems appeared. Worse thing is, different problems popped up at different times. When it was fixed, another problem came up and the vicious cycle goes on and on. I tried changing from IE to Mozilla Firefox browsers, I tried changing back. Now my keyboard is behaving weirdly because it can “gostan” (go backwards) or the cursor can suddenly jumped somewhere else, or my characters can suddenly disappear (this post is making me lose my patience, having to type and retype). I almost threw away the laptop! I decided to send my laptop for servicing for now.
However, I still and even have problem blogging now. I thought my weird laptop was the culprit, so I used another netbook to login to Blogger. The same problem persisted as the text box in Blogger just went missing, so I can’t upload pictures, I can’t save
an entry, I can’t blog!!! And it's not that I have ran out of space allocated by Blogger. I cannot save my entry in Draft but I can publish it directly (so no editing at all). Last night miraculously I can post again, so that was my last entry. This morning again cannot. This has been going on for few weeks. Can. Cannot. Can. Cannot. Can. Cannot. I have written to Blogger many times (NO RESPONSE) and those automated Help solutions don’t help either! So I am exasperated.I have been blogging close to 5 years. I started off just like any bright eyed kid new to the whole new world of blogging, the whole new world of the new media social media, embracing technology and loving it. It started just as a diary, just writing about the little things happening around me I observed as an outlet for expressing my thoughts (well, maybe not my private private thoughts) but I try to be as earnest as I could be through my observation /experiences. There was no particular theme I wanted to focus on or adhere to..... not just on food..... not just on people.... not just about my job... not just on religion..... not just on new consumer products.... not on technology (I am not that tech savvy), but rather, just a mishmash of everything I get in touch with and exposed to.
Bottomline is, I love to write. Did not care even if I have no reader. Did not care even if there is no advertising sponsor. Did not care even if people don't agree with what I write. Did not care what other bloggers are writing. I still continue to write because that is my passion (although sometimes I may have writer's block). And sometimes I want to rattle off lots of rantings
about certain things or people, but mostly I stopped myself from doing that. I tried to go for balance. It's my personal blog anyway. I can write whatever I like with no constraints. And ultimately what makes me happy.But it has also made me a slave to blogging, I think. Because not being able to blog properly now is making me unhappy. Blogger has a lot of explaining to do to me but they are not responding at all (how great a service provider is that?). Now I am thinking of changing to Wordpress instead soon...
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Merchant Street Seafood Restaurant
One of the weekends, I went for dinner with my parents. I suggested the Fish Head Steamboat in Geylang Lorong 27 (next to Aljunied MRT station). The previous fish head steamboat we had at a nearby coffeeshop was not nice and horribly bland, hence I had been looking forward to a better steamboat. And both my parents like fish head steamboat alot.Actually I like the fish head steamboat in Whampoa Market the best but it was always a long queue, especially weekends. This one at Geylang Lorong 27 we have been patronising for a number of times. The shop is called Merchant Street Seafood Fish Head Restaurant and they specialise in fish head steamboat. I remember long time ago, they were very crowded that we had to wait a long time. I am not sure about nowadays because every time we eat there, it was at earlier timings and not peak hours.
Finally I satisfied my fish head steamboat fix, because the soup was very very nice, very flavourful and rich. And they used charcoal to cook the ingredients in the steamboat. In the bowl of soup, we had plenty of fish, seaweed, veggies, yam, salted fish. It tasted appetising because they added salted prunes (we usually used these when we steam fish and cannot be eaten).
We ordered Prawn Paste Chicken (ha jeong gai). They came in chicken wings and very well done. It was juicy and the permeated taste of the prawn paste in the chicken was shiok. Some other shops served this dish as chopped chicken and not chicken wings. We had wanted to order Sambal Kangkong but they got our order wrong and served us Sambal Cuttlefish Kangkong instead. It was not bad actually, the chewy cuttlefish blended in very well with the sambal chilli and crunchy kangkong. It was a very nice dinner.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Chokhor Duchen
This coming Saturday, 25th July 2009 is Chokhor Duchen.Chokhor Duchen is the day that Buddha Shakyamuni first turned the Wheel of Dharma. On this auspicious day, merits and negative karma accumulated are multiplied 100 million times, so practice and meritorious deeds are advised.
