Sunday, October 30, 2005

Geylang Sipaku Geylang

Geylang di Singapura....

Went down to have a look at this year's Hari Raya bazaar held at Geylang Serai for the final time. Dad and I decided that we would start by walking up to it from the Eunos MRT Station. Just before we reached the lights that marked the start of the bazaar, we passed a block of flats that had lights and other decorations over 70% of it.




With A Coconut Tree To Add The "Kampong" Atmosphere


Found @ Lampost 83-1


Next Step: Cross The Road


Safe From Traffic

Right acroos the road is one end of the bazaar with nearly anything on sale. From the essential coconut leaves, clothes, colourful money envelopes, to the unnecessary-but-might-be-handy-during-emergencies stuff.


Coconut Leaves For Ketupat Casings


Fresh Casings


Dried Casings


Colourful Giants


Fastest Draw Wins


Carpets, Sheets & Cakes All In One Spot


Fill 'em With Money


Things To Hide The Moolah


More Necessities


Thorn Among The Roses?


Smell The Flowers


The Odd Stuff - Just Look @ That Head

In Singapore, there is one absolute must ~ FOOD. The amount of food at this bazaar could probably end starvation, but then again, we are a huge country (tiny red dot) of hungry buggers. Interesting thing that is weaving it's way into the bazaar is the amount of international dishes making their mark. First it was bak-kwa, predominantly Chinese until someone started making them using beef instead of pork. Now it's Japanese octopus balls, colourful popcorn, Indian vadais and even Turkish ice cream.


Rice Crisps, Pop Corn & Cotton Candy


Putu Piring aka Kueh Tu Tu


Crispy Peanut Wafers


Pitas Filled With Roasted Meats


Frying Vadais


Vadais & Lentil Fritter


My Cup Of Buttered Corn Being Made!


Steamed Peanuts


Octopus Balls


Something Cold?


Bak Kwa?

This new kid on the block got me to stop and have a look. Eventually buying one to try. Too bad they were instructed not to let anyone take a picture of their sign, so no free advert for them then. Actually it's just ice lollies made with regular soda drinks. I chose meself a Root Beer one.




Cool Eh?


Do You Like Popsicles?

Then there's the common goodies that you see while visiting your Muslim friends. Like loads of cookies and sweets, rendang & nasi kuning... ok anyone inviting me over? I'll bring the stomach.


Makcik... How Much For The Whole Shop?




Roti Jala


Yellow Rice & Stuff I Didn't Try


Look At The Chilli Sauce Just Dripping


Ramli Burgers


Otak Otak Waiting To Get On The Grill


Happy Isn't He?


Lemang & Dodol


More Bamboo Glutenous Rice On The Grill


Red Chicken Wings


Ayam Percik

This year, there was one item that I didn't see. Either they've sold out or no one decided to sell them this year. What missing? Look at all the photos and you won't find dates! The one thing that shines when it's the month of Ramadan yet there was none. Well at least the bazaar still had the "must-have"s.




On Overhead Bridges




Lights Lights Everywhere


Ice-Cold Drinks


Put The Lime In The Coconut....

Not forgetting the ones that make it all happen ~ the big crowds that come to buy all the goods. So big they had to bring in the men in blue to assist with crowd and traffic control.


Is That A Bald Spot?


Cute One Who Smiled For The Cam


Same Girl, Better Light


Controlling An Errant Pedestrian


Ooohhh Shiny


Is There A Party In Here?

As always, people are always caring and sharing. Who says charity is dead? It's still alive... although not thriving. And right in the middle of the bazaar you'll find a small area tucked away just for people to rest their legs a little and enjoy some of the food they're serving.


Should I Plug It In?




So Will There Be A Christmas Bazaar?

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Doggie's Long Day Out

Went for lunch today with Shirley, led by Dad. It was a workout walking the path that cut through the Malaysian railway , a large field and a long winding road. Company were 4-legged friends, Ginger (Pomeranian) & Barkley (Monster).


Making Way For An Additional Track?


Malaysian Railway


Greener Pastures?


Fur Balls

When you finally reach Singapore Judo Federation on Portsdown Road, u turn into Whitchurch road and will be greeted by a little playground partially hidden by trees. This playground is found right next to our main destination ~ Colbar (new location). The place looks like something you only find on Pulau Ubi. Like an old school shack with a tiny canteen/mess hall that has now been transformed to a quiant little eating place where u can enjoy an ice-cold beer in the cool breeze.


