Pond Star

Nicholas told me that recently he fell into the school pond!!! 

He was talking to his friend and when he turned his head, he bumped right into a fellow schoolmate, lost his balance, and plunged sideways in. The wallet and phone were soaked.

What's more, he has a new nickname - POND STAR!!

Bikers are "Nuisances"??

I've always thought Singaporean drivers have deplorable attitudes towards bikers. Yesterday I chatted with a cab driver. When he discovered I ride a bike, he asked me what I thought about riders on the road. 


What was shocking to me was that he thought we were "nuisances". He even recounted the "good old days" when riders were relegated to the leftmost lane. Downright NASTY!


I was dumbfounded that he could say that to me after he knew that I ride a bike too. Maybe I should have smacked him on the head with my pastel pink clutch for saying that. Bad Uncle!!


Bikers are NOT second class citizens on or off the roads. Just because they use a (usually) cheaper transport alternative does not mean their lives are any less precious than yours or mine! I feel that many drivers think bikers are people who simply can't afford cars. Mine you... some bikes cost more than cars.


With all the Harleys, BMWs, Ducati and other powerful rides, why should bikers even solely use the left lane. Come to think of it, putting heavy vehicles, trucks etc on the left lane together WITH bikers is just a recipe for disaster!!! Which genius in LTA came up with that rule?? So glad they scrapped it.


 Look at the fatalities on the roads...most of them are bikers. Granted, there are irresponsible riders who are reckless and weave in and out of traffic. However, there probably are more drivers out there who think their grandfathers own the road. 


I think people learning their Basic Driving Theory should be educated to respect riders as equals on the roads.

Yummy Sunday

Went to a really fun birthday party today. Here's the pretty host on the left. The other lady baked these delicious cupcakes with Mickey on them in every little girl's favourite colours!

Our gracious host even had a caricaturist on-site to draw us. Here's one of me looking cross-eyed!

Tiger got invited too. He's a very well-known dog, haha!! Unfortunately, I had to answer a lot of questions from very many people about his reproductive organs. 

Questions from little girls: "Does that mean he wants to pee? What is that red thing here? Where does the pee come from? What is that black thing below? Har, you mean that's the whole thing?? Then where does the poo poo come from?".

Then the ladies:"Does that mean he is feeling horny? Eeeewww, his pee thing is popping out again!"

It was a delicate task trying to explain that Tiger's pee pee makes random appearances involuntarily. His penis has a life of its own and he doesn't have absolute control over it. (haha kinda sounds like some men). It doesn't mean ANYTHING! Nope, he is not about to hump your leg or the nearest bitch!

Then here's me with my primary school best friend at Junction 8's CNY decoration after dinner, sucking in my tummy after slurping up Sharks Fin Soup in Casserole from  Crystal Jade. My friend here says it contains collagen and is not nutritionally-deficient (as I thought).

Bicycle Humor

When buying a bicycle, make sure colour of the seat is taken into consideration!

Enough said! You know what I'm thinking...and I know you're thinking it too.

DCup

I don't know what to say about the marketing gimmick OverEasy at Fullerton has come up with. 

Titled Fill My Cups with DCup, a pun on the DJ's name, the event offers free drinks to women based on their cup size. I wonder how many push-up bras went along with the women!

 

These women looked happy with their free drinks. 

I personally find it degrading to accept drinks based on how much meat clings on to my chest. I think the nagging question for every woman there would be, "How many drinks did you get?".

Very disturbing that all (whether men or women) around the table would know my bra size.

If the girl in the video below went, would she get 3 bottles of Belvedere volka? She certainly looks like she deserves it! And hey...how many women can perform tricks with their bosom???

Lavaedge & Choya Red

Went to the launch of Choya Red Plum Liquer at Lavaedge. Lavaedge is located at the far east of Singapore, off Changi Village. It is situated next to a nursery. Or maybe it is part of the nursery itself. It is managed by the same people behind Bark Cafe, who have a taste for F & B outlets at quaint but ulu locations. You might want to drive there instead of relying on public transport.


