Strolling around Marina Bay 270914

I celebrated my nieces' birthdays at Mandarin Oriental yesterday so I decided to give myself a treat by going to my favourite hand out to take some photos with my camera. I love this place because of the vibrancy and how it is iconic to Singapore, but the downside is that the things there tend to be a little expensive. 

I didn't want to post this photos on Facebook because it will look like I'm just showing off that I went to this atas place. Since people hardly visit my blog so I shall post here to make it seem like I'm not showing off. Anyways, I chose some of the photos which I thought was nice to share with people. 

I saw this couple and apparently the guy is the photographer aka groom too. They were taking photos at like 11 plus at night. 

And then I chanced upon the installation of Archifest. These 'pavillion' is made up of plastic chairs!

I was sitting at boardwalk in front of the Marina Bay City Gallery. I just happened to miss the show so I wanted to take a photo of it from afar. This photo turned out to be one of the nicer photos.

While walking home, I took many photos of the buildings too. Then I chanced upon these people working on paving the roads. These are the people who worked hard to give us the beautiful environment we have today. *Salutes* 

So that sums up my small little journey around my favourite hang out. I barely covered 1/3 of it. Shall explore more soon. 

Studying? Education? No life?

A few days ago, I overheard a funny conversation. 

While the Mum was checking her messages, her son was reading her english SMS-es loudly. 

Mum turns to a chinese SMS, and asked, "这个怎样读?” 

Son: "我不会” 

Mum: "你华人不会读华语啊？” 

Son: "我哪里会！我才 primary 2 而已！你以为我是大人啊!" 

Mum: "Orh,我以为你会吗."

Before that, the boy was also blabbering away with the mother. He portrayed a certain kind of intelligence amongst his childishness (well, he is a small boy, so his childishness will come off as adorable to many). 

I have 5 nieces, eldest is turning 11, and the youngest turning 1. Each and everyone of them are intelligent and adorable in their very own unique way. Their parents are quite strict when it comes to their education, so their standards were most of the time (in fact all the time) on the high side. Whats more is that they are not just good with their books, they know things which are out of the books too. I was watching Frozen with my niece that day and there was this few seconds that zoomed into the sky showing the Aurora (Northern lights), and my primary 2 niece blurted it out. I think for some kids its just the sky with lights appearing. I was taken aback to hear that coming out of her mouth. My cousin ( her mum) later tells me that she learns these things from one of her enrichment classes. 

I'm not gonna talk about how good or how bad the education policy in Singapore is, but we all know one single fact. Being good in studies is important. Considering how meritocratic most of our society perceives it to be, of course it is important. However, education is much more important. My nieces' are good examples of what good education is. Likes my nieces', they have art classes, piano lessons, swimming lessons, enrichment classes, abacus classes and many other classes[Disclaimer: Everyone of them have different classes to suit to their needs and wants. Some of the classes are suggested by themselves]. They also have time to enjoy themselves too. They get to go overseas to enjoy themselves, they get to go to places of interests like the river safari every now and then, they get to go to friends' birthday parties, they get to watch movies like frozen and get to watch it over and over again, they get to sing and dance to "let it go" with elation too. S I know many other parents are doing the same too, and I think its very good for the development of the child. Nonetheless, one still has to bear in mind to do things moderately. Too much of anything is never good. Parents also have to bear in mind not to drown then in too many things and neglect about what their child wants/likes. I'm optimistic about the future of these kids, and I'm also optimistic about the future of Singapore. 

The Torn and Tattered Red Packet

Haven't got a post this year yet, so I shall wish all readers here a Happy New Year! I'm also just in time to wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year! Today is the last day of Chinese New Year so let us all keep the spirits high yea!

My life's been a pleasant experience ever since I learnt to see things more openly. Well I have no idea when I started to do that, probably started about a couple of years ago, but I think life's been good ever since and I have been more optimistic and forward-looking ever since then.

Well, let's move back to the main topic. The day before yesterday I received this particular red packet from my Dad. Nope this is not from my Dad. It was from one old auntie which lives somewhere in the same block as me. She passed this red packet to my Mum in the morning and my Dad passed it to me at night when I reached home. This was the state of the red packet when I received it, and this was the same state that my Mum received too. It was torn on the side (Sorry my photography skills wasn't good enough to get what I wanted to show) and it wasn't even glued. My Dad commented that this red packet was so torn and tattered and she must have kept it in her pocket for very long. Out of curiosity I peeked into the red packet and I saw a red colour note and went like, "Woah, she gave $10 leh. So generous." Then my Dad corrected me, "What $10, its $20 hor, and she never even give your brother, give you only." I took another peek, and this time another red colour note pop-ed out in sight.

