Monday, July 28, 2014

Perfect Percolate

One of my latest hangout nearby is the new east café located at Bedok.
 
This café is probably 2-3 months old? But it serves just the right coffee.
In fact, it's the first time the boy also said the coffee was great and cakes were good too!
 
Having Nespresso on weekdays, I have learnt to enjoy even more the taste of coffee, raw, bitter taste.
 
Percolate
Blk 132 Bedok North Ave 3
#01-152
 
As you can see below, it's a very small shop, it's half of a normal shop.
Fits only like 25 people?
Very small...
 
 
Very small and dainty deco....

 
So on my first visit, we chose Lemon raspberry cake and a normal latte.
The cake was very refreshing and that zesty taste was just right.
 
The coffee, close to perfect! The milk was just nice, and I didn't had to put sugar.
The coffee came out just right without being too strong.
Total loves. And, it made me go for a 2nd visit within a month. hehe...

 
So just today, we tried the salted caramel cake.
Dense and not too sweet cake. You know sometimes caramel cakes gets too overly sweet? ...
This is totally not even there.
But of course, if your preference is sweet then maybe this isn't for you.
 
Took my usual latte, parfait.
This is how weekends should be.
This place is gonna be one that I'll be visiting often, and popping by trying all their cakes, and sipping my latte with a book.
Like the fact that it's not big, means it's not very noisy.
Perfect me-time, and it's near the boy's place. :)


Sunday, July 20, 2014

Dasao's Birthday

Missing my nephew and niece, so decided to do this post...
 
Celebrated my dasao's birthday last weekend, and it was at a neighbourhood restaurant that serves great food at an affordable price!!!
 
Now, it's one of my favourite Chinese restaurant to go to. hehe..
Was recommended and brought by my new boss.
 
It's called Jing Long Restaurant at
Blk 412 Bedok North Ave 2 #01-152
Tel: 64429398
 
It's a red sheltering in case you cannot find it. Unfortunately, didn't take any of the food photos cause was missing entertaining both the kids.
 
Lucas, who's growing sooo fast that i'm not catching up anymore!
He talks a lot, and fast at learning new stuffs!
Velda is such a sweet little girl who doesn't talk much and can sit quietly eating her food!
Guess that's the difference between a boy and a girl?
 


Bought this from Rive gauche, one of my favourite cake shop besides fruit paradise.
Would go to this if I was craving for chocolate or shortcakes.
 

Happy Birthday Dasao!
And I'm sure this is your best gift, having another child coming up in December!!!
Yes, welcoming another 3rd of that generation. :):):)
So excited!
 

 
As we grow older and with the kids in the picture, we start to take more family photos and buy birthday cakes, not because we like to eat cakes, but it's for the kids to blow the candles which they love.


Saturday, July 19, 2014

My Open Thoughts

Met up with the gang and generally, many were planning about houses, marriage, the usuals that this age would go through.

On the way home, I thought about what I personally went through for the past 3 years.
Yes, it has been 3 years since the faithful night.

It took me rather long to come out of the dark lights.
And now, I do believe things happen for a reason.

My open thoughts to you.
Really, I am disappointed in you. Like totally.
After we broke off, and in the midst of settling the lawyers, you were angry with me. Which I have absolutely no idea why cause I thought I was supposed to be mad at you first. But it's okay, I forgive you.
You think you were not at fault, but come on, things wouldn't have come to such stage if you hadn't done anything guilty. It all starts with just a small matter. But, you really think it is a small matter.
Next, you became all so cold and believe that I should be the one paying your lawyer's cost, and the full COV. Fine, i'll do it since you were so adamant.
Throughout the proceedings, because it took a whole 2 years to settle, you kept asking for money. And when we finally settled it this year, boom! you got married. Wow. No wonder you have been asking back money. And marriage within 1 year of dating is an "in" thing eh...
Really, I could have pay you only half of the money since you were partly responsible for this failed relationship.
But, me being me, can't do it cause I know it's your dad's hard earned money.
But what's disappointing is really, you bear NO consequences of what you did.
And to my surprise, you even blocked/ deleted me in your facebook. Wow. You are supposed to be a matured adult, considering you are married already, and you did this? You made me laugh.
All my ex-relationship, how bad it has gotten, they have never done such a childish thing. Seriously, your actions don't make you an adult.
But it's okay, I'll forgive you anyway.

