Arts Central - Nanny 911 (28 Jun)

I’m beginning to really like and pay attention to the programmes on Arts Central. Other than amazing documentaries, there’s Nanny 911 which I am watching now. But I feel really really terrible watching how HORRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIBBBBBBBBBBBBLLLLLEEE the kids are!!! Yes, they are terrible, awful, nasty, atrocious, horrendous, horrific, and and and.. aiyah, they are already beyond what these words can describe! The kids totally have no respect for the parents – hitting the parents, screaming at them, made lots of sarcastic remarks, wreaking havoc at home etc etc.. you name it, they've done it!! The entire family is just out of control!! Arrrggh!!! Then again, the parents have to take a big share of responsibility for causing their kids to lose their respect for them. Hopefully with the professional’s help, the family’s situation will turn better, and live happily ever after.....

Ok, something more light-hearted. Upcoming on Arts Central beginning in Jul is "Life in the Undergrowth"! Must watch ok!! Woo-la-la!!

Marutama Ramen @ The Central (20 Jun)

If you are wondering where The Central is, it's the new shopping centre at Clarke Quay MRT.

Ms Adrianto and I met up for shopping but realised it's really not a good place to shop. Already I think Vivocity is quite complicated; this is worse! Lots of nooks and corners, difficult to enjoy shopping really... Nothing fantastic about the shops there too though we did buy something ;p

So, I'm finally coming to my main point haha! Marutama Ramen, a cosy little restaurant which serves Tokyo ramen. There was a queue when we were there. Wonder if people came after watching it featured on the Ch8 programme. Hmm.. at least I was haha!

The restaurant doesn't offer many options, and minimum per bowl of ramen is S$12 (subject to service charge). The one we had was chicken soup base ramen which came with only a slice of pork, some seaweed and spring onion. Though a bit pricey for a simple dish, the soup was YUMMY! The pork slice was very good too - very soft and smooth! Surely easily digestible haha! You can add side dishes like egg, extra slices of pork or radish at additional price, of course haha! Something I don't know if it's unique or strange is, they only serve three types of drinks. Wanna guess? Green tea? Nope! Haha! Ok, either plain water, beer or wine! That's all! *faint* haha!

Verdict: MUST try! Better than the sapporo ramen @ Gallery Hotel. Oops! Hehe.. I didn't get thirsty after the meal so I believe the soup base is "authentically" brewed? Haha! Oh, the chili powder they had wasn't spicy AT ALL! I added so much till the colour of my soup changed from brown-ish to red-ish, yet, it's still not spicy haha!

"We had Joy, We had Fun, We had Seasons in the Sun.." (11 Jun) @ Vivocity

Mr Crappy Eng kept asking me to blog about our gathering and farewell for Rany on Monday. It took me a while to finally pen this down. Not that the get-together was boring that I couldn’t write much. On the contrary, there was too much fun and laughter I didn’t know where and how to start. It was a pity we didn’t take pictures ;(

Anyway, the main cast said she was going to be late so those of us who were on time went ahead with dinner at Food Republic. Uncle Frank bought most of the items! Thanks man! I think most of the fun & laughter happened because I became quite a laughing stock!! I kena “suan” left, right and centre, all thanks to Mr Eng and Uncle Frank. And because I can be quite an “entertaining item”, Nall said she’ll definitely include me in any of their future gathering haha!! Neighbour Mavis empathised with me, having been through similar situations whenever she was with her friends too…

Anyway.. goodbye Rany and have a blessed marriage ;)

Pirates of the Caribbean 3 - At World's End (9 Jun)

Have you guys watched the movie? I didn't find it as good compared to the previous 2 episodes.. In this Part 3, it was mostly conversations, conversations and more conversations... for like 3/4 of the entire movie??!! Worse is, I don't understand what they were all talking about hahahah!!!

Did you stay till the very end after the credits rolled? Hehee... We were about to leave the theatre too until we saw quite a no. of patrons still seated.. so we also kaypo-ed and sat down ...................................... we waited.................................................. credits rolled................................. still sat patiently, waiting while more credits continued to roll........................................................ and rolled..................................... and rolled....................................... Ar-huh!! Finally credits finished rolling!!! Ok, if you'd like to see it for yourself what went on after the credit roll, do not read further...................................................................................................









If you are still reading..................................., ok, that shows you'd like to know what happened hahaha!!

Ok lah.... apparently, after Will Turner's and Elizabeth Swann's make-out session on the beach before Will had to go, they had a son loh... so the last scene showed Elizabeth & their 10 year-old son standing by the coast, awaiting the return of Captain Turner! Quite a handsome young boy! ;) If you are wondering why 10 year-old already???? That shows you are more blllluurrr than me hahaha!!

Yes, that was it! My colleague said there'll be Part 4.

Ayer Rajah Market & Food Centre (7 Jun)

Errmm.. I don't know if I've got the name correct but it's the hawker centre opposite Tanglin Pri or Sec (West Coast) haha!!

I like going to this market, mainly for the oyster omelette!! Big, juicy oyster and crispy batter! *Yumm!!* However, when I had the oyster omelette today, I realised the oysters weren't as big as before hahah!! But it's still yummy lah hehee.... Sorry, I don't know the name of the stall but I made it an effort to remember the stall number so I can write it down for you guys leh.. hahah!! Remember to order it from stall no. 29 ;)

Aye.. not bad hoh.. this entry is short & sweet.. not loh-soh hahah!!

