IT Saga Continued

Office email system continued to be unstable, and even crashed at one point early this week. Technical officer has been really helpful in trying to investigate, isolate and resolve the bug. Keeping my fingers crossed that this is the last of the very disruptive IT bugs.

Two colleagues uncannily said the same thing on two different days: that I need to check my astrological signs to see if there's some cosmic explanation for the IT breakdowns. Personally, I take it as a sign for me to take a break from working hard at the PC :P

Bad Work Week

My affinity with IT or electronic things has hit a new low this week. Firstly, my office PC hanged last Saturday and when I tried to restart it, it keeps saying there's a "disk read error". After rebooting the PC umpteenth times at the IT Helpdesk's advice, the technical officer finally came this Monday. Turns out the entire hard disk crashed. Good news is that the data files in D:\ are recovered; really bad news is that C:\ is corrupted and all files cannot be recovered... and most of my work files all these years are kept there!!

Resigned to the fate that what's lost is lost, I set out to re-do and finish my presentions and papers due this and next week. But...the IT drama continued...I'm unable to amend or delete files in the new hard disk (files become "read only"), the spell check system in my office email system cannot work ... and I can't even send out any emails! The poor technical officer came again and did some adjustments for an hour. However, the next day, my office email system took a long time to login and to send outgoing emails... hence yet, another call to the very friendly, very effervescent Technical Helpdesk officer. This time, another 2 technical officers came to do much checking & testing for over 2 hours. Well, email speed is much better than yesterday but was still slow compared to pre-crash days.

C'est la vie! This is the best so far after a whole week of IT problems .... now keeping my fingers crossed that things will get better next week. The IT guy will come again on Monday to do further checks and I hope things will be resolved. I also learnt from the technical staff that it's better to store files in data drive in D:\ than in C:\, as C:\ is more susceptible to disk failure due to the programme files stored there. Of course, the most foolproof way is to store a backup of important files elsewhere - in an external hard drive, thumb drive, email etc.

And oh, did I mention that the lens of my trusty digital camera failed to retract and is now jammed? Colleagues have advised me that it may cost a lot to repair it since the waranty has expired. Might even be cheaper to get a new model...so here's another item to buy soon...

To play it safe, I'm posting and uploading whatever photos I have in the recovered files...coz hey, the chances of the website host being down wihout a backup server is much more unlikely, right?

The only remotely good thing is that ever since colleagues heard about my hard disk crash (bad news tend to spread like wild fire) have realised the importance of getting an external hard drive, and are now voting to get one as a staff welfare gift.

PS: My Philips hair dryer in cool bronze colour had a short circuit & abruptly died on Friday night, so it seems to affirm my theory that I have a disharmony with electrical or electronic gadgets this week :(

Mid Autumn Festival

The Mid Autumn Festival （中秋节）falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which happens to fall on this Sunday, 14 Sep 2008. Traditionally, children will play with brightly lit, colourful lanterns of fantastical designs while families and friends will gather to enjoy mooncakes and pomeloes and sip Chinese tea under the full moon.

While hotel restaurants and pastry boutiques have come up with all kinds of innovative flavours (snowskin mooncakes with champagne, truffle, gold leaves , durian and even Singapore Sling chocolate fillings), my favourite type is still the traditional baked mooncakes with lotus seed paste and single salted egg yolk. However, my favourite activity is still looking at the bright full moon in the sky. Even though there is a full moon on the 15th of every lunar moon, there seems to be an added poignancy to the moon on this day.


祝你花好月圆, 月圆人圆!
Green tea & Pu'er tea flavoured mooncake (L) & lotus paste mooncake with single yolk (R)

Simple Pleasures

Indulged in a healthy pleasure last weekend. Bought some fat, juicy and very sweet Australian strawberries from the neighbourhood NTUC supermarket. Quite an affordable pleasure at S$2.90 per punnet of 250g, which contained 12 of the succulent fruit. Felt quite happy when eating it, as I love all things made of strawberry (strawberry shortcake, strawberry milk, strawberry ice cream, strawberry jam, etc.). It really does not take much to make me happy and life's simple pleasures are sometimes the best.
On another note, I'll have to thank globalisation and the myriad Free Trade Agreements to allow me to indulge in all kinds of fruits (including exotic ones), without the hassle of travel. Saw that the mass-market NTUC store is selling not just strawberries from Australia, but also blueberries and sweet prunes from the United States, kiwis from New Zealand, and dates from Egypt, Iran and Jordan - all at quite affordable prices for the ordinary household and consumer.
However, at 10, 500 Yen (S$138), this honeydew sold at a supermarket in Osaka, Japan is definitely an extravagant luxury. Believe honeydew is the most expensive fruit in Japan.

