Saturday 30 April 2011

I like this

Once, there are 2 employees. A did all the work n B only KPKB all time, pointing flaws. The boss got so impressed with B 's ability to identify flaws n decide to give B the job instead n send A off. B was so used to express his views but so...on realized he had never did any real work b4 all this while. True enough, his voice is heard, but too bad for the boss, his words is louder than his action.

Thursday 28 April 2011

My Cry

I want our government to consider and implement green projects more seriously. The society of the world need to be active in saving the earth.

We need to save the earth. Need to save our environment.

Even if costs of housing are brought down or taxes reduced, if we cannot save our earth, it will perish. Even if they take away ERPs or reduce the prices, it will only aggravate the situation we are facing.

Those cost-savings may not even benefit our future generation. They may very well become dinosaurs of the next millenium when an overhaul occurs.

This, is one of my cries to the elected party.

Green. Green. Green.

How does it feel?

How does it feel I am 1.5 days away from bidding farewell to the company I work in for almost four years?

Relaxed, happy and excited. Savouring every enjoyable moment I can and leaving with the best last memories.

Would I be sad?

I would be of course! It's a silly question to ask. But, the intensity of this feeling is already diluted because I was so sad when I resigned, I almost cried. Right now, I am adapted to the idea of my departure. I am a little immuned to the fact that I am leaving.

This place has left me a lot of memories - mostly pleasant.

From the first time I joined and had such wonderful contributions to the company... to the take over and transitions... to having so many good friends at work... to wonderful work environment and bosses... to the parties we had... those drunk moments... those travels... those laughters... joy... sadness and farewells... Of course, those challenging moments... struggles... fears...

This place has imprinted a lot of wonderful memories. It has also seen me through my relationship and marriage. This is where I have grown up. It has made me stronger and better.

How could I not be sad?

I feel like I am bidding a really good relationship goodbye. If not because of better opportunity, personal development and desire to have my dream come true... I would hate to say "I think we don't complement each other. We have characters differences now."

I only wish that I will not cry (my tear ducts are very weak) on my last day tomorrow. So long. Farewell! I will bring along all these sweet, happy memories to my new challenge.

You will always have a place in my heart.

Letting go...

Disclaimer: This post reflects personal opinons and not a representation of the general audience. Any reference may not be supported by facts and could be purely assumptions. This is afterall my free space to express.
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No... I am not telling you who I am voting for. This shall be a tough decision. I am certainly not a blind follower and I have eyes and mind to see, and a heart to listen.

The parties for my constituency are presenting facts and great solutions for my country. But at the end of the day, I must remember, whoever I choose, the party will be responsible for my neighbourhood. Or of now, my parents' neighbourhood - I have not changed my address. And I need to think about what I would hope for this neighbourhood to be for the next 5 years. What can the party bring to the table for this neighbourhood?

I need to remember that the party may or may not have a strong hold in the parliament. And the big plans for the country do not equate to what they could do for my parents in the future. Yet, I am in favour some of the big plans.

My only hope is, whichever party selected, they would listen to the cries of the citizens and consider the proposals put across by the different parties and improve them. Or else, they may not have the next 5 years. They must know that the people want to be heard. They want actions to be taken. From the flood of thoughts, it is obvious that the nation is maturing.

Being educated, affluent and exposed, they know their rights and desires. I also hope that the elected party will not disappoint. They must remember, the people who elected them, are the people who will be responsible for their choice. If the results disappoint, they will learn. They will correct.

This should be the way people will grow. Democracy can lead to a mature society when people know what they do affect their lives and future. When they have a direct impact of their decision, they will learn and grow.

People cannot be spoon fed and hand held anymore. The higher authorities do not need to worry about us like children. They should keep faith and have confidence in the choice of the people. Afterall, the next election is in 5 years. What's suffering for 5 years if a mistake happens?

So what if at the end of the day, a mistake is made? People complain but they know what to do when the next election comes.