Well, I think for an average Singaporean, one would know the economics of red packet giving pretty well. $20 for a red packet is considered hugely generous, especially when it is a neighbour. The bad thing is, I don't even know exactly where she stays. Oops. I never interacted with this auntie a lot before. All I did was to greet her every time I see her and occasionally ask her if she has eaten. She always smiles widely when I greeted her. She is just a friendly and nice neighbour to me. What dawned on me is the condition of the red packet. No I am not trying to say it is rude to give someone a red packet in this condition, but I am actually thinking like she has already put it in her pocket for a long time and she is just waiting for a time where she will meet me or my parents and pass it to them. According to Dad, Mum received this red packet from her in the morning around 8am. Did she go downstairs purposely just to pass this red packet? Okay thats as far as my imagination is going to bring me. I am truly touched by her gesture. I just feel so blessed to have some many nice people around who showers me with love, from the closest relatives to neighbours like this auntie.

I think the gesture of passing red packet is too kind an act. Honestly, the adults can just forget about the red packets unless they meet you face to face but some of them are just so kind to pass you one red packet even when they don't meet you. Well if you're close to that person of course they will remember you (then the more you should make effort to meet them during CNY right), but for some other relatives/friends that you're not so close to, when they pass me red packets I feel really blessed. Its not about the money. Its about the thought. Can you imagine how deep an impression you must imprint in them for them to remember you? I think its pretty hard you know. I spoke to some my friends about this but apparently they didn't think much about the red packet passing gesture. Well, I know I am weird, but I just feel a great sense of gratitude when it happens to me. I don't think there will be a chance any of them will be reading my blog, but I just want to express my thoughts. THANK YOU.

Taking care of everybody in the society

I was traveling home from school today, and I made new discoveries today. Well, its not exactly new, its just that I haven't been observant enough. After my frantic attempt to rush for the train, I proceeded slowly to the head of the train where it was usually less packed. Walking halfway, I looked ahead and realised that the head of the train was quite packed so I decided to stay put somewhere in the middle. I stood in the middle of 2 cabins and I realised there was a corner with the handicap sign on it. At that moment, I was wondering how often it was used. At the next stop, 2 wheelchair bound individuals boarded the train and the space served just right for them. A few stops later,  another wheechair bound boarded the train. I do not mean to show any form of discrimination, but the increase in these shows that SMRT has really made an effort to provide convenience to everyone in the society. As they boarded and alighted the train, I realised that there was no need to make any extra effort for them to move around. Also, the lift was right usually right in front of near the door to facilitate their traveling. After I alighted the train, I proceeded to take a bus home. During the bus journey, I overheard a father telling the daughter, "Look, there's a lift for the overhead bridge, unlike ours." (From there I assumed that they were not Singaporeans.)

After giving it some thoughts, I realised that the pavements and transport system in Singapore had really put in effort to integrating everyone in the society. I think these things come to us Singaporeans as something that should be there, but has anyone realised that there are still many countries in the world who do not have these facilities?

Recently, my aunties brought my grandaunt to Bangkok. My grandaunt, being in her 70s, is not as agile so for long distances, she has to rely on a wheelchair. When they came back, my aunt remarked, "The roads were full of bumps and holes and their train stations is very high with no lifts in site." When I talked to my grandaunt, she said the same thing and she added on, "At the airport from the departure hall, they were very helpful to wheelchair bound people and provided much help all the way up to the seat." These words now hit me hard. For healthy and fit people like us, that little convenience might not seem significance for us, but for some, it might have served them well in more ways than it could have.

I think sometimes we keep demanding for more of what we don't have and we have also forgotten to be grateful for what we already have.

22 September 2013, Tung Lok Private Dining

Okay you know what I'm actually supposed to be studying now but my kind Prof decided to cancel the test so I'm relieved from those intense studying and I decided to start my 1st post for food blogging! 

Disclaimer: The photos aren't edited and they are not very nicely taken. Sorry I'm not good at photography. Hopefully I will pick up some skills along the way and also some advice from a few of my friends who happen to be quite good at photography. 

Last Sunday, I managed to try out Tung Lok Private Dining at OUE Tower and the view for F1 is spectacular. However, I felt like something was missing because the "legendary" revolving restaurant wasn't revolving at all (Okay I'm very 'suaku', haven't been to any revolving restaurants before). Well it still makes sense because they stopped revolving to let us have the best view. 

I forgot to get a picture of the view, but it was simply too awesome. Stretches from Fullerton Hotel to Marina  Bay Sands. 

Anyways, even before I entered the restaurant, I was warmly greeted by the staff who ushered us all the way in.  Ordered our drinks and shortly after we were served the appetiser. It was some seasoned vegetables which I'm not quite used to. Its like salted vegetables with a tinge of sour taste and mildy spiced when you bite on it. 