幾米

一直超喜欢幾米的作品. 他的小品文的特性是一篇篇大幅的彩绘与几行简练,感性,细腻的短言. 轻轻地诉说现代城市人的点点滴滴, 喜怒哀乐, 梦想与憧憬. 书名又取得那么诗情画意, 美丽.

阅读幾米的著作犹如品尝一壶难得的好茶,是心灵粮食.带给我无限的感触及感动.

幾米之《地下铁》:
“我们何其幸运，无法确知自己生活在什么样的世界。”
“我在危机四伏的城市里，随时准备挥手告别。”
“但世界的惊奇与美丽，仍让我依恋不舍。”
“昨日的悲伤，我已遗忘。可以遗忘的，都不再重要了。”
“这一站是终点，还是另一个起点？”
“我在纷扰的城市里，寻寻觅觅。”
“其实，我哪里都不想去。然而，会有人在地下铁的出口等我吗？他会为我撑伞，紧握着我的手，告诉我星星的方向，陪我走一段路。”

幾米之《月亮忘记了》:
“看不见的，是不是就等于不存在？”
“记住的，是不是永远不会消失？ ”
“生命中，不断地有人离开或进入。”
“生命中，不断地有人得到和失落。”

幾米Spa Website: http://www.jimmyspa.com/

后记: 期待幾米最新的书<<躲进世界的角落>> 的简体版会尽快地面世!

Digital Shadow

Do you know that you're leaving a trail of clues when you're online? Everything we do online - shopping at E-bay & online stores, searching on Amazon, blogging, posting photos on Flikr, Picasa and Kodak Photo Gallery, logging on social networking sites such as Facebook, Ning, Second Life, Friendster and Myspace - leave behind our digital shadow. A composite of your digital DNA or online persona can be constructed from these online activities, revealing your photos, likes, dislikes, pet peeves. work, social activities & friends.

Does this mean we stop using the Internet? Absolutely NOT. It's a catch-22 situation. In a world where people travel for work and studies, the WWW allows us to connect without temporal, space and country constraints. Just be careful with whatever you post - what you post (photos, words) can be downloaded or saved by others (even strangers who happen to chance upon your webpage)for any purpose without your knowledge.

That's why I hardly post personal photographs on public domains. I respect and want to protect the privacy of my friends and acquaintances. And do set the appropriate privacy settings for things you post.

What we can do is to explore and exploit the interconnectedness of Web 2.0 to stay effective and efficient in our lives.

Water Fools & Sukhothai

Happy revellers along Boat Quay, a popular watering hole area for expatriates in S'pore

Went to watch the free opening act of the Singapore Art Festival 2008 on 23 May 2008. "Water Fools" is a theatrical performance by acclaimed French street theatre company IIotopie (http://www.singaporeartsfest.com/fest_spec.asp). As it was staged at the historic Boat Quay, we decided to try to get some dinner while watching the performance. When we arrived at 7pm with an hour to go before the performance starts, we realised our 1st mistake: we should have made dinner reservations as most restaurants were full or booked!

When the performance started past 8pm, we belatedly realised our 2nd mistake: we're on the wrong side of the river! The front stage is actually the water near skyscrapers; we're facing the back. (A friend later told me she arrived at 6pm to eat McDonalds takeaway & grab a good spot as it became very crowded later).

Since we've already ordered our food, we just said "c'est la vie" and settled down to enjoy the show from a different albeit more distant perspective.

My 3.2 megapixels, trusty 4 year old camera could not capture night scenes well so the best shot was the one below of fireworks going off during the show (yeah, most S'poreans like fireworks & the show promised many displays of dazzling pyrotechnics to delight the crowds). Water Fools
While watching the show, I noticed the pretty lighting inside the outdoors tents which function as al fresco dining areas for the restaurants along Boat Quay (see above & below).

Sukhothai restaurant offers indoors & al fresco dining areas.

As my friend is vegetarian, we settled on Sukhothai as it offers some vegetable dishes (most restaurants, pubs & cafes along Boat Quay were either full or serve seafood dishes). Named after the historic kingdom & city in Thailand, Sukhothai offers Thai cuisine.

Sukhothai: 47 Boat Quay, S(049836), Tel: 6538 2422 http://www.sukhothai.com.sg/home.html

We managed to get a table for 2 for al fresco dining so we could still watch the show. We had good white wine, at a decent price of S$8 per glass. Single person serving of tofu soup with mushrooms & wolfberries (S$8)
Olive rice Olive rice at S$16 per pot (for 2 pax)
We had keropok as appetisers and deep fried vegetarian spring rolls for S$10 (anti-clockwise from bottom left) and stir fried vegetables with mushrooms (S$18). While I've heard of Sukhothai restaurant, I didn't realise it's branded as a "high-end Thai restaurant" (read interview with the owner, Mrs Urvashi Sood, in article "Meet the 'Eat' Girl" on 12 Aug 2008, http://www.asiaone.com/Just+Woman/News/Women+In+The+News/Story/A1Story20080812-81882.html). Frankly, the presentation or dishes on the menu did not strike me as fine dining, so I was kinda shocked when the total bill for 2 pax for a few vegetarian dishes came up to S$88.28 (after a 15% discount)!!