The Four Noble Truths are:
- Life is suffering and suffering is unavoidable;
- Suffering is caused by desire (karma, attachement, anger and ignorance);
- Suffering can end by eliminating desire (Nirvana is peace);
- There is a means to eliminate desire and thus suffering called the Eightfold Path (correct speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfullness, concentration, views, and intentions).
REMEMBER TO DO MORE GOOD DEEDS ON THIS SPECIAL DAY.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Which combination you want?
Walked past QiJi today, so must eat Nasi Lemak. This is the usual combination of Nasi Lemak I ordered - chicken wings, fried egg, ikan bilis, cucumber, otah and of course the sweet chilli. I did not order the fried fish because it is more difficult to debone and eat fried fish in public. Yummilicious!
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
ThreeSixty in ION
Likewise, milk, soy milk, rice milk, coffee, jam, pasta, wine - there were huge selections. I wish many years ago when I was on a diet, I had so many brands of soy milk to choose from. I was on unsweetened soy milk and then, I had only 1 or 2 brands available and they tasted horrible.
One interesting thing, the mall had huge placards like these all over the walls everywhere (with some outlets not opened yet). So poetic (I love it) and they read....
One thread makes a stitch. A weave of threads makes a new you.
To stir a sense takes seconds. To evoke all senses takes time.
To dress takes minutes. To discover a new look takes time.
A meal takes minutes. A spread takes time.
I think ION Orchard is going to do well, because of its wide variety of shops available. It is also convenient as you step right into ION once you are out of the Orchard MRT control station. And now, through the mall, it links the MRT all the way to Wheelock Place, where Borders and Marks & Spencers are. All the neighbouring malls can benefit too from ION's presence.
You can check out more of ION from this blogger.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Teppanyaki
Next came the fish and loads of beansprouts. I asked the chef what chilli he used. I was right it was chilli padi, because it was really spicy so much so it covered the taste of the fresh ingredients. Overall it was a nice lunch as food cooked on the spot is the nicest as it is piping hot.And this was my dessert much much much later in the late afternoon after I was done with discussion. This is Fruity Tiramisu. It actually tasted more like cherry cheesecake ice cream. Not the slightest taste of tiramisu. Oh well.
Reminiscing those days
This is me when I was 1 or 2 years old. I feel that that was the only time I was the cutest - as a toddler - although I think I had a "goondu kuku" (silly innocent) look. I was a really obedient kid, ok. My mom and aunts can attest to that. From birth, I had lots of thick black hair with little wavy curls too, while sis was botak (bald) when she was born (think I took all her hair). :P Even now, I have lots of hair.My mom used to knit all our mittens, booties and caps when we were babies, as well as tops too. Wonder what happened to those that I've worn before. Wish I had kept some as momentos. I think I still have one brown cap knitted by mom though.
Mom told me in those days, every morning before she went to work, she had to wake up very early like 4-5am to cook for my grandparents (for their lunch). Her mother-in-law (my Grandmother) was the typical fierce authoritarian to her daughter-in-laws and did not lift a finger to do any housework although she was at home the whole day. My poor mom also had to wake me up at that unearthly hour so that she could bathe and clean me. My Grandpa was the one looking after me in those early years while my Grandmother was his pampered wife who just do nothing the whole day.
In those days, we were staying in Cecil Street, and my mom was working in one of the government ministries which was formerly situated at where the Fullerton Hotel stands now. So sometimes during lunch time, Mom would walk from her office back home just to see me and to ensure I was properly fed. And in the evening after work, she would rushed home to cook dinner for the whole family. Mom told me it always broke her heart to see me with unravelled messy hair, dirty face and with stained clothes at the end of the day. This was because my Grandpa, who was babysitting me, would bring me out everyday, everywhere he went. He doted on me the most but men being men, would not be as meticulous as women.
Monday, 20 July 2009
By my side
By My Side
Kiss me, goodbye, gone too soon
I did give you my heart can't deny
Hold on, let go, never sure,
Only can make believe all this time
Coffee, cigarettes, not my style
Pretty faces around but not right
Don't cry, won't cry, I won't cry
Be with you I just close my eyes
So far away I can hardly make you mine
So long the day you were always on my mind
But in my dreams never try to hold you tight
Don't want awake find you ain't here by my side
When I wake up hope you were here by my side.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
It's like .....

It's like when we send flowers and say "I Love You" only on Valentine's Day. Why don't we say "I Love You" everyday and do things to show our love rather than wait till that only one day to express it all ?
