Dad's birthday today. Same day as Earth Day =) Usually, close to the actual birthday, we would be discussing where to go for the birthday dinner/lunch. And it has invariably been a buffet for the last few years. This time round, we have already covered most of the better hotel buffets and the nice restaurant ones. At least the ones cheaper than 50=) I've already done the Brazilian place at 6th Avenue, and Melt (which I had been dying to go to and where Dad puked from overeating) I've also done nice Olive Tree, which I wouldn't mind going again to.
Anyway, this time round, I did the organising. It was either MinJiang or Majestic. I couldn't think of anywhere else and frankly, I wasn't particularly inspired by any restaurant right now.
Chubby Hubby's review of Majestic Restaurant won me over.
We went there for dinner tonight. All of us had that Peking duck and wasabi prawn and foie gras starter which was DELECTABLE. The prawn was so crunchy and the touch of mayo coating it was just right. The Foie Gras was slightly cripy from being pan-seared, but it was oozing with oils when I sliced it. YUM.
The lamb was also melt in the mouth. The carrot cake on the side wasn't too dry and it was flavourful. The lamb was surprisingly succulent although it looked quite well done.
The soft shell crab was bathed in a rich chilli sauce with a hint of lime. Hmmm....
As for the dessert, my parents and sister had two dishes of the "Crispy Durian Ice Cream". Even a durian-hater like me could emphathise with why it sounded so irresistible. When it arrived at the table, it was a battered ball of durian paste sitting neatly on a pool of some mango-looking sauce that I could not identify.
That was one really good dinner!!!! Happy birthday Dad!!!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Apollo and Daphne
This story suddenly came to me this evening as one of those random extensions of whatever else I was thinking about.
I remember the story of Apollo and Daphne. It was an Enid Blyton version of the story. When I read it, I was filled with sympathy for Daphne and anger towards Apollo. For this was a testament of how man could cause the destruction of woman. And all that relentless chasing was to no avail. What, I ask, can come out of it? He pursued, and despite her numerous piteous pleas, the goal-oriented man continued to head towards her, with no idea of what she actually wanted, with no idea of what true love entailed.
This is how the pursuit was described on one website:
"She, hating the thought of marriage as a crime, with her beautiful face tinged all over with blushes, threw her arms around her father's neck, and said, "Dearest father, grant me this favour, that I may always remain unmarried, like Diana." He consented, but at the same time said, "Your own face will forbid it."
Apollo loved her, and longed to obtain her; and he who gives oracles to all the world was not wise enough to look into his own fortunes. He saw her hair flung loose over her shoulders, and said, "If so charming, in disorder, what would it be if arranged?" He saw her eyes bright as stars; he saw her lips, and was not satisfied with only seeing them. He admired her hands and arms, naked to the shoulder, and whatever was hidden from view he imagined more beautiful still. He followed her; she fled, swifter than the wind, and delayed not a moment at his entreaties. "Stay," said he, "daughter of Peneus; I am not a foe. Do not fly me as a lamb flies the wolf, or a dove the hawk. It is for love I pursue you. You make me miserable, for fear you should fall and hurt yourself on these stones, and I should be the cause. Pray run slower, and I will follow slower. I am no clown, no rude peasant. Jupiter is my father, and I am lord of Delphos and Tenedos, and know all things, present and future. I am the god of song and the lyre. My arrows fly true to the mark; but, alas! an arrow more fatal than mine has pierced my heart! I am the god of medicine, and know the virtues of all healing plants. Alas! I suffer a malady that no balm. can cure!"
The nymph continued her flight, and left his plea half uttered. And even as she fled she charmed him. The wind blew her garments, and her unbound hair streamed loose behind her. The god grew impatient to find his wooings thrown away, and, sped by Cupid, gained upon her in the race. It was like a hound pursuing a hare, with open jaws ready to seize, while the feebler animal darts forward, slipping from the very grasp. So flew the god and the virgin- he on the wings of love, and she on those of fear. The pursuer is the more rapid, however, and gains upon her, and his panting breath blows upon her hair. Her strength begins to fail, and, ready to sink, she calls upon her father, the river god: "Help me, Peneus! open the earth to enclose me, or change my form, which has brought me into this danger!" Scarcely had she spoken, when a stiffness seized all her limbs; her bosom began to be enclosed in a tender bark; her hair became leaves; her arms became branches; her foot stuck fast in the ground, as a root; her face became a tree-top, retaining nothing of its former self but its beauty, Apollo stood amazed. He touched the stem, and felt the flesh tremble under the new bark. He embraced the branches, and lavished kisses on the wood. The branches shrank from his lips. "Since you cannot be my wife," said he, "you shall assuredly be my tree. I will wear you for my crown; I will decorate with you my harp and my quiver; and when the great Roman conquerors lead up the triumphal pomp to the Capitol, you shall be woven into wreaths for their brows. And, as eternal youth is mine, you also shall be always green, and your leaf know no decay." The nymph, now changed into a Laurel tree, bowed its head in grateful acknowledgment."