It is good to fail sometimes. To fall sometimes. To learn. This is life. This is experience.

The Power...

Disclaimer: This post reflects personal opinons and not a representation of the general audience. Any reference may not be supported by facts and could be purely assumptions. This is afterall my free space to express.
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Of the internet and social media for politics.

We have seen in GE 2011 that those who know how to use the social media reaching out to netizens, have high influences and discussability space.

Information spread like wildfire within a matter of a few hours (even minutes), reaching far and wide, even to citizens residing outside of the country. Their opinons are also heard from miles far away from home.

I have to say, I have never been personally very involved in the politics of our nation (maybe one point in time, at the age younger than Nicole Seah). Partly because our leading party has been doing a good job, keeping the country economically and politically stable. So, I can sleep at night and focus my energy on other matters in life. Because they keep the country safe, so I am not afraid of being shot at night. At least, these occurences are few and far.

My worries revolve around whether my children will become strawberries or maybe even grapes. This seems largely a society issue, less of the governmental issue. There are countries that are thriving and yet the society do not indulge in materialism. Yet their children grow up strong, independent, responsible and sensible. This is, another topic to discuss regarding the society, which is also at the heart of the Asian culture. I shall bring this to another post, one day.

I have also thought that our people are apathetic but yet are vocal about their thoughts (compliants). Yet throughout this election, we have seen comments, feedbacks, opinions and supports for the opposing parties dominating social media and the net. This proved that they aren't just a bunch of apathetic complian kings/queens as perceived. They want to be heard and actions to be taken. They don't want to be patronised anymore.

It has been melodramatic over the world wide web and iphone applicaiton and I watched, read and studied in amusement. It has been politically entertaining.

While the mainstream media tend to lean on one side of the news, (although trying to take a neutral standpoint), the social media and net provide an alternative, uncontrolled avenue for people to air their views and at the same time, a space to influence one another's perspectives.

I am awed not so much by the drama and some dirty tactics (politics is a dirty game anyway - not my cuppa), but by the rate and speed, and power of the net and the social media.

Who needs complete freedom of the media when the net is such an excellent alternative?

Freeing the media will probably make being a reporter more interesting than before. If that's the case, could I consider joining the media and fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a reporter? How does covering a story like the Watergate Scandal sound to the politicians who said we should free the media?

Salute the creation of the WWW and the social media.

Friday 8 April 2011

Oh! What a Glorious Day!

Caption: View from my desk - Our busy PSA port and beautiful sunny day

It is such a glorious day today!

Here I am sitting at my desk, savouring the last few weeks of wonferful scenary I have from my desk before I leave this place.

It's only recently then I really enjoy the view next to me. I realised that our port is really busy. It's filled with containers, cargos and many ships. On top of that, they seem to be reclaiming a part of the island. Evolving landscape...

Staring at the azure sea, clear baby blue sky and white, fluffy clouds, an image appeared in my mind: Me in bikini, sun hat and shades, lounging on a sun deck, sipping cocktail and soaking in a healthy tan. Staring at the endless horizon of the earth, where the sky meets the edge of the sea. Listening to the serenity of nothing but waves gently hitting the coastline. Hmmm... This is life.

So, I decided, I must go to the beach again. My body yearns to go beneath that waves-lapping surface, to visit the colour, marine world I love.

If, I don't get radiated. :)

Anyway, I sure know how to enjoy life. A few days ago, Suz and I randomly decided to go for Martini Hour at Morton's Bar. It was such an impromptu decision. And we had so much fun just sipping martinis and enjoying free steak sandwich.

I am so glad that I still have friends who could do happy hours together with. We agreed that we should not stop this. Let's hope it continues through our older age!

Here are some images.

Dearie with her Lychee Martini

Me with Lychee Martini


Chocolate Martini

Steak Sandwich - don't ask what the red "stain" was

They were so generous and kept serving us the steak sandwiches - when I already had in my hand.