While the food & service were reasonably good, IMHO, I had better food at much cheaper prices at Yhingthai Palace at Purvis Street & Parkway Thai restaurant (outlets at Parkway Parade & Centrepoint) ...and I had some meat & seafood dishes then.

Anyway, that evening turned out better when we went to my friend's home to chit chat with a glass of rose wine and met up with other friends at St. James Power Station for more drinks & clubbing :)

Farewell

In the last few months, I've bade farewell to many ex-colleagues who have moved on to another phase in their lives: one to be self-employed, another to be stay-at-home-mum & freelancer, another who've moved from working in Jakarta to a new job in Hong Kong this month, another will be pursuing his PhD studies in Canada next month, and yet another will be leaving at the end of this year to pursue a Masters degree in Canada. Will miss the times of mugging for Masters degree exams, working on assignments & tutorials, doing work projects, swopping "horror stories" at the counter, going for movies & checking out makan places with these folks. It is especially poignant as I've known some of them for most of my working life and we've seen each other grow through the years...

Wishing them all the best in the pursuit of their dreams. I find the song "Farewell" by Filipino singer Raymond Lauchengco to be very meaningful, so I'm dedicating it to them & other friends who've left a mark in my life:

"We used to be frightened and scared to try
Of things we don't really understand why
We laugh for a moment and start to cry
We were crazy

Now that the end is already here
We reminisce 'bout old yells and cheers
Even if our last hurrahs were never clear

Chorus:
Farewell to you, my friends
We'll see each other again
Don't cry 'cause it's not the end of ev'rything
I may be miles away
But here is where my heart will stay
With you
My friends, with you

Yesterday's a treasure, today is here
Tomorrow on its way, the sky is clear
Thank you for the mem'ries
Of all the laughter and tears

And not to mention our doubts and our fears
The hypertension we gave to our peers
It's really funny to look back
After all of these years

Farewell to you, my friends
We'll see each other again
Don't cry 'cause it's not the end of ev'rything
I may be miles away
But here is where my heart will stay
With you
My friends, with you

Chorus 2:
Farewell to you, my friends
We'll see each other again
Don't worry 'cause it's not the end of ev'rything
I may be oceans away
But here is where my heart will stay
With you
My friends, with you
With you, my friends
With only you"

Source of lyrics: http://www.tristancafe.com/music/midis/farewell.html

Marutama Ra-men

Marutama Ra-men
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #03-09/91 The Central, S(059817)
Tel: 65348090
11.30am to 10pm
http://www.ma-rutama.co.jp/

Being the foodie I'm good & being always hungry (i.e. can eat when I'm in a bad mood & I will eat when I'm happy too), I like to try food that are authentic. When I heard about Marutama Ra-men which is based in Japan (http://chubbyhubby.net/blog/?p=438), I seized the opportunity to try it when I was at Central Mall recently.

The menu specialised in ramen and has limited choices. I ordered the chicken soup ramen which comes with a slice of stewed pork (char siew), spring onions & seaweed (S$12). I topped up the ingredients with a seasoned egg (S$1) & 4 slices of char siew (S$4).

My ramen
Half-boiled egg with soya sauce & runny egg yolk inside

My verdict? Having heard so much about the place from friends & after reading newspaper reports that the normal lunchtime queue is at least half an hour, I had high expectations of the ramen. Ramen was undeniably tasty & the egg was special but I had tasted better ramen with more ingredients at cheaper prices too. My bowl of ramen costs S$20 after taxes so I doubt I'll deliberately seek out this place again.

Hmm.. salivating when I think of the wonderfully aromatic, humongous bowl of ramen I had in Yonezawa, Japan in August 2004. Was absolutely heavenly & chockful of ingredients! It was also so big that I had trouble finishing it :)

Mint Cafe

Mint Cafe
26 Seah Street, S(188382)
9.30am to 10.30pm
Tel: +65 6339 6266

In my continual hunt for good food, I went to this cafe, which is a stone's throw away from my office. It's actually a toy museum with a cafe but I was put off by the high food prices when it first opened. Won't have given it a second chance if a colleague didn't rave about the place. And the best thing is that it's much more affordable with its set lunch menus at S$15.80++ (S$18.60 after taxes).