I have also always wondered why the women in Greek and Roman mythology were so weak. Look at Psyche, Clytie, Persephone, Io, etc. All weak women with no power over their own destinies. Even the athletic and headstrong independent Daphne ultimately succumbed to becoming an object of desire and lust for ETERNITY by becoming a laurel tree. There was no escape.
But to some extent, I too, let others decide my future and my happiness, don't I? I too carry the mantra of "come what may, what is meant to be will be meant to be". I call it leaving it up to God. Let God decide. And so I will do nothing? Is that the way to interpret God's word? He said not to worry, but did he say "not to do"? Oftentimes, I wonder whether it's a matter of one's own will too. There are other Christians who will rise up to the occasion to create change. They know what they want and they go about taking the steps to execute it. It is something that I, 25-year-old I, have yet been able to do.
I see friends around me who do. And I compare myself with them. I also see how much my life has actually progressed over the last 2 years, and I have to answer "not much". Every day is a day waiting for something more to happen. That cannot be.
I remember the story of Apollo and Daphne. It was an Enid Blyton version of the story. When I read it, I was filled with sympathy for Daphne and anger towards Apollo. For this was a testament of how man could cause the destruction of woman. And all that relentless chasing was to no avail. What, I ask, can come out of it? He pursued, and despite her numerous piteous pleas, the goal-oriented man continued to head towards her, with no idea of what she actually wanted, with no idea of what true love entailed.
This is how the pursuit was described on one website:
"She, hating the thought of marriage as a crime, with her beautiful face tinged all over with blushes, threw her arms around her father's neck, and said, "Dearest father, grant me this favour, that I may always remain unmarried, like Diana." He consented, but at the same time said, "Your own face will forbid it."
Apollo loved her, and longed to obtain her; and he who gives oracles to all the world was not wise enough to look into his own fortunes. He saw her hair flung loose over her shoulders, and said, "If so charming, in disorder, what would it be if arranged?" He saw her eyes bright as stars; he saw her lips, and was not satisfied with only seeing them. He admired her hands and arms, naked to the shoulder, and whatever was hidden from view he imagined more beautiful still. He followed her; she fled, swifter than the wind, and delayed not a moment at his entreaties. "Stay," said he, "daughter of Peneus; I am not a foe. Do not fly me as a lamb flies the wolf, or a dove the hawk. It is for love I pursue you. You make me miserable, for fear you should fall and hurt yourself on these stones, and I should be the cause. Pray run slower, and I will follow slower. I am no clown, no rude peasant. Jupiter is my father, and I am lord of Delphos and Tenedos, and know all things, present and future. I am the god of song and the lyre. My arrows fly true to the mark; but, alas! an arrow more fatal than mine has pierced my heart! I am the god of medicine, and know the virtues of all healing plants. Alas! I suffer a malady that no balm. can cure!"
The nymph continued her flight, and left his plea half uttered. And even as she fled she charmed him. The wind blew her garments, and her unbound hair streamed loose behind her. The god grew impatient to find his wooings thrown away, and, sped by Cupid, gained upon her in the race. It was like a hound pursuing a hare, with open jaws ready to seize, while the feebler animal darts forward, slipping from the very grasp. So flew the god and the virgin- he on the wings of love, and she on those of fear. The pursuer is the more rapid, however, and gains upon her, and his panting breath blows upon her hair. Her strength begins to fail, and, ready to sink, she calls upon her father, the river god: "Help me, Peneus! open the earth to enclose me, or change my form, which has brought me into this danger!" Scarcely had she spoken, when a stiffness seized all her limbs; her bosom began to be enclosed in a tender bark; her hair became leaves; her arms became branches; her foot stuck fast in the ground, as a root; her face became a tree-top, retaining nothing of its former self but its beauty, Apollo stood amazed. He touched the stem, and felt the flesh tremble under the new bark. He embraced the branches, and lavished kisses on the wood. The branches shrank from his lips. "Since you cannot be my wife," said he, "you shall assuredly be my tree. I will wear you for my crown; I will decorate with you my harp and my quiver; and when the great Roman conquerors lead up the triumphal pomp to the Capitol, you shall be woven into wreaths for their brows. And, as eternal youth is mine, you also shall be always green, and your leaf know no decay." The nymph, now changed into a Laurel tree, bowed its head in grateful acknowledgment."