If you're not familiar with Choya, it's the Japanese liquer that is currently available at supermarkets. It has  more of a drink-at-home type of image but they want to revamp it such that it is available at clubs. Thus, they have enlisted Christy Yow's help as brand ambassador. Christy is a up and coming starlet with assets of 36C. Look out for her in the Rose Chan movie by Eric Khoo. She is ready to strip I hear. The last photo below has her standing next to her manager Terence, who's a PR whiz.


Drinks were free-flow and I got seriously drunk. Since I used to drink Choya, and was more of a recreational drink, I didn't expect to get sloshed with only a few glasses. I think it was cos I skipped dinner and also because I was so busy talking with new friends about the resident ghost at MediaCorp called Elizabeth. They have moved back to Andrew Rd recently, and my friend goes to work very early. She said this cheerful ghost has said "HI!!!" to her and friends, but only 2 of them heard it. On another occasion, she heard a sigh but there was no one around. Then another lady saw a door slam for no apparent reason. She has since taken to blasting the speakers and TV at work. Hahah.


So when I stood up to leave, I needed help to get to the toilet to puke. The toilet was located precariously besides a pond. I didn't relish the thought of being the first drunk to grace the pond with my presence. The night was over after that. I couldn't even walk straight although I was coherent and I knew what was going on. My tummy also hurt from all the alcohol.


So the point is: don't underestimate Choya.

Bark Cafe

Went to Bark Cafe near the Changi Chapel and Museum for dinner. It's a nice peaceful place to go when you want to enjoy fresh air. No sight of air-cons in this place. There were many flowering trees in the area that gave off an interesting, strong but not pungent scent. And btw, there's free parking nearby. If it's full, fret not! Just conveniently drive the car up the grass patch and strut off for dinner! No paranoid security person will come waving after you. Yay!

Tiger went along too, as the cafe used to be dog-friendly. Unfortunately, because some intolerant customers complained to the management, they stopped welcoming pets 3 months ago. Hey! It's BARK cafe and no dogs are allowed?? Well, that's Singaporeans, forever so finicky about hygiene and ever so non-tolerant of animals. Have you ever wondered what happened to all those stray dogs and cats that were so prevalent 15 years ago? All "put to sleep" (the AVA calls it). Basically its a euphemism for KILLING innocent animals who have no place in an urban city like Singapore.

The management was nice enough to put us at the far far end of the cafe at a wooden bench. We strolled through heaps of surprised diners with Tiger scampering behind.

Crayfish Hor Fun

Black Pepper Chicken

The menu had a mix of western and local food. Expect to pay about $15 to $20 per main course. My hor fun was a little disappointing cos it had a slight fishy aftertaste and the crayfish wasn't very fresh. David's chicken was passable but the portion was small. Dessert was not particularly appetizing. We went home rather miffed.

That said, Bark Cafe has a nice laid back ambience in an unusual location. I would go back again with friends and ahem, adjust my culinary expectations a little.

Dead Man found alive in coffin

The body of a motorcycle accident victim, pronounced dead at the scene of a crash last Friday, was sent to a funeral parlor where his family later found him alive in a coffin, the Southern Metropolitan News reported Sunday.

"My father noticed that my brother's face was very red," said Zhang Houbin, a younger brother of the accident victim, Zhang Houming, 46, of Neijiang, Sichuan Province. "We checked his pulse and chest, and found he was still alive!"

The family called for an ambulance. Medics from Neijiang No. 6 Hospital quickly arrived and found Zhang's body temperature at 36.8 C, his pulse rate at 74 beats per minute and breathing 18 times per minute.

Unfortunately, Zhang died at the hospital one hour later. The hospital said the cause of death was severe brain trauma.

The family refused to move Zhang's corpse at the hospital morgue, and demanded an explanation for the medical mistakes that sent an ambulance patient to a funeral parlor instead of an emergency room.

According to reports, Zhang's motorcycle crashed into a bus at 2:30 pm Friday on his way home from work at a building site in Lingjia township.

