Crime Scene Investigation

Mom came home this afternoon, telling dad rather excitedly (read: LOUD) that there were a ton of police vans, cars and trucks parked outside the old block of flats. She said she wanted to get the mail from the old place this morning and was not allowed to park, and still wasn't allowed in even after her visit to the doctor. Wondering what big murder case was being investigated, she returned and asked dad to do some leg work, and hopefully get the mail from the old blocks along with any interesting details. Just as I was to go out and take some photos, dad called back to report that it was just some filming and that people there were mostly posing for photos and getting ready for the next shoot. 

I headed out to take photos anyway and started to laugh when I saw that the 2 big trucks parked there were from the Special Operations Command, which usually deals with the riots. Riots! My mom can be quite clueless at times. 

Festive Craving

I was craving for pineapple tarts on Saturday and was looking at the stuff available in stores but non of them seemed nice. Maybe it's just a gut feeling, or maybe it's knowing the exact taste I'm craving for was never to be found in one of the bottles on the shelf. So I left the place and ended up convincing mom to make some of the family's secret recipe tarts. Lo and behold, Aunt Jeannie have been making tarts for the festive season and happen to set aside a few for me. The message that came in was rather extensive, telling me she had made a few kinds, which included a bear-shaped one that she was trying to recreate. As you can see, the 3 different versions of her pineapple tart that have no uniformity. However ugly they might be, it's all in the taste, and I would say it came close to satisfying my craving. Close. 

Crazy Nonyas

I woke up yesterday with the smells of fried tofu skin and fermented bean curd wafting into my room, knowing it was Chap Chye bubbling over the fire. Mom decided to make it for dinner and paired it with some Ayam Buah Keluak. Since she packed up the leftover gravy and black nuts in the freezer, that dish just needed a bit of meat added and heated up. I decided I wanted to try a new dish and had always wanted to make Babi Cincalok. Looked up the recipe on the internet and found a simple one that sounded good in my head. Thus I had the basic stuff the recipe called for and sort of winged it with the flavor. The dish turned out rather interesting with the nice blend of sweetness, saltiness, tartness and spice. Hopefully I'll be able to write the recipe down. Well with most Peranakan dishes, they are usually best eaten on the 2nd day after it has been warmed up a few times so that everything marries and get nice and tender. So today's lunch was just the same feast for 3.

Barkley's Strange Addiction

Barkley is a nutcase. There's no other way to describe him. He's got no objection to any kind of toy. Everything that squeaks is his, any fluffy toy is his, anything that is covered in the flourescent green tennis ball felt is his. He can have a ton of toys all over the house yet know whee every toy is hidden.

When it comes to food, however, he can be such a fussy one. He doesn't like the fancy, supposedly good for his health kind of dog food. He likes the cheaper stuff, but won't say no to Caesar's.  He doesn't like treats like the dried fish or biscuits, but prefer softer chews like liver straps. Even so, he'll only take certain kinds. Then the shocker of his oddball choices was the fish strips. One day the family was snacking on it and he sat there begging. It's now his alternative snack when mom thinks he's had to much liver in his diet.

Well as long as he's happy and it won't kill him like the grapes he actually loves.    

Spice Up My Life

I'm not sure when I really started my collection of salt and pepper shakers, but they've become an easy gift idea for friends who don't really know what to get me. Also because of that,  I've now got quite an extensive collection, even though I know it's not the biggest in the world. It's been fun collecting them,  hunting each country for unique.  Can't really pick out which is my absolute favorite yet, but I know I can't bear to use any of the shakers The grinders, however, I would at least use to empty them first.  Then again, I do have 2 extra sets which I could use.  Hmmm....

Red Velvet Obsession

I always wondered why red velvet cake seems to be a big favorite among a lot of Americans, especially when it seems to have more fans than simple chocolate, black forest or carrot. Then finally I get to try one from Cedele and I realised how good it was. That chocolatey richness with the slight tartness of the cream cheese frosting. O! M! G!

I then went on to look for a nice recipe and it was good that the very first one I decided to try, albeit with a little editing to the amount of sugar in the frosting, was absolutely perfect. Made it for my sister's party with coconut flour and still it was delicious. 

Though I've found an awesome recipe, I'd still go around trying other red velvet cakes, especially when there's other people to share it with. This one for today was from Fish and Co. I'd say it would have been really nice if it wasn't that cold, and I wasn't that eager to eat it. Haha

Noodle Bin

I once saw some show on tv introducing some noodle manufacturer in Hong Kong that sold flavoured noodles and vowed that I would definitely visit their store for the prawn roe noodle.  Lo and behold, walking in Giant supermarket and I see it being sold as some Lunar New Year special. And since there wasn't a pack with all 3 flavours,  I had to get all 3! Mom thinks I'm mad,  but I love my noodles and there's a lot I could try with these flavoured ones. I'm soooooo excited!!!

