my best fren's wedding

another one down, more to go

My close pal from poly was the 1st. Last year, it was my close pal from secondary school. Last weekend, my primary school close pal also jumped on the bandwagon.

Having tried to be there whenever I can, helping with what is necessary, it feels really good to see it all turn out pretty nicely. It also helps that the bride is a pretty organised person and knows what she wants. Rite, Tini?

You looked really gorgeous, you know. Seri pengantin, lah katakan.

I remember asking her, hours after the nikah, if it's been arduous or even hassling. This is what she replied, "Arduous? Not at all! In fact, I feel great. Like a princess!"

How cute. How happy you sounded. And on the day of the reception, seeing you sitting on the dais, looking all regal, your glowing face emanating such a blissful aura, I felt a little tingling on my skin. Cos' you had looked so perfect, almost untouchable. Haha! Sounds funny, huh?

Both of you looked really good as a couple, lah. Apa pepatah melayu, tue? Bagai pinang dibelah dua??? Yah, that's how the both of you are like.

Pink being your favourite colour, really really suit you. Odi looked so.... metrosexual like that. Heh.

So now, go enjoy the freedom you have with this new life and also your new home. Now both of you have a BIG, FAT 'M' to put in you marital status! ;)

More pics H E R E

congrats, tini

congrats, Tini!

Before I forget (how can I ever?), here's some heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS from me to a very dear fren that I've known since... what? K2? That's like.... A LOT of years ago (I dare not say the actual no. of years, there. Make me feel old. I dislike feeling old)!

Anyway, to Suriatini & Odi, who will be getting hitched over this weekend:

All the Best of Wishes for your big step into another phase in your life. May your marriage be blessed by Allah s.w.t with marital bliss that will last for the rest of your life. May both you and Odi have kids who will bring added happiness & joy. And most importantly, have a positive outlook in life. Insya-Allah, you'll make it through.

Amin.

Can't wait to see the both of you with your big, big smile, sitting on the dais!

that trip

oh ya... that trip



















Nice?

























How about this?



















And espcially THESE? Ouwh!

Lamborghini Gallardo & Bentley Continental GT seen in the VIP (reserved) parking lot. Betcha' their owners are in there gambling in the high-rollers dept. S'pore plates, ok?

More pics **HERE**.

bliss

how blissful is that?

Just another family outing.... And just look at the kids playing. Like any other (normal)kids, they enjoy the frolicking in the sand. You know, like in a sand-pit? Except that this one is really, really huge. The Sahara desert, to be exact.

Guess that's the dig when you have such great (read: rich, popular & good-looking) parents. "You want to play with sand? Ok, let mummy & daddy bring you. To the biggest sand-pit ever." Now, that would have been more fun, wouldn't it? Hah! Geez, I'm sooo shallow.

ahh... family. Such bliss.

after the weekend

after the (shiok!) weekend

It's 6, my boss's gone and I can't leave. And my collegue's on MC. So I'm cold, alone and STUCK here in the office. The rain outside, gosh. No way am I trudging around in this bad weather. I can't see anything. Visibity: 4/10

To think that it didn't rain over the weekend. Where I was, that is. Bless the fair weather on the chilly mountain-top that is Genting Highlands (yeap, my 5th time there). So worried was I that the wather forecast could have been accurate- having predicted that thunderstorms will come thru in the afternoon; that I actually hurried my mum & cousin through most of the outdoor games.

But it didn't rain of course. In fact, it did get quite a tad too warm to wear sweaters sometime around noon. But the chilly winds still blew in, nonetheless.

Having been placed at the First World Hotel's new Tower 2, I expect something much better than the existing Tower 1. If the rooms on Tower 1 were satisfactory, the ones herewere sorely disappointing. Worse, the view from my window was that of OTHER windows. Also, the lifts were much further down from the Main Lobby. And the hotel breakfast buffet spread pretty much sucked.

Other than that, everything else is randy-dandy. Makes the 2D1N trip feel much too short. But that's another story altogether. As for the pictures, yet to upload them. Heh. Till then...

On another note: The rain's not letting up so I guess I just have to get out there for home. Or else I'll miss 'So You Think You Can Dance'. It's stage time!

beach road

beach road
13042006~Thu



It was my 1st time y'noe. Eating bone steak. At Beach Road itself, that is. The infamous spot to consume the ridiculously bright red delicacy (as if the bones are not gross enough..).