I have also always wondered why the women in Greek and Roman mythology were so weak. Look at Psyche, Clytie, Persephone, Io, etc. All weak women with no power over their own destinies. Even the athletic and headstrong independent Daphne ultimately succumbed to becoming an object of desire and lust for ETERNITY by becoming a laurel tree. There was no escape.
But to some extent, I too, let others decide my future and my happiness, don't I? I too carry the mantra of "come what may, what is meant to be will be meant to be". I call it leaving it up to God. Let God decide. And so I will do nothing? Is that the way to interpret God's word? He said not to worry, but did he say "not to do"? Oftentimes, I wonder whether it's a matter of one's own will too. There are other Christians who will rise up to the occasion to create change. They know what they want and they go about taking the steps to execute it. It is something that I, 25-year-old I, have yet been able to do.
I see friends around me who do. And I compare myself with them. I also see how much my life has actually progressed over the last 2 years, and I have to answer "not much". Every day is a day waiting for something more to happen. That cannot be.
Saturday
I just watched Blithe Spirit. It was a hoot. I found out what it was about from P already, so I went in with expectations. But thankfully, I wasn't let down. My mind was wandering a bit at first, but I realised that the fun is in listening out for the reparte between Lim Kay Siu's character and his wives. The script is well done - witty and fast.
However, I think where it failed to be perfect was in the delivery of the lines. Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin had good lines, but some of the funny bits fly past you because they were delivered so nonchalantly and without much panache. They didn't look too comfortable saying some of the things. And Pam Oei was underutilised here as the domestic servant. Really, she's capable of so much more. But here, as the maid that flits in and out occasionally, she didn't have much opportunity to show off her acting chops. I also don't know why Neo Swee Lin always gets the uptight granny-ish worried roles.
We went to Purvis St for dinner and then later supper. We went to Tong Shui Cafe twice, once for a drink right after dinner and then later for a post-play session. The thick toast with peanut butter was HUGE. RICH AND GOOEY AND THICK AND er, after some time I was massively saturated from it.
And then, E and I went to salsa!!! Haha, it was far less crowded than usual. I expected far more people. But this also meant that the dance floor was nice and empty=) I think that I enjoy the Bachata quite a bit. I'm getting the hang of the dance. Just swivel your hips and sway the rhythm. And always remember to give the ass a final swish at the end of the 4-count bar. I think I can do the dances which require less technical maneuvering and which just requires a lot of booty action=) Yay, I know my strengths.. hahaha.
ok, but the down feeling is still there. Not much I can say without sounding cryptic. But I don't want to say too much either here. I just feel that this is a chapter I have to close and I don't want to.
However, I think where it failed to be perfect was in the delivery of the lines. Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin had good lines, but some of the funny bits fly past you because they were delivered so nonchalantly and without much panache. They didn't look too comfortable saying some of the things. And Pam Oei was underutilised here as the domestic servant. Really, she's capable of so much more. But here, as the maid that flits in and out occasionally, she didn't have much opportunity to show off her acting chops. I also don't know why Neo Swee Lin always gets the uptight granny-ish worried roles.
We went to Purvis St for dinner and then later supper. We went to Tong Shui Cafe twice, once for a drink right after dinner and then later for a post-play session. The thick toast with peanut butter was HUGE. RICH AND GOOEY AND THICK AND er, after some time I was massively saturated from it.
And then, E and I went to salsa!!! Haha, it was far less crowded than usual. I expected far more people. But this also meant that the dance floor was nice and empty=) I think that I enjoy the Bachata quite a bit. I'm getting the hang of the dance. Just swivel your hips and sway the rhythm. And always remember to give the ass a final swish at the end of the 4-count bar. I think I can do the dances which require less technical maneuvering and which just requires a lot of booty action=) Yay, I know my strengths.. hahaha.
ok, but the down feeling is still there. Not much I can say without sounding cryptic. But I don't want to say too much either here. I just feel that this is a chapter I have to close and I don't want to.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Post Cheong
It's a very sudden low I'm feeling right now. Right after the high of Friday night. Friday night is something I look forward to every single day of the week. And I savour every single minute of it.
