Our 30 First Dates

Roar with the Lions at Marina Bay Sands

2011-05-08T21:27:00.005+08:00

We wanted to go watch Lion King the Musical, but decided to be prudent and save the money. And what do you know, our parents got free tickets and gave them to us!

What a blessing, our God always provides our needs and wants. :)

On to the musical! Marina Bay Sands concert theatre.

We got circle seats. Exactly what we were eyeing!

God is specific in His provisions. Amen!

This place is a beauty. Just being here is a treat in itself!

The musical was WONDERFUL.

For those who loved the animated film, how can you not love the live show?

We feel so thankful. :)

New Addition to Our Family - Goofy

2010-10-28T14:21:00.008+08:00

It looks good at the back

It got great leather seats

It is sexy at the front

Its our GOOFY! ...

Bye Bye Momoka, we will miss you

Speckies United

2010-10-01T21:51:00.000+08:00

We are having a craze to be fashionable through our eyes

We believe in looking great for one another =)

We have 15pairs and counting....

what's next?

Doh! Donuts for a lazy weekend

2010-05-22T17:58:00.004+08:00

We been patronising this donut stall quite a few times this month

the bread is soft and chewy, different from other doughnuts

it feels light too, no bloated feeling after eating

wash it down with a hot drink! Ahh~

and with fancy names like

"Forest Glam"

"Berry Spears"

"Messisipi"

"Tira-I-miss-U"

"Avacado di Caprio"

Catchy! Ha ha.

We'll be back for more.

Next: 24 baby donuts in a box.

Invading year 1942 - insights during WWII

2010-04-24T21:38:00.013+08:00

Sorry, no cameras allowed in this museum as well... this is as far as we got before the museum curator stopped the wife. LOLx.

The museum stocks up images and artefacts from the Japanese Occupation in Singapore during WWII, 1942 - 1945

In particular, Changi was an internment camp for all the POWs and incarcerated male and female civilians

Audio headsets are available for rent, for 'live' commentary of every display

Very sombering exhibit, yet at the same time meaningful and leaves us convicted (no pun intended) of the importance of world peace!

This is a replica of the original chapel which provided solace for many a desolute soul during that dark period. The original chapel made way for today's Changi Prison.

What a rich experience, what's more, entry is free! Which is good, because one visit is not enough to take in all the displays, we need to return again!

We made History alive- Quest for Immortality

2010-03-29T21:42:00.002+08:00

Another visit to the museum! This time cameras are allowed. ^_^

The wife always finds Egypt exotic...

One of the many pharoahs, depicted with an Egyptian god. The ancient Egyptians saw their kings as equals with gods.

Many layers still under that mummy case :P

The wife wishes she can take these home...

The wife got a little momento... :)

This is the place we call OUR HOME!

2010-03-22T21:23:00.004+08:00

No, not the car. Is the housing block behind.

Never expected to find our dream home so soon! But when you leave it to God, He will provide.

Watching it grow, brick by brick!

Nihon Konichiwa!

2010-03-07T21:51:00.020+08:00

Our first time on the A380!! ^-^

A trip around Japan...

Tokyo - Asakusa Temple

traditional Japanese pancakes

Tokyo DisneySea

Visited the mountain town of Takayama

The "Saru-bobo", a children's toy iconic in the Hida region

authentic takoyaki balls

The beautiful moutain village of Shirakawa-go

Mount Fuji

Kyoto

beautiful Osaka by night

and Osaka by day

Sakura appreciation

Romance by the Sea

2010-03-07T21:26:00.006+08:00

The Wife suddenly has craving for crab.

So off we go to East Coast Seafood Centre where we would be spoilt for choice

Really, which seafood restaurant to dine at arh?

We went with No Signboard Restaurant

The fact they had a sea-facing table for us helped too :)

[ note: to get a sea-facing table, booking in advance is needed. Not every time so lucky like us. Ha ha. ]

It really is difficult ordering seafood for two! No Signboard Restaurant is really considerate to address this, they have a lovers' menu for two:

Lobster Salad

check out our sea view

Shark Fin Soup

Yangzhou Fried Rice and Stir-Fried Kailan

And last but not least, what we came for......

Pepper Crab!!!

Yummy to the last claw, we (more like the Wife) polished off every succulent flesh. Ms Crabby did not die in vain!!

And very affordable for the Husband too, it would have already cost more if we ordered crab and the lobster only, so it really is a good deal. :)

The Wife will be marking Her Return for more crab

Our first CNY and V-day as man and wife!

2010-02-15T21:50:00.006+08:00

Our first CNY and V-day as man and wife......

and it falls on the same day!

And it's also the first time for the world since 1900

It's a great time to celebrate love and the family

CNY is about...

Reunion meals

Yu Sheng

steamboat

new clothes!

for the cat

for the wife

kumquats

and pussy willows!

Yah-Mo be there

2010-01-23T23:41:00.007+08:00

What an opportunity to catch da man in person!

James Ingram was backed by 7-piece band and 3 backup vocalists

the wife said the BVs sounded like they stepped out of a gospel choir

(think the movie "Sister's Act")

We felt like we were right in Las Vegas watching a performance

It was so smooth and entertaining

James Ingram was so witty,

his voice so sensual and sincere

He really worked the crowd up and brought the house down

We felt so charged with emotion and love for each other after the show!

The wife bought something as a momento of the occasion

Stand by for incessant blasting on the player

Tea time on a lazy Friday afternoon

2010-01-22T21:59:00.006+08:00

It's a kind of getaway too... taking leave on a working Friday

No one around at the mall but us alone

We had the whole place to ourselves

Watching the world sail by us......

And watching the Integrated Resort beng built

It's just Vivocity, folks.

Ha ha, did you think we were on a cruise? :P

Life's a vacation

whenever you want to make it.

The 3 BIG Words - Love, Compassion and Unyielding Loyalty

2010-01-22T21:40:00.017+08:00

Hachi, It means 8 in Japanese

Akita, a royal breed

A loyal dog

A true Friend!

Get your tissues ready.

No, the wife suggested TOWELS..

A must-watch!! :)

based on the true story of Hachiko, who died in 1934

Today there is a bronze statue outside Shibuya railway station, where this actually took place

The Never Conquered - INVICTUS!

2010-01-11T16:25:00.011+08:00

We conquered another Magnificient Movie.

INVICTUS

latin for invincible; unconquered; the unattained

We returned to South Africa again with this movie.

http://our30firstdates.blogspot.com/2010/01/africa-our-honeymoon.html

Nelson Mandela, the country's great leader.

He outdid expectations of him;

His nation needed a Leader

He gave them a Champion!

based on the true story of South Africa's 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph

Return of the Army Daze

2010-01-09T21:44:00.001+08:00

Learn about what our men in green really do! (And what the Husband is up to when he disappears once a year, LOLx.)

The passing of the generations... and today we are a 3G defence force. The wife is so filled with national pride like none before! (Husband's note: guys, start bringing your wives and gfs to see this.)

Even allowing members of the public to get up close and personal with military equipment. Realistic shooter games!

Before we end the tour, a nugget of wisdom by a former great leader. Wow! This applies to our leadership at work too.