I've eaten those home-cooked ones and those served on Saturday nights at weddings but coming here...? Never really crossed my mind. Those times I ate there, it was just those typical mee goreng/nasi goreng stuff.

And Tini hadn't ate there for a long, long time. What luck. The only person we can rely on came late. Thanks, D. Tini & I, these 2 poor souls got lost amidst the many, many stalls selling the same delicacy. So it wasn't a surprise when D said that we're sitting near the wrong stall.

Thank goodness we eventually sat between two rows of stalls, where it's pretty secluded. Apa lagi, lantak lah! Ate like barbarians. Slobbered the bones like nobody's business. Thank goodness for the auntie & blind man touting the tissues. We bought 6 packets. Worth. Every. Ply.



Head down to Samar to ease the mabok kambing. I thought I came prepared with a bottle of minty gums for some post-mutton 'mouth cleansing'. D was even more well-prepared. She brought DENTAL FLOSS. Can't beat that.

Yah, nothing beats some scented smoke to rid us of the stinky effects of mutton. Plus a steaming pot of mint tea. And soulful, LIVE Arab music from above. Oh, and a cute, friendly waiter. Ahh....

Then we end it all with a midnight show. FIREWALL.... The show... ok ok lah. The pace is not consistent and admit it-Harrison Ford is OLD, ok. And he looks it. Geez.

Anyway, that shall be the last time the 3 of us went out before Tini's wedding next week. After that, someone with have a big, fat 'M' to put as her 'status'.

changi chicken

changi chicken

What? No lah, the speciality here is the food. Really! What were you thinking?


After reading sooo much about it in your respective blogs, I managed to bring myself (plus my family & collegue) to Changi Village to eat THIS.

FINALLY!


Not that I never ate at Changi Village before. It's just that I always end up eating at the hawker centre instead of the market area (where this stall is).

There's no mistaking the popularity of this dish. The whole bunch of us were amazed at the many uncleared tables cluttered with the stall's signature wooden bowls. And I soon realise why. The Ayam Penyet is sedaaaap! Power kedemak! I totally dislike drumsticks but in this case, I relish it. I dun even eat KFC that way, ok?

When I ask the fussy-chicken-lover brother of mine, which one he preferred: this Changi version or the Ria (Lucky Plaza/Joo Chiat) version, he replied, "That one is Indonesian style, this one different..." a.k.a No Comment. Cheh! If you ask me, I guess I'll answer the same way, too.

*************************

Later on when we were chilling out at Changi beach, something pretty strange happened, lah. It wasn't what I'll can a breezy night. It was only occasional that the sea breeze blew in.

Yet, suddenly there this really strong gust of wind coming in FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. Yes, where the carpark is. And it's not the kind of wind that everyone can feel, cos' the only things I see that's affected were this 2 coconut trees near us. The night air remained warm and still, otherwise.

The first tree only had it's leaves rustling-hard (luckily the coconuts never toppled down). The second tree was hit so bad that ALL the leaves actually bent over to the other side. And the noise it makes... Ugh! And with that, one of the leaves snapped off and got blown ACROSS THE SURFACE of the water all the way till it disappeared into the night. All of us at in that vicinity were staring at that ruckus, wide-eyed.

After it's over, I looked at my dad knowingly and he acknowledged that with a little shrug, saying, "Well... you know this place..." Hah!

jusco

jusco j.b.

I wanna gripe about something here. Just who is it that told me about "this new Jusco place that is very BIG". Big my foot! Maybe to you but not to me. Walk, walk, walk and I already reached the other end. My bro thought it's as big as Suntec but I think it's more like Ngee Ann City.

Shopping wise? Erm.... Stick to S'pore. Believe me. Their goods tax really hike up the prices of most popular brands there. Not worth it. A place like Jusco is meant for you to enjoy their clean & new facilities. Oh, and the much classier subsidiary of Popular bookstore, Harris. Love it!


Oh ya. Went with my bro & my 2 favourite cousins, Sue & Nor.

My bro (the one sitting like a British India model) had his off day on Tuesdays and the rest of us ACTUALLY took leave just to accomodate him.

Cos' I just suck when it comes to driving/navigating around an unfamiliar place. And for safety reasons also, lah.


After covering the supposedly huge shopping area, we pondered over the destination for lunch (was raining cats & dogs outside, se we stick to this building still). The variety of restaurants are pretty all right.

We decide on a place not yet seen in S'pore.
The Chicken Rice Shop.






