Month: May 2008

Little Part 1 Cafe

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On Saturday, I was left to my own devices (my husband is on a different sleep cycle and I had dedicated the day to cleaning my home office) and didn’t want to cook.  So for lunch I decided to try this little cafe that was once an organic vegetarian place then it became a Japanese place and now it’s Little Part 1 Cafe. No longer vegetarian but thankfully for me, there are vegetarian options 🙂 It’s transformed into a simple homely place that has a mishmash of simple-to-whip-up dishes. Kinda reminded me of the little Edgar Allen Poe cafe in Tokyo.

my teathe napkinmy salad

Along a row of shops on Jasmine Road (off Upper Thomson Road), it’s hard to find unless you live around the area. Tuck among a laundromat, a tuition centre of sorts and some other shops that I don’t actually know sell what, this little cafe seems a tad out of place. More importantly, they whip up a mean tofu salad. Good enough to fill me up. That means I’ll be back for sure 🙂

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull

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You gotta love Harrison Ford, at his age still wanting to jump around like a man half his age 🙂 As I’ve been a big Indy fan, I was sure this was one I was going to catch. So that I did today at The Cathay and my verdict is yah, I like it enough. Just enough. Cate Blachett was a killer as the Russian KGB, her Eastern European accent was brilliant … ok, I’m not the best judge but it seem authentic enough for me.

cate and harrison

I liked her so much that after the movie I was ready to get the same severe haircut. Thanks to Tessycat who reminded me that I’m no Cate Blachett :p So that’s not a cut I’m trying anytime soon. Shia Labeouf was alright, I preferred him in Disturbia. The storyline was a Indy type story except … ok, sort of a spoiler coming up so if you don’t want to know, don’t read on …

harrison and shia

… it took a X-Files turn and became a mix of archeology and science fiction. However, I’m a big, like a huge fan on alien story lines so I wasn’t quite as disappointed as my movie buddies. On the whole though, I was disappointed with the special effects for some strange reason it had an 80’s feel about it i.e. looked kinda fake to me. That or my job is getting to me, all I saw was sets in soundstages and CG artists huddled over their tables. It’s been about 4hours since I left the cinema and sigh, I wish I had more fun with the movie but I just liked it enough … so for most people it’s only good if you have nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon and it’s happening to be showing on TV.

True Blue

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In that crazy work week, we had a work dinner at True Blue. A Peranankan restaurant along Armenian Road, kinda next to the new Peranankan Museum, which is in the previous Asian Civilisation Museum. Nothing really wrong with this place but I’m definitely not coming back and the only reason is price. Even if I’m completely wealthy, I won’t pay for condiments like sambal balchan … man, I think it’s a little insane that we have to pay for towels and peanuts at Chinese restaurants but when an establishment charges for sauces, especially fine dining ones, I think it’s a complete rip off. For a regular dinner, it’ll work out to be about $60-80 per head … and that’s without alcohol, not worth it for Peranankan cuisine, especially when nothing needs to be flown in and all the spices can be found at Tekka market.

private room from the door 01private room from door 02private room from door 03

Other than that, the ambience was lovely 🙂 With antiques from the family, it feels like you stepped into a real home of a Bibi. The food cooked by the owner and his Mum was really quite good and with pretty impressive veggie options too. Everything is cooked without pork so our Muslim friends can check it out as well.

Like I said though, the price is way too much for me to ever consider going back but if you’re one of those that just needs to try everything once, make sure you have extra spending that month and at least the food won’t disappoint.

Happiness is a choice

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The last couple of weeks I’ve been a little moody grumpy one struggling to be grateful for my problems but I’m feeling much better now 🙂 so much so, my husband commented this morning that I look happy again 🙂 It’s been a combination of things that helped and as I was clearing my mailbox last night I found an email my parents sent me a couple of weeks ago.  I’m sure a lot of us has read it already but I’m glad I was reminded.

After Sept. 11th, one company invited the remaining members of other companies who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their available office space. At a morning meeting, the head of security told stories of why these people were alive, and all the stories were just the ‘L I T T L E’ things.

As you might know, the head of the company survived that day because his son started kindergarten. Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts. One woman was late because her alarm clock didn’t go off in time. One of them missed his bus. One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change. One’s car wouldn’t start. One went back to answer the telephone. One had a child that dawdled and didn’t get ready as soon as he should have. One couldn’t get a taxi. The one that struck everyone was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone……… all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment…

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can’t seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don’t get mad or frustrated.