Singapore Army Museum

@ 520 Upper Jurong Road

(next to Singapore Discovery Centre)

The Wife keeps the Husband home with ......... lolx

2010-01-09T09:23:00.000+08:00

As the sayings go..

The way to the Husband's heart?

...is through his stomach.

The Wife did!

Filling his stomach full with healthy home-cooked food :)

Africa - Our Honeymoon

2010-01-07T21:48:00.002+08:00

The long-awaited post of our honeymoon! (sorry folks, here it is)

http://our30firstdates.blogspot.com/2009/04/we-are-move-it-move-it-to-africa.html

We were welcomed to South Africa on a clear and sunny day

tea-time (it looks hot but it's actually 20 deg c)

Ostrich Farm

Arrival at African game lodge

Our (honeymoon) suite

off we go to look for aneemals

LION

ELEPHANT

BUFFALO

annually more people are killed by a charging buffalo than a lion

WHITE RHINO

LEOPARD

a rare find! Leopards are reclusive so people usually don't sight them to complete the Big 5 sighting.

And we did the Big 5 sighting in

a single South African trip! That is the favour and grace of God! Amen!

BABY LION... only 2 weeks old

CHEETAH

AFRICAN PENGUIN (close relative of the Australian Fairy Penguin)

yes penguins like the sun and the sand besides the sea

AFRICAN SHORT-EARED RABBIT

(a cross between a rabbit and a badger)

not forgetting a visit to Uncle Mandela's house (it's a tourist attraction)

Cape of Good Hope... the southern-most tip of the African continent

View of Cape Town atop Table Mountain

Sunset at Signal Hill

Bye Bye South Africa!! We will miss you.

We have Upgraded! - We are Married!

2010-01-06T10:00:00.001+08:00

A BIG TOAST TO OURSELVES!

for the amazing courtship, many challenges
and finally we are as ONE.

We thank you all for attending and rejoice with us
in this joyous gathering

Our exchange of rings
Our Commitment
Our new Life together

Just like the Ring, continuous and never broken

We are MARRIED!!!
Thank you Lord for this union

You are the BIGGEST part in it :)

*love*

Delightful Turkish! Sofra Restaurant

2010-01-03T21:00:00.002+08:00

We did not plan for this.

Supposed just to stop by Shaw Tower for some grab-and-go lunch, but the Husband wanted the Wife to try this (since we are already at Shaw Tower), this is a well-known Turkish Restaurant.

Soft fluffy bread with Turkish Lentil Soup

The wife's choice! Spicy Lamb Kebab

She loves most the mashed potatoes wrapped in melted cheese. And no lamby smell. :)

We shared the steamed eggplant salad. It melted in our mouths...

Top right: The Husband picked the lamp & beef mixed doner kebab

Smells too raw for the Wife but he lovesssssssss it, sooooooo juicy

*burp*

Baclava: two turkish pastries but ended in one stomach :P

A shot of Turkish expresso

A smile on our faces :)

This place is worth a return visit!

SOFRA Turkish Restaurant

@ 100 Beach Road, Shaw Tower

day trip to Melaka

2010-01-02T21:00:00.000+08:00

A road trip one fine Saturday morning! We hopped into the car and crossed the Causeway...... to Melaka!

A lovely time we had on the road, nobody but us and friendly banter to keep each other occupied...

We travelled 300km to taste this!

famous chicken rice balls

Gula Melaka in Melaka

Fabulous and only RM 3

cultural immersion

and a boat cruise down Melaka river to round off the visit!

RM 10 only

We love it!

Our 1st Xmas together as Husband & Wife :)

2009-12-26T07:00:00.001+08:00

Our tree this year!

made using dried fruit husks stuck on a cone and sprayed with gold glitter paint

We spent our X'mas night away from the maddening crowds... with the real WILD crowd...

Night Safari Singapore

Just 2 of us for a stroll in the dark and enjoying the noctural exhibits :)

In the dark...... no one but us to light each other's way

~ lovely ~

Merry X'mas folks :)

- from the husband & wife

Ending the Year with a Bang! Avatar the Movie

2009-12-25T16:36:00.002+08:00

We ended our 2009 with this blockbuster movie of all time.

Different people watched this, leaving with different insights.

We fell in LOVE again.

The husband sees the wife, and the wife sees him.

"I see you!"

BIG Blessings on our BIG Day, Our beautiful Wedding =)

2009-09-20T16:21:00.005+08:00

Thank you, all you lovely people!!

We love you too. :)

And most importantly, we love because God loved us first.

Thank YOU.

UP for adventure

2009-08-14T20:01:00.002+08:00

Not just a story about an old man and his stowaway

It's also a story about an old man and woman's ADVENTURE!

Thank you for the adventure......

We love their ADVENTURE OF LOVE!

Now we are UP for our own adventure!

Wonder any stowaways joining us soon? LOLx.

Missing in Action...

2009-06-07T14:54:00.002+08:00

Yesh, so busy with wedding preparations, that we haven't had time to update here...

"We still need to go on dates!" said the bf.

This is where we disappeared to...

Brought our camera along, set to "museum mode" (yes the nice camera that the gf bought for the bf last year came with this mode so we don't blind museum-goers with the flash).

And horrors, NO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED!!

Thank you for your understanding. LOLx.

We are Move It, Move It... to Africa

2009-04-21T14:11:00.003+08:00

Honeymoon booked!

Confessions of a save-o-holic

2009-03-20T17:39:00.008+08:00

In this recession times... must watch the purse strings closer...

so what can we buy?
.

a piggy bank!!

Actually, it's a doggy bank LOLx.

Feed me, I'm hungry

Going to feed him with $1 coins! Blue and Gold, nice combi hor. Plus, we'll get a neat sum of savings compared to putting 10-cent 20-cent. :P

p/s: Actually, we already started this little project 6 months ago.
This is what he really looks like now LOLx:

One is not enough

We have the Kitty Bank too.. Haha

Save Save Save :)

Now we are really happy

Marley and Me - Do you have what it takes to be a pet owner?

2009-03-14T21:32:00.020+08:00

What a crazy dog!

But our pets are always crazy in their own ways too!

And similarly, they love us to bits

Through thick and thin

our pets are there, to rejoice with us and see us through hard times

And at the end of the day,

our pets are just like family

In this depressing time,

do you still have success left to sit on

or do you have a family to fall back on?

In this depressing time,

do you give up your pets?

This is a lovely feel-good movie

with powerful social messages underlying it

We're surprised MCYS and SPCA did not sponsor it LOLx.

And yes, we cried buckets by the end of the movie.

We felt a deeper love for our kiddos

And you should too :)

Wine Appreciation

2009-02-15T21:54:00.002+08:00

We usually take wine at special occasions

http://our30firstdates.blogspot.com/2009/01/we-are-engaged.html

Bit by bit the girlfriend is intrigued

Why do people enjoy so much?

So we been drinking a bit of wine recently...

Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Semillion
Just to name a few

Dryness?
Fullness of body?
Woody?
Flavour?

So many characteristics *blur*

Ha ha, the boyfriend says, just drink it if you like it
And the girlfriend is hooked
She is attracted by the pretty bottles and classy labels :P

Coming up next:

The boyfriend bought this....... something sweet just like her

*keke*

In case you need to know...... it's dessert wine (red).