Got the set meal for 4. It cost RM48.90.

Guess what it consist of?





4 rice, 1/2 chicken (roast/steam/broiled), Honey BBQ chicken (ala char siew), Mango Salad (Thai style) ...






...Wait there's more.







Steamed Tofu, Pie Tee, Stir-fried Beansprouts AND a jug of soft drink.

On the right is the fried wantan (add-on). Each wantan is wrapped in such tiny pieces, you can eat them like popcorns.




In case you're wondering... Yes, the food's delicious.

Burp.

RamenTen

RamenTen

Went to the branch @ Far East Plaza... I've read reviews bout' the food served there and..ermmm... well, it's not as impressive, lah.

Their variety or ramen is pretty interesting but basically the base is the same. It's just the ingredients used that varies.


My cousin ordered the Oyster Tempura Ramen. The oyster tasted good, despite being deep-fried. Personally speaking, I'd prefer my oysters raw but that another thing altogether.

The base has a pretty strong hint of miso (and maybe bonito?) but the noodles do come off as a tad soggy. Otherwise it's allright, I guess. Those wanting some spice can just sprinkle some Japanese chili flakes for that extra kick.


They also have rice bento sets that come with 2 dishes & a bowl of miso soup. I got the Salmon Sashimi (3 THIN slices only?!) & Chicken Cutlet set.

Just too bad that their selection of sashimi is limited only to salmon. Even their sushi. Pfft.






Another of my cousin got the bento set that comes with Miso Chicken & Prawn Croquet. Very interesting combination, huh?

Miso paste is generally the Japanese version of our local 'tauchu' so I guess you'll have an idea as to how it taste like.




We also ordered the Steamed Gyoza (not bad!), Chawanmoshi & drinks for the 3 of us. The total bill comes to be $64++++... My verdict?? Affordable but not necessarily cheap.

j.b. lunch

(big) j.b. lunch

Click HERE for the fotos.

My bro hadn't got his leave approved and my dad refused to go. Somehow, that sibling of mine suffered a physical mishap and got 3 days MC. Meanwhile my dad, I think he got the idea as to why the 3 families are planning the trip.

...Like duh, his birthday just passed and my cousin's bdae is coming. Their birthdays are 5 days apart and the trip falls right smack in between the 2 dates.

So I guess my dad was flattered by that initiative. SO flattered that he decided to give everyone a treat. Lunch. All 13 of us. At Puteri Pan Pacific. And I had no inkling of that. I guess most of the others don't, too. Cos' most of us are togged in mere SLIPPERS. Heh.

Nothing beats eating buffet with your chums.
Lunch for 12 1/2 pax: RM381.25
All that fun: Priceless

apm

a p m
fri~24032006

Regional/Malayan Music Awards organised by the 2 malay-language 'sister' stations of Mediacorp Radio.

Got pretty good seats despite paying only $40 bux for it ('somebody' bought them for me). Actual price is $48. Got seated behind the sponsors, facing the centre stage directly. Not bad, huh?





Went with moi 3 paternal cousins Sue, Ate & Nor

+

my longtime pal, Tini (her 1st time)




The star-studded line-up sorta' impressed me. I think the M'sian singing phenomenon, Mawi has pretty much improved his singing. He sure got the voice to match that big lungs. Trust the music maestros like M.Nasir to take him in despite others saying that his voice kinda sucked.

The small kids during the Ahli Fiqir performance were uber-cute and I am so glad I get to hear Jaclyn Victor sing live. That and Gigi's energetic performance? Worth.every.cent.

Any gripes?

You bet. And it's all about the venue. The air-con got pretty cold 1/2way though the show. But I dun really have issues with that. It's the bloody SOUND SYSTEM. If you think Indoor Stadium is bad, try HERE. The main speakers blasting mostly noise from the front of the stage and the blardee sound technicians can't seem to prevent the music from the instuments from 'swallowing' most of the singers' voices. And they're making Max Pavilion the main venue for concerts?? Bleargh!

Another thing. Have you any idea how far it was to walk to Hall 9 from the main road/drop-off point? Or even the car park. The poor poor old ladies limping all of the... lets see... 400 metres?? I kid you not. It's THAT far, ok?

Next year on, can we just have the APM at the simple & accessible Singapore Expo hall? Pleaseee???

qi ji

qi ji

Halal Chinese hawker food served in a contemporary setting. They've had quite a number of branches all over S'pore. I guess they do catering too (saw their lorry on the roads).