A co-worker surnamed You arrived at the spot at 3:10 pm and called for emergency medical service. The city's Chinese Medical Hospital sent an ambulance. But it arrived more than one hour late because of a "severe traffic jam on the highway."

Source:Global Times

The family apparently is suing the hospital for RMB1.5 mil. It's such a tragedy it actually happened because some incompetent doctor on the accident scene made a careless mistake. My friend says "Classic case!" 

It doesn't say how they discovered he was still alive. But it can be hilarious when you think about it. Family mourns the dead, then suddenly "BOM BOM BOM" sound emerges from coffin. Seriously eerie!

Dogs Should Have Fun Too

Recently I read Xiaxue's blog post about giving her Pumpkin away to an expat family. She only had the dog for a year and was fed up with cleaning pee. The poor dog stays in the playpen most of the time and only gets to roam free for a few hours a day in the house. And as expected, she doesn't get walked. No wonder Pumpkin doesn't love Xiaxue! It is virtually a prisoner, no matter how many toys, good food or hair clips she gets. It's like house arrest. Some dogs get chained up the whole day and pet owners think that's all right. They are not aware that SPCA considers that animal cruelty and that they are committing an offence by doing so. 

Just look at how much fun the can have sloshing in the snow and meeting other dogs. That should be how it is. Xiaxue gives the excuse that her dog gets fleas and ticks from going to grass patches on walks. My dog has been walking twice a day on grass patches and he haven't had more than 20 ticks in his entire 5 years! I'm not saying that getting ticks isn't a problem. But there are ways to resolve tick issues. Such as adding garlic to the dog's diet, wearing flea collars/powders. Most importantly, a healthy dog doesn't many ticks. Good food is very important. Tiger gets Primal BARF diet. It's raw meat, bones and organic vegetables minced together in the form of frozen nuggets. It's not cheap, but Tiger has become very muscular and sports a sheen on his white coat. He never falls ill except for the occasional gastric upset. (The vet attributes that to his irregular meal times, much like his mommy's. )

So if you're kinda lonely and need companionship, don't get a dog unless you're committed to take care of it for  15 to 20 years. That means regular walks, play time, good food, visits to the vets, grooming, heart guard tablets, obedience training, bath time, regular brushing of its coat and teeth, toys and snacks, and lots and lots of LOVE. It's like having a baby that will never grow up. As a puppy, he may chew your Chanel bag or Armani sunglasses and ruin your favourite boots. Tiger chewed up the corners of my coffee table, TV console and the skirting around the house too. Then the milk teeth drop off (sometimes on the floor you discover a tiny white tooth.) Then peace prevails, life returns to normal, and you may replace the furniture. Now he roams about my house freely and behaves himself.

In return for everything you give, a dog offers you what another human being cannot: his unyielding loyalty, and unconditional love for the rest of his life. 

To you, he may be just a dog. But to him, you're everything.

David Tao Concert

Getting ready to go to the concert in my new Forever 21 sequined top. Not usually my style I must say, but I love the combi of sequins on a see thru base. Yes, see thru! Not that you can see anything, thanks to the ever useful "chicken-fillet stick on bra" and also the glitter was just too overwhelming!

New Year Resolutions

10 days into the New Year and I haven't made any resolutions."iIf you fail to plan you plan to fail" they say. Fine. So I will make some. And hey, I intend to keep them.

1. I will not put off to tomorrow what I can do today. (Having a big problem with this. Already broke it. Like I've been trying to schedule the piano tuner since last century.)

2. I will not be (too) late (too often).

3. I will sleep before 2am. (And try not to live in a different time zone from everyone else here! Needless to say, not very successful at this one)

4. I will be a good mommy and brush Tiger's teeth at least once a week. (After all since I want him to live till he's 20, I must take care of his teeth and hence his kidneys)

