Xi'an Food!

There are lots of food in Chinatown which I have always wanted to try, but chicken out because of the fact that I can't read & speak Chinese (and hence not sure how to order). Of course I know that I can always use sign language, but ego always got the better of me and I ended up walking home empty handed.

This time around, I went to People's Park Complex and passed through various mouth-watering Xi'an stalls. Since it's anyway near to the dinner time, I decided to gather my courage and got into some restaurant which I couldn't even read the name of.

I picked 3 dishes and the server gave a HUGE amount of it, maybe like 3 times the size of normal economical rice dishes. All for $3. They looked all spicy and oily, so I decided to get 3 mantou to go along - $2 for 3.

I went back home happily and really looking forward to dinner time. When I tasted it... well... it's as good as what I imagined it to be! Spicy and full of flavor. I have no idea what each of them called, but they are some tofu and veggies that I love max! The portion is good for two of us and we're totally full when we finished it.

Dinner for two!

I'm really glad that I tried out the food - they are cheap and good! If only I can read Chinese, maybe I would have eaten them on weekly basis (... and get fat, so maybe it's good that I couldn't read)

Till the next food adventure, Chinatown!
ED

Buffet Lunch @ Wavve Grill + KTV @ Ten Dollars Club

The long awaited buffet is finally here! We bought the Indonesian Buffet Lunch from Groupon one month ago and I have been waiting for the day since then. It has been my motivation to gym as well :p

Based on the online review, I know that I shouldn't have too high of expectation, but I can't help to feel excited. They have chendol and bubur hitam for dessert! How bad could the buffet be?

The available items for buffet - we ordered ALL!

Well, the experience wasn't as bad as how people reviewed online. The service was quite fast. The variations were OK. The taste, however, was not special. The dishes were a bit cold and felt like coming out directly from mass catering instead of dedicated Indonesian's Kitchen.

The DIY Gado-Gado!

The table crowded with all the different dishes

Top 3 #1 Dish - Beef Rendang

Top 3 # 2 Dish - Kari Tahu

Top 3 # 3 - Tahu Telur

The only "One Time Order" Dish - Babi Kuning - Nothing Special

I thought that we'll be able to ordered at least 3  rounds, but we were hardly surviving the second round. I blame it to the age! Buffet used to feel so worthwhile. Now I feel better off with Ala Carte =.='

Happy faces after lunch :D

After a satisfying lunch, we walked to the nearby KTV for a melodical evening :p

As usual - we get the biggest room ^^; 

Tatsu was pampering us with all the Japanese snacks! Nyums! 

The Singing group

The Gaming Group 

At around 6pm, the room was suddenly dimmed, and it's time for... cake!

I wish there are less candle on the cake 

With Inche and my birthday partner

Yeah, I'm 26th! At least I'm not the only one. haha..

After the birthday celebration and cake cutting and cake eating, we continue singing until 7pm and headed for dinner together. I really love spending time with them :D If only there is long weekend every month!

Thank you all dear friends!

First post with Sony NEX-F3D :D

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Hi, Sony Nex-F3D + Gifts

Well. I'm 26th. Sometime I think people give me gift just to distract me from keep complaining about how I used to be young.

Happy Birthday to me!

Here are some stuffs I'm bribed with when I'm 26th!

Sony Nex-F3D!

Ok I don't know what to say. I really didn't expect this. I mean, yes I have been ranting about a new camera for the last two years, but I still couldn't decide on what I want to replace my beloved Panasonic LX-3. I guess he had enough with my rant and decided to do the research and bought it and gave it to me so as to close the topic once and for all. Well, I was really in awed. Welcome, my new baby! Thanks so much dear :)

 

Chomel - Earrings!

Earring is the only official item in my wish list this birthday. I didn't tell my roomie about this - she must has some sixth sense to be able to get me what I want O.O Or maybe I talked about it when I slept, I'm not sure. Thanks so much roomie!

Folli Follie - Earrings #2!

Ok this one is cheating. My colleagues asked me if I want anything and I told them directly that I want earrings! Not sure if it's a fair request to 10 guys. I was a bit sceptical, but they took the challenge well and actually came out with a nice pair of earrings. Thank you guys!

Kimmidoll - iPhone 5 Case!

Tatsu kun just came back from Japan, and passed me this. I'm not sure if this is a souvenir or a birthday gift, but I really like it. Cant wait until my current case to break so that I can find the excuse to use a new one XD Thanks, Tatsu kun!

All the pictures above are taken with iPhone 5 - Can't wait to show off the Sony's pics!
ED

All the best, Joyce!