Today I went for my salsa class, after which we went for dinner at this half past six place at Millenia Walk. I can't even remember the name of the restaurant, which was next to Bakerzin. But they offered so many dishes that I felt it couldn't be that good. It was only average. And I didn't finish even half of it.
Later, we went to Jitterbugz for their social dance. Basically it's a dance floor open to people to come to salsa. Peter's friends from 2LeftFeet were there, which was how the plan started in the first place. Boy was it fun. Initially I had no energy... I was completely sapped of all energy, having slept at 230 the night before. But it didn't take long to get totally psyched up. I hadn't social danced for the longest time, and I've forgotten how fun it can be! The guys I danced with were very keen to teach and they were very friendly. And they don't just clique amongst themselves. I didn't know any guys there except Kersley and Peter, but I managed to dance with quite a few=)
Next program of the night was CHEONG AT BUTTER FACTORY. So that was what we did. Again, Eunice and I were just sponging of Peter by going for all his activities with his friends =) By this time, Eunice and I were so totally psyched by the salsa dancing. We could hear the music in our heads... haha. Amazingly, upon reaching, I realised I knew quite a few of the scholars present. Eerie. How ghosts from the past just surface after almost 8 years of having slipped down the surface...
That was one good cheonging session. It helped to see so many familiar faces that I knew, whether it be the law people or the scholars. And dancing with Eunice and Joanne was always fun. And the drinks got me happily merry. Not BAD HIGH. Yes, I think I had a lot of fun.
I left at about 2am. And after supper, I was headed for home.
Haiz. But through it all, there was a certain thought in my mind. Something that I just could not let go. And when I returned home, suddenly this feeling of loss just came flooding back. All I can do right now is to question "why". But I do not know the answer to the question that has been in my head for a long long time. Maybe I never will.
I am resigned to it.
Today I went for my salsa class, after which we went for dinner at this half past six place at Millenia Walk. I can't even remember the name of the restaurant, which was next to Bakerzin. But they offered so many dishes that I felt it couldn't be that good. It was only average. And I didn't finish even half of it.
Later, we went to Jitterbugz for their social dance. Basically it's a dance floor open to people to come to salsa. Peter's friends from 2LeftFeet were there, which was how the plan started in the first place. Boy was it fun. Initially I had no energy... I was completely sapped of all energy, having slept at 230 the night before. But it didn't take long to get totally psyched up. I hadn't social danced for the longest time, and I've forgotten how fun it can be! The guys I danced with were very keen to teach and they were very friendly. And they don't just clique amongst themselves. I didn't know any guys there except Kersley and Peter, but I managed to dance with quite a few=)
Next program of the night was CHEONG AT BUTTER FACTORY. So that was what we did. Again, Eunice and I were just sponging of Peter by going for all his activities with his friends =) By this time, Eunice and I were so totally psyched by the salsa dancing. We could hear the music in our heads... haha. Amazingly, upon reaching, I realised I knew quite a few of the scholars present. Eerie. How ghosts from the past just surface after almost 8 years of having slipped down the surface...
That was one good cheonging session. It helped to see so many familiar faces that I knew, whether it be the law people or the scholars. And dancing with Eunice and Joanne was always fun. And the drinks got me happily merry. Not BAD HIGH. Yes, I think I had a lot of fun.
I left at about 2am. And after supper, I was headed for home.
Haiz. But through it all, there was a certain thought in my mind. Something that I just could not let go. And when I returned home, suddenly this feeling of loss just came flooding back. All I can do right now is to question "why". But I do not know the answer to the question that has been in my head for a long long time. Maybe I never will.
I am resigned to it.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Googling my name
Just for the heck of it, I googled my own name: J____ C___. I figured that the odds of someone googling for me using just "J____ C___" instead of my full name "J____ C___ Y____" was much higher. What came out sure makes me look like one staid boring person, give and take some irrelevant and odd entries.
The first few websites on the list were those that mentioned my contribution to CLAS: Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. Not one of my prouder moments. But ok. It just showed that I represented two people under the scheme. One for culpable homicide and one for drug importation.
