where is it?!

Where, oh where is my camera..? WHERE?!

Just where the heck have I misplaced/lost/dropped it..?

That's it. Another 3 more days of searching. If it still prove futile, I am SO heading to Funan to get meself that new one. Better, of course.

If I can find time to go, that is.

Darn it. The pics from last Friday had been so cool!

Hope it's not too late to show a video for Chinese New Year. From Yasmin Ahmad, the advocate for filial piety. Her festive ads have always ran along that line.

Not that I complain, of course. I love every one of them!

pre-wedding jitters..?

uhhh.... wat's that?

Seriously, I'm too busy to even think about that now. I guess it's pretty obvious, given how 'often' I'm updating this page.

What with me finding time to drive my parents to send out the wedding invites to the elders, to weddings, catching up with cousins and friends....

And the fact that I have to make appointments for my fortnightly facials, weekly 'lulur' (body scrub), massages and wraps....

Then there's the hen-parties for which I've been asked to make time for. And it's not just one.

And work is definitely not holding up well. Definitely straining under the burden weight of one deadline after another and I'm still taking baby steps with that new software, with which, I'm doing a full-scale project.

I can't even take leave for my honeymoon without a hint of guilt, having left my colleagues on their own when we are definitely getting busier.

Anyway.... another reason why I ain't updating much is due to the fact that I have yet to find my camera. Sheesh!

Just hoping it's somewhere in my home instead of me dropping it elsewhere outside. I can't imagine anyone getting hold of my pics, what with my crazy antics and poses...

Sorry eh, Imah & Sue. Will upload last Friday's pics as soon as I find it. Guess 'it' is teaching me a lesson for wanting to have it replaced.... Come to think of it, I would have already gotten hold of another camera, had I not been so busy.

what my name means

Dug this out of my stash in my 'other' diary. Oh, the one that's full of my secrets. Password-protected, ok?

I'll make bold the parts the deem most true for me. Although the others are also reminiscent of my real self as well.

Got it from HERE. Very accurate. Use your very full name please. I even include my 'binte'.
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There are 24 letters in your name.
Those 24 letters total to 111
There are 10 vowels and 14 consonants in your name.

Your number is: 3

The characteristics of #3 are: Expression, verbalization, socialization, the arts, the joy of living.

The expression or destiny for #3:
An Expression of 3 produces a quest for destiny with words along a variety of lines that may include writing, speaking, singing, acting or teaching; our entertainers, writers, litigators, teachers, salesmen, and composers. You also have the destiny to sell yourself or sell just about any product that comes along. You are imaginative in your presentation, and you may have creative talents in the arts, although these are more likely to be latent. You are an optimistic person that seems ever enthusiastic about life and living. You are friendly, loving and social, and people like you because you are charming and such a good conversationalist. Your ability to communicate may often inspire others. It is your role in life to inspire and motivate; to raise the spirits of those around you.

The negative side of number 3 Expression is superficiality. You may tend to scatter your forces and simply be too easygoing. It is advisable for the negative 3 to avoid dwelling on trivial matters, especially gossip.

Your Soul Urge number is: 7

A Soul Urge number of 7 means:
With a number 7 Soul Urge you are very fond of reading, and retreating to periods of being alone and away from the disruptions of the outer world. You like to dream and develop you idealistic understandings, to study and analyze, to gain knowledge and wisdom. You may be too laid back and withdrawn to really succeed in the business world, and you will be much more comfortable in circumstances that are tolerant of your reserve, your analytical approach, and your desire to use your mind rather than your physical being.

You are very timid around people that you don't know very well, so much so at times that casual conversation and social situations can be strained. You tend to repress your emotions to the extend that some people have a good bit of difficult understanding you. You tend to be very selective with friends and you don't easily adapt to new environments or to new people very quickly.

The negative traits of the 7 include becoming too much the introvert and isolated from others.