Our Kind of Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T20:08:00.007+08:00

No 1001 roses

No big hearts and chocolates

STINGY?
NEH! NEVER!

We got presents for one another :)
We bought theseeeeeeeeee

to exchange with theseeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Looks the same...... it IS the same

lolx

We are faithful crocsy fans

----------------

Caught a movie, 'New in Town'
It's a chick flick, but the bf can accept it
cos it's a corporate chick flick. LOLx.

Hugs and kisses
Laughs and chats
Simple food and slow strolls at Vivo

Just enjoyable being with each other

I love you
Happy Valentine's Day!

Raffles Marina

2009-02-06T10:21:00.006+08:00

A new pak-tor location we found!

On the western tip of Singapore

Peace and quiet

Great to de-stress and go for a walk along the pier

You get to see the sunset

Enjoy the evening breeze

Decent food, both western and local selections available

The boyfriend enjoys either a long glass of soursop juice, or a cup of coffee always satisfies him

The girlfriend likes a good plate of their fried hokkien mee with no spring onions :P

Plus, parking is FREE!!

What's there not to like about this place?

We went there 3 times in 2 months. LOLx.

What makes a true FOUNDATION?

2009-02-02T20:47:00.002+08:00

A strong tower does not come easy!

Is NOT about speed

build it fast and it crashes just as fast

True foundation takes...

Great patience

Detailed planning

Wisdom more than plain knowledge

For it is spoken in Luke 6:48

It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock.
When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built.

Sure wasn't easy to place the last piece of Rocher on the pinnacle

This lesson spoke true for building a chocolate tower just as much as for a relationship

Our relationship :)

The girlfriend loved it. :) http://our30firstdates.blogspot.com/2008/12/blessed-xmas-we-had-in-2008.html

Counting on God

2009-01-18T16:53:00.002+08:00

Heard this praise for the very first time
Expo Combined Service
1st sunday week of 2009

We had a REVELATION to go though the year

COUNTING ON GOD

When you have only 5 loaves and 2 fishes
Jesus will do it as He will

Count on Him
He MULTIPLES!

2009 is a year of fruitfulness
Where Hope is not too small

We count on Him
You should too in times like this

We Love Australia - the movie :P

2009-01-12T20:59:00.002+08:00

Spectacular natural and cultural landscapes

Remarkable characters

Cowboys

WWII fighting

Exciting adventures

A romantic love story!

Wow we never saw Darwin and the Australian outback this way before.

This must be one of the best ways to get away on a budget in such economy low times!

Go catch it, it's still on the screens! else rent a DVD :P

Our Post Xmas Shopping Spree

2009-01-11T21:40:00.005+08:00

26th Dec, and our best find was...

BIG SALE AT GEOX!

Some promotion that if you buy a subsequent pairs, you get an additional 10% on top of any discount already on the shoes.

We couldn't resist!

The boyfriend bought a pair, and the gf doubled it

He got another, the girlfriend added one and more :P

-----Gf's Buys-----

New black loafers for new job

Silver sandals for CNY

Patterned pumps to add to the gf's collection

-----BF's buys -----

The boyfriend can't wait till CNY

He tried the sneakers on that very weekend

With breathable soles

Goodbye to smelly feet

*skip skip, skip to my lo* (3x)

*skip to my lo our geoxy*

I can sing of Your Love forever; When I look into Your Holiness

2009-01-10T07:07:00.002+08:00

We Are Engaged!

2009-01-01T22:23:00.000+08:00

The girlfriend was anxious about the proposal months ago, worried rather.
When, Where, How, What will the boyfriend do?

Nothing too dramatic she hope, she can't take BIG surprises lolx

..............

At Halia Restaurant (Botanic Gardens), where we celebrated our first anniversary, this day we returned for another anniversary celebration. :)

This restaurant means alot indeed

The night was wonderful, with a slight drizzle created just the right ambience for an outdoor candlelight dinner (bf: ok more like tealight ha ha). But it was romantic all the same. :)

The outdoor seating was lit by discreet lamps, candles and the moonlight.

Over a lovely 2 hours the boyfriend wined and dined the girlfriend. Remicising our journey together on this anniversary day.

The girlfriend was feeling all sweet and totally at ease.

And the boyfriend got the moment he was preparing for.

Tah Dah!!!

Leaving sweet nothings in her ears, tears flooded her eyes.

"Yes Yes I will Marry you"! The girlfriend took less than a second to exclaim it!

We are engaged!

Yes!! cheer for us! Thank you Thank you :P
*clap clap*

We thank the Lord for this day He has made.

24th December 2008

Thank You

2008-12-31T09:03:00.001+08:00

For fruitful seasons...
For seasons of growth...
For blessings and favour...
For saving me.

A Blessed Xmas We Had in 2008

2008-12-25T21:39:00.011+08:00

From Joelle.
She was one of the first to give this year (so early until Christmas not even arrive LOLx.)

Quite obvious she wanted the gf to bake more for her :P

Jerry didn't forget us. :)

Pat had something for each of us.

Mel blessed us with this crystal ball lolx
Josh & OL's gift for us. Gosh and the bf was just thinking of the first song of this cd only 2 days ago. Did God speak to us? Amen!

Venus' personal gift for the gf. She really gifted with handicraft.

A gift from Zhi... the cover curiously reminds us of her, so yes, it's a great gift LOLx.

Venus & Lawrence's gift to us this year. They are really a sister & bro in Christ. :)

And from the bf to the gf... ta-dah!! Something she the mega-rocher-fan always wanted. Sure took him some effort to get this done, but we can save that story for the next post. :) What a WONDERFUL Christmas!!

Happy birthday to our dear Friend up there :)

We love you

Our Joy of Giving - Xmas Cranberry Almond Cookies

2008-12-24T22:36:00.001+08:00

Our attempt to bake the gingerbread man last year did not worked well

Despite positive feedback, we still felt the cookies were too hard for our liking.

Christmas is about the spirit of giving, not just snowmen and gingerbread

We wanted our close friends to be blessed with something personal from us,

so the girlfriend decided to continue the tradition to give homemade cookies.

Cranberry Almond cookies this year!!

The boyfriend is excited

It wasn't a easy task,

the girlfriend enlisted the help of her good friend and they went on many bakes,

just to get the texture, sweetness and size right.

They did it!

The cookies were nicely packed and tagged.

The smaller packs in 'hello kitty' packing were for the girls or kiddos.

Thoughtful? We thought so as well LOLx.

We made the effort to deliver them right to the doorstep!

We gave in joy and hope they received with warmth too :)

.......................................................

if you are interested, the recipe below

INGREDIENTS
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

For All You've Done

2008-12-19T13:22:00.002+08:00

When we kiss... FIRE

2008-12-18T09:51:00.003+08:00

How true this is...... :)

期待爱

2008-12-16T10:01:00.000+08:00

We found this very sweet... plus the boyfriend likes cornetto ice-cream. LOLx.

(this was the jingle song for the ice-cream advert.)

Our Visit to 韩国- Hanasayo!

2008-12-10T11:53:00.000+08:00

This is the reason for the drought of posts in November.