The next one was a blog of a much younger namesake, who's 13 and living in Singapore. And her name is spelt in the exact same way. Yucks.
What happened to my 'glammer' contributions, like the Singapore Marathon?
The first few websites on the list were those that mentioned my contribution to CLAS: Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. Not one of my prouder moments. But ok. It just showed that I represented two people under the scheme. One for culpable homicide and one for drug importation.
The next one was a blog of a much younger namesake, who's 13 and living in Singapore. And her name is spelt in the exact same way. Yucks.
What happened to my 'glammer' contributions, like the Singapore Marathon?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Chocolate
It's high time I had an entry on my all time favourite food - Chocolate. Ok, it's ranked up there with my other favourite food - Tofu. But very rarely do you get the mass nodding of approval and general assent when you tell people that your favourite food is a curdled cube of soy. Yes, very rarely.
This article in NYT caught my eye. It's interesting to chart the rise and the development of what we know as the chocolate dessert. It says that, nowadays, chocolate desserts are increasing its chocolate density and percentage, whereas previously, it would take up only a small portion of the dessert itself. And nowadays, everyone is vying with everyone else to create the perfect, or the most intense, or the darkest, chocolate dessert. And it seems that the method to do so is to add more nuts, more chocolate, more butter. Essentially, MAXIMISE MAXIMISE MAXIMISE.
And how else, besides adding more rich ingredients, would add to the perfect concoction? Try adding the perfect name to it. Think of names that would conjure up sensory overload. Like "Intense", "Indulgence", "Fudge-frosted", "Orgasm", "Chewy Gooey", "Lava"... Get the drift? In fact, I am drooling as I write this.
Yes, now the thought of my mother's gooey, chewy, warm dark chocolate sponge cake oozing melted chocolate chips is popping up in my head now.
ps Check out the article. It's hilarious!
This article in NYT caught my eye. It's interesting to chart the rise and the development of what we know as the chocolate dessert. It says that, nowadays, chocolate desserts are increasing its chocolate density and percentage, whereas previously, it would take up only a small portion of the dessert itself. And nowadays, everyone is vying with everyone else to create the perfect, or the most intense, or the darkest, chocolate dessert. And it seems that the method to do so is to add more nuts, more chocolate, more butter. Essentially, MAXIMISE MAXIMISE MAXIMISE.
And how else, besides adding more rich ingredients, would add to the perfect concoction? Try adding the perfect name to it. Think of names that would conjure up sensory overload. Like "Intense", "Indulgence", "Fudge-frosted", "Orgasm", "Chewy Gooey", "Lava"... Get the drift? In fact, I am drooling as I write this.
Yes, now the thought of my mother's gooey, chewy, warm dark chocolate sponge cake oozing melted chocolate chips is popping up in my head now.
ps Check out the article. It's hilarious!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
For Your Consideration
Hmmm I went to watch the show For Your Consideration today. It's a postmodern take on reality, and how reality is really a construct.
What started out to be a really bad film which the actors had roles in snowballed into the supposed movie of the year. It's quite funny, really. Quite a refreshing change from the usual Hollywood fare. And it was entertaining trying to identify the various actors who have made appearances in other shows that I've watched. I recognised Amy's weird dad on Everybody loves Raymond, or an actress who appeared on Arrested Development, and then there was environmentalist Ed Bageley Jr. Basically, it was a gathering of some stellar but not prominent actors laughing at the system that is Hollywood. And how, no matter how important the actors think themselves to be, especially while they are winning accolades and rave reviews in the Oscar circuit, they are still bit actors playing a small thankless part in the whole process. No one is indispensable.
I watched it with Jeremy, who had the habit of correcting my English at random points of our night-long conversation. But it was good fun. We went to Father Flanagan's for dinner. I was quite sad to hear that it was closing down on April 21, so I wanted to go one last time as a last Hurrah. Some nice times were spent here. I remember them well. But all good things must come to an end.
What started out to be a really bad film which the actors had roles in snowballed into the supposed movie of the year. It's quite funny, really. Quite a refreshing change from the usual Hollywood fare. And it was entertaining trying to identify the various actors who have made appearances in other shows that I've watched. I recognised Amy's weird dad on Everybody loves Raymond, or an actress who appeared on Arrested Development, and then there was environmentalist Ed Bageley Jr. Basically, it was a gathering of some stellar but not prominent actors laughing at the system that is Hollywood. And how, no matter how important the actors think themselves to be, especially while they are winning accolades and rave reviews in the Oscar circuit, they are still bit actors playing a small thankless part in the whole process. No one is indispensable.