Special Summons

It's 12.30am and I get a message from Eddie wondering if I'm still awake. Then he tells me he has a delivery to make and this is what I get… well part of it. A red envelope indicating, quite obviously, what's inside. But I already knew about this months ago and this is just out of courtesy… or maybe so I can keep it as a souvenir. Finally that playboy has decided to settle down and announce it to the world… sort of. 

Testing Coffee For Beary Testers

Sent the sister off this afternoon and TaiYee wanted to eat. Since it was January and Mom's birthday month, it was time for a treat for both of them, together with TaiYee's sister-in-law - Aunty Mary, dad and myself. Off to TCC and they were offering bear-shaped pineapple tarts. Being obsessive about pineapple tarts, TaiYee had to have a try. So I ordered a coffee just so she'd have 2 to have a picture and try. They are cute, and I would say they'd make a nice gift. 

Tired Out

Mom babysat Brayden for the first day yesterday and Barkley assisted with keeping him in check.  The whole experience definitely took a toll on him as he ended up in his bed, so tried that he's sleeping with his arm hanging out!

For The Love Of Food

Singaporeans are known to wait in line for the oddest things, but the one thing almost all of us would do is wait in line for food. Today was for French-inspired food recommended by the sister's friend, Grace. After watching some show, she thought the food looked damn good and was affordable, thus we ended up in a line for a table 5 minutes before the place opened.

Celebrating A First Birthday Like A Boss

As he was getting ready to open his presents,  Dinata was placed in his armchair for a quick photo session.  He was wondering what all the fuss was about and soon got comfy in the chair, started to slouch and shake his legs. Definitely owned it!

Sister's Husbandless Shopping Spree

Once Brendan left, it was time for Sis to go made with her doing again. So off to Orchard Road we went and I only ended up getting this Nutella Swirl Cheesecake and a dress on sale,  while sis brought back 2 bags, a bag of clothes and a pair of shoes. The cheesecake was alright,  and I think I can find better recipes. 

Beach Party

Sent Brendan off at the airport and decided to take a trip to changi beach so Barkley could stretch his little legs. Mom spotted a bench and decided to act like Ronald McDonald.  Sis then decided to join her on the bench and do the same for some reason.  So finally I got dad to join in and just snapped a pic of all of them on that one bench.  Barkley didn't look too happy about taking the photo though.  

Upping My "Tourist In Singapore" Game

Yesterday it was a visit to Marina Bay Sand's Art Science Museum for the Chanel and Eames exhibits, today it's getting a pair of "I ♥ SG" slippers in Chinatown. It's not that I wanted to show my love of country but more of an emergency pair due to an unrepairable snap. It snapped in half right at the point where it sits between the big and 2nd toe, and would have been harder to glue or tape back than to get a cheap new pair. So there we go, the pair of slippers I now wear for non-important trips. 

New Year's Mark

Brendan wanted to see how good Dad's archery skills were and decided to book a slot for us.  While dad adjusted his sight and practices since shots,  Brendan, the sister and I tried to ensure our survival in the hunger games.  Was all good until the string got caught in the arm guard,  making sure that it gave me a good beating on the arm. So first day of 2014 and I look like I was fighting 2013 away.

Happy 2014

The blog posts have definitely slowed down and it's definitely time for a change. So starting with the first post of the year, the annual awards list shall go, mostly because I can't fill up most of the categories anyway. I guess just a paragraph reflecting on the year itself would be better than a stagnant, almost non-existent list.

So here goes….

2013, started off alright as I was in Perth with family and friends, but I already wasn't happy at work. So obviously work had to go and I left the place right after Chinese New Year which made the rest of the year awesome! Ended up going back to Perth to babysit 2 big dogs while sis turned 30 in Bali. Made a huge dinner for 10, which reminded me how fun it was to bake. Came back to get the keys to the new house and started moving in just before I left for London/Paris with Angie & Adi - Loved London, disgusted with Paris. Came back and started living in the new house while we moved stuff over from the old ones. Sis flew in for Christmas and New Years this year. Handed over the keys to my old house on the 16th of December. Brendan flew in as well. Held a mini tea ceremony to introduce Brendan to mom's side of the family. Handed over the keys to the other house on the 23rd. Held the Christmas party on the 24th. Went to Adventure Cove Waterpark, got on rides, snorkeled with the fish, choked on salty fish water, cut my toe in the tank and survived. Headed to Universal Studios Singapore, was "snowed" on and got some freebies by accident. Went to River Safari and loved watching the Panda eating, also the chocolate custard panda pau. Dinner at Sakae Sushi on the 31st might have had a computer glitch which made it almost free. Then finish it off by watching fireworks on TV and making a whole lotta noise with Barkley's toy.

Pretty good year I guess.

On The Train To Weymouth

Back in London and were now headed back to Weymouth to stay with Grandpa for the last bit of our vacation. It's gonna be a long train ride, and I think we're all gonna sleep through it.

Sailing To Paris

Heading onto a boat to cross the English Channel and visit Disneyland Paris and the city… Croque Madame here I come!

Off To London

Time to say goodbye to Singapore once again and visit the Queen with Adi & Angie.