I noticed that I received more farewell emails when the last day of the month falls on Friday, or when the start of the month is a Monday. Is there a trend? This Friday alone, I know that it's the last day of 3 dear colleagues! Sob!

But it's all good goodbyes. They all have new places and ready for the next challenges. Once is nice enough to give a sweet goodbye - cup cakes!

Farewell, pretty cheerful lady!

The cup cakes was one of the best cup cakes in Singapore. It's oh all so well decorated. I really had hard time picking among the different cup cakes, and she ended up giving me all O.O As much as I want to eat them all, I decided to pick one and share with the rest of the team.

Twelve Cupcakes! Lovely and Tasty

I got to know her better on the last 5 months, so it kind of sad that I need to say good bye so soon T_T people come and go. Hope that our path will cross again.

Till then... all the best!
ED

Fire Warden in Action!

After a nice buffet bribe the week before, now comes the hard work! I supposed to be working from home on Thursday as part of our Business Continuity Plan, but have to reschedule it, thanks to the Fire Drill on Thursday morning T_T

The fire drill was organized by the building management, so we have no control over the timing. And well, they select 9.30am in the morning for the drill. I don’t know if it’s good or bad. There were only a handful of people around. The good thing is that I have less people to chase down, but I guess it defeats the whole purpose of fire drill if there was only so few participated. I met my fellow fire warden and he said he only get 5 people! Out of 55 under his care ^^; Even his backup fire warden hasn’t arrived yet. 

Regardless of the numbers of people - fire drill is still a fire drill. We followed the procedure and chase every single soul down; walked the long 20 mins to the assembly area at Comtech, did the count, wait under the sun for the reconciliation, and finally dismissed the people.

After most of the people go back to office, fire wardens were given the chance to try out the fire extinguisher. I was excited! :D They actually lit up real fire so that we can do real practice with the extinguisher. Well, it was surprisingly easy. I just have to squeeze the handle a little, and a massive lots of foam came out, and the fire just died :D The extinguisher wasn’t even heavy. Maybe around 3kg?

"Is it hot is it hot?" *getting closer inch by inche

*Once realized that it's not hot at all

At around 10.45am, I finally reached back office. My shirt was totally wet with sweat, and I was freezing for the rest of the day. That’s the sacrifice of a fire warden ^^;

Not sure if it's visible, but my whole shirt was wet!

Alright, I'm thinking of passing down my legacy soon. Any young passionate people interested to save life, let me know!

ED

Happy Birthday, Udit! @ E-Sarn Thai Cuisine

Despite having so many quirky friends, this one has never failed to impress me. He has a pure nerdy look on his face, yet he is anything but nerdy. He is smart and friendly – I really enjoyed talking with him, hearing how he woke up late for exams, earned hundreds of dollar from blogs, his mischief as Wiki author – it’s all so close to heart! We even shared the same FYP prof!

Simple Lunch B'day Celebration :D

And yeah, we also almost share the same b’day – mine was 25th and his was 27th (except for the huge gap of the year. Ehem) Maybe people born during 20iest march is all that awesome :p

The manipulative face

Anyway, he is also the only person I know who always have cravings for sushi. So! Instead of the usual birthday cake, we gave him sushi instead. Good, because the rest of his friends all hate sushi, so he can have all for himself (hi five)

Assorted Maki from Ichiban Boshi :D

Wish you all the very best for many years to come!
ED

Birthday Lunch with Colleagues @ FatBoy Burgers

I turned 26! I'm officially in the "late twenties" category. No other rounding or mathematical illusion to deny it :(

I applied for a day off today. For no specific purpose =.='' Well, I don't think I can focus on work during my birthday, so I thought it would be better for me to avoid office all together. Make sense?

Anyway, I woke up today don't really know what to do ^^; It's Monday and everyone else is working. After rolling in the bed for 3 hours, I woke up and decided to make my way to gym (dropped by Spinelli to redeem my free coffee before that). Feel silly to be in office area during leave but it's the nearest one for me! I did treadmill for 12km, showered, and then met up with colleagues for lunch.

I'm really thankful to Glen to help me gather some people for lunch. It was a nice lunch :D We went to Fatboy burgers - I always like the place for its generous portion and affordable price. In addition, they have football channel, which is a win for the guys. And most importantly, the service is great and the place allows reservation!

Awesome Colleagues!

The restaurant changed their lunch set menu recently this March - there are now more than just burgers! Yet, I was craving for burger and hence ordered the Royal Cheese Burger. Glen ordered their Kebab and it looks really good!