Hanasayo!! :)

We saw......

culture

nature

flowers

food

more food.....

We loved the kimchi!

Of course, we had each other. :)

Man's Best Friend & Hero - Bolt The Super Dog

2008-12-09T21:54:00.017+08:00

We made a new friend yesterday! *tee hee hee*

BOLT, The Super Dog

and friends......

Rhino "I eat danger for breakfast" Hamster

& Mittens "the unwilling sidekick" Cat
and some wacky friends along the way...

No need for special powers,

Our dogs are natural heroes in our hearts :) You can't miss this!

Be prepared to

LAUGH & CRY aloud

The sure blockbuster on screen now

We went to a marina... without a boat

2008-12-01T22:03:00.005+08:00

Can you go to a marina without a boat?

Yes, we did!

One Deg 15 @ Sentosa

The question:

WHAT TO WEAR???

Turquoise one? Safari prints? Black knitted piece? Or conservative full suit one?
The girlfriend was spolit for choice.

She was more excited on her wardrobe selection then our visit. *tsk tsk*.

In the end the first choice was her final choice.

The boyfriend was glad that it wasn't too flashy. *LOL*

Despite the ongoing construction in nearby Sentosa Cove, One Deg 15 sparkles! The clear blue swimming pool was inviting. We couldn't wait to jump in.

The "HUMAN FISH TANK"!

Sipping coffee in the pool was a luxury. OooOOooo!!!

Hey wait, next surprise... their changing room was WOW. They have sofa and TV in the changing room for you while you wait for your friends and kiddos to be done. Sofa was PVC leather so you can sit even if you are wet. Very impressive!

The club took good care of us, our stomach and not forgetting our tired bodies!

A day bed facing the sea,

Perfect for relaxing and of cos

Romancing *shy*

All thanks to the girlfriend's sis and BIL
We enjoyed so much

*dozed off in the car*

Our Breakfast with a Difference

2008-11-30T18:19:00.001+08:00

A quiet street along Telok Kurau Road at 10am

Just an ordinary coffee shop

They SERVE................

EXTRA - Ordinary

LAKSA

*slurp*
The girlfriend would prefer MORE big juicy cockles in the thick coconut laska base.

She LOVES it!

*slurp slurp*
Did we tell you we love it? Ha ha.

Not a bit of the soup base is left in the bowl.

This coffee shop is also famous for carrot cake.

The boyfriend insisted on a serving

Too full but worth a try.

Fried Ikan Bilis were added as toppings into the dish, it was a unique taste and gave more crunch

But this made the carrot cake seem more saltish than usual and also the cake is machine-made

Not to our liking :P

We want our carrot cake hand-made!

This is still our favourite stall. :)

Madagascar - 'You got to Move it Move it' to Africa

2008-11-25T00:04:00.008+08:00

You got to MOVE IT MOVE IT...

Featuring the 4 bestest friends from New York Zoo......

They mistakenly landed in Madagascar in the first movie......

Now in this sequel they mistakenly land in Africa!!

Wonderful movie for the school holiday season, both adults and kids will find comic relief. :)

We loved the movie for its nonsense and that the characters cracked jokes about their own nonsense! LOLx.

The boyfriend has having a ball of a time after the movie, re-enacting the jokes and making the girlfriend laugh all over again.

Ok no sharing of the jokes here, we don't do spoilers, go catch the movie for a good laugh!

We went to Avenue Q

2008-11-17T10:35:00.006+08:00

A wicked yet sweet musical

very much like Sesame Street, centered in a small neighbourhood.

Thought the girlfriend did not have much memories for Sesame Street,
the crude jokes and the struggles in life which the residents had,

made sense and she could relate to them.

What happens when Sesame Street grows up? That is Avenue Q.

We love the compelling characters,
catchy music - though the musical tunes seem unchanging,
unflinching truths (LOLx about racism which is so true!)

'Avenue Q' is really a satrical musical,
probably will be one of the best that we will catch.
The GF was worrying that she would not understand the deep 'jokes', she laughed out loud.

It definitely does not SUCK to be US!
* 3 cheers for Avenue Q production*

~ can you tell me how to get, how to get to Ave Q? ~

We rented a DVD

2008-10-21T16:02:00.003+08:00

Helen The Baby Fox

As the movie tagline says, "If you don't cry by the end of the show, you have no soul!"
And true, the boyfriend and girlfriend cried buckets throughout the show. LOLx.

Helen was not just a cute baby fox

This movie was a feast for the eyes,
especially in the amazingly picturesque outdoor scenes of rural Hokkaido

The thick furry clouds and clear blue sky

Big yellow daisies, green green grass of land

The girlfriend would love to visit this place

*wink*

The story captured the seriousness in issues of life and death, and does so successfully

Love for that 2 kiddos at home was instantly rekindled.

It takes so much faith to believe

It takes pain to love

Love takes much committment
This relationship is impossible to let go

Please watch this movie!!

*exclaming*

especially the animal lovers

Lunch at Raffles Hotel for the bf's birthday

2008-09-17T22:05:00.010+08:00

The boyfriend's birthday is around the corner again! Like past years, there is always a celebration at home with the family. As always, the cake is sponsored by his sister. :) This year the cake has his two favourites, ice cream and chocolate!!

The girlfriend gave a 20-page photo montage :) Another handmade gift for him. He loved the present!!

His Dad has something for him as well, vouchers to eat at Raffles Hotel. What a blessing. :)

We thought to take a stroll around the premises and to work up a appetite first.

Niceeeee settings, a potential venue for the wedding?

We decided to do a buffet lunch at the Raffles Bar and Billiards Room.

Food food food......

This will certainly set us in the mood for love......

Alaskan king crab!! Sooooo big and juicy, this is only the leg lor....... the boyfriend had so much he could feel his colesterol go up.

A lovely dish of poached prawns with mango salsa. Does not come with above food arrangement. LOLx.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING!!

May this be a year when you will be heavily blessed by HIM again *kiss*

We did landscaping

2008-09-14T22:05:00.004+08:00

A nice sunny afternoon, just nice for some gardening! We did some landscaping too.

BEFORE

The big pot of plant was starting to get out of place, however much as we couldn't bear to get rid of it, we had to throw it out.

AFTER

Got a new pot of plant, a fir tree. The girlfriend been wanting one, so my Dad got it for her! She is so looking forward to decorating it for Christmas.

Laid a new row of stones as well. This would also serve as a breaker when it rains so the water coming off the roof will not batter the garden.

Planted a row of heliconias (bird of paradise) too!

Can't wait for the garden to take shape further. :)

Our Tunch at Dempsey Village

2008-09-13T22:55:00.010+08:00

What a long week we had (not to mention a busy Saturday), we needed a nice and quiet place with good food to recharge ourselves.

We thought to drop by Dempsey Village, there should be a nice place for food amid the the quiet and lush surroundings. :)

We found this place!

Food food food...

Beetroot juice, blended with carrots and apple. Full of electrolytes and anti-oxidants to rejuvenate a tired mind.