The MInt Museum of Toys (http://www.emint.com/) is a privately owned museum which houses toy collectibles of yore. Have yet to venture into the museum due to its steep admission charge of S$15 (normal charge for mainstream museum is between S$8-S$10). You can also purchase miniature models of vintage toys at the museum or cafe. Its boutique cafe offers a Western menu ranging from salads, sandwiches to main courses. Its drink menu extends beyond the normal coffee, tea & juices to include wine.

The cafe offers al fresco dining on the ground floor as well as indoors dining by the open kitchen at the basement. Opted to sit indoors as the sofas look more comfy and we get to see the cooks in action!

The thematic decor includes nostalgic placemats depicting children playing in old China, paraphernalia from classic cartoons such as a life-sized figurine of Captain Haddock - the grouchy sea captain from "Tintin" and vintage posters of Pinochio and Batman movies. The cafe even screens an old Popeye cartoon (colleague remarked that the usual plot of the muscular Popeye & Bluto fighting over reed-thin Olive Oyl is a paraody) for you to while away the time when waiting for the food.


Enclosed display above the open concept kitchen counter (recognise Fred Flintstone & Batman?)
Cylindrical tube lighting at the ceiling adds to the arty vibe of the place
Lush velvety red sofas for a luxurious feel
Vintage Batman poster
Mickey Mouse!
Menu cover

I tried the ratatouille set before and it was good (yep, had to try it after watching the Disney animated movie named after the dish). The menu offers different set lunches but it's equally delicious!

Starter of clam chowder soup
Main course of salmon fillet with asparagus on a bed of zucchini and mashed potato
Dessert of warm chocolate brownie topped with strawberry. Set also includes choice of English tea, coffee or soft drinks
Nostalgic pictures of children at play are an interesting twist to the run-of-mill placemats.

Great food, good company, comfy seats , impeccable service by the well-groomed staff - wonderful yet relatively inexpensive way to unwind. The toy decor evokes a sense of yearning for our lost childhood - even though the toys (remember our wooden numbered blocks, miniature car models, paper aeroplanes, pick-up sticks, five stones & glass marbles) were crudely made & not so attractively packaged, life was much simpler then. My only grouse with the cafe is that the open concept kitchen means that my hair smelled of the food - luckily the smell dissipated after an hour in the air- conditioned office. Hope the cafe's ventilation system can be improved...

Googling Yourself

Have you tried googling yourself? Not to sound narcissistic but I tried googling my full name today & found the hits on the 1st result page to be extremely accurate. The hits include links to a website of replies I'm currently doing, some conference presentations I've done and some articles I've done for an electronic newspaper.

As my work projects currently revolve ensuring that online content is ranked higher by the most popular search engine, Google (search engine optimisation), this is happy news - as my work is being picked up & accessible to a wider audience.

感触

希望, 失望.

茫然, 盲目.

忙碌, 空虚.

繁忙, 孤独.

累了, 好想休息.

Watch

My one & only watch stopped twice in the last 2 weeks. When I brought into a Swatch shop (it's a Swatch) to change the battery, the salesperson checked & said the battery is good but the contact points are loose. However, he cannot push one side that is protruding further in as the casing may crack.

Upon meeting up with friend who gave me the watch as a birthday gift, realised that I had it for nearly 8 long years!! Wow! Testimony to the durability of this Swiss watch with funky designs.

I liked the watch instantly as it was chosen with utmost consideration for my personal lifestyle and dress preferences and which can only come from a close friend. The watch is both classic and feminine in design - it is also versatile for work and play, which really fits the practical & lazy side of me (can't be bothered to search for suitable watch to match/accessorise everyday).

Would be sad to see the dearth of the watch although it has been exhibiting symptoms of old age today (time is running slower even after repair)..maybe putting up a last valiant struggle? For it's more than a watch - it's a constant reminder of friendship, which is more precious the older it gets (like vintage cars & fine wine).

Leisure

"What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare. "

Leisure from "Songs of Joy" (1911) by W.H. (William Henry) Davies (1871-1940, Wales)
Source: www.poemhunter.com/poem/leisure/

Save me from myself

Been listening to Corrinne May's "Safe in a Crazy World" (www.corrinnemay.com) recently, over and over again. The lyrics from "Little Superhero Girl" really describe my feelings now:

"I feel like a little girl
Trying to conquer the whole wide world
Everybody wants a piece of me
And I just don't know where to run
I've got work piled up to my head
All I want to do is jump into bed
And wash away my troubles with lemonade"

Other people blog when they are free or have nothing to do. I blog when I get mental blocks at work and need an outlet to vent. Okies, back to exercising whatever's left of my grey cells. Gotta finish a report by tonite. 加油!