Wednesday 6 April 2011

My Creation: Cordon Bleu Chicken

I wanted to use up my Mozarella but wanted to make something that would make me feel less guilty - doesn't mean healthier. So, I decided to buy chicken breast meat and make Cordon Bleu chicken.

Not my first time making this. But, first time using Julie Wheat Crackers as the breadcrumbs because Shop & Save ran out of ready made breadcrumbs.

It was tasty nevertheless. In fact, tastier with the crackers. Yumz! Baby thoroughly enjoyed chicken breast meat, which he doesn't usually like and admitted it didn't taste so bad afterall. Of course! Efforts put in to make sure the breast meat would turn out juicy and tender.




I looked so focus on eating.

Highly Rated Tonkatsu

Tonkichi is renowned for serving very good Tonkatsu (pork cutlet).

Friends, including those who lived in Japan before raved about the tonkatsu at this restaurant. So, when we were shopping at Isetan, curiosity got the better of me. We were debating whether or not to try since, there could be "radiation" in the meat. But, who cares. If AVA allowed, we should be safe. That shows how serious I am about my food.

Anyway, I won't say that the prices were cheap for just fried pork cutlet. Furthermore, Baby and I decided to try the #1 USA Black Pork, which cost more than S$30 for just a fried pork cutlet and, ok, rice, miso soup and three pieces of watermelon. But since we were there, Baby decided we might as well just try the "best".

I have to say, the menu was quite informative, with visual aids to help customers differentiate between different types of cutlets. For instance, Rosu and Hire, and so on.

So, below are some photos and my opinions.

This part was fun. We were given some sesame seeds mixture to grind for our Tonkatsu.

Smelled really aromatic too

My turn to have some fun with the grinding

Added some Tonkatsu sauce after the sesame mixture became finer



Some braised pork to fill us a bit. We were feeling ravenous. And my... They were very delicious. Almost melted in our mouth and did not taste "fat" at all.

The Tonkotsu ramen soup was tasty. But the pieces of meat were shredded. Very unlike the usual Tonkotsu ramen I had before. Not sure if this is the traditional way of the ramen.

Finally! The Tonkatsu (Black Pork)! The breaded batter on the outside was crispy and light, the inside was tender and juicy. Was quite worth the price because, the pork cutlet was sizably big. And there was free flow rice and cabbage too.


Commoner French Cuisine

"What do Singaporeans like to do?"

This is one question that many of my foreigner friends ask me. And I always say "Eat!". Which is true, since there is really nothing very much to do except eating and socialising. With no lack of good food places to visit, cheap or luxurious, this is one of Singaporeans' favourite activities. And, it is conveniently tied to a human basic need.

So, I am yet again blogging about food, which so happened to be one of my favourite things to do - cooking and eating.

Baby and I went to The French Stall (Serangoon) last Friday. This was not the first time we have been there. Whenever we crave for good French food at a decent price, we like going there.

Aside from the slow service (hard to get someone to attend to you) and feeling really hot (as this place was really a coffeeshop setting), The French Stall is great. With French music and some French street decoration, it is a great place for lingering - if you can take the humidity and heat.

I'll be bringing my friends from France there to hear their opinions on the food. Update after we go!


Traditional French Onion Soup

Carrot Soup (soup of the day) - looks like Baby was enjoying

Duck Confit - so many times nicer than the last one I had at Stellar. Very tender and tasty. On top of that, there was a piece of duck liver.

Baby's Sirloin Steak - which was so-so

Bordeux Decaffe

Goes well with our red meats

Decaffe was better than buying a bottle since there were only two of us

Tiramisu - nothing to rave about
Chocolate Cake

Giant Profiterole - with ice-cream instead of cream. The puffs were a bit tougher than the small ones we usually eat at other restaurants. Drenched in chocolate fudge...

You can see the size here. Huge.