Your Inner Dream number is: 5

An Inner Dream number of 5 means:
You dream of being totally free and unrestrained by responsibility. You see yourself conversing and mingling with the natives in many nations, living for adventure and life experiences. You imagine what you might accomplished.
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The last paragraph is what hits home for me. That's my ideal lifestyle, you know? My dream.

But I guess it's not meant to be.... :( Guess I'll just make do with what I have.

delifrance desserts

Hey, like... FINALLY! Another food entry!

Got a sorta' 1/2 day that day for the office was going through some kind of revamp with the existing furniture system (which I so so adore!).

It's funny that it should happen right in the thick of our deadline mess. Thankfully, we got a few days extension.

Come to think of it, I'd prefer the extension PLUS the hours that we're missing currently. Especially since I discovered that the cad drawings I got from the architecture firm turned out wayyyy different from the actual building on side. And that's just the facade.

Anyway, the stress-heads that we were that day, Sri (my colleague) and I decide to just binge it.

Made way to McD at to get our hands on the Prosperity Burger... oh wait.. make that the MEGA (double beef patties) Prosperity Burger & Twister fries. And add on yet another large regular fries prior to that.

And I still have no idea why this promotion comes during every Chinese New Year period. What does black pepper sauce or curly fries have anything to do with the festivities..? Beats me.

Post lunch, we thought that we still hadn't had enough. The stress from the past week surely got to our heads. Sri had been craving for cakes the day before. And that day, she started talking about ice-cream instead.

Inside the modest Singapore Post shopping centre, I can't find much options. I was thinking CBTL (ice-blended)? Kopitiam (ice-cream ice kacang)? NTUC (Cornetto/Magnum)?

Then I recalled that I've had some interesting gourmet ice-cream platters at Delifrance before, though years back. It was right when they just revamped their concept from a cafe to a bistro of sorts.

I was apprehensive of the one here, though. Not only was this branch pretty small, I don't see it appearing like a bistro (did they omit this branch from the revamp?). We went in anyway and came upon this menu on the tables. Phew!

Delifrance's dessert menu (part)

Sri eventually chose the Fondant de Chocolat Chaud. Which translates as: "Hot Chocolate Fondant".

Interesting, considering she craved for cakes the day before and ice-cream that day, so she got both.

I chose the Cerises Jubilee. Which translates as: "Cherries Jubilee".

Fondant de Chocolat Chaud

Boy, am I so glad that I didn't keep my hopes high and expect it to be like the Warm Chocolate Cake at Bakerzin. Or even the Chocolate Fondant from Beard Papa.

Not only was the one that came to our table a sore rendition of those, it was EVEN a sore version of how it appeared on the menu!

Go and scroll up to see the menu pic again. See the difference..?

Even a non-foodie can tell that the cake's pre-baked. And re-heated. Suspiciously run-off-the-mill and off the shelves kind. I'm still fine with that, actually.

But when the top part of the cake dropped into an obvious hollowness in the mid-section and the bottom part cracked open in that manner, would you even dare to serve it, tell me? I mean, that cake is obviously too dry!

And the molten chocolate that's supposed to flow out? They supposedly made up for it with some chocolate fudge on the plate. Goodness knows which one is actually the chocolate from the cake and which one is the poured fudge.

Both tasted sneakingly similar...

Cerises Jubilee

And yes, this one is doesn't look like how it appear on the menu too. But who cares (anymore).

The cherry sauce was warm which was understandable since it requires some preparation over some heat. But the consistency was a tad watery and as the melted ice-cream eventually mingled with the sauce, it felt like I was sipping on some lukewarm cream-of-cherries soup instead.

Thankfully it came in that cappuccino cup. Make scooping all the more easier. And I'm glad that they didn't skimp on the toasted almond flakes. Love those crunchy bits!
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Maybe it's just too bad that I've had my fair share of nice & interesting desserts, so that memories of those mediocre/bad ones tend to stick out like a sore thumb.

Seriously, for that chocolate cake, I'd recommend that you buy the one from Beard Papa's and get a tiny tub of Haagen Dazs or B&J vanilla ice-cream to go with it. The price will come to about the same.

