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.

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.

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. 

Restaurant Week

Thank God I learnt about Restaurant Week only in the middle of the week. Otherwise, I could either be very fat by the end of the week or very broke.

Anyway, as a foodie, how could I miss out on all the great deals?! Restaurants that are renowned, and prices usually expensive offered special Restaurant Week menu at only S$25++ to S$55++, depending on lunch or dinner menu. And naturally, most restaurants were booked up early.

So, here were the ones I tried (I managed to book) and my verdicts.

Stellar @ 1-Altitude
(Level 62, OUB Centre)

Was quite a huge disappointment, despite the more expensive and promising menu, impressive photos and high price tags (on HGW). Everything went wrong for us at this restaurant.

The restaurant's decoration and ambience reminded me more of a cafe than a S$200 per person restaurant. Service was also very poor - asked us at least five times about our warm or iced water. On top of that, we had some food and billing issues - and everyone seemed to be pulling a fast one on us (bluff us), except the Assistant Restaurant Manager, David.

Food was nothing to rave about. Sushi platter was acceptably normal. J's salad was too salty. Our Duck Confit should just be called Deep Fried Crispy Duck Leg. The only nice thing was the cake, by 1-Caramel. Not sure about its association with the restaurant.

The alfresco (upstairs) was a bar, which I imagined would be nice in the evening. I guess having a drink here will not be as disappointing as the food. How wrong could imported drinks be, right?

Overall, it was a terrible experience. I would not return. And I would not recommend.

Note: I was wearing Moda Shoppe's Sashy Mini (Champagne) and Fashion Friday Stirup Leggings (Grey) and Cel was in Ala Mode Dress.

Michelangelo's
(Chip Bee Gardens, 60 Jalan Merah Saga)

Cleared my floating leave and shared this meal with Jan. The interior was cosy and comfortable. Especially loved the booth seat but was unavailable for us. The only thing was the air-conditioning was too cold for me. Service staff were very patient with me. I asked for many things and changes, but they accommodated.

We decided to sit alfresco since it was a nice, sunny afternoon. Sitting outside was not very hot because they had fans/coolers. It was quaint and we spent a whole afternoon here, even after the kitchen was close. They did not chase us away at all, and even serve us water. How nice.

Note: I was wearing Moda Shoppe's latest Comfort Zone dress. 

Food was delicious. I like that they were very generous with their ingredients. There were five big prawns in the pasta. We were so full at the end of our meal and fully satisfied.

LaBrezza

(St Regis, Level 2)

With our busy schedules, it is rare for us to be able to dine together as a family. The place of choice was LaBrezza for its relaxing ambience. LaBrezza has a Mediterranean decoration, located right next to the swimming pool. I prayed for a sunny afternoon and I got it. So, the atmosphere was awesome and mood-lifting. Aside from reservation and parking coupon mix up, service was acceptable.

The food was good. I enjoyed my Grilled Zucchini with Beef Ragut completely! I am inspired to replicate this dish. The Gnocchi was al dente and went very well with the bacon. Otherwise, could be a little bland. The sardine smell was a little too strong but overall, pretty delicious. Veal was tender and almost melted in my mouth.

Desserts were enjoyable. Tiramisu came with a shot of bitter, strong, coffee ice shavings. The Pineapple Panacotta was creative and good too.

While waiting for everyone to arrive, I had a hot chocolate at The Drawing Room (ground level). They served really yummy cookies. Unfortunately, they are not for sale. So, the girl serving me packed me a box to take away! How sweet! I rarely tip in Singapore. But, I did for her thoughtfulness throughout the time I was there. This is what I called customer service.

That's me by the pool, outside LaBrezza. I was wearing Moda Shoppe's latest Panache Breezy Tunic and my Pazzion wedges.