No Spelling Mistake


More Seating On The Right

They've got a nice selection on the menu catering to both the local and expatriate tastes. Most of them who go there are actually chilling out with friends over beer. Some go there to get some food and finish their current novels. There is a small library, next to the cashier, with books and magazines which you probably can browse through while waiting for anyone running late. With no restrictions to animals (YAY!), every child was excited to see two dogs seated with us.


Satellite Dish


Cotton Ears

Shirley had Pork Chops & Chips with Peas, Dad had the Fried Whole Sole & Chips, while I had the Fried Fish & Chips. If you want to know what we thought about lunch, read more here. I was thinking of having a few beers before we left but thought that another trip there to do that was a better idea. Long walk back home with the dog stopping often to take wee breaks, and flopping dead on the floor once we were back home. Tired and satiafied with his day out as much as I was.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

6 Degrees Of Seperation

at this very minute ~~
  1. someone is thinking of you
  2. someone cares about you.
  3. someone misses you
  4. someone wants to hold your hand. - they get sweaty... I warned you!
  5. someone wants you to be happy.
  6. someone wants to hug you.
  7. someone will do anything for you. - who's gonna be my slave? hmmmmm?
  8. someone needs to know your love is unconditional. - who? I'll prolly tell u no at this point, unless u're my dog or family
  9. someone wants to tell you how much they care.
  10. someone wants to stay up watching movies with you. - Momma?
  11. someone wants to hold you in their arms. - they must be really long
  12. someone wants to see you.
  13. someone wants to be your lover. - ohhh huge step isn't it?
  14. someone loves you for who you are. - who am i?
  15. someone loves the way you make them feel.
  16. someone wants to be with you.
  17. someone wants you to know they are there for you. - they either assume that i know or they aren't at all... so far?
  18. someone is glad that you're their friend.
  19. someone is wishing you would notice them. - if it's you please just tell me....I do wear specs for a reason
  20. someone wants to get to know you better. - try much harder.... takes a lot of work to get through my shell
  21. someone loves you.
Alrighty, I saw this and wondered if there's actually 21 people (or even 5, with multiple thoughts of me???) that can say yes to anyone of the sentences above. Okay so maybe #10 goes to my mom? Hahahaha! But I've basically highlighted those that I doubt anyone, who knows me, is thinking that; HONESTLY thinking that whole-heartedly.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Midnight Madness

When the clock strikes 12, you've got nothing better to do and the weather is hot.... what do you do? Fire up the barbecue, whip up a large jug of chilled magarita and chill out with your best buds. Well it was a large jug of Diet Coke and best buds were Mom and Destroyer Mark III. Dad came home just in time to help start the fire but was too tired to help eat the food. Okay so this was slightly planned, but who in their right mind would start a BBQ @ midnight? (Ask any of my friends and they'll say I NEVER deny that I'm MAD) One thing good about having a corner apartment with the stairway for a neighbour, among the rest, is that you can use it as part of your own. MWUAHAHAHAHA!


Stairway To Tummy Heaven


Just Getting Started


Slap 'em On The Barbie


Best With Momma's Fried Beehoon

So who's up for midnight BBQs?