Rany’s Wedding (2 Jun)

Rany’s my ex-colleague from NAC. She held a temple wedding ceremony and Singapore reception before she was going to leave our little island for down-under… so sad!! Another friend leaving us for good…*sob*

Let me start with the temple ceremony. It was the first time I attended an Indian wedding ceremony. There were many ex-colleagues of mine who were there as well, so it seems like a BIG REUNION of current and ex-NAC people haha!! Anyway, the ceremony was held in an air-conditioned hall within the temple. As you can see from the picture on top, the stage was quite shimmery ar.. gold colour..!! The rituals went on, with live music (live drumming/ strumming).. Thing was, none of us understood what was going on. One of them, an Indian herself, said the language was too “cheem” for her to grasp exactly what the priest was reciting.. but she did give us an overall idea haha! For fun, we suggested that there should be screens with commentary ;p The ritual went on for quite some time.. maybe about 2hrs? After the guests went on stage to “bless” the couple, we all proceed to the communal hall downstairs for food.. hmm.. if you notice, I didn’t put an exclamation mark next to the word 'food'…cos, unfortunately, I don’t fancy Indian food… I only (know how to) eat roti prata and papadum (crackers) ;p

It really wasn’t my day that morning. Firstly, I kena spots of curry sauce on my top & pants cos the waiter refilled the curry with the pot facing the guests!! Hello *duh*!! He should have held the pot facing inwards, not at the guests! Ok, ney-mind. Then, one of the kids spilled milo on me.. *sigh*.. This time, I had big patch of stain on my top, pants and handbag!! Ms J Lee, don’t worry, I wasn't blaming Ben ;) He was very sweet to want to serve me the cup of milo, just that I accidentally knocked into him. I hope he didn’t scald himself ;(

Then, the dinner. It was a buffet spread held at the Panorama Room on the 24th floor of Hilton Hotel. Thinking we shouldn’t arrive too late after the time indicated on the invite card (7pm – a bit early right??), Mr D Eng and I were there like 15mins after 7pm. While chatting over a drink at the poolside, a man approached us, introduced himself as the emcee of the dinner. He said he would be having a competition where he needed ‘volunteers’ to ‘weave’ stories of how the wedding couple met. He first requested Mr D Eng to do it but the darn Mr Eng didn’t dare to take the stage!!! Yes, you, Mr D Eng!! *Ggggrrrrrrr*.. Anyway, I thought I know a little bit of the true story, and so, no choice!! Shortly when the dinner commences, the emcee began the game. The first was the emcee’s niece who shared about the story I know of!! Jia-lart man!! Shucks, what story should I tell then?? Haha!! I only had 2-3min to come out with a new idea and the crap story I told was how the groom became the flyswatter and rescued the damsel from hordes of flies while she was in Perth during one summer. Ok, I know it was quite crap haha!! But I was left with no choice except whatever came to my mind in that short duration! Hiyoohhh!! So, that was my 2min of fame (if it ever was) at Rany’s wedding hahah!! Since mine was crap, naturally I didn’t win the prize which was a night’s stay at Hilton! Darn!!! But the winner, who is Rany’s sister-in-law did really great! I love her story amongst the rest of the other five story-tellers that evening haha!

Oh wait, one more funny speech. The groom’s dad went on stage for a short speech to introduce his son.. He was sharing how Evan was a great son & boy.. blah blah blah… and then I heard “he’s an axxhole”.. then I opened by eyes bigger (cos people already said my eyes very big hahaha!!), turned to my ex-colleague (shucks, did I ask Shar or Mr Eng?? Haha) and asked if I heard “axxhole” haha!! And yes, I heard it right! I wasn’t really paying attention so I don’t know in what context the groom’s dad was saying it. Perhaps that was how they talk to each other?? I will ask the couple when we catch up next week ;p

Overall, I enjoyed the dinner. It was casual and fun, with 3 parts of Bangra dancing throughout the dinner - something I haven’t experienced at weddings ;) And of course, the catching up with ex-colleagues was great too!

Oh wait wait, I forgot to comment about the hotel and food hahah!! Hmm… Rany, please don’t be upset if you read this… There seemed to be a shortage of serving waiters and waitresses, who obviously were inexperienced students/ teenagers.. The food was quite ok. Think many of us liked the prawns – fresh and sweet! And of course, the chocolate fondue that many adore.. one more.. the rice.. I didn’t take that but heard it was not nice… ;(

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao (1 Jun)

I’m sure many of you are familiar with this Chinese restaurant which has quite a no. of outlets over the island. I have been there countless times but I’d like to just highlight and share with you guys the dishes I find really yummy!! Sorry, no pictures of my last visit cos I was too hungry and finished it up too quickly to take any photos haha!!

If you are not aware, set menus are available for customers. So, my hubby and I usually order the set menu for 2 that allow us to choose a cold dish, a side dish (there’s fish, meat and vegetables), a main course (fried rice or noodles) and a dim sum dish. If you and your partner are not BIG eaters, this set menu will be just perfect. Excluding drink, the set menu for 2 will cost you about $30 (incl. 5% GST).

Think we’ve tried almost all the different types of cold dishes (there are about 8 or 10 types.. can’t remember). As for side dish, I love the 酸菜鱼! Sorry, I forgot what its Chinese name is.. ;p but it’s a very appetising dish – fish slices with clear soup cooked with... err.. 酸菜 haha! We didn’t ask what type of fish slices they are but from the texture of the fish, we guess it could be cod fish. This is really a MUST TRY ok??!! For 2 persons, the serving of fried rice is more filling compared to the noodles. As for the dim sum, AIYOH!! Of course cannot leave out the 小笼包！It’s so juicy!! Did you watch a Chinese gourmet programme hosted by 曾国成 who recommended viewers how one should eat a小笼包? Basically, you bite off the top of the小笼包, suck and drink the soup within it (careful, it’s hot!) before eating the whole thing. Top it up with ginger & vinegar! YUMMM!!! Ma Ma Mia!!

Verdict: I’ve said it – MUST try, especially 酸菜鱼and 小笼包!