A Day in a Life: Prague

A Day in a Life: Paris

Some snapshots from yesterday..

FoodEx: The Lifestages of An Artisan Ice Cream

SALTED CARAMEL ARTISAN ICE CREAM
Location: Upper Thomson Road

Two scoops: Tim Tam-Horlicks and Salted Caramel

Yeah.. I inhaled the thing!

Voyage Night Festival 2011

Last year was better though..

Wicked in Singapore

DECEMBER 2011

MARINA BAY SANDS

ELPHABA
I'm limited:
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
(spoken) For both of us
(sung) Now it's up to you:

GLINDA
I've heard it said 
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow 
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

ELPHABA
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:

GLINDA
Because I knew you:

BOTHI have been changed for good

ELPHABA
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

GLINDA
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

BOTH
And none of it seems to matter anymore

GLINDA ELPHABA
Like a comet pulled Like a ship blown
From orbit as it Off it's mooring
Passes a sun, like By a wind off the
A stream that meets Sea, like a seed
A boulder, half-way Dropped by a 
Through the wood Bird in the wood

BOTH
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?

GLINDA
And because I knew you:

ELPHABA
Because I knew you:

BOTH
Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good.

Forlino Italian Restaurant

My nth Birthday at Forlino..
Location: One Fullerton

Blue Crab Tomato Salad with Champagne Vinegar    

Veal Ossobuco Ravioli with Bone Marrow and Saffron Sauce    

Nettle & Buffalo Ricotta Cheese Tortelli with Tomato Sauce    

Wagyu Beef Cheek with 100% Chocolate & Red Wine Sauce    

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

Happy 46th Birthday Singapore!!

Majulah!!!

Happy AuGHOST Month!

August is the Happy Ghost Month for the Chinese. It is the time of the year where food offerings, fresh and burnt; 'hell bank' money, paper cellphones, and whatever gift possible line up the streets of Singapore to commemorate (?) this month.

According to my Chinese colleague, this is the month when the gates of hell are opened and the ‘ghosts’ are set free and head out for a month of vacation. Living individuals are compelled encouraged to offer food, money, or things the ghost might need to enjoy his month’s VL or else..

Likewise, you are not allowed to say anything nasty or you’re..

This burning ritual photo was taken just now at our office parking lot.

Since I’m not Chinese, August for me is HAPPY GAIL MONTH! Yeah!

This is how bad it can get

..and it's only 730 AM! Clearly something must be done.

Scene at the Philippine Embassy, Singapore

Location: 19 Nassim Road

Wine and Dine Singapore: Stellar @ 1-Altitude

Location: 1 Raffles Place, 62F

It's my sister Glai's nth birthday and we found yet another reason to indulge!

We come from a family who has an aptitude for high altitude dining , hence, we opted to celebrate her first birthday in Singapore at one of the country's city-overlooking places, Stellar @ 1-Altitude.  Despite the rants and raves I've seen in several blogs, our dining experience at Stellar gave us a new set of good memories. The food was great, service was great, and probably the only thing that needed improvement was the loo. Price is on the high-side but the overall experience is worth every ‘singy’ and all the inevitable calories.

What we had:

/Top left: Twice Baked Gruyere Souffle with Blue Cheese Dressing

Top Right: Pan-fried Foie Gras with Rhubarb and Cherry pickle

Bottom: Slow-cooked veal with Kurobuta Pork/

/Top Left: Polenta Cushion with Four Cheeses and Field Mushroom

Right: Chocolate Seduction - 100 points for the Hazelnut Mousse! Almond Lava cake is a bit crusty and no lava at all :,(

Bottom left: CHEERS! (Our first of the 3 bottles atop the Singapore CBD /

/Birthday girl (on the right) all smiles after receiving a surprise from our beloved SG friends and a visit from dear SE friends./

/More photos on FB/

Pic(k)s of the Week - A Day in a Life

Labels:

1. View from office window

2. Economy mixed rice stall

3. Ikea Cafe

4. Chocolate Sale at Cold Storage

5. Awfully Chocolate cupcakes

How Hot is it in Singapore?

Chili Dark Chocolate.
Bittersweet and spicy.

So HOT that it melts on-the-spot.

The Lion King Singapore

The Lion King is my all-time favourite Disney animated film and watching the musical at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre came with a very high expectation.

The production is undoubtedly one of the grandest I have seen but this theatre roar seemed to have missed the “fwar” factor.

Could it be the audio quality that didn’t give justice to the songs and the performers? I don’t claim to flaunt a sophisticated ear but even the cinemas are investing on heart pumping audio, why can’t they? Or if they did, my commoner ears did not sense it.

Or could it be the stage design that lacked the grandeur? Except for the creative backdrop execution, the overall set design subdued my “woah.” The mini Lion King show I’ve seen in Disneyland years back was even better in terms of set design.

These are just two things that needed improvement. On the bright side, the actors deserved a standing ovation. They were great (and definitely convincing). I had a wonderful time reliving my childhood for three hours. In fact, I cured my Lion King hangover by watching the animated film for the nth time the day after.

Btw, young Simba and Nala were portrayed by Pinoy kids.. Nice!

FoodEx: Beaming Beancurd

I wasn't particularly looking for a Beancurd House as I am already content with the grocery and soybean kiosks for my much-needed soya fix. I was too early for a meeting and so I looked for a nearby coffee shop to do some work while waiting. Out of curiosity (and the sight of the lovely egg tarts), I checked out this hole-in-a-wall store, Rochor Beancurd House, which became an instant favorite!