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Kiss My Aspartame

Got this rather lengthy email today from one of my closest friends;
"Received this from a friend in Florida :
In October of 2001, my sister started getting very sick. She had stomach spasms and she was having a hard time getting around. Walking was a major chore. It took everything she had just to get out of bed; she was in so much pain.
By March 2002, she had undergone several tissue and muscle biopsies and was on 24 various prescription medications. The doctors could not determine what was wrong with her. She was in so much pain, and so sick...she just knew she was dying.
She put her house, bank accounts, life insurance, etc., in her oldest daughters name, and made sure that her younger children were to be taken care of. She also wanted her last hooray, so she planned a trip to FL (basically in a wheelchair) for March 22nd.
On March 19th I called her to ask how her most recent tests went, and she said they didn't find anything on the test, but they believe she had MS.
I recalled an article a friend of mine E-mailed to me and I asked my sister if she drank diet soda? She told me that she did. As a matter of fact, she was getting ready to crack one open that moment... I told her not to open it, and to stop drinking the diet soda !!! I E-mailed her the article my friend, a lawyer, had sent.
My sister called me within 32 hours after our phone conversation and told me she had stopped drinking the diet soda AND she could walk!!!! The muscle spasms went away She said she didn't feel 100% but she sure felt a lot better. She told me she was going to her doctor with this article and would call me when she got home.
Well, she called me, and said her doctor was amazed! He is going to call all of his MS patients to find out if they consumed artificial sweeteners of any kind...
In a nutshell, she was being poisoned by the Aspartame in the diet soda... and literally dying a slow and miserable death.
When she got to FL March 22nd, all she had to take was one pill, and that was a pill for the Aspartame poisoning! She is well on her way to a complete recovery .. and she is walking!!! No wheelchair!!!
This article saved her life If it says "SUGAR FREE" on the label, DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!
I have spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE on "ASPARTAME," marketed as 'NutraSweet,' 'Equal,' and 'Spoonful.'
In the keynote address by the EPA, it was announced that in the United States in 2001 there is an epidemic of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus. It was difficult to determine exactly what toxin was causing this to be rampant.
I stood up and said that I was there to lecture on exactly that subject. I will explain why Aspartame is so dangerous: When the temperature of this sweetener exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants. The methanol toxicity mimics, among other conditions, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus.
Many people were being diagnosed in error. Although multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence.. methanol toxicity is!
Systemic lupus has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially with Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers. The victim usually does not know that the Aspartame is the culprit. He or she continues its use; irritating the lupus to such a degree that it may become a life-threatening condition. We have seen patients with systemic lupus become asymptotic, once taken off diet sodas.
In cases of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, (when in reality, the disease is methanol toxicity), most of the symptoms disappear. We've seen many cases where vision loss returned and hearing loss improved markedly.
This also applies to cases of tinnitus and fibromyalgia.
During a lecture, I said, "If you are using ASPARTAME (NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc.) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting, pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness,headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, unexplainable depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss...you probably have ASPARTAME poisoning!"
People were jumping up during the lecture saying, "I have some of these symptoms."
Is it reversible?" Yes! Yes! Yes! STOP drinking diet sodas and be alert for Aspartame on food labels!
Many products are fortified with it!!!
This is a serious problem. Dr. Espart (one of my speakers) remarked that so many people seem to be symptomatic for MS and during his recent visit to a hospice; a nurse stated that six of her friends, who were heavy Diet Coke addicts, had all been diagnosed with MS. This is beyond coincidence!
Diet soda is NOT a diet product! It is a chemically altered, multiple SODIUM (salt) and ASPARTAME containing product that actually makes you crave carbohydrates. It is far more likely to make you GAIN weight!
These products also contain formaldehyde, which stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs. Formaldehyde is an absolute toxin and is used primarily to preserve "tissue specimens."
Many products we use every day! contain this chemical but we SHOULD NOTstore it IN our body!!!
Dr. H. J. Roberts stated in his lectures that once free of the "diet products" and with no significant increase in exercise; his patients lost an average of 19 pounds over a trial period.
Aspartame is especially dangerous for diabetics. We found that some physicians, who believed that they had a patient with retinopathy, in fact, had symptoms caused by Aspartame. The Aspartame drives the blood sugar out of control. Thus diabetics may suffer acute memory loss due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are NEUROTOXIC when taken without the other amino acids necessary for a good balance. Treating diabetes is all about BALANCE. Especially with diabetics, the Aspartame passes the blood/brain barrier and it then deteriorates the neurons of the brain; causing various levels of brain damage, seizures, depression, manic depression, panic attacks, uncontrollable anger and rage.
Consumption of Aspartame causes these same symptoms in non-diabetics, as well.
Documentation and observation also reveal that thousands of children diagnosed with ADD and AHD have had complete turnarounds in their behavior when these chemicals have been removed from their diet. So called "behavior modification prescription drugs" (Ritalin and others) are no longer needed. Truth be told, they were never NEEDED in the first place!
Most of these children were being "poisoned" on a daily basis with the very foods that were "better for them than sugar."
It is also suspected that the Aspartame in thousands of pallets of diet Coke and diet Pepsi consumed by men and women fighting in the Gulf War, may be partially to blame for the well-known Gulf War Syndrome.
Dr. Roberts warns that it can cause birth defects, i.e., mental retardation, if taken at the time of conception and during early pregnancy. Children are especially at risk for neurological disorders and should NEVER be given artificial sweeteners. There are many different case histories to relate of children suffering grand mal seizures and other neurological disturbances due to the use of NutraSweet.
Unfortunately, it is not always easy to convince people that Aspartame is to blame for their child's illness. Stevia, which, which is a sweet herb, NOT A MANUFACTURED ADDITIVE, helps in the metabolism of sugar, which would be ideal for diabetics. It has now been approved as a dietary supplement by the FDA. It is known that for many years the FDA outlawed this true sweet food," due to their loyalty to MONSANTO Chemical Company."
Books on this subject are available:
EXCITOTOXINS: THE TASTE THAT KILLS written by Dr. Russell Blayblock (Health Press 1-800-643-2665) AND: DEFENSE AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE-written by DR H. J. Roberts, also a diabetic specialist.
These two doctors will soon be posting a position paper with case histories on the deadly effects of Aspartame on the Internet. According to the Conference of the American College of Physicians, "We are talking about a plague of neurological diseases directly caused by the use of this deadly poison."
Herein lies the problem: There were Congressional Hearings when Aspartame was included 100 different products and strong objection was made concerning it's use. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent hearings and still, nothing has been done. The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets. Sadly, MONSANTO'S patent on Aspartame has EXPIRED!!
There are now over 5,000 products on the market that contain this deadly chemical and there will be thousands more introduced.
Everybody wants a "piece of the Aspartame pie." I assure you that MONSANTO, the creator of Aspartame, knows how deadly it is. And isn't it ironic that MONSANTO funds, among others, the American Diabetes Association, the American Dietetic Association and the Conference of the American College of Physicians? This has been recently exposed in the New York Times. These cannot criticize any additives or convey their link to MONSANTO because they take money from the food industry and are required to endorse their products.
Senator Howard Metzenbaum wrote and presented a bill that would require label warnings on products containing Aspartame, especially regarding pregnant women, children and infants. The bill would also institute independent studies on the known dangers and the problems existing in the general population regarding seizures, changes in brain chemistry, neurological changes and behavioral symptoms. The bill was killed.
It is known that the powerful drug and chemical lobbies are responsible for this, letting loose the hounds of disease and death on anunsuspecting and uninformed public.
Well, you're informed now!!!! YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW!!!"