Because of you, I grew stronger spiritually, and learnt even more about financial independence.
And maybe I should thank you. Because, I found someone matured, who taught me to be patient, calm, and to be rational, and most importantly, to be happy everyday.
Yes, there may be anger moments esp. during work, but he believes work is just work. You cannot control when people gives you shit, but you can control not to be affected by them.
I'm a person who gets bothered to what people think, but now, I think I've improved a lot.
My life shouldn't be controlled by other people. And more importantly, it should be only the closest to you that affects you. *Reminder to myself*

I may not believe in "forever love" anymore, but I believe in making an effort to be happy living everyday with the ones you love. And that is enough, cause you never know when's your last good day. 
Falling in love is easy, but maintaining the love in a relationship requires effort and discipline. Love is the attitude that looks out for each other interests, and chooses an appropriate way to express such behaviour. And, it is not easy.

There may be moments in your life that puts you down, but pull your thoughts together and know that you can come out stronger. Crying won't be the matter go away. So, smile and fight on.  

Thursday, July 17, 2014

River Safari

Okays... We did a tourist thingy this time round, which is visiting River Safari! It was actually Sylvia who wanted to go lah... hehe
To beat the crowd and heat plus it's super far, we decided to meet at 8.30AM!!! Yeap. How enthusiastic we were ... hehe...
 
We took bus 138 from Ang Mo Kio MRT which is about 30min journey time, way faster than if you take train to the west.
 
The excited us! All of us were smiling so happily, maybe not linx. haha...
 
 
It's actually one big round, so you can just follow along to make sure you don't miss any areas.
 
First up was Rivers of the world.

 
Mississipi River - The largest river in North America and the fourth longest in the world.

 
You will get to see the paddlefish, super weird looking mouth that looks like a paddle. Apparently, the flat snout detects electric impulses to navigate and locate food.
Did you know??? Paddlefish eggs are sold as caviar!
Ugly also can be expensive okay?!

 
You will also get to see alligators too in this section.
 
The Congo River, the second longest river in Africa and the deepest in the world. This river is Africa's greatest source of hydropower.
 
 
And you will see the scary evil fish. Tiger Fish, Piranhas of Africa.
 
Look at its teeth!!! Super sharp!
According to the fact board, they have sharp teeth and are exposed because they do not have lips. They hold replacement teeth in their jaws and push them out to replace missing or broken teeth.

 
Passing through the River Nile, you will reach Ganges river.

 
Indian Gharial alligator. It's super long that I couldn't catch the whole body in a picture. Have to stand very far which was slightly tough cause there were other people.

 
Walking through Mekong river, couldn't recall what they have, and you reach the highlight of why we came to river safari. I think that's mostly the reason why people would come here.
 
Giant Panda forest!


 
Before seeing the panda, there's this red panda which is super CUTE!!!
 
I think this is the cutest of all the animal I've seen here!!!!!



Did my best to focus using this point and shoot camera. Not very pro in taking photos myself. haha..
 
 
So adorable...
 

And then..... there's Kai Kai who's emo-ing. Look at him!!!
Facing the tree and putting one hand on his forehead.
I didn't come here to see him emo!!!

 
At least, Jia Jia was better... well ... she took effort to do cat walks like every 2 minutes. And her cat walk route is standard. hahaha...


 
After enough of seeing pandas, we decided we should eat pandas!!!! hehehe...
Come here must try right? Might as well be a full fledge tourist for the day. haha...
Get "chop" here.

 
The popular panda bao. $2.90 each! One is custard chocolate while the other is dou sha.
Differentiate them.
 
Taste.... super normal. I think Khong Guan bao way nicer.
First and the last time I'll eat this.

 
The chicken with salt and pepper which was quite nice.

 
Ordered Bamboo Rice with fish set meal, passed. Cost like $16.90 for a meal!!!

 
After that,  we went for the river cruise, additional $5.

 
The animals you should see potentially.... haha...

 
Don't sit in the first row, cause definitely you will get wet.
Second row, slightly.

 
Unfortunately, we didn't get to see a lot of animals. Most of them were hiding one corner and taking afternoon nap.

 
The ride took only like 5-10 min? ... Totally not worth it. hahaha...
 
After that, there were a few more animals but I didn't take cause I was tired.. haha...
After eating effect, plus the sun was starting to come out. hahaha...
 
Then we reach the last area which is the Amazon Flooded Forest.
Feels like S.E.A Aquarium. Huge tank with many fishes.
 
Super huge Manatees having their lunch.

 
Otter!!!! One of my favourite animal. hehe.. cute lah. and they swim beautifully.

 
Tourist shot! Love this pic! Do-Re-Mi-Fa. :) 

 
The whole excursion took about 3.5 hrs including lunch time, and it was quite comfortable with no rush.
Overall, I think the ticket price is not worth it. Rather pay to go zoo than this.
So, you probably not see me in here anytime soon... haahhaa...
 

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Nespresso x Fortissio Lungo Grand Cru

In case you didn't know, Nespresso is under Nestle group. So, this explains me cutting down on kopi during lunch and seeing me seating around the Nespresso lounge for a teabreak and trying out different types of capsules. hehe...
 