Lemongrass with lychee, refreshing and satisfying for the one with a sweet craving. The girlfriend found it too "laychey" picking out the tiny bits of lemongrass from her mouth though. :P

Poached egg with asparagus and wild rocket. The place serves breakfast until 4pm, we couldn't resist ordering a breakfast dish that looks so good. Turns out to be a good choice, the warm comfort food seemed to restart our day.

Red snapper broth. More comfort food, wonderful fresh snapper cooked in a broth with salami and clams. Totally stirred our appetite! The boyfriend slurped up every bit of the broth. *lolx*

Must mention the wonderful service by the waiting staff too. Good service really makes the food taste better too! :)

Ok now that we have satisfied ourselves with food, we can take time to look around the place......

Optical illusion? Ha ha, cool idea by the owners to shape the pavilion like a table. Now you can sit under the table to eat. :P

Cheeky folks we have at this place. This is actually the ladies' toilet. Can you guess what picture they use for the gents' toilet? LOLx.
They really pay attention to detail, right down to their namecard! It's shaped like an army dog tag.

We love this place!! Will be back!

We visit Mandai Orchid Garden

2008-09-13T14:37:00.003+08:00

This warm and sunny afternoon, we were there to take a stroll amid the beautiful orchid plots and patches, and hopefully work up an appetite before a late lunch.

There was a vegetable plot at the garden! Which interested us greatly.

Bittergourd!

Chilli Padi!

The girlfriend wanted to get ideas on how to cultivate orchids.
Of course, we didn't forget to appreciate the beauty of the garden at the same time.

An unexpected find: landscaping idea. The boyfriend loved this look.
We could work this into our interior design?

A warm afternoon breeze caressed our faces, the quick stroll certainly relaxed us and set us in the right mood for a Saturday afternoon. :)

A new place to shop at!

2008-09-13T10:02:00.002+08:00

The girlfriend loves changing her look.

Looking her best for the boyfriend... lolx.

She loves participating in online sprees... Victoria's Secret, Old Navy, GAP.

Unassuming little shops in corners catch her eyes too.

These shop owners usually bring in clothes on single-piece basis,
hence it is seldom to bump into someone wearing a similar outfit in the streets.

But she is still so pleased, that a few shops down our favourite carrot cake stall? We found this humble little shop.

The girlfriend couldn't take her eyes away from the window display. The boyfriend decided it's time for some new clothes, and allowed her to indulge.

Into the shop we walked, where Ida, the hot-looking shoplady greeted us. She brings in clothes & accessories from various countries.

Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hongkong

Mesmerized at those clothes, the girlfriend was.

*flip flip* She shortlisted quite a number.

She finalised her 3 choices. Ida was nice to give a 20% discount!

Kimono-styled top from Korea

wedges from Japan

and dress from Korea

She simply LOVES this shop and will be going back for more.

*the boyfriend shakes his head*

Rail Mall

2008-09-09T23:02:00.006+08:00

The girlfriend introduced this place to me cos she used to hang out here, and we have grown to enjoy hanging out here as a couple. =)

Here we can feel that time slows down, and you can sit and enjoy a cuppa and relax without being rushed.

We often choose Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for a dinner stopover. The outlet here is quiet and not too crowded compared to other outlets in town. Ordered our favourite dishes, the all day breakfast (egg & salmon) and spicy hot tuna fusili (the boyfriend prefers it with linguine), we shared and chatted the night away.

With a cuppa of the girlfriend's favourite english breakfast latte and coffee for the boyfriend, dinners here are good & satisfying indeed.

Another eatery where we like to dine is Ah Mei coffee outlet. This is part of a kopitiam chain, but the skills of the roti prata man here cannot be replicated in other branches.

Those who like their roti prata will agree that it is not easy to find good roti prata. You will like this roti prata if you like them crispy on the outside, yet soft and fluffy on the inside. The place also serves good coffee and tea, and it is a combination that makes us come back again and again for more.

An MRT station is coming up right in front of the mall in a few years' time. We wonder if the place will still retain its quiet charm...... we better enjoy it in the meantime. =)

Mooncake delivery from the lovebirds!

2008-09-06T22:53:00.010+08:00

A very busy day for us. The girlfriend got up early to go down to Goodwood Park Hotel to buy their popular snowskin durian mooncakes. They were sold out when she tried to buy them the day before, cos the mooncakes were made on a daily basis and only sold while stocks last. She was determined to get them as gifts for our loved ones.

No whole boxes of durian mooncakes available still, you have to buy the assorted selection. That's how short the supply was. Means only ONE durian mooncake in a box, the others were jackfruit, yam and mango pomelo. Still a good thing for us, the other flavours were just as delightful!

durian, jackfruit, yam, mango pomelo

The first stop was the boyfriend's place to present the mooncakes to his parents.

Then off to (the boyfriend's) Ah Ma. The old lady was so pleased to receive them, although she said "Don't want lah", she opened the mooncakes immediately to share in the tasting.

Next stop was the girlfriend's parents. Although the usual "chik-chik" noises and "tsks-tsks, you shouldn't have wasted money", they still opened the mooncakes and shared them out. That seems to be the way when they are happy hor? Happy say happy lah, haiz, old folks... tsk... LOLx.

Phew! Visiting is never easy, so tired after all the stops. At least our stomachs were kept full by all the mooncakes and tea we snacked on. Next round would be Chinese New Year time. Ha ha.

It's growing!

2008-09-04T22:39:00.004+08:00

We thought the seedings will not survive as the planting were done under hot scorching sun. (See, especially at the far end of the flower bed, they worried the girlfriend the most.)

bf's note: Actually, the girlfriend was getting tired by the time she reached the other end and she was not transplanting the seedlings deep enough into the soil, ha ha.

Couple of weeks back, the stems appeared scrongy and weak, leaves appeared brownish & crumpled.

MIRACLE!!

The greens are showing, with sweet smelling flowers (*bleah* no lah, no smell lolx)...... more flowers soon, we hope.

What's next? :)

Our Timberland shoes

2008-08-31T22:24:00.013+08:00

The old shoes been with me for more than 10 years, I think my cousins can recognise them as they travel with me on holidays over the years. Not a bad investment, works out to less then $20/year. (!!!)

They have been real comfy, I cannot bear to replace them even as they become worn, and I have brought them to the cobbler to restore them. (Can you see the stitches on the sole?)

Alas, there comes a time when no more visits to the cobbler can help. The body of the shoe has started coming apart.

So the girlfriend dragged me to get new shoes!

Brand new shoes!!

Goes better now with the girlfriend's

Yesh! Together we will walk the earth on these. :)

Our arms are aching...

2008-08-25T09:58:00.004+08:00

Our arms ache. And all because we have been indulging in our latest passion... Gardening!

The garden was getting out of shape, so we got our hands down to getting it in order, also at the same time taking the chance to shape it according to our liking.

The boyfriend was busy pruning the bushes and small trees, snip snip snip.

The girlfriend was clearing the flower bed and transplanting new seedlings.

Now that the garden is tidy, it looks like there is some space for a few new introductions! We went shopping, visited the neighbouring nurseries. We are fortunate to have some in the vicinity.

Comparing prices from shop to shop, shortlisting what plants we can buy. Gosh, so many kind -- ornamental, floral, vegetables, which should we get? We made some additions to our gardening tools as well.