Alrighty, if you even decided to read till the end, what's your take?

I think it's MOSTLY bullcrap. So you might think I'm biased because I am a fan of diet sodas but this is more than just being a drinker. It's about the crap people pull off on the internet that put fear and worry into people. Just like the ones with instant noodles giving your stomach a weird lining, or that eating too much chicken can give you ovarian cysts.

What I don't agree with or find strange in the above email...

  1. Chemical change at 86 Degrees F
  2. No Author
  3. It's dangerous to Diabetics
  4. The story takes place in the US
First the temperature, 30 degrees C, is rather common in these parts of the world. I'm no scientist who knows how to identify if the substance has changed from aspartame to formic acid, but if a sweetener would change to an acid wouldn't the taste of the drink change. Lets not take a bottle of Diet Coke sitting on the shelf in the heat for days. Make it simple. Take a hot cup of tea, even take out the heat loss from kettle to table. That would still give you more than 30 degrees C. So what happens if you add a tablet of Equal? Instant fire ant poison tea.... Cooool



No Author.... No Names....No Balls? Who is this SPEAKER? Wouldn't you be proud to state your name if you've found something for the good of mankind? Or are your just skeeered you'd be served?



Are people really that mad to make something for diabetics that, at the same time, is a danger to their lives? Oh it's all chemicals which create changes in the body & mind. Well same goes for CHOCOLATE doesn't it? The HAPPY DRUG hidden in a delicious, smooth,velvety brown bar. Same goes for coffee, alcohol, watching TV, smoking tabacco or weed and reading this.

From the start of the email it says that it's from the US. Last I checked, the Diet Coke in the US needs some sweetening up. As a friend over there puts it "no sugar its yucky". Then for a country where everyone sues anyone for nearly everyhing, why hasn't this been on the news? If it was really brought up, it would be against a few companies as well as the FDA. Shouln't this be something HUGE? Or did they decide to be less loud due to the lack of testicular fortitude?
Publish Post
Kiss My Aspartame

Friday, October 21, 2005

Working In The Hospitality Industry

1. We work in weird shifts.... Like a prostitute

2. They pay you to make the client happy..... Like a prostitute

3. The client pays a lot of money, but your employer keeps almost every penny.................. Like a prostitute

4. You are rewarded for fulfilling the client's ideas...Like the prostitutes

5. Your friends fall apart and you end up hanging out with people in the same profession as you... .........as the prostitutes

6. When you have to meet the client you always have to be perfectly groomed............... like a prostitute

7. But when you go back home it seems like you are coming back from hell............... As the prostitutes

8. The client always wants to pay less but expects incredible things from you.............. as from the prostitutes

9. When people ask you about your job, you have difficulties to explain it.................... as the prostitutes

10. If things turn out to be wrong is always your fault.................... as the prostitutes

11. Everyday when u wake up you say: IM NOT GONNA SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE DOING THIS.....like a prostitute

The only difference is that the prostitutes can take xmas and newyears eve off and they actually do get a lot of Money!!!