The Waking

"I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow."
Excerpt from The Waking (1953) by Theodore Roethke (1908 - 1963, United States)

Theodore Roethke, an American poet, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1954 for his book "The Waking". Read his biography at: http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/13

The full text of The Waking is at: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-waking/

Arts Explosion

These few months are getting more exciting in Singapore with a slew of events to titillate the various senses:

1. Visual sense: Singapore Fashion Festival from 28 Mar to 6 Apr 08 (www.singaporefashionfestival.com.sg/): for international and local fashion showcases of haute couture, high street brands and upcoming designer wear.

2. Visual sense: 21st International Film Festival from 4 to 14 April 08 (www.filmfest.org.sg/):
The first screening of film "Tuya's Wedding" was sold out, but I managed to catch the matinee screening on 5 Apr. Made in China by director Wang Quan An and starring his real-life girlfriend Yu Nan as the titular character Tu Ya, this 2006 film won the Golden Berlin Bear Award 2007. An unusual story about how Tuya is forced to divorce her disabled husband and re-marry a new husabnd who can support her ex-spouse and 2 young children, the film infuses both light-hearted humour (comic attempts by Tuya's many suitors to woo her) and pathos (Tuya's remarriage is actually an act of love for her ex-husband but she gets helplessly caught in the emotional wrangle between her ex and new husband and elder son). Set against the harsh Mongolian desert, the film also portrays the resilience of a tribe of people used to a life of hardship as nomadic shepherds.

PS: With the recent price hike (yet again) by major cinema chains (Cathay and Golden Village), watching a blockbuster on weekends can cost as much as S$10. Luckily, the film fest movie is more affordable at S$8.40 and the credit card promotion helps to offset the ticket handling fee. But I guess Singaporeans will still fork out the money as watching movies is one of the top past times here and we have one of the highest density of movie theatres/ cineplexes per capita in the world.

3. Visual and gustatory senses: World Gourmet Summit 2008 from 7 to 26 Apr 08 (www.worldgourmetsummit.com/wgs2008/): for fine cuisine
(*ha* such gastronomical luxuries are definitely way out of my budget)

4. Visual sense: 31st Singapore Arts Festival 2008 from 23 May to 22 June 08 (www.singaporeartsfest.com/):
for theatre, music and dance performances from international and local acts.
An interesting play is "The King Lear Project; A Trilogy". Played over 3 days in non-repeatable performances, the play explores what it is like to audition for a part in Shakespeare's greatest tragedy "King Lear" and what is the proper way to stage Lear.

5. Visual sense: Great Singapore Sale 2008 from 23 May to 20 July 08 (www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg/):
It might be more accurate to say that that this major event in any self-respecting Singapore shopper's diary engages almost all the senses: smell to sniff out good bargains; sight to spot discounts from far away; touch to grab that last piece of designer dress before anyone else; hearing to be alerted to the best sales in town. Frankly, I would still go as there's really good bargains - but I still dislike the snaking long queues at changing rooms and payment counters and humongous crowds in Orchard Road during this time.

So, even though Singapore does not have lots of ethnic or cultural festivals, we have many man-made ones *ha

Let It Go

Letting Go - this is a phrase I've been hearing recently.

To a speaker at an Australian work conference I attended in Feb, letting go means:
- Not putting restrictions, but providing a variety of choices to cater for different and varied usage patterns of customers. In other words, giving customers the freedom to choose what match their needs best.

At a motivational talk I attended last night, letting go means:
- Giving, letting go of things (such as expectations and unhealthy emotions) and appreciating the transient nature of life. Unhappiness, anger and dissatisfaction stem from the arising of, clinging of or mis-match of expectations. Let go to feel free.

Instead of "I see, I like, I want, I must have", try "I see, I appreciate it, I let it go".

According to a bookmark that I just picked up, 执着是苦的因, 苦是执着的果.

The lyrics in Corrine May's song "Let It Go" (2003) sum it up aptly:

"But before we circle round once more
Can we lay down
Just lay down this pride

Let it go, let it be
Don't waste all your emotions on this
tit-for-tat machine
Let it go, let it be
Let it go"
(Source: http://www.corrinnemay.com/)

Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie

Canelé Pâtisserie Chocolaterie

11 Unity Street, Robertson Walk, #01-09, Singapore 237995

Tel. +65 6738 8145

Email : canele@lesamis.com.sg

URL: http://www.canele.com.sg/

Despite a full dinner at Shunjuu, my dinner companions somehow have a "2nd stomach" for dessert, so we adjourned to Canele nearby. This Canele outlet actually offers a full food and drinks menu, including soups, pastas and crepes. Owned by the famed Les Amis group (www.lesamis.com.sg/, Canele is well known for its range of sinfully rich dark chocolate cakes ("Le Royale"is named one of 50 best Singapore cakes by The Sunday Times S'pore on 6 Apr 08) and macarons. The dark chocolate cake shaped like a planet and a roasted almond tart topped with strawberry (see bottom picture) we ordered were delicious, although my personal preference is for the almond dessert. This place boasts an open-concept kitchen (see top picture) so diners can see the chefs at work. Diners can indulge their sweet tooth further by buying the chocolate sweets and other pastries on display.