And it'll definitely taste better.

sinetron-crazy

Since last week, my nights had been such a whirlwind, with me going around youtube, catching up on crucial episodes of that long-running Indonesian soap drama, also known as sinetron (that sounds like something out of Transformers), Suci.

I tell you, I never fail to feel that all these soaps are like an insult to my intelligence, or something to that extent. It's so obvious, the way the storyline just flow EVERYWHERE except where it should be - straight to the point. And yet I still kept on watching, despite knowing where it's heading. geez!

And that really irritating pregnant pauses as the camera stops and focus on one subject (eg. the male lead) before it fades to another scene? That or the part where they zoom in from his full frame, to his torso, to his face then even closer, to see all the crinkles around his eyes.

All that felt like an eternity! Is that supposed to appear more dramatic, or what? I mean just get on with the next scene, can't we? I tell you, they could have easily shaved off like 50 episodes or something if they just do away with those silly pauses.

Not to mention the fact that I felt really shortchanged by the, 'oh-well-it's-so-expected' ending. It just doesn't justify all the anguish that the viewers have been put through! I mean, you don't give such a simple, no-brainer ending after driving your viewers almost to the brink of insanity after 274 episodes!

Yes, you read right. It's TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FOUR episodes. Crazy or what??!

Just how did I start...?

All I did was to visit my uncle's place. His family seem to have the Sensasi cable channel on everytime I'm there. So when this show came on, I can't help watching. Only 1 episode, ok. And I got curious. pfft!

My family, we didn't subscribe to that channel because they mainly played shows that were already available on the Indonesian channels which we have at home (the advantage of living on higher floors!). I have like 5 or so Indonesian channels, believe it.

If I even watch those shows, that is... Sometimes I just got so darn sick of the similar plots and background stories. Like slow, simple-minded/dense and really goody-two-shoes protagonists. And smart, super-scheming antagonists. Rich family vs. poor family. Crazy instigators.

Oh, how can I forget this one..? Lots of crying. LOTS. And the antagonists always have these crazy-looking eyes as they start scheming, not to mention when they get angry.

However, with eye-candies like the ones below, how can one not be hooked, tell me?
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Rezky Aditya. The lead actor. The one with the more-dense-than-necessary character.

At the rate that everyone watching the show kept labling his character as 'dasar bego!' (what a moron!), he'd better pray that those curses don't impact him directly.

Seriously, the drama could have ended wayyyyyyy earlier had his character been more smarter and resolve those not-THAT-complicated issues immediately.

Oh, the frustration!


Then there's this fella. Bayu Kusuma Negara. His name sure sounds like a monumental building or something.

With his pan-Asian features and doe eyes. And the wistful tone of his voice....

Despite him looking so dreamy that way, I admit that I was pretty bored by the monotonous expression that he displayed initially. I eventually sat up when his character finally began to leave an impact on me as he crossed-over to the antagonists' zone.

When his eyes start going wild and the tone of is voice turn harsh, that's when I realise that this fella can act after all!

I don't know if I'm even supposed to look out for any good acting in these soaps....

His character eventually got dissolved towards the end. I think the drama got so popular that they decided to add more episodes and Bayu Kusuma decided not to sign the contract. He's now acting in another drama, "Cucu Menantu" (granchild in-laws).

Wise choice.

Ok, this last one here may make me seem like a cradle-snatcher but rest assured I'm not (or trying hard not to be one!).

Isn't this one here just shooooo kyuuuuutttteeee?!

The youngest brother, played by Rendy Septino. New to the sinetron scene, this one.

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Maybe I'm just too used to the Korean mini-dramas which mainly lasted all of 16 episodes.... I even gave up on the weekday family dramas which lasted for 150 episodes at most.

I have low tolerance for exaggerated plots, seriously.

I'm so glad that I'm finally over that Suci drama. Suci means 'pure' but the character just ain't that. Oh, go google up on the storyline or something, if you're THAT curious...!

oh, random!

I thought I'm contented...

Why do I feel like there's something missing in my life...?