If you know someone in the hospitality industry send this email so they dont feel bad anymore.... like a prostitute!

Bahahahahahahahaa!!!!

Thursday, October 20, 2005

You Could...

Take a lil trip around Singapore Town in a Singapore city bus....or you could walk them and take photos where the bus doesn't go.

Went to lil India with Mom today for 3 things -
  1. to check out prices of digicam & accesories for me sis (and meself)
  2. help my aunt get henna
  3. to get me some bangles to complete the outfit for me friend's wedding
There's less than 2 weeks left till Deepavali/Dewali (Hindu festival of Lights) and they're all geared up with bazaars everywhere. It's not that blur when u're looking at it in person, so get off ur fat arse and go have a look-see yourself.


Welcome to Little India




Let There Be Light




And More Light...


Speedy Gonzales Riding The Trishaw

First stop was Tekka Mall to get some energy into the bodies and as we walked to the first camera shop, we had to walk through the 1st bazaar selling clothes and accesories.


Painless Tattoos


Bangles


Clothes

Just after Tekka Mall, past 7-11, you would find an opening to a row of shops in the Little India Arcade. The first thing you'd see here is a shop selling a load of sweets. My main objective of going into this lane was to get to the shop that I purchased my first set of bangles. While everyone was trying to get good bargains, possibly damaging bangles in the process, only one shop was nice enough to help me out. With that courtesy and a huge array of bangles, I was sold and I think the shop should be nominated for that GEMS award. If you want to check it out, it's Jayaram Trading, with the bangles on the shop's right. Next to the bangles is a shop selling sweets and incense, that marks the entrance & exit of that area.




Most Helpful Bangle Shop


Dietbetic's Death

Further down the access to Cambell Lane was closed as they held a bazaar there. Most days that road would be selling fruits and vegetables and nothing tourists would really be into unless you're a lil nuts about asian vegetables. The very start of this was a stall selling candles, incense pots & sticks, thosehanging thingys (gotta ask Vinnie) and the kid's all important sparklers.


Must Have Candles!


I'm Still Curious About The "Fruit Bomb"


One Of The Many Incense Pots


Lanterns?

Right after that was the whole stretch of shops displaying their wares left, right and centre.




Yes, Mr. Shifty-Eyes, You're In The Photo


Adorable Elephant Mobile


There were things, like potted Basil plants, that I never thought I would find here. Then there were the common sights like the flower garlands, henna, coconuts for consumption as well as prayers, banners and big bags of coloured powder for decoration.

Colourful Garlands


These Go Towards Prayers


Drink Them If They're On Ice


Ran out of batteries after the garlands and the phone doesn't do good with the lights. So that was the end of the picture tour but not our trail on foot. We continued down Serangoon Road to get to the final destination, Mustafa Centre, where mom went a bit mad with incense sticks to ward of the EVIL mosquitos. More importantly, we were there to find out the cost of the cameras and saw me finding one I like and intend to buy. Ohhh Goody!

When we got everything we wanted, we headed out the little coffee shop at the corner of Verdun Road & Sam Leong Road to get a drink and pack some food. The bit of oddness for the day - one of the staff asked while he brought our orders "Are you from Bhutan?" which sounded to my mom like "Rambutan". Anyway, before he asked that, I had only the slightest clue about Bhutan's location, let alone, the people. Guess we fit in rather well as tourists there!

Next Stop: Gelang Serai!

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Ana & The Giant Pumpkin

"Punkin Punkin Everywhere..." - listen carefully to some Singaporeans and u'd hear them mispronounce "PUMPKIN" as "PUN-KIN", "PUNGKING" or a mix of both. Whichever way it makes me laugh till this day.


Say It With Me: PUMP-KIN

Today was one out with Momma to Plaza Singapura to look for glue tape which turned out to be too bloody expensive for what looked like double-sided tape. In the end we got a few stencils, needles and a few utterly important buttons for my sari top, which might be posted up one day.

Managed to get some Christmas presents as well!! Yeah I shop all year round for xmas presents, so u all don't know what u're gonna get.