God is at work watching over you.

Everything happens for a reason and I’m sure it can be argued what was God doing for everyone else in the building. We’ll never understand why things happen but for me, I guess I’ve figured out it’s up to how I want to deal with it. So to the people who rather make things difficult, I say bring on the politics, if my sunshine doesn’t kill you, it’ll at least annoy the crap out of you 🙂

It’s the weekend everyone!!! Happy weekend!!

Jonah turns 1

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He was born a day before I got married and he turned one a couple of weeks ago, which also means that I’m no longer a newly-wed :p but this isn’t about me so back to Jonah’s party, it was a fun time to catch up with office folks outside the office and of course, I get to play with the kiddos that came along with the adults 🙂

birthday boy and meex-mda chicks and metess and me

Yes, I do realise the birthday boy wasn’t quite into me … for the record, it wasn’t me, he wanted to go back into the pool, which is what he’s looking at in the photo. It was also a good day to catch up with Winnie and May … is it me or do they look visibly happier now that both of them have left the organisation? Then there’s Tessycat in her new glasses and me. What do you think of her new glasses? I’ll keep my comments to myself before she smacks me … but she knows, glasses or no glasses I adore her dearly 🙂

I even got to hang out with slightly older kids, which doesn’t usually happen since my kid cousins live in Australia and every other kid I know is still in toddler stage. So I was happy to see Mad Shu’s angel of a niece and nephew. Completely polite and so well behaved you’d think they popped out of a story book. Hats off to their parents … and yes, Uncle Mad Shu does well as a guardian too but seriously, if the world had more kids like these two, we’d have a lot less problems.

me and the wards of mad shubaby r

Then there was little baby R who is usually the smiley one full of laughs but that day, he was a little Mr Grumpy Boots. We thought he was just tired, actually us adults don’t really know much coz it turned out he wasn’t feeling well and was hit with a virus that very night. Good news is, he’s recovering well!!! So even though he was feeling a little under the weather that, he still managed to pose for me … too cute to be true, huh? If only Mummy Yus wouldn’t mind me kidnapping him 🙂 Be warned all you parents with cute kids, hang on to them when you see me coming 😛

mummy daph and jonahthe ice cream cakejonah smiling

So there I was enjoying a simple afternoon, watching mummies chase after their little ones with my camera. You’ve got to love the smile of the birthday boy. He’s a beautiful mix of Daddy and Mummy, always the social one who knows the right way to charm a crowd. My warmest wishes go out to you dear Jonah, that your life be filled with beautiful moments that keep you smiling just like that 🙂 Happy Birthday Little One!!

the lohs

Oomphatico’s

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That’s not a new word I made up but a new restaurant in Tanglin Mall. This is a real late review, I’m catching up on my updates and here it is, my thoughts on the new place Oomphatico’s. Michele and I were doing the weekly grocery shopping at Brown Rice Paradise when we decided to check this somewhat new place out for snacks. It was in the late afternoon, so it was kinda tea time and quiet. Just how we like it 🙂

view 1

It’s one of those concept places with organic food and vegetarian options, right down having gluten-free or dairy-free ones too. I’m always up for places with vegetarian dishes in their menu but I have to admit the decor was a little much for me. My fake accent kept finding it’s way into our conversation and I was slowly starting to wonder if I was a little too much of a heartlander girl for my fusion dip that came in test tubes together with my chunky wedges.

chunky wedgesteasushi

The other dish so aptly called “Free the Sushi” was quite yummy, it’s basically a sushi not rolled up in seaweed. A rice salad of sorts, I guess. The prices are still reasonable, not cheap but not ridiculously high … yet. Will I go back again? Only with the right company 🙂 If it wasn’t for Michele, to share off each other’s plates and chat about what we really want to be doing, Oomphatico didn’t quite have that oomph for me.

oom 1mich at oomoom2me at oomoom3

Angels and Monkeys

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I’m feeling much better from my last post and catching up on what to update on so yes, there is much to be happy for 🙂 Time warp, back to a couple of weeks ago, amidst the planning for overseas guests coming to Singapore, there was the Labour Day holiday and my aunt did her usual GREAT nasi lemak party.

The family got together and I got to see my little nephew and niece who I haven’t seen in a bit. In that couple of hours with them, I’ve dubbed them my little angel and my little monkey.