5. I will practise my jazz daily. (Let's make that 5 times a week..4 times? Ok I will practise my jazz OFTEN.)

6. I will eat more greens and less junk food. (Cheezels and Twisties cries out to me on a weekly basis.)


7. I will swim at least twice a week (since the pool is technically, a plunge away.)


8. I will dutifully do my housework without whining on the inside.


9. I will faithfully churn out designs every week.


10. I will stop being a cheapo and try out beauty care samples that eventually leads to a breakout here and there.


11. I will not allow myself to be tempted to splash out my savings account on a whim.


12. I will be more sociable.


13. I will complain less, especially about the China neighbours nasty screaming kids.


14. I will not insist on watching Heroes since it's going way downhill.

KKi Cafe

Here's CONGRATULATIONS to my friends Del and Ken on their opening of K ki. Ken is a talented and passionate pastry chef while wifey Del takes care of operations. I tried a few of their pastries and the verdict: 5 STARS

They are located at No. 7 Ann Siang Hill tucked into a little lush corner with greenery and old world charm all around. Somewhere opposite the Screening Room.

And this is Stanley's part of the shop with his Little Drom Store. He calls himself Dromkeeper. They have all sorts of knick knacks we used to play with in our childhood. Also old telephones, cameras, sketchbooks, dresses even! Retro and individualistic stuff to fill your arty farty soul at only $1 upwards!

Here we go..the trendy pastry chef who looks like he came straight from Japan and his powerhouse wifey who can multi-task a dozen things at one time.

P.S.: the strawberry cake in the glass case is truly yummy.

Trying out the Harp

I had the opportunity to try out a harp at a friend's place. This small harp costs SGD5000. The bigger ones cost at least SGD20,000 for a basic model! It's really therapeutic plucking the strings and listening to the gentle soothing tone. The ones coloured red are Cs while those in yellow are Fs. I tried sight-reading the carols book and managed a few songs. Yipee!

 Added "learn harp" to the list of Things to Do During Retirement.

Byeee 2009

Had an eventful week over New Year's. First was Sherlock Holmes on the Eve. Set in the London underground with grime and dirt smoking up the scenes of sinister secret society, it made for interesting pre-dinner recreation. The movie was okay except Downey and Law in their Americanized British accent were incomprehensible. Plus the fact the Downey shot out his words in rapid fire made the whole movie a blurry flurry hocus pocus of fight scenes and black magic hotpot.

I found it hard to follow the action. Maybe it's because the screen was HUGE and I was hard-pressed to take in everything at such close distance. I found myself literally pressing hard against the back of my chair and gaping up at the screen, mouth open and writhing uncomfortably to find my comfort zone. I am not a fan of Holmes and from cartoons, the impression of this inspector is more of a nerdy intellectual decked out in checkered tartan trench coat. So it was a little peculiar to find Robert Downey portraying him as a drugged out, crude, irreverent man.

Dinner was at Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao. I slurped down the fiery Spicy La Mian with Sliced Beef. It was super hot but absolutely satisfying.

Then it was off to Sentosa Siloso Beach Party!!

And oh yeah...we headed right for the Main Arena where all the action was. Photo taken we got swallowed by the crowd. It was a sweaty affair. And I had an issue with this girl curly-haired who pushed her way in front of me, then bobbed her ponytail in my face as I tried not to eat some hair.

This was taken by my pro photographer friend who found us in the crowd. 

There was this trampoline thingy where one overworked and disgruntled operator  entertained the long snaky queue. We waited 1.5hours for a minute of adrenalin rush.This is probably the most unglam pic of me yet. I gave the 50 odd people below a unflattering view of my fat ass as i did a somersault.

Then...my absolute fav part... FOAM PARTY!!!

And of course, any beach party worth its penny must have the ubiquitous foam party. I haven't been to one before (yah I know...very 'toot' right). I had a hard time trying to keep foam out of my eyes. Especially without ruining my makeup.

Last NYE, some guy asked me if Dave was my boyfriend. 
Turned out he was a gay man trying to poach my man. This year a gal asked me if Dave was my boyfriend. I thought it would be too lengthy trying to explain my marital status at a foam party so I said yes. She dragged me to dance with her guy friends (who looked really young) anyway. Dunno why she bothered asking.

And here were some fun moments courtesy of Tarzan. 

We got home at 6am, in time to hear the birds chirping at dawn before plonking myself into bed.