Presenting.. My 
recent
 discoveries:

1. Portuguese Egg Tart: Flaky crust, creamy custard filling. Just the right sweetness..

2. Tofu Fries: Crisp and softness in every bite! This lightly breaded tofu fingers is topped with a dash or two of cinnamon and chili powder. Never expected it to be so addicting!

3. Sweetened Bean Curd (Hot or Cold): Similar to our taho but without the sago. Silky smooth texture, sweetened by a light sugar syrup. So simple yet satisfying..

I have yet to try the other items on their menu.

How to maximize your Sunday respite

Today is Thurday--and so the countdown to weekend begins.. If you have already mapped out your weekend activities, then good for you.

Weekends, particularly Sundays, are rare opportunities to restore our sanity recharge prior to braving another work week. And while not all Sundays are created equal, here are some of the ways to maximize the official rest day of the week:

1. Sleep in.. just a 'little' longer. (Just a little or you'd be lethargic and unproductive throughout the day..)

2. Enjoy a hearty brunch with loved ones. (Best with strawberries, champagne, and dark chocolates!)

3. Control the urge to open work email. (Hide your planner under your bed, if you must)

4. Have a nice chat with someone 10 years older or 10 years younger. (Their insights are amazing!)

5. Join us @ The Feast:

Photocredit: Jessica Sespene

Pic(k)s of the Week - March 22

I am perfectly content with the way my wellness program is progressing. My next review will be in three weeks—so in three weeks, shall I update.

***

I was looking for a particular photo to use in my send-off postcard to a dear friend who will be leaving for a special assignment real soon when I stumbled upon these:

Impromptu dinner on the night before I left for SG @ Cafe Mary Grace, Alabang Town Center

Dinner before heading to Starbucks Monday @ Cyma, Alabang Town Center

Almost New Year Mongolian Dinner @ Hacienda Dela Fuente, Tagaytay (Photo by Paolo Dela Fuente)

Ria wins the bet. Sunday brunch @ Spiral, Sofitel (Photo by Van Abrenica)

Pia and Mike's Wedding in Tagaytay (Photo by Joe Joson)

2008 Christmas Party.. May mumu sa likod! Haha (Photo by Dee Borromeo)

Notice the color-coordination? Well, most of our photos seem we're always in uniform.. These were unplanned (except for official activities) and we only realized our monochromatic color scheme when the photos were uploaded. Well, “great minds think alike,” they say..

I really miss my Kinse Loves!

4 Kilos and Counting

Yes indeed! I have dropped this much a month after I posted my self-imposed wellness commandments and strictly abiding by it. This is a safe number considering almost all of these kilos were taken from fat (as proven by the in-body analysis) and not muscles (that's why crash diets don't work!).

How I did it?

1. Detox program for 2 weeks - made me really cranky and crave for Mexican food, macarons, souffle, and bolognese

2. I walked and walked.. Ran and swam.. and spent 2 Saturdays biking at the East Coast Park

3. Cheated with KFC, Tita Nanec's molo soup, mint chocolate, Marty's, chili crab, and Candy's pasta -- just made sure they were worth every calorie!!!

4. Read and researched, checked food labels..

5. Followed the health commandments.

Now I'm on Phase 2.. New program.. Let's see in a month's time!

10 Commandments Minus 10 Kilos

Truth be told, I have gained another 3kg in 2010. (Additional 3kg to the 15kg I gained in 3years while I was working for San Miguel).

Likewise, my Manila vacation last week proved to be detrimental, not only in keeping the weight off but also in not gaining unnecessary calories. So, in one beautiful evening in Cafe Breton, West Gate, Alabang, 5 friends and I signed a ‘formal contract’ to signify our fitness commitment. Drafted by Atty. J (yeah, that’s how serious we are!!), the contract stipulates the following clauses:

      - That I, Atty. J, and R commit to lose 10Kg. By May 2011 (2lbs a week is healthy)

     - That if Atty. J loses the necessary inches to fit into a Hugo Boss suit, he will be entitled to the aforementioned suit to be purchased by the other 5 signatories

     - That if I and R lose the same amount of weight, Atty. J shall fly all 8 of us to Vietnam and Cambodia

     - **Legal and healthy method only

In my commitment to pursue a lifestyle change, I have drafted the personal commandments I intend to follow to a) Shed off the 18Kg I gained in the last 4 years and b) Keep them off for as long as I live. Hence, my 10 minus 10kg commandments:

1. I shall learn to unlove dairy-based desserts. (This is number one because this is the most painful of them all. I literally stalled after typing this to convince myself that this is the right thing to do).

2. I shall run and swim at least 4 hours a week.

3. I shall keep the ratio of fruits and veggies to meat to 3:1

4. I shall only consume rice and pasta on days I am going to do heavy workout.

5. I shall take the public transport, instead of hailing a cab (unless it’s midnight).

6. I shall ditch any mode of transport if travel is within 'reasonable' walking distance.

7. Following rule 6#, I shall wear, or bring comfortable shoes wherever I go. No excuses.

8. I shall make a conscious effort to drink plenty of water (and avoid milkshakes, milk tea, and coffee in plastic packet).

9. I shall only consume a maximum of 2 glasses of wine per week (only if I have to).

10. I shall not go clothes shopping unless I reach my ideal weight.

I have also been doing research on accupuncture treatment for weightloss. (Yes, that’s how desperate I am to bring back the beach-bod silhouette I donned some time ago.) But in doing so, I have to shell out some funds amounting to these:

Yes, indeed. That's how pricey the treatment would be.

Sigh. Looks like you babies would have to wait looooonger.

.