All ready to plant!!!

Our crabby date

2008-08-18T09:56:00.012+08:00

The family loves seafood, and crabs are always a favourite.

August was a month of birthday celebrations, and we took the chance to indulge in a feast.

The family decided to dinner at home, we went out to ta-pao. A friend had recommended the boyfriend an eatery that serves good crab, and he was eager to share it with the family.

We ta-pao-ed THREE big crabs, cooked in different styles!

1) White pepper crab

Nicely done, just the right amount of pepper to make it spicy, yet lightly-flavoured enough to bring out the freshness and succulence of the crab meat. The girlfriend likes the white pepper style the most, so I think I made her very happy.

2) Crab beehoon soup

This has to be a star find. The humble sounding name of the dish hides the impact this dish can deliver. The crab was cooked in cream soup, similar to fish beehoon soup, and the richness of the crab flowed into the soup. The soup took a pretty orange hue thanks to the fresh crab roe, and you could scoop up the roe at the bottom of the bowl if you can't get enough. The crab was supremely juicy, because no moisture was lost in the cooking process. But really, just drinking the soup can be heavenly. The Dad could not resist taking spoonful after spoonful of the soup.

3) Chilli crab

How to not have this perennial Singapore favourite, the family always loves this dish, and not forgetting having deep-fried "man-tou" to dip in the chilli gravy.

And did we mention that all the crabs were BIG and fleshy? And all of them came with such thick crab roe, gosh, it was like eating egg.

And the total bill for this feast came up to less than $40 pax, surprisingly this heartland restaurant is much cheaper than the seafood restaurants at East Coast.

Where to find this seafood gem?

Mellben Seafood
Block 211 Lor 8 Toa Payoh #01-11-15

Our favourite carrot cake stall

2008-08-16T17:48:00.002+08:00

I want I want I want!!!

The girlfriend demands for a plate of steaming hot, extra chilli, 'white' fried carrot cake from our favourite stall almost every weekend.

She comes up with any excuses just so that the boyfriend would bring her there. Who cares about the dinner that will be serving in an hour's time?

What makes this good plate of carrot cake?

The owner makes his own carrot cake, which explains the smooth consistency of the cake, and cuts them into strips before frying, which is slightly different from the usual style of cutting into cubes.

Generous serving of egg is added, and the mixture is stirred and fried into patties. YUM!!

REALLY NICE! I want I want I want, and now she wants a bowl of icy cold cheng teng to wash it all down with. Yes, it is sold by the neighbour stall, in this humble kopitiam.

*sigh* A perfect combination for a tea-time snack, no wonder the girlfriend hankers for it all the time. And the boyfriend finds it hard not to give in.

Where to find one of the best-kept secrets in Bedok?

Blk 69 Bedok South Ave 3 (there are 2 kopitiam in the same block, it's the one further from the main road.)

Try it to believe it!

Ma Maison - Where salt is free!

2008-08-12T21:38:00.001+08:00

Went to a Japanese-Western restaurant for lunch. Sounds like an oxymoron, until you realise the Japanese love for all things western, and this refers to Japanese interpretation on Western cuisine.

Ambience was nice, great for a cosy date for two or a gathering between friends (which was what we were there for). This restaurant has a few branches, we went to the one at The Central @ Clarke Quay, and we had a wonderful view of Singapore river and its bum boats. Reminded us of our lovely river cruise. =)

For the food, we had steaks, pasta and omelettes. The boyfriend had steak, it was very nicely done although he was mighty amused that he had a plate of Japanese rice instead of potato. At least no one minded him cutting his steak into pieces and eating with his rice like Chinese chap-chye! Heh heh.

The girlfriend had Beef Stroganoff with Omu Rice, it was beef slices in thick gravy with omelette-wrapped butter rice. The portion was just nice for her, very satisfying and the beef slices were delightfully tender! The boyfriend thought it tasted very nice too, heh heh.

Alas, if there is anything we had to grouse, it was the chef's generousity with salt. Seemed to be the cooking style though, every plate on the table seemed a bit too salty for our palate.

We were served coffee and tea after our meal, the boyfriend noted that he had authentic Japanese coffee, very pleased. =)

After the meal, you get the keys to...... pay your bill. Not to your room. Ha ha.

Hair away this weekend.....

2008-08-10T21:43:00.012+08:00

I was complaining to the boyfriend that shaving cannot give the best hair removal results. So...... he bought me a "monster" machine!

EPILATOR!

Look at the picture...... those threatening teeth has proven its efficiency by pulling 10 strands of hair in just one second!

I am busy running it over my legs, hands and armpits *OUCH* . While the boyfriend tenderly smoothen the newly hairless areas with generous amounts of olive oil. Awfully sweet of him. =) They say the first time using the epilator can hurt, they weren't kidding! ~be prepared for blood, beginners!! (can happen if the hair follicles are overly-irritated.)

Just 15mins, you will feel free from curly coarse hair and skin tender soft from the olive oil.

Great present for a girlfriend, just $49.90! You will make your girlfriend screaming with much joy!!!! ...LOLx

Our date over the phone

2008-08-08T23:03:00.014+08:00

Not meeting up today.

"Darling, what you doing today after work?

"Nothing much, just go back, rest and relax. And nua. Ha ha."

"Shall we chat on the phone later in the night then?"

"Ok then, it's a date! Heh heh."

"Ok! We date over the phone. Kekekekeke....."

You don't have to meet in person to have a date. ;)

Our date with God

2008-08-03T22:16:00.023+08:00

This is a date we go on every week.

Not so much with each other, but more so with God.

It's very amazing, no matter how much frustration we bear inside us, how heavy our hearts are.

A session with Him calms us down, gives us peace, and our burdens are lightened.

Especially if the frustration and unhappiness is over each other. That is when we need Him more, because we can't turn to each other at such moments.

At least, if she doesn't listen to me, she listens to Him.

note: (pic created by our dear brethen ZQ)

We Celebrate the Nation's Birthday!

2008-08-02T23:30:00.007+08:00

The boyfriend and girlfriend have been to National Day Parade shows before, but this is the first time we go together!

Tickets to the actual day we did not get, but we got the next best thing! =)

Freebies in goodie bags for us! Kudos to the hardworking volunteers who dispatched the goodies with smiles.

Getting the crowd warmed up. It worked!

Perennial crowd-favourite.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE! in advance.

and the show gets on the road...

At the end of the show, remember to take your rubbish with you. This year the disposal bag is actually a lucky draw ticket, so there is a prize for going clean and green! Will the organizers actually rummage through all that garbage to pick a winning trash bag??

The Garden of Eden

2008-07-31T21:57:00.021+08:00

Heh heh, if that is what the Singapore Garden Festival aims to achieve! That's what we visited actually.

The girlfriend had complimentary passes, so we took some time to visit the show. A leisurely and relaxing stroll we had. =)

To see the creativity of horticulturists at work... it was fun and impressive to see ideas on how light, special effects and ornaments can add to a garden of plants to create another sense of being. And of course... simply admire the works of the artists.

This display had glass cladding built on top of the art piece, with the effects of moving waters above, it took us into the 'sea'.

Nice exhibit!