It still remains a mystery to me. I feel like I'm groping around in the dark.

Not that I'm being emo, here. It's truly what I'm feeling now. pfft!

I don't know if this is meant to be any indication... But I felt that way only when I hear certain Indonesian songs.. Uhuh. Indonesian songs.

ESPECIALLY this one by Letto ~ Sandaran Hati.



Everytime I hear this, I get goosebumps. I feel this slight chill down my back. Then my thoughts start to wander. And there's this sinking, hollow feeling settling deep inside.

Something definitely felt missing.

What is it about that song? Is it the lyrics? The melody? Or the fact that I gave the singer a sheepish wave as they walk past my seat during APM, years back...?

Ok, the last bit was an inside joke between my cousins who were there with me.

Know what? I think a trip to Jakarta should be in the works pretty soon. Even though I will no longer be single then but that should be all the more better. I don't know what I might be up to if I go there as someone with no commitments whatsoever.

I might just emigrate there, you know? Oh, dearest Fatimah, Sue & Noor... You know jolly well what I mean, right....?

humanitarian relief to Gaza

Alhamdulillah,

Finally Mercy Relief Singapore (MR) has come up with the humanitarian relief project to Gaza.

I was exhilarated when I saw the article on yesterday's issue of Berita Minggu, our local Malay paper. Apparently MR has collaborated with Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Islamic Religious Council) in this.

There are various ways that we can contribute so there's no excuse to avoid this. It's all within reach.

Please, a little will add to a lot.
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Donations can be contributed through the following modes:

~ Tele-Mercy
1900 112 1010 (for a $10 donation)
1900 112 1050 (for a $50 donation)

~ Cheque
Cross to: 'Mercy Relief Limited', and indicate "Gaza Conflict Relief" on the reverse
Send to: 160 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh #01-1568, Singapore 310160

~ ATM Transfer / Internet Banking
To Mercy Relief's DBS Current Account 054-900493-6

For queries, please contact Mercy Relief at 6332 6320 / intouch@mercyrelief.org

saving humanity (or whatever's left of it)

(many thanks to Kak Yasmin for bringing these vids forward).

Why are the innocents the one to suffer?

Peace and sanctity long gone. Lives used as means of payment....

And for what..?

ramen ten (far east)

Had lunch here before heading for a shopping spree in downtown Orchard Road with my cousin Sue.

fruit sodas

This comes with the rice set that Sue and I ordered. She got the blue lime soda while I settled for the strawberry flavour.

chuka idako

Japanese sweet baby octopus. The one served here comes coated with sauce of such a thick consistency, it comes off as gooey.

However, the taste remains the same, thankfully.

chicken karaage

This is the side dish that accompanies Sue's main dish for her set. Soy sauce-marinated chicken that's deep-fried.

agedashi tofu

My side to accompany my main dish. Deep-fried tofu with 'tentsuyu' sauce.

yakiniku beef

Sue's order. The main dish for her rice set.

spicy seafood

My main dish for the rice set.

Consisted of 1 no. mussel & queen scallop + 2 nos. clams, shrimps and squids. The sauce tasted almost like the one used in the famed chili crab dish.

chawanmushi

Aside from the different sides and mains for the set, we similarly had the 'chawanmushi' (steamed egg) and miso soup.

condiments

Condiments for the rice set meal. Seasoned 'nori' (seaweed), watermelon slices and 'tukuan' (pickled radish).

musings

Cheng Sen Hua temple

I always cut across this temple grounds when getting to Paya Lebar.

If that red gate with the 'ying-yang' is closed, then I'll cut through the grounds of the Cheng Hong Siang Tng temple next door, which seemed to house tablets of people's ancestors, or something to that extent.

Creepy....? Uhh... Gotten used to it I guess.

I'm curious about this display wall depicting the various Chinese stories on filial piety which surprisingly, is also in Malay. Maybe I should take time one day, to stop and read it although I am tad shy to actually do that.

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to Chinese mythology & their deities, so correct me if I'm wrong.