Shunjuu

Shunjuu

30 Robertson Quay, #01-15 Riverside View, Singapore 238251

Tel: 65 6887 3577

URL: http://www.shunjuu.com/index_en.htm

A recent Straits Times article (28 Mar 2008) reported how Robertson Quay has been re-invented as a hip dining enclave, with over 1/3 of the 60 eateries selling Japanese cuisine. Coincidentally, I was in the area the next day to watch "The Pillowman". Was pleasantly surprised by the changes in the precinct - the pulsating music and noisy conversations amongst pub-crawlers are replaced by the clink of dining cutlery and lively but more subdued murmur of diners.Fountain at Riverside Walk evokes a classical, relaxed ambience Diners are spoilt for choice with wide range of cuisine and eateries available

At a friend's recommendation, we went to try out Shunjuu, a Japanese izakaya (居酒屋) outlet serving sumiyaki (炭焼き物 charcoal-grilled food) and sakana (酒肴 food to go with drinks). Shunjuu boasts an impressive resume of awards - it won the Best Restaurant 2006 award by Singapore Tatler (Singapore's high-society magazine) and Singapore Top Restaurant 2006 award by Wine & Dine magazine. Its food menu is available at: http://singapore.menulog.com/shunjuu/menus. It also offers 40 types of hot and cold sake classified according to the alcohol content level (the lower the no., the more sweet and less alcoholic it is) as well as wine, beer and non alcoholic drinks like different types of tea and soft drinks. Although we did not make any reservations, we were lucky to get a table indoors. Do make advance reservations as its al fresco dining area offers a picturesque view of the river and is very popular.

Glass of citron tea (L) and cup of sake (R)

We tried the waitress's recommendation of sake at +1 level and citron tea. Although we thought the kanji words 柚子茶 for citron tea mean pomelo, the tea tasted like sweet Mandarin orange 橘子. Although the very fresh toro (fatty tuna) sashimi is extremely expensive (S$40 for 5 slices), all of us were gushing over how the succulent meat simply melts in the mouth. It is definitely the highlight of the meal but an extravagant treat that we can ill afford to repeat. *ha*

Gyu tan (Ox tongue)
Kaki Maki (Oyster rolled with Pork)
Naigaimo Tororo Soumen (Japanese cold noodles with yam), S$12

The waitress also recommended the chef's speciality of soba with taro, which is really lovely when dipped with raw quail's egg. The sumiyaki dishes were also delicious - my personal favourites are the gindara (silver cod, see top picture) and the unusual dish of black pork neck. I also enjoyed sakana like the tamago yaki (Japanese egg omelette, S$4) and cabbage salad served with yummy peanut dip.

Most Likely to Be Asked for Directions

While waiting for the train last night, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a well-dressed woman making a beeline for me. Turns out the Chinese tourist wanted to know which is the nearest station to reach Geylang. When we got onto the same train carriage, she even asked for directions to a steamboat restaurant in Geylang - I didn't know this but advised her to seek help from the MRT station staff.

Coincidentally, while I was walking towards my office yesterday morning, a woman stopped me to ask for directions to Hotel Intercontinental.

And these are not the first of such encounters... I have noticed that strangers would invariably single me out to ask directional questions from the crowd of people waiting at the train platform or bus stop, waiting to cross the road o walking down a street.

While I do answer all kinds of enquiries (including such directional questions) during the course of my work, it is interesting that I'm been asked such questions, even after office hours.

If there is a contest to vote for the person most likely to be asked for directions by strangers, I would be a likely champion :)

Tea Bone Zen Mind

茶骨禅心 Tea Bone Zen Mind
Tea Cafe:
38A Seah Street Singapore 188394
Tel: +65 6334 4212

Had a relaxing lunch at this little cafe near my office today, which I had patronised a couple of times before. The cafe is tucked away on the 2nd floor and hence not a popular lunchtime hangout (my colleague & I were the only customers for the greater part of the hour). However, I think that adds to the cafe's appeal - it oozes a cosy, tranquil feeling with its comfy seats, welcoming decor, soothing music and friendly service. Great for getting away from the mad hustle bustle and when I need to de-stress!