The sinfully good menu! Drinks + Main + Soup for $12.5 Nett!

Tomato Soup for the day!

My sinful Royal Cheese Burger + Stella Artois Beer

To make things slightly out of control, the gang ordered a pint of beer for me O.O Beer on a sunny Monday lunch! Don't want to drink alone, I ordered another one for Kah Onn, who get bullied as much as me (if not more) for his birthday :p

With the girls!

The guys!

After a super filling lunch, it was time for... cake! It was kind of a last minute lunch call and I'm really touch that they still got a cake for me :') Thanks so much all! My tummy almost exploded after all the food and beer and coke and cake. Good that I don't have to go back to work afterwards :p

Cake! All Mine!

We went out from the restaurant at around 1.35pm. The rest go back to work while I went to gym trying to make myself sober. I stayed there until 3pm (facetime-ing with mum and sis in between), and then decided to go to Vivo for a quick window shopping. I looked around for gift ideas for my best friend's wedding, but nothing come in view T_T Guess I will get her some wine on my way to Jakarta.

Few more hours until the end of the birthday... what other things I should do? *looking at the comfy bed
ED

Sunday Lunch @ Dajie Niang Liong Dou Fu

Went to somewhere new for lunch after our badminton session :D (thanks Tom for the recommendation!)

Dajie Niang Liong Dou Fu is located around 10mins walk from Clementi Sport Hall. Despite the Chinese name, the stall owner is actually a malay and the food is indeed halal O.O First time having halal Liong Dou Fu!

The different style of Liong Tofu!

The shop house is quite big and they offered a good range of items to choose from :D I have to decide on the items, then on the noodle, and also on the sauce type. Feel like too many things to think, especially when you’re hungry.

The fresh looking ingredients!

They also have ala-carte apart from the liong tofu :D

I ended up with Tom Yam noodle, but I can tell from the table that Ampang Sauce is the favourite! I will definitely try it if I got a chance to go back again :D The owner is quite nice as well. My friend asked for double size noodle and she gave it for free :D Maybe because he ordered like $8.6 worth of items ^^;

The Ampang Sytle Liong To Fu - All fried with secret sauce!

My Tom Yum Sytle Liong Tofu - The Tom Yum was spicy! - $4.7

To the next food adventure!
ED

Birthday Dinner @ The Clan Restaurant

Sometimes I really can’t believe how many wonderful eating-places are here in Singapore. We discovered another one yesterday at Clan.

The Clan Restaurant - CLAN is short form of Classy Luscious And Noteworthy ^^;

The Chinesy and European Interior

The restaurant is located just 5 mins walk from Outram MRT. To now, I still can’t tell if I should categorize it as Japanese, Chinese, Western, or French restaurant. The name sounds English, the waiters are mostly Chinese, and the food was definitely a mix. After awhile, I decided to stop thinking and just enjoy the meal.

Oh yeah, I'm ready to start!

Sitting close enough to see the chefs in action!

The pre-dinner started with a nice pink guava ice blended juice - totally refreshing. I don't really keep track of time for the rest of the evening.

Ice-blended Pink Guava - Complimentary!

Chef's Starter - Salmon, Scallop, and Duck (if I remember correctly)

His Cold Dish - Beef Carpaccio, Truffle Mustard Salad w Truffle Teriyaki and Horseradish Sauce - raw! Nyummy and exotic

My Cold Dish - New Style Sashimi, Hamachi w Ponzu Sauce and Orange Salsa

His Side Dish - Steamed Razor Clam, Salmon Trout Roe Drizzled w Japanese Sauce

My Side Dish - Deep Fried Foie Gras, Balsamico Reduction & Cheese Focaccia

His Soup - Cepes Mushroom w Truffle Paste

My Soup - Ginseng Chicken Consomme

His Main - Kurobuta Pork Jowl in Pistachio Puree w Pickled Zucchini and 64 Degrees egg yolk - highly recommended

My Main - 48 Hours Beef Short Ribs on Hoba Leaf w Madeira Sauce on Lava Stone - I took too many pictures and ended up the stone was too cold to cook the beef =_='

His Dessert - Clan La Royaltine Chocholate Cake - almost feel like eating chocholate - love!

My Dessert - Chocholate Lava w Raspbery & Homemade Gelato

Lastly - a birthday cake :D Complementary

Overall, I had a good enjoyable Birthday dinner :) The concept is quite similar with Dojo, and I totally love it :) Thanks so much for the treat!

Full,
ED