Within the same grounds, there are statues of the Buddha AND the 'Yen Luo' (hell guardian in Chinese mythology) who's flanked by the Bull-head & horse-face. I don't see how significant one is, to the other but it's such a contrast, to see the former, looking so serene and the latter, all creepy with that fierce outlook and basked in the dim glow of green lighting.

Since my knowledge on all this is pretty much zilch, well I shall leave it at that. With due respect to those holy religious grounds, I do try my best to be quiet and walk briskly as I cut through these temple grounds.

And yes, I still cut through here even at twilight or at night. . .

No reason for showing this photo. Just that I was on 1/2 day and walked here in the middle of the day when the sun shone (really) brightly. It was dead quiet and looking around, I felt like I've been transported somewhere rural.

That gravel ground, the chinese willow on one side and the sugarcane plant on the other....

I miss going back to the kampungs, no matter where.... I do get sick of this concrete jungle, seriously....

sakunthala

My mum refused a gift for her birthday, saying that we shouldn't waste money. And we weren't able to celebrate over dinner until Tue, which is 4 days later. Blame it on my bro's working schedule!

One day, my mum and I were watching Bizarre Foods on Travel & Living channel and Andrew Zimmern was wandering down the streets, somewhere in India. As he savoured the street food, my mum got intrigued by the Paneer, that Indian cottage cheese.

That's when I got the idea to dine at an Indian restaurant. I was thinking along the lines of Muthus's Curry or Banana Leaf Apollo but these are non-halal.

That's when Suhaimi Yusof's boisterous ad for Sakunthala's Food Palace came to mind....

fish head curry

This is the 'small' portion. And the clay bowl that it came in was already more than 40cm diameter.

The curry was a, "Hell yeah!" Nicely spiced with more kick, unlike the one I had at Velu's.

Knowing my parents love for this part of the fish anatomy, I just have to order this. My only favourite part was the cheek, which I gleefully dug out before my parents could.

You should see my dad slurping down the curry gravy...

Paneer Makhani

I had wanted to let my mum try the Palak Paneer, for I had raved so much about the spinach-based gravy. But they only have the Makhani version, also known as the 'butter-masala', where the gravy is made of tomato cooked in butter.

That tangy gravy sure went well with the naans that we ordered.

Gobi Manchurian

'Gobi' means cauliflowers. My mum had requested for it and the only gobi dish I know here is this.

Apparently this is a chinese dish that has been 'localised' by Indian restaurants everywhere.

When the dish arrived, we were looking at it, wondering what it was. It sure didn't look like cauliflowers and we assumed it to be the Fried Squids that we've ordered (it looked weird, both ways).

Mum mum took a bite and that's when the truth hit home. And it was really nice! The cauliflowers were coated with batter and deep fried before being tossed into the sauce.

Fried Squids

This has got to be the best fried squid/calamari dish ever! For me, that is.

Forget Fish & Co. or MFM or whatever seafood places. The one served to us that day was GOOD!

up-close

The batter was crunchy like there's breadcrumbs. And it was nicely spiced to complement the taste of the squids.

And the squids were nice to the bite. Neither too soft nor tough & chewy.

I think I can just come here again for this dish alone. Just hope that the same cook will be on duty....

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Frankly speaking, I was a tad apprehensive about dining here, seeing that they serve BOTH Indian and Chinese cuisine under 1 roof.

I mean, what decent Indian restaurant does that?

But yeah, for someone who loves varieties, I shouldn't complain, rite? I should try the chinese cuisine next time.

We also had the Badami Chicken which arrived when my fingers already got soiled so no photo of that.

The gravy was this really mild curry that seemed to carry a strong almond taste which also goes well as a dip for the naans. I believe grounded almond powder was added. It's also yummy!

But the naans, they weren't soft and fluffy like the ones I'm much accustomed to (where they were baked in the tandoor). I have this sneaking suspicion that they're the kinds that can be bought off the shelves... Like the ones sold at Mustafa... For they were this thin type, served all cut-up into 4 pieces each.

Hmm....