Don't the whimsical cat paintings remind you of Cheshire Cat from "Alice in Wonderland"?
Welcome drink of osmanthus oolong tea served in a Turkish tea like glass
Soft lighting, fresh flowers, colourful cushions and warm tones of furniture project an oasis of calm

Love the crockery used for French rose tea served with almond biscuits (S$10)
Rose Pu'er tea served with plums (S$10)

The cafe's key product is tea so its menu has the most extensive range of tea that I've seen. Offers a wide variety ranging from Western to Oriental and herbal to fruit tea, with prices from S$8 to S$10. (Re-fillable water and I get to take home a pack of French rose tea)

Tea egg (S$3.50)

As it is marketed as a tea cafe, the cafe offers a very limited range of finger food (so don't come here if you're starving - you're better off eating Big Macs across the road at Bras Basah Complex). The best items are the tea egg (which is very fresh and covered in a fragrant sauce) and the cucumber sandwiches.

My favourite food of cucumber sandwiches (S$8)

The cost of the cucumber sandwiches is admittedly rather steep, but they're absolutely delicious! You can taste the crunchiness of the freshly cut cucumbers seasoned with black pepper and light mayonnaise in the thin bread. In fact, it's the most popular item as everyone else (more customers came later) ordered that.

What I also like is the attention to visual presentation for food and drinks, projecting a Zen-like mood. This stylish feel also comes through in the brand logo in elegant English and Chinese script and consistent branding in napkins, name cards, tea packs, and even receipt holders! You can even buy tea from the Tea Bone Zen Mind shop downstairs.

My only grouse? Its odd opening hours from 11am to 7pm on weekdays and Saturdays. The place is closed for private functions on Sundays. But it'll definitely be a nice place to hold intimate tea parties and cosy cocktail functions.

A word of caution: Go early as we waited a very long time (almost 40 mins!) for our food to come (and we were the first customers for lunch! 3 other groups came later). And avoid weekends unless you don't mind noisy crowds and a bustling atmosphere.

Pick-me-up cake

Yesterday's issue of Sunday Times Singapore's Life section has a drool-worthy 3-page, full colour write-up of Singapore's 50 yummiest cakes. Local favourites of dark chocolate cake and pandan chiffon cake make the usual suspects on the list.

Friends will know that I don't really fancy chocolate cake (sore throat-inducing). My personal favourite is actually "Fraisier" from Bakerzin: a wonderful concoction of delightful almond sponge soaked in strawberry liquor, layered with pistachio butter cream and fresh whole strawberries. (see pic below taken from Bakerzin website, http://www.bakerzin.com/).

While most people's comfort food is chocolate, give me a slice of Fraisier and a glass of iced earl grey vanilla drink (a wonderfully scented iced earl grey tea that counterbalanced the sweetness of vanilla ice cream) from Coffee Club cafe anytime :)

Tips to Stay Young & Happy Always

1. Throw out non-essential numbers.
This includes age, weight, and height.
Let the doctors worry about them.. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain get idle.
'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with him or her!

6. The tears happen:
Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourself.
LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love:
Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

2008新观念

一、一个中心:一切以健康为中心。

二、两个基本点: 遇事潇洒一点,看世糊涂一点。

三、三个忘记: 忘记年龄,忘记过去,忘记恩怨。

四、四个拥有: 无论你有多弱或多强,一定要拥有真正爱你的人,拥有知心朋友,拥有向上的事业,拥有温暖的住所。

五、五个要: 要唱,要跳,要俏,要笑,要苗条。

六、六个不能: 不能饿了才吃,不能渴了才喝,不能困了才睡,不能累了才歇,不能病了才检查,不能老了再后悔!

天气转冷,注意保暖,忙碌也要记得爱自己!

I just wanted to say

Forwarded email I received, to share:

"If tomorrow, I should never wake up, I wanted to say
I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for what I have done and what I haven't done.
& I could have done more, I should have done more.

If I harmed you, yelled at you, ignored you,
sorry.

If tomorrow, I should never wake up, I wanted to say
thank you.

If me and you were the best of friends,
thank you for always being there.

If me and you only talked once in a while and didn't
go to the same parties and were....not good friends:
thank you for not humbling me.

You are not perfect, and I am not either,
but thank you for having a part in my life.

If tomorrow, I should never wake up, I wanted to say
everything I never had time to."