They're well known for their popiah. I tried that at some branches but I totally dig those made at Qi Ji Gourmet located @ Century Sq. Guess it all depends on the person making it.

Their Chee Cheong Fun is also the authentic kind. Plum Sauce, Chili (with a strong hint of dried prawns) and sesame. Plain & simple but nice!

Oh and don't forget their Soon Kueh while you're at it.



Their Laksa is also pretty good (with cockles). And don't be surprised if you end up liking their Mee Siam & Mee Rebus too.

Not to mention their Nasi Lemak. If I'm not wrong (not too sure here) the rice comes in a slight greenish colour. And there are various sets that have many options for the choice of side dishes to go with that rice and sambal.


Now they have this promotion where they bring out this new dish (dunno if this is permanent or not). Chicken Lasagna. You must be thinking, "Huh, 'lasagna' in a Chinese eatery?? You've gotta be kidding."

They served it with tobasco sauce & parmesan cheese on the side. And the dish is like a combination of lasagna & potato gratin/sheperd's pie. Yeap, they have mashed potato at the bottom of the dish.


Another thing, you gotta try their home made drinks like Chrysenthemum Tea, Barley, Lime Juice etc. Worth it.

morning post IX

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
morning quote:

It's my dad's b'dae tomorrow and I have yet to buy anything. Gah!

Better still, on his b'dae, instead of having a lovely family dinner, both my mum & I are scooting off to attend the APM. Heck, my mum even took leave to attend THAT (she works permanent night shift).

Too bad, what I intend to buy, needs the presence of my bro. And he's got outrageous working hours. What a bummer...! -_-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

food entry

food entry
Ok, ok. Food entry. My bro had his off day yesterday. He always had his off days on Tue but since the workplace is open for the whole week due to the school holidays, he got it on another odd day, which is good news cos' that'll mean that my parents & I can finally bring him to our new favourite haunt, Razack's Kitchen.

Not exactly new, lah. We've patronised them since they first started around 1995, when they're just a small stall in the Geylang Serai coffeeshop (under blk 3). Then they moved to Bedok. Then to Joo Chiat (or is it vice versa?). Then we lost track of their current location. I remember once, my parents ordered mooncakes from them. And it's not the regular, baked ones. It's the 'snowskin' version. YUM! Very delicate, in terms of both the texture & taste.

Then they came out on TGIF sometime ago. But I forgot to check their location. It wasn't until a friend mentioned about the place that I finally get to bring my parents there. Even then, I had no idea how to get there so I end up making 2 rounds at Changi Road-Kembangan (because the roads are 1-way). And we finally got to eating their food once again.

The owner is a Muslim from Hong Kong and they serve mainly Cantonese & Szechuan food. Cantonese food is mostly seafood cooked with a savoury, mild taste. Like those we commonly eat at seafood restaurants. They also serve superb dim sums like dumplings, paus & siew mais. Like those you see in H.K restaurants.

Szechuan food consist mainly of inland food like chicken, meat & veggie. And the food's spicy. I LIKE! Szechuan ppl have this 'Szechuan pepper' which totally spiced things up pretty good.

My family totally dig their Hot & Sour Soup.Consisting of mainly chinese mushrooms, sliced chilli & soft tofu in broth thickened with beaten egg (like shark's-fin soup). They mix in some chilli oil for that extra kick and some chinese vinegar, hence the 'hot' & 'sour' taste.


And THIS is why we wanted to bring my bro along. He's a fussy eater and like some guys, he like chicken & fried food. Like this Szechuan dish, Deep Fried Chicken with Hot & Sour Sauce.

The sauce is the killer. My bro insist that it taste like the Sweet & Sour sauce we eat with seafood (esp. fish) but I can swear it taste like homemade BBQ sauce. REALLY! Savoury & tangy at the same time.



The wantan is the reason why my family love coming here. The filling is 100% prawn. AND it's CHUNKY prawns. Not the paste kind. Unlike those outside, they mix the prawns with some chicken paste which create a pretty weird taste.

And we also ordered their recommendation, the Shanghai Fried Dumplings, which is rather similar to the Japanese Chicken Gyoza. Fabulous! The filling is so full that the dumpling practically bulged.