So, on Tuesday, Nespresso has generously organised a breakfast to introduce their new addition of Lungo - Fortisso Lungo.
 
According to their brochure, it is created from a sophisticated blend of coffee beans from Central-South America combined with the previous full Arabica Monsoon Malabar from India.
These West Indian coffee beans are exposed to monsoon winds after harvest to recreate the conditions of the long sea journeys to Europe in the age of sailing ships, thus revealing a distinguished aromatic profile.
 
After said that, I'm not an expert in coffee, though I am starting to appreciate them.
 
 
A permanent range of coffee capsules at the lounge. The darker the colour of the capsule, the higher intensity it is.

 
Trying out the new lungo. Isn't the machine gorgeous?! Love the red hot little Maestria!!
The intensity of the new Fortissio Lungo is 8. So it kinda taste strong, bitter but robust flavour.
I added mine with a dash of milk so that it isn't that strong and it came up not bad! No sugar added.

 
The huge spread of breakfast. Taste great!

 
For more information, check out http://www.nespresso.com/sg/en/
 
Alternatively, visit their 2 Nespresso Boutiques at
 
Nespresso Boutique ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn, #01-14
Singapore 238801
 
Nespresso Boutique Takashimaya Orchard
Department Store B1
Singapore 238873

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

Taiwan Railway Bento

After much recommendation and reviews of this Taiwan Railway Bento, we decided to give this a try!
Having eaten the real bento in Fen Chi Hu, I hope I could get a similar kind of "feeling".
 
We went to the newer outlet at east side which is at CT Hub. It's diagonally opposite Singapore Casket, walkable distance from Lavender MRT... around 10min?
 
CT Hub
2 Kallang Avenue
#02-16   
Singapore 339407  
 
 
Didn't bring my camera out.. so make do with Samsung pictures.
 
 
 
They have quite an extensive menu, which couple of side dishes which includes railway wings, beancurd, oyster mushroom, fried intestine, sweet potato.
 
Wanted to try the fried intestine but someone doesn't eat that. :(


The railway wings, comes with 2 of 3-joint wings. So-so only...
Please try the fried intestine. I got feeling... better than this. haha..
 
 
My bento box which is quite impressive. Portions are actually big! I ordered Soya Chicken Cutlet Bento. The chicken is a big portion, more than Shihlin.
The gravy with minced meat was generous and it's actually delicious! Both GGH and myself like it a lot. Though, no offense, it's still a different taste from the authentic bento at Fen Chi Hu. Great nonetheless!
 
The standard ingredient for all bento is the egg, sausage, tofu, and salted vegetables.
The tofu and salted vegetables were great! In fact, the salted vegetables was the first thing I finished! Craving for more actually. haha...  

 
GGH's bento - Red Yeast Bento. The meat was chunky! Super worth it lah. Most of the bento cost $6.80, and portion is great! And delicious too! The meat has a bit of pepper/ plum, added the flavour to the meat.
 

 
 
One of the better Taiwanese food in Singapore that I can find and tried. I think this one wins the Shihlin and those commercialised one.
 
Do go there early during weekends, cause when we went there around 7pm, we were the last few customers. Everything was sold out thereafter.
 
In addition, the place isn't very big. The picture below, I was sitting on the first table near the entrance. So.. that's about the number of tables there you see.  


 
Shall hunt another Taiwan food another day! Missing my Taiwan trip already....

Monday, July 07, 2014

Magnum pop up store - Customs House

 
Over the weekend, I decided to bring the boy to Magnum pop up store at Customs House Terrace.
This store is their last instalment in Singapore, and this round, it is celebrating 25 years, and therefore has its limited edition of silver marc de champagne.
Limited edition silver magnums, cocktails and drinks are in the menu for this store.
Create your own magnum with this last leg in Singapore!
 
Visit the Magnum pop up store now till 22nd July!
Open from 12pm - 10.30pm
 
They have this motion screen where you can play and burst the balloons while it comes up.
But the screen abit blur and too fast. haha...  
 
So funny boy.. haha... :p
 
 
 
Of course, we decided to try the limited edition of the marc de champagne!
The design feels so Christmas-y... maybe because of its silver, and the decorations of the place had silver balloons as well.
 
 
 
Looks good, and the boy can't wait....


 
Not only the design looks good, the marc de champagne taste just right too!
Not very strong taste of the champagne and it doesn't have the after taste of the bitterness, you know, like rum & raisin has hat sort of after taste.
 
Of course, if you are someone who like it strong, then this is probably not for you.
 
Really like it! Think I'll buy some at NTUC! It's available at major supermarkets as well!!!
 
Nice deco, must take! So glittery!

 
Pleasure seeked! Satisfied tummy! Happiness!