Marilyn Monroe portrait!!
You can't possibly identify immediately from afar.

But, quite visible through the lens.

The spiral!
The girlfriend liked this the most.

Maybe some ideas we can use in future? Hehehehehe.

The next show is in 2010, see you then!

Our Cruise Down Singapore River

2008-07-27T22:08:00.011+08:00

No time, no money to go to Venice for river cruise, so what to do? Go on the Singapore River Cruise!

There are 2 operators offering the ride, which take the same route, along the whole of the Singapore River to its mouth and back. The only difference we see is the type of transport: the incumbent operator uses bumboats and has taped audio commentary, while the new kid on the block uses motorised pontoons and has a tour guide to give 'live' commentary.

We chose the former for what we felt may be more "authentic", and figured we won't mind not having commentary anyway.

A cruise down the Singapore River lets you see the civic district from another perspective, and sights that you only get by being on the river.

The girlfriend enjoyed the journey down the river, and the boyfriend liked it best when the boat was making its way around the river mouth. A lovely time we had!

And for something unexpected, as part of the "Discover Singapore" theme, we discover why the Singapore River is kept so clean. Heh heh.

Our day in the countryside

2008-05-01T17:36:00.016+08:00

Is it possible to get close to nature on the little island of Singapore?

We think so! Head to Lim Chu Kang in the extreme northwesternly part of Singapore. There are a cluster of farms there, and they welcome visitors. If you want to start your day early there, you can do so. Make Bollywood Veggies your first stop, they provide a decent menu of breakfast from their cafe.
After breakfast, we proceeded to walk around the farm! BV maintains a variety of crops on their grounds, so besides enjoying the fresh air (very good country air), it can be educational too! We see some families have that in mind, there were kids in tow by parents. And you can buy the fresh produce too!Everything is au naturel on the farm, including the toilet!

On to the next farm, Dragonfruit Farm (Spring Orchard).

Spring Orchard claims to be the only Dragonfruit farm in Singapore. Certainly impressive, with rows and rows of the fruit trees! The boyfriend didn't know dragonfruits grow on trees, ha ha. The farm serves and sells dragonfruit drinks and jelly, which is not distributed in supermarkets. We recommend you try them, very refreshing on a hot day. =)

Hay Dairies Goat Farm was our next stop, wow, rows and rows of milking goats this time. Don't they run out of milk? We tried milk tasting too, chocolate flavour! If you like the taste of goat milk (which is an acquired taste, but supposedly healthier than cow milk), you can buy some home or even order for home delivery if you want to have it everyday.

We were going to call it a day and head home, when we passed by... a frog frog frog frog farm!! Sorry, but there were soooooo many of them. See how interesting when the bullfrogs all train their eyes on you when you approach, ha ha. But no, we didn't find them interesting enough to bring any home. :P

What a fun day!

NEWater Visitor Centre

2008-04-05T18:49:00.020+08:00

For an educational date, head to the NEWater Visitor Centre. That's what we did this hot Saturday afternoon. What perfect weather to be surrounded by water!

To get there, you need to drive for 5 minutes after turning in from the main road down Tanah Merah MRT station, or Singapore Expo if you are coming from the other direction. There is a big direction sign so you can't miss it. Parking is free. (YEAH!!)

Guided tours are provided for free, but you need to call in advance to make an booking. And although the tour is free, once you have made a booking please show up or have the courtesy to inform if you are not. We encountered a couple of no-shows when we were waiting for the tour to start, and it was mighty discouraging for the staff.

We were taken on a tour that includes a history of water in Singapore, the concept of 4 "national taps" of Singapore (visit to find out) and a walk through the water treatment facility to see how potable water (Newater) is produced from waste water. The tour was more entertaining than we expected, there were light displays, video shows and life-sized models, so I'll say this is a visit suitable for all ages. It was interesting too that the tour included walking by the office of the water engineers so we could see them at work (or skiving, ha ha). We didn't walk into their office, instead there was a window from the corridor. So they were literally on display. We had an amusing guide, she informed us that for once, these exhibits don't mind us tapping the window.

And after the tour, woo-hoo, all the Newater we could drink! Free flow, compliments from the fridge. Heh heh.

We were then, erm, free (a lot of freebies on this date) to walk around the centre, which had a nice park to stroll in. Yes, water features filled by Newater and plants watered by Newater.

We go wild over each other! - At the zoo

2008-03-21T09:06:00.013+08:00

Living together too long makes you look similar?

Yes! cos we are :P

The zoo is also a place for children. They love it there and being with the animals. There's also a playground for them to be "animals" themselves.

The animals certainly felt at home, they were very candid and natural in their environment.

???!!!

Definitely not for the kids lolx

Fruits hanging from trees? Actually no, this is the bum of the proboscis monkey.
Swollen and red ass with many bumps actually is a sign of fertility.

A lot of ass shots today.

The Elephant show!
Not to be missed, catch this show if it is the only animal show you catch at the zoo.

I wonder if he realises what he is doing??

Of the 3 animal parks (zoo, night safari and bird park, lah) in Singapore, we love the zoo the most! What's there not to like, sunny sky, lush greenery, people and animals mingling about (that's what the zoo folks would like us to believe, it's an open zoo concept), and it's the biggest park of the 3! Pity that the food prices are big too.

The boyfriend was caught eyeing an application form for membership to be "friends of the zoo", which gives free entry all year round, before the girlfriend dragged him away.

LOL. But we'll be back another day!

Our Homecooked Meal

2008-03-17T16:02:00.003+08:00

I CAN COOK SO CAN YOU
NEVER tried cooking a proper meal but I did for the boyfriend.

A complete meal must have meat, vegetables and fish....

*picture on the left* - criteria fullfilled lolx

Dish 1(top right) : Seasoned Cod Fish

Dish 2 (top left) : Beanspouts Lightly Fried with Garlic

Dish 3 (front) : Ayam with Asam curry

Chop Chop, fry fry

*Sizz* the garlic turned brownish in hot oil

throw in carrot, dump in meat!!! and

TahLa! done

Served with steaming hot Japanese rice
*Ai Xin lunch* DONE!

The chinese says: to hold his heart? cook for him :)

Our Trip to Sentosa

2008-03-04T15:03:00.015+08:00

We wanted a short holiday but didn't have much time to plan or research for a location. Sentosa was a good choice as it presented little fuss, and being off-peak season, the place wouldn't be swarming with people. Nice and quiet, plus the hotels had special rates for locals.

Stayed here. This is one of the new and upcoming hotels that are sprouting around Sentosa, with the IR set to open in 2010. (Means this is also one of the last times to enjoy Sentosa in its quiet splendour.)

As the name implies, the hotel opens out to the beach, and we had breakfasts by the beach every morning.

We spent the time acting tourist, ha ha, enjoyed the beautiful beach (try not to think too much it's man-made). We spent half our time there! Take the free beach tram to beach-hop if you get tired walking.

There are a variety of dining options, from fast food joints at places of attraction to restaurants dotting the beachfront. There is a Koufu food court at the beach should you miss local food. There is a stall there that is famed for its claypot dishes, and another stall serves good oyster omelette, so having at least one meal at the food court can actually be a good choice.