My parents had the Wantan Mee and I had the Braised Beef noodles (yup, they're good). My bro had the chicken, Chilli Kangkong (which is also a Szechuan dish, didn't know that!) with rice. Then there's the soup & dumplings. We had our own drinks and the bill actually came up to less than $35! Amazing! Will definitely be a regular here. The owner and his family is very friendly and they always make a point to see that everything's all right with the food.

The eatery's closed on Tuedays, though (which is my bro's day off, bummer!).

morning quote VIII

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
morning quote:

I've had Jason Mraz's 'GEEK IN THE PINK' playing in my head since the past week. And I DID try to sing along to the song with the aid of the lyrics and BOY! was it difficult.

That guy sure can sing fast. Hello, he's not Mr A-Z for nothing. And you should try reading the lyrics. Words jumbled up together that seem to kinda make sense, somehow *surprisingly*. The first few times singing along had been such a futile attempt cos: fast singing+weird words strung together=a struggle to sing the darn song. REALLY!

But I'm determined to conquer that song, no-matter-what. I can sing along with him now. Yeah! What?! Memorise?? Naaahhh... Too difficult. Too toublesome. Anyone going to his gig at The Esplanade??
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 1/2 dates

2 1/2 dates

That Satuday night, the 3 of us planned on a 'girls-nite-out'. We tot of our routine shisha-session but decided to skip it for a movie instead.

Maybe it's our choice of movie but a date meant for 3 girls became a '2 1/2 dates'. Both of Tini's & Deanna's other 1/2 insist on watching "The DATE MOVIE" together. So there I was, sandwiched between ....





... these 2 couples.










After which, we chose to just chill at Yishun Dam. But girls being girls, I guess it's their responsibility to 'feed their guys' and bought some rojak mamak at this 'Teh Tarik Korner'.



Not bad, leh. The gravy similar to the Waterloo Rojak sauce.

Left at 4+am. Deanna & Azari were filling in the M'sian arrival cards when we left. They still can head for J.B, ok? I'm bushed.

So was it weird moving around with 2 couple whiile I'm still 'flying solo'?? Heh.

I'll tell you what's MORE weird. Reaching home at 5am and yet, having to drive around by noon, with your grandparents in the car. And my grandma shall 'accompany' me in the front seat. Goodness gracious me!

date movie

date movie

After all those oscar-nominated heavies, I watched Date Movie. Heck, I dun even know this movie existed! Watched it because my girlfriends want to (afterwards, their respective other 1/2s insisted on watching it too & I got sandwiched between 2 couples, haha!).

This movie is seriously full of crap, lar. Go if you wanna have a good laugh. It's weird watching this movie on the big screen cos' this is the kinda movie where my bro & I will watch in the wee hours on a Friday night-DVD of course. And laugh our ass off in the dark living room with midnight snacks of grilled cheese sandwiches, chips and Milo Dino... Mmmmm....

morning quite v

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
morning quote:

The racing season has started!!!!! At last, something else to watch on ESPN Star Sports besides soccer! Woweee!

Anybody watched the Bahrain Grand Prix yesterday?? Intense! I totally dig those occasions where they let us listen to the conversations between the techie guys & the drivers. U figure out their strategies and u know what they had in mind. I figure out the Kimi Raikonnen's 1-stop plan and the timing strategy the Renault team had in mind for Alonso (which eventually led him to the win, yee ha!).

Now, where's MotoGP??! Gimme Rossi. Gimme Pedrosa!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

sentosa

sentosa

sat~04032006
Had been darn sick on the 4 days preceding this picnic. Considering that we've been planning this since eons ago, I believe it's not fair of me to just back out.

But I dun regret it. The fresh air and nice surroundings sure did me some good. But not the heat. Nayyy.

For I come back with a fever higher than the past few days. Thank goodness my parents ain't home so I hurriedly tried to bring the fever down before they come back. I dun wanna risk getting an earful from them for insisting on going despite my condition.

I just had to go there again. When I'm all well and dandy. I.dun.care.

crash

crash

Those around me will know just how much I love Brokeback Mountain. And when that movie was trumped by 'dark horse', Crash - I tell you, I could not be happier.

On one of the days that I was on mc sometime last week, I manage to catch Crash on DVD and boy, was I blown away! I remember, I was only 1/2way thru watching it and I already sms a fellow movie buff about how good it was.

"...Crash is superb! There are no good or bad guys. A lot of grey areas. Great acting, nice soundtrack..."

I dunno how many times I cried towards the end. You can almost feel the hurt each character felt; spaced-out in society.

"....It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something..."

GO. Watch it!