Doesn’t take much to realise who is what 🙂

mabe and memabe being an angelgabe and me

Also, my little niece is learning from her Dad, Aunts and Uncles who are all into photography. She wrangled my camera from me (which is a sign of a monkey rather than the angel she sometimes is :P) and decided to have a go at it by taking pictures of her aunts.

coco valcoco val and coco carlcoco carl

Not bad for a 20-month-old toddler, huh? I remember one or two pictures I took as a kid where my parents’ and grandparents’ heads didn’t make it into frame as well 🙂 Good times 🙂

Of Politics and Politeness … … or just sheer gratitude

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Ask most people and they’ll tell you that I’m that annoying chirpy one who tries to see the bright side of everything … in the last couple of weeks, that was a tad tough to do and that’s when I started this post about the politics of working in a large organisation (which incidentally gets worse when things get busy around the office) and the latest season of Survivor, which is not unlike my days in the office except in my so called real life, there isn’t a million dollars and it’s mostly due to petty insecurities. Sure, I was complaining about wasting time on having to properly word polite emails so that they don’t get misconstrued and how it’s all good practice for Survivor if I ever get a chance to play it. After all Mark Burnett Production Asia is starting out in Singapore.

Then I get distracted with the craziness at work, the post was put on hold, Mother Nature helps put my life in perspective and I’m reminded why I choose everyday to be that annoyingly chirpy one.

For one, I don’t live in Myanmar or Sichuan.

Yet behind that chirpy facade, which can even be annoying to me in times like these, I can’t help but get weak in the knees when I follow the news about either tragedies. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families. Words fail me as I try and understand but nothing pisses me off most than publications taking advantage of the situation to make a quick buck.

It is completely disrespectful to put photos of the victims on the front page.

Sigh.

Seems timely that this reflection happens as I usher in Vesak Day … for me, tomorrow morning the sun will be shining and I’m fortunate, so very fortunate to be able to be chirpy.

What would I give?

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To be a kitty lazing in the sun.  The last couple of weeks have been crazy to say the least … nothing like production times at a start up but it’s been much busier than usual around here.  That said though it gave me the opportunity to meet some of the greatest minds in the industry as well as a brief interlude with my ultimate big boss who gave me hope about the very industry we’re trying to develop.

As things quieten down just a tad this week before it starts to pick up again, I came across this kitty this morning.

no parking unless you're a cat

I asked if he would trade places with me for a day and needless to say, he promptly ignored me as he continued licking his paws.  That’s cat speak for “No chance in hell, lady.”

Oatmeal Carob Chip Cookies

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With some walnuts, that’s what I baked my husband over the weekend. It wasn’t that bad either. It’s not like cookie cookie type biscuits, it’s more like one of those soft cookie. He seem to like it enough so if it’s good enough for my him, it’s good enough for the world 🙂 I got the recipe off one of my favourite vegan site, Don’t Get Mad, Get Vegan 🙂 So here it is with some modification.

ingredientsbatterbefore the oven

Ingredients
1/3cup Smooth Peanut Butter (feel free to use other nut butter if there’s peanut allergy)
2tbs Canola Oil
1cup Sugar (I used organic brown sugar for baking and I only went with 1/2 a cup, gonna try brown rice sugar the next time)
1cup Rice/Soy Milk
1tsp Pure Vanilla Essence
1cup Whole Wheat Flour (I use a combination of oat/brown rice/barley flour if there’s a wheat allergy)
1/2tsp Baking Powder
1/2tsp Salt
1cup Rolled Oats
1/2cup Carob Chips
1/2cup Walnuts

  • Preheat oven to 190
  • Oil or line a baking sheet
  • Whisk the first 5 ingredients until smooth (it took me a while so don’t be too surprise you’re tired at the end of the whisking bit)
  • In a separate bowl, mix in thoroughly the baking powder and salt into the flour
  • Add all remaining ingredients and flour mixture in the the smooth whisked batter and stir to combine
  • Drop batter by large spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet (I pressed the batter balls a little to give it a cookie look)
  • Bake for about 12-14minutes or until the tops just begin to crack (mine took about 20minutes or so)
  • Don’t expect them to get very brown
  • Remove sheet from oven and wait 10minutes before transferring cookies to a plate.

Including washing up, the whole process didn’t take me more than an hour and say about 15minutes. So it’s a good one to try if you don’t have a lot of time and don’t need anything that looks too fantastic. Good to fix a cookie craving 🙂