Had a nice waffle & ice cream @ Gelare which left us too full to have a proper dinner, yet hungry for something. So decided to cook dinner and had to go into Carrefour to get the ingredients. Walked in there and there to greet u in the vegetable section was a whole range of pumpkins, squashes and corn, flown in for Halloween. On the sides were 2 huge (... HUGE... UGE!) pumpkins, probably as big as me if I balled up! Wondered how many pies I could make with one of them. Took a peek at the price too - $488.00. Now I'm thinking of growing some of my own! Well, if only I had a nice garden I'd try. Actually I'd try anyways. So who's up for pumpkin pie or cookies?

Thinking of getting a nice lil pumpkin to carve. It's fun carving pumpkins, and the sense of achivement when u put a candle in to see your creation glowing in the dark. Bonus comes when u get the sweet smell of the pumpkin that is actually cooking in the candle's heat (just don't let it burn).



Plans for Halloween anyone?

Monday, October 17, 2005

Soul Food

No matter where you go, nothing beats momma's home cooked food. Unless she can't cook to save her life!! Lucky me has a mom that can whip up yummy dishes. Better still if she makes one of your favourites and to your liking because there aren't any fussy-pots around!



Missing ingredient: Bittergourd


So here's the one-pot dish where u basically dump every ingredient into the pot and let it simmer till the meat gets tender and slides right off the bone. I almost finished the whole pot of it before I decided I should take some pictures, therefore the tiny portion.


Stewed Pork with Bittergourd (and stuff)


Plain & Simple.... enjoyed with hot, fluffy steamed rice.

Heaven.... I'm in heaven....

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Music Survey Or Challenge?

Using songs or bands, spell out your name

- now this is a bloody challenge
Cranberries
Hot Apple Pie
R.E.M.
INXS
Sex Pistols
Transplants
Incubus
Ataris
No Doubt
Audioslave

Have you ever had a song written about you?
I doubt... maybe "I'm Fat" by Al Yanko

What song makes you cry?
One Sweet Day - Boys II Men & Mariah "Dog Whining" Carey


What song makes you happy?

"How Much Is That Doggie In The Window... and a whole lot more

What song are you listening to now?
Nickleback CD my neighbour upstairs is blasting... money saver!


What is in your CD player right NOW?

Probably an ant colony.

What's the next CD you're gonna get?
Loads, I've got a list, just need the mooolah!

Have you ever been on radio/TV?
Nope... Never want to go on TV

Have you ever been awesomely super cool rocket man/woman?
In your drems maybe? Hmmmmm?

Would you encourage people to respond to this?
Yeah well I hope someone does.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

9th Day Of The 9th Lunar Month

"This festival actually commemorates two occasions. Chung Yeung Jit is also known as "Chung Gau". Being the 9th day of the 9th month, it is the DOUBLE NINE, also means forever and is the day on which Chinese people go to the hillsides to tend their ancestors graves, make sacrifices of special paper money and paper winter clothing, after which a picnic is held. It also commemorates the day during the Han Dynasty when a Taoist soothsayer, Fei Chang-fei advised a scholar, Huan Jing, to escape to the hills with his family to avoid an impending disaster. Huan Jing took the advice and went to the hillside with his family, taking food and chrysanthemum wine. When returned home all his livestock dead from a plague and realized the soothsayer had saved the lives of himself and his family.

From that date, Chinese people have celebrated by taking food and chrysanthemum wine to picnic on the hillsides. It is also the time when chrysanthemums are at their finest and parties would be held to admire the flowers, which are the symbols of good health and longevity.

As the number nine is regarded as being auspicious, therefore feasts, ascending a height, country walk and flying kites on the hill are part of the features of the day, which people believe will bring good luck."


So every year there would be a dinner, held by the Temple that my Uncle is associated with, at Clementi Ave 4. The very first time we went to one of these dinners we found out that the caterer was actually my Grandfather's neighbour.


Bad picture of the setting - Poh Huat Restaurant

Over the years the dishes have got better in taste and portioning. But no matter how good the food is, it's still interrupted by the auctioning of items. It's not exactly the auctioneer that is noisy, it's the other people looking out for bidders that blow a whistle right behind u and call out the bids over their megaphones. If you decide ever to come early for dinner and you're not interested in offering joss-sticks, then you can just watch the Chinese Opera that's performing in the background.


Lead performer in his room


Grand scene with lead & co-preformer

Guess you're expecting more pictures huh? Well stupid me deleted everything in a rush after actually editing all the yummy food picture!


BLAAAAAHHH!!!

Have to wait a year for the next FEAST... MMMmmmm. If you can't, leave me a message and I'll get Tony or Eric's number for you.