Cold Crab with Vinegar 

First dish. Cold crab. Well, basically its just steamed crab with vinegar, but whats nice about it is that the shell was removed for you. The meat was firm, and the portion of crab roe was generous. In addition to that, I think adding vinegar gives the crab a refreshing flavour.

Bird's Nest in Chicken Broth

And next is the real good stuff. I'm not super rich who can afford Bird's Nest frequently, but occasionally, I still get to benefit from my auntie's cooking. This is especially cool because it is not sweet. The savoury taste with the thick chicken broth is putting Bird's Nest to a whole new level. 

Star Garoupa cooked in 2 style - Steam and Fried

The fish was live and killed just hours before we had our dinner so the freshness of the fish is needless to say. I liked it cooked in 2 ways which I think adds flavour to the dish. With either one alone, I think It'll be too normal. 

Sorbet

Their homemade sorbet which was surprising nice. It was suppose to help prepare the tastebuds for the other dishes. The sour taste and the cold feel was really like a nudge to your tongue. 

Fusion Duck and Glutinous Rice dish 

I call this dish the fusion of braised duck rice. Nice creation and the portion was just right. Just felt that if the proportion of the meat was bigger it would be just the right way done. 

Geoduck Clam Rice Vermicelli

Well, I love rice vermicelli but this was quite a disappointment. The dish was a bit too bland, probably because the previous dished overpowered this, but I would still say this is acceptable. 

Gingko Nut Yam Paste Chocolate Dessert

As for the last dish, which is the dessert, personally Its not really to my liking. The chocolate has a bitter taste and I can't taste any sweet aftertaste in it. But the yam paste and the Gingko but were good stuff. Howeever, I think this dish is quite subjective to everyone's tastebuds.

Lastly, at the end of the race and our dinner, the fireworks simply illuminated the whole Marina Bay. For those who do not know, I'm a fan of fireworks, and it would be hard for me to miss anything like this. I know that to put up this few minutes of fireworks is mega expensive but what I like about fireworks is that it is extremely beautiful. Although it is short lived, I think it fills those people watching is hope and all the positive vibes. If I were to use an analogy, watching a fireworks show is like recharging my battery to the brim.

Tóng Lè Private Dining
OUE Tower, Level 8 & 10
60 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049322

Random

Well, sometimes I really feel like putting this blog to good use. So here are some of the things I intend to do:

1.Food Reviews
I love to eat and I love food. I also have a very picky mouth thanks to my dad who is quite a good cook. So I always travel around for good food around Singapore and I thought it would be nice to share. 

2.Recipe Sharing 

My dad is good at cooking and I have been trying to learn how to cook from him. His seafood salad, Tom yum soup and fried rice have won good praises from many friends and relatives and I thought it will be nice to share with everyone else too. Well, I might have a good tongue but I have to admit that my culinary skills are still far from my Dad's. I tried to cook a few times and the taste are still not quite right. I am currently working on sharing his Tom Yam soup Recipe and will share it after I got the pictures and taste right.

3.Interesting places 

I like to visit and admire at the beauty of the landscape around Singapore. (Well, I would like to go overseas as well, but as of now I am too broke to be setting foot out of this red dot.)

4.Anything which I find amusing to me

To put it across simply, I am amused by many things in my life. Eating, traveling or even sitting at a bench admiring at the view in front of me, makes me think about life and gives me inspiration in life. Well, I might sound like I have a lot of positive vibes in my life but yea everyone have their ups and downs. Its just that I am more matured to control my emotions at the age of 20. I also find that many times you just need to change a perspective and the severity of the matter can completely disappear. 

Last but not least, my blog url might seem to be a very emo title, but actually its not. Its just an improvisation from my favourite quote by Mahatma Ghandi - "Learn as if you live forever, Live as if you die tomorrow". 

The ATM incident

Today I was queuing at the ATM cash deposit machine. After several minutes of waiting, it was finally my turn. As I was approaching the machine after the previous person has left, I heard a continuous beeping sound. Turning to the screen panel, the words read ' please take your card'. I quickly took the card and walk behind to pass it to the man who still standing there to check his stuff. Upon passing it to him, I saw the relief in from his expression. He walked away thanking me several times. Turning back, to the machine, my spot has been taken. Oh wells, too bad. Looks like I have to queue all over again. Intending to move behind, the uncle at the second spot offered me the spot, saying I could go first. 

It's always all these small gestures in life which keeps out faith in humanity going. You'll never know what you might have done to make someone's day, or what small little things that others have done to make your day. It might be a small effort on their part but it can last a long way fo cheer someone up. Life's really that simple. How amazing. 

Recently I was reminded on how I should maintain a positive outlook and good mannerisms. I haven't been of satisfactory behaviours to my friends and family. Need to work and reflect on that. Ok thats all for now. Can't go on until I thought it through.

Signing off

Live. Laugh. Love.