The Pillowman

Nominated for 7 ST! Life Theatre Awards 2008 (the Singapore equivalent of the Oscars or Grammys for local theatre productions), including Best Director (Tracie Pang), Best Actor (Adrian Pang and Daniel Jenkins), Best Supporting Actor (Michael Corbridge), the Singapore Repertory Theatre produced the Asian premiere in end 2007 & staged a re-run of the highly acclaimed play for a limited run from 26 Mar to 6 Apr 2008 and was sold out again. Managed to watch it last Sat with some colleagues. Written by Anglo-Irish playwright Martin McDonagh in 2003, "The Pillowman" was first presented by the National Theatre at the Cottlesloe, London on 13 Nov 2003. Described as "the darkest black comedy", this play is touted as a psychological thriller: "Set in an unnamed totalitarian state, Katurian – a fiction writer of gruesome fairy tales - has been dragged in by the police for interrogation about crimes committed in his community. They bear an uncanny resemblance to his books. As the police inspectors perform their good cop/bad cop routines, the audience will be led into the darkly funny and brutal world of the writer's, and perhaps even their own imaginations." (source: Singapore Repertory Theatre, http://www.srt.com.sg/)

Helmed by 4 main characters, the play is intensely gripping with its myriad plot twists. Just when the audience is beginning to accept that Tupolski is the good cop, Ariel is the bad cop, Katurian is a naive author and Michal is a harmless retard, we are sent reeling with an unexpected twist and shown another perspective. Subverting the adage that "show rather than tell", the play is testimony to the mastery of the playwright's skills as the simple narration of Katurian's macabre children's stories during the course of the policemen's interrogation is stunningly chilling and more powerful than dramatisation. In Katurian's versions of fairy tales gone horribly wrong, his stories begin with the traditional "Once upon a time", but the child protaganists never "live happily ever after" against a contemporary setting of physically and mentally abusive parents and unfeeling adults.

The play treads a thin line between cruel humour and psychotic drama. It might even be a misnomer to label the play a "dark comedy" - the comic relief provided by Michal's childish questions only serves to accentuate the stark bleakness of Katurian's situation. As the play mirrors the torture afflicted on Katurian by the policemen with the gruesome sufferings borne by the children in Katurian's stories, the audience is assailed by a range of conflicting emotions: disturbed yet fascinated, repulsed yet sympathetic.

In fairy tales, there is usually a hero/ heroine vs. the "big bad wolf". The play is more poignant as you realise that there is no good or bad guy as everyone has their own childhood demons or emotional scars to bear. The 4 guys are actually like the Pillowman (the title of one of Katurian's stories) as they also try to save innocent children from life's misfortunes but in arguably unorthodox ways.

The play also ponders several modern-day issues:

- Fact vs. fiction? How do we know what is reported in newspapers (long held as an authoritative source of information) is the gospel truth & not made-up fiction?

- Social responsibility of writers & storytellers on how their stories will affect impressionable young minds? Reminded me of how it is the "in" thing to parody fairy tales, for e.g. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Fractured Fairy Tales, Politically Correct Fairy Tales etc.

- Is artistic value of author's work measured by book sales? Even though Katurian manages to get only 1 of his 400 stories published (even his faithful brother Michal likes only one of his stories), he still fights and pleads with the police to preserve his works (albeit in the police case file for 50 more years). In Katurian's words, he'll choose the lives of Michal and himself over destroying his stories.

- How to nurture child prodigies? Is an imaginative mind the result of an anguished soul? While Katurian's parents used warped, even extreme measures to spur his creative talents, many great authors, such as Sylvia Plath & Robert Lowell, created some of their best works when they suffered mental breakdowns.

Acting aside, the stage design was also impressive. The projection on the wall of mostly black-and-white comic illustrations of Katurian's stories enhances the despondency of the mood. (See picture above taken from the play programme: depicts the Pillowman comforting a little girl & ways the girl can end her life)

Once again, SRT works its winning formula of pairing a critically acclaimed Western script with a stellar cast of local actors. It's indeed one of the best plays I've seen. The 3-hour long play is absolutely brilliant and worth every cent of the S$50 ticket price. For those familiar to Adrian Pang's madcap antics as host of local food show "Yummy King", you'll have to see Adrian on stage to appreciate the full depth of his thespian skills. Adrian turns in a carefully nuanced performance as the multi-dimensional Tupolski and adds to the highly explosive atmosphere of the play. I still had goose bumps even after leaving the theatre.

Given the emotional and physical exertions demanded from playing such roles, I can only admire the actors' professionalism in doing an evening show, less than 2 hours after the matinee show. And they would be enacting this play for nearly 2 weeks.

Post-script: Do read this insightful, in-depth review of "The Pillowman" from The Flying Inkpot:
http://inkpot.com/theatre/08reviews/0327,thepill,at.html

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valley (scientific name: Convallaria majalis) is May's birth flower. Signifies a "return to happiness". May you be happy. (Photo source: Wikipedia entry on Lily of the Valley)
(Photo source: Flowers & Plants Association, UK)