Other places to enjoy include the Butterfly Park, Underwater World, Dolphin Lagoon, Images of Singapore wax museum and night-time musical show "Song of the Sea". Unfortunately you have to pay to enter these places, so it's really optional whether you want to visit them or just enjoy the island beauty, but we'll say you must try the latter if you haven't seen it. It's a show under the stars, and there are fireworks at the end, so it makes for an enjoyable date. =)

Do try the Sentosa Skyride. It's essentially a ski-lift, except that this is Singapore and there is no snow. But we'll still recommend it. At the price of a movie ticket for a round trip, you'll get a paranomic view of the South China Sea as you climb the slope of what seems to be Sentosa's highest point, means you see a fair bit of Sentosa as well. Oh, it left a good impression because it was windy that day too, so we got a good kick out of the swinging chairlift.

To conclude, did we have a good time? Yes! A stay at Sentosa can make for a holiday that is both fun and romantic at the same time, without getting too far away from home.

Lovebirds meet the Birds! - Jurong Bird Park

2008-02-23T22:16:00.016+08:00

A trip to the far western end of Singapore we made this time, to enjoy a morning with the birds at the Jurong Bird Park!

Getting there is easy, just exit from the highway if you are driving, the directional sign is very hard to miss. Ample parking is available, with a per entry charge. As for entry to the park, there are always discounts for corporate membership, credit card holders and ATM card holders, so check if your company has corporate membership or find out before you go if there are any card promotions, you may enjoy some savings!

There are a number of bird shows available at different times in the park, so check showtimes to make sure you maximise the time you have. Catch at least a couple of the shows, they are worth it. A bird show is a wonderful way to warm us up before a stroll around the park, and that's what we did. The bird handlers know their stuff, and it was wonderfully entertaining to watch parrots, owls, eagles and even vultures perform according to their handlers' commands.

After the bird show, we were all hyped up and ready to see more of our avian friends. JBP is the smallest of the wildlife parks in Singapore, and visitor number is likely also the case, but we feel the park gives a cosy ambience and surprisingly, less crowded feeling. (well, personally it's amazing how they can house so many variety of exhibits on a small plot of land, less than 5 hectares.)

There is a monorail to take you around the park, but we found it manageable to cover the place by foot, and more fun to do it that way too.

The girlfriend was having a great time, relishing the opportunity to capture such a rich riot of colours with her new camera. We enjoyed visiting every walk-in aviary, where the birds were free to fly about. And we sure found it romantic to have swans and flamingos surround us at every other turn. :)

JBP has now come under the same management as Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, so will we expect more attractions or some joint promotions? We'll definitely return for more visits, and that will make our return sooner.

Our 1st Airshow - 2008

2008-02-21T22:49:00.000+08:00

Shuttlebus down to airshow

Witness the takeoff

Roaring engine sound

Hot weather & rushing crowds
Ate a $2 lime coated milk icecream

We enjoyed very much

first Vday 2008

2008-02-14T22:24:00.002+08:00

Valentine's day is not just about you and me,
or how exorbitant a present might be,
surely can't be just the finest dining at Ritz.
these are great ideas! but not the best yet.

We wanted something special,
A different Valentine Day,
Somehow relevant.
This day deserves to be celebrated for anyone that needs love and we love.
We have so many around us. Isn't that how Valentine Day should be?
We spend with our family..... his family :)
A regular dinner with extra dishes,
Yummy rich heartshaped chocolate cake *OOOOOoooo*

PRESENTS!!!!
We had a memorable 1st valentine's day. Have you?
Is worth to try like how we did....... a different way

Which girl gives roses to a guy?

2008-01-20T09:47:00.005+08:00

The girlfriend is one such girl!

I love giving flowers, and one of the reason is that I enjoy seeing the look of elation in the girlfriend's eyes when she receives flowers from me. And secretly, I wish that I can also enjoy the delight from the receiving end. I must have mentioned it in passing to the girlfriend, and she must have taken note.

Took me by surprise as well, she had the roses wrapped in a box, with handmade flip cards filled with her faces & messages and delivered to me! The girlfriend tried to scare me by signing off as a secret admirer :P. I guessed as much, it's her! lolx.

Ha ha, and my darling, you got one back at me by giving me tears in my eyes as well. That was very sweet and touching. I love you. =)

Our First Overseas Trip - Vietnam

2007-12-21T22:14:00.003+08:00

The neat procession of cyclios (Vietnamese trishaw) into the mazy streets of Hanoi.

Accomplished walking through the streets of Sapa, aggressive bargaining with the street hawkers at Hanoi... climbing and entering the mountains of Halong Bay. It's cold there, approximately 10 to 16 degrees (probably much lower in the evenings)... After filling our ever-hungry stomachs, we never failed to catch a nap. The distance from the land to the peak took hours. Expecting to capture those pretty Viet ladies in their 'long dresses'. Disappointingly, they are lost in modernization. Found none! Well, at least the friendly faces flood the streets.... their smiles were captured by us.

Most of the tribal children are like this, so expressive in their childish innocence, but so bashful once they realise eyes or camera lens are on them. Really need a fast shutter and a quick eye to capture the moments. This was a great sequence that we are quite proud of.

It's the simple life in the mountains which bring out the such innocence and simplicity in their expressions. Don't say Singapore, you don't see that in Hanoi as well.

Vietnam will be worth our 2nd visit!

Our 1st Anniversary

2007-12-14T15:15:00.012+08:00

HA! not the 12mths, but the 1st!

The MOST beautiful moment I ever experienced in this life.

Let me share how romantic this man is :)

Seriously, every bit of it of the memory is retained.

He made me shed tears in public! .. how can I forget?

Ok! Here goes the fairy tale :P

The surprise started at Takashimaya. After we parked, he took me up and down the escalators, walking past shops after shops. He said we are going window shopping but I sensed this was not the usual. My heart was pumping hard, my mind too busy with thoughts and finally we stopped at Isetan.

We passed a florist, so casually I asked, "you not buying flowers are you?" No answer but he gently asked what colours would I love to match with lilies.. *duh* purple and pink? And the florist started the wrapping, right in front of me! *shock, SHOCK*, but smiled away. There was a group of students standing by us, and they were beaming with envy. Hiak!

Just a couple of minutes, and a happy me was hugging the bouquet and hopping off again. Thank you Dah Ling. :) That's so sweet. My first time, holding a ever ready wrapped bouquet walking proudly in the public (and stealing envious stares.. ) haha

Eh! We approached the escalator and a contented me thought that was the finale. NO NO, we stopped at a level, he blocked my way while I was trying to walk though.

OK OK, this is the best, most touching moment................

he stood right in front of me, looking into my eyes and he said,
Darling, we will have many anniversaries,
but there is only one 1st month, so... " (led me towards Tiffany)
(((((((((((((( the rest of the words cannot tell u all :P))))))))))))))) too private haha

My eyes flooded with tears, suddenly time stopped.
it can't be happening to me.
Never I imagine someone would say or would have done so much for me.
Thank you Lord, I know is You that finally bought him to me. Finally.

I choose this as a momento for our anniversary....

Thank you :)

Beautiful One

2007-07-15T13:05:00.002+08:00

A special song in the boyfriend's heart. :)