Cascade of side effects

It's been a while since I've put my culinary skills to use. Not that I'm supremely exhausted. Or perhaps I am? Afterall, it's been a month of early morning lessons and late World Cup nights. In fact, I find it an aesthetic and therapeutic experience to face with life's greatest joy -- FOOD. So here's a collection of tantalising delights which may leave you salivating:


Sunday: It was meant to be a meal for 5 but ultimately, the 4 of us finished them all! The Emperor's chicken tonight was definitely fit for a king! From left: Belachan French Beans, Mapo Tofu; Emperor's chicken & Lotus Peanut soup


Last wk's delicacies. Was craving for clams and thankfully they were available. From left: Cabbage fishball soup; Steam Fish ($3 only!); Sesame Oil Chicken; Manila Clams

Couple of wks back, sweetie and I went to Changi Village Hotel. Nope, not to check in, but to have dinner.

La Cantina in Venezia Restaurant in Changi Village Hotel
Thanks to Beatrice's recommendation, I found the love of my life! Look at those chunky crab bits!

The hubs had a slab of pork. My initial thought was that it'd be tough on the teeth. But I was wrong. Infused with herbs, this succulent pork was tender enough for even an old lady to consume!

Portobello Mushrooms. Not bad, but not worth the moolah.

Compliments from the chef.

Rewinding to the 2nd wkend in June:


The stay at Mahkota wasn't the fantastic but beggars can't be choosers. It's the hols and every hotel's fully booked! Mahkota was supposedly meant for residential purpose, however, due to lack of funds, the project was abandoned and after many change of hands, it turned into a hotel which is patronised by many families. So if you are hoping for some quiet time, forget it!


Favourite!! BA KUT TEH! Strangely, I only enjoy the Malaysian style. Over in Singapore, I'm not a fan of this wonderful dish!

Sweetie's favourite! Pig's Trotter. I had the lean ones while he ate the fats!


We walked to Jongko Walk in the evening. It was just a stone's throw away from the hotel.


Love the vintage style


Was suppose to have Laksa, but it was sold out at 630pm!


walked by a stall next door and realise there's LAKSA!

Nonya Laksa. Cannily similar to the Penang Laksa, except less sour. Strangely again, I've never had any inclination towards Singapore's laksa, not even the famous Katong Laksa, however, this Malaysian version is sure tickling my tastebuds.


Mango Chendol!! YUMS

Durian Chendol....Salivating already?

The next day, we decided to skip the hotel's breakfast and went for Macs. One reason for patronising Mac Donald's in a foreign land was this:


It was time for sweetie to havest his crops! URGH! He needed Wi-fi thus we visited Macs! Ever since he got himself this new toy, he hasnt been paying attention to his surroundings -- namely ME! Over-exaggeration? Perhaps. But picture this: we were shopping elatedly in a mall thronged with people and suddenly hubs pulled me aside and said that he needed to harvest his crops! You be the judge. The invention of the iphone's great but it certainly fueled his insensitivity! In such instance, I can pray for patience and tolerance!

Time is precious and should never be wasted. I find this superlative maxim so true in that time is priceless in value and definitely should never be atrophied, as one can never recover the time lost.

An indulgent week

The sky was most threatening, lightning flashed and thunder roared, but I was oblivious to it all. Slept like a baby from 430am till noon! Here's why:

AT 10PM: The excitement escalates as Uruguay Scores!

AT half time: the gamblers gather for a quickie


AT 3:30AM: Survival of the fittest? Looks like they aren't that fit.

FINALLY, after a whole lot of extra time @ 5AM, the verdict's out, USA is out of the game:


It's been a while since I've slept this long. Was reluctant to get out of my comfy sheets though flashes of lightning threatened to tear the sky. The trees bowed their crowns and stooped their branches as torrential rain poured upon them. I wonder if Orchard Road's flooded again? It's been raining incessantly the last couple of days. Was worried that the torrential rain would not halt and the tempestuous winds would keep us at home, but at 1130am +, the sun was filtering through the windows, lighting up my home with a cheerful brightness. A cool and gentle breeze caressed my cheeks and it brought with it an aromatherapy that filled the air with a soothing scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass. Finally, I got up and headed for a great Sunday brunch with the hubs @ Keppel Bay.

The milkshakes were a reminiscence of the States! 3 scoops of premium ice-cream! Holy Shit! however, it came with a price -- $15 per glass. hmmm

Starting the day off with Vanilla Bourbon from TWG. Nice :)

Loved the cookies so much I bought 500g home. $5.50 per pkt.

Prawn Bisque. It can never replace my all time favourite Lobster bisque but nevertheless, it was just as awesome.

Western Wanton?

This was our favourite: Aglio Olio! It came in varying levels of spiciness. We chose Medium hot, which wasn't even hot for us! Then again, Spaghetti isn't know for being spicy!

Fluffy pancakes...loved how the fruits complemented it.

Crab & Prawn wrap! I was expecting something along the lines of Delifrance's Seafood mayo, but I was wrong! This was wayyyyyy better!

After brunch, a stroll with the hubs....wish everyday could be so carefree.
The azure sea scintillated in the noon sun, casting sparkling pinpoints of light upon its surface. It was really a welcome to be strolling with a warm zephyr blowing from behind. Needless to say, being with my loveone is definitely an indescribable feeling.

SATURDAY had been good too. Though things didn't go as planned, I managed to get a whole lot of work and chores done. The mountain's still tall but fortunately it has been leveled to a manageable molehill. Took a break and brought hubs to the newly opened Udders @ Siglap.
There was already quite a beeline @ 7pm -- dinner time wasn't even over yet!

Parking was a huge problem but it was definitely worth it! MAO SHAN WANG ( a type of premium durian) & BAILEY's Bourbon ICE CREAM! Totally Rockz!

My mini vacation is coming to an end. Tomorrow marks the start of the new term for many. So it is with glee that I see the setting sun sending pale streamers of purple and orange across the dull blue of heavens. In the vast shadow of the night, the coolness and the dews descend. I hope it rains again tonight!

PS: Gotto get my butt up and whip up a heartwarming meal for the hubs and friends