It's just like we know elections are coming when we see all the perks and upgrading (of flats) plans being announced. Why don't we see the 'hype' everyday throughout that 4 years?
It's like ... you "hold" going to the toilet till you have a very bad tummy ache. Ok, I digress. Anyway I always feel these actions are like this chinese saying 脱裤放屁,多此一举 (pulling down your pants to fart), meaning "it's an uncalled-for superfluous step".
Saturday, 18 July 2009
The pigeon story
On closer look, they (the pigeons) were eating! I saw 2 big plastic bags and the 2 men and 1 lady were feeding them. I was wondering was it right for them to do so. On one hand I was glad the birds would not be starved but on the other hand, if the people constantly feed them, the number of birds will grow bigger and bigger. I have seen flocks and flocks of pigeons in certain areas and they can prove a health hazard. They have also grown bolder as they raid unfinished food on the tables in hawker centres. Or when they shit on our clothes which are drying on the poles outside or on our cars in the open carparks.What will be a more humane way of tackling this problem? I know in some countries, in order to curb the growing population of pigeons, they trap pigeons with corn or rice and then release them somewhere near the sea or bay, away from the city where people live. It is called "vector control". But Singapore is so small, we have nowhere appropriate to release them. How do we solve this problem without killing the pigeons?
Speaking of pigeons, we know they are a-plentiful in Australia. Look at some of my snapshots...
In Melbourne somewhere near Flinders Street. Who would want to sit on the seats afterwards, especially after the pigeons did their business?
Near a tram station in Adelaide. The pigeons were quite cute, oblivious to us humans.
Near a quay somewhere in Melbourne.... Why is it the pigeons there seemed cleaner? Was it because they are white???
This is one of my favourite shots..... a pigeon doing a landing....
Landed.... next is to do a pole dance. :D
Final shot.... of the pigeons relaxing by the sea in Great Ocean Road.
And in Istanbul, we PAY to feed the pigeons!!!!!Ghirardelli chocolates
Sis brought back a tin of Ghirardelli chocolates from the US, given by her boss. It has such nice packaging, the tin in the form of a red bus. Reminds me of Harrods. There are 3 flavours inside - Dark Chocolate, White Mint and Caramel. Well, I love dark chocolates but this one is really too bitter for my taste as it has 60% cacao. Usually I think the highest I can take is around 40% cacao. So I think the White Mint is my favourite flavour out of the three. Eh, I do not like caramel as it is usually too sweet. The chocolate has a smooth taste which just melts in your mouth. Same love I have for Belgium chocolates. I am a chocolate person so I know a good chocolate from a bad chocolate, haha!Apparently this is premium chocolate. The company behind these Ghirardelli chocolate is the manufacturer and marketer of its chocolate, with the longest history in America incorporated in 1852. What makes Ghirardelli chocolates unique is they control the entire manufacturing process from cocoa bean selection to roasting to refining to finished product. I wonder are they available in Singapore?
Mini plant
It can be hanged on your phone while it grows. Once they have grown bigger than the capsule size, they can be transplanted to a larger pot. Underneath the capsule are tiny holes where you can soak it in water once every 2 weeks. On top of the capsule, are also tiny holes so that the plant can breathe. There are a few types of plants available: one is a cactus, another a bean-like plant, another looks like an aloe vera plant and this one shown is called the lotus plant.
Naturally I chose the lotus plant because it is round and looks nicer and has many green leaves. I can hang it anywhere. Think I will hang it on my bag so it can follow me wherever I go. Why? Because plants belongs to the wood element and I need wood! Haha!
Empire State Restaurant
I went to check out Empire State, a rather spiffy looking American restaurant on the 4th floor, selling all kinds of western dishes. Mostly Filipino waiters and waitresses. First impression failed, because I requested to sit in one of the nice round enclosed tables with private lamp shades, but was told the area was closed. But just 10 minutes later they allowed 2 customers to sit at the enclosed tables. Another thing to take note, never order the Squid Ink Spaghetti if you are having a business lunch....
....Just order a safe dish like Cheesy Pasta or something. By the way, the portions they gave were huge, although they tasted quite normal....
..... why I say don't order Squid Ink Spaghetti? Look at my mouth and tongue and teeth. They were all stained with the "black ink". So if you are there to impress or if you are conscious of your image, don't order this. But if you are there to relax and have fun, by all means, go ahead and eat the black stuff! They have burgers and salads as well.