I watched it with Jeremy, who had the habit of correcting my English at random points of our night-long conversation. But it was good fun. We went to Father Flanagan's for dinner. I was quite sad to hear that it was closing down on April 21, so I wanted to go one last time as a last Hurrah. Some nice times were spent here. I remember them well. But all good things must come to an end.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
More Morocco
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| Morocco |
Here are more pictures, courtesy of dearest Kris! The first one was just a teaser!!!! Morocco is really exotic. Every time you turn around, there's a Kodak moment=)
Sunday, April 01, 2007
My Lovely Holiday
Back... It had been the best best trip... I saw the struggling developing world that is Morocco, and then I returned to the Land of our Imperial colonial masters... haha. I like to think that I ran back into the arms of civilisation with a blast of relief. But of course, that makes me sound utterly spoilt. Hmmm.
Morocco was great. For 8 days anyway. Anymore and I would have to kill one of the stray men who yelled out "Konichiwa" or "Kombawa" to us. And it wasn't that they were being polite. They were just teasing a reply out you. For two days we ignored the more than 40 catcalls we got per day. Then, we thought we came up with a good retort: "Je ne suis pa Japonais" (I am not Japanese!)This followed with a "Korean? Chinois? Americain?" Then after that, we learnt that silence was the best medicine. But we still got the occasional "Racist?" ??!!!
And then there were the hamsup men. HAMSUP MEN WHO TOUCHED US ANYWAY AND AT ANY CHANCE THEY COULD!!! I have been caressed, stroked, hugged, nicknamed, and had beard bristling against my cheek at every opportunity!!! Maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit, but being Chinese and travelling with another girl is a surefire way to encourage these young Moroccan guys. Hmmph!!!
But you know what, amidst all that inconvenience that is horny Moroccan men, I had a fab time in Morocco. I travelled to lesser trekked parts of Marrakesh with dear Kris, like the Jewish area and the tanneries, and came back unscathed and somewhat tougher. There were slightly nervewrecking moments, like when we were surrounded by guys demanding money for the tanneries. Or at the Jewish area, where we did not know where we were going and we kept getting this weird guy following us.
Whatever it was, these little rough escapades were what made Morocco exciting. You never know what the day will bring. And I think I learnt from Kris the art of standing up for oneself. (That was how I learnt how to yell at the guy at the lift today... the one who called E* bitch for no reason whatsoever)
Kris was also lovely company. I think the company is always the most important. If conversation is shitty, or if you are having a fight with the person you are travelling with, u ain't going to have a ball of a time.
And I can never forget the Sahara, with its sweeping sand dunes. The shadows playing against the smooth sand. When you walk on it, it's like destroying something that was really beautiful. Even if you know the dunes are temporal.
And how beautiful the Djenna el Fena looked from above in the roof top terrace of a café. How the colours change within the hour. And how the drums sound as people swarmed to the square in droves. And then the smoke swirls from above the food stalls as people mill around. And then all the lights start blinking and flaring. And the ever steady beat of the drum was like the rousing heart beat of a sole organism. Cliché I know.
Then to UK I went. I was very relieved to be part of a more civil society once more, a place where I won’t get harassed every 30 seconds.
I had quite a bit of relaxing me-time in UK. Time to think. Time to ponder. Time to just appreciate my surroundings. Things I haven’t done for some time. And immediately, Ecclesiastes comes to mind=) In UK, this time round, it was good to be with my friends, who were really hospitable and who were there for me. There were quite a few ‘first’ experiences too. Here are some of the highlights. Most of them are food highlights:
1. Carluccio’s
We went to Carluccio’s – This delightful Italian restaurant near Oxford Circus. Set up by some celebrity chef, it serves light Italian fare with a slight twist. I had this penne with fried spinach balls and done aglio olio. I can’t stop thinking about it. The mushroom soup was done as a clear soup with huge chunks of bacon and mushroom swirling in it, with a rich thick foccacia on the side. Yum… … There was a Jamie Oliver quality to this restaurant. It was light fare, nothing to pompous or fancy. Comfort food.
2. Jazz performance
I went to Kevin’s Jazz performance at the Royal College of Art café. This is what being an undergrad is like in UK!!! Kevin’s in this jazz band that performs regularly at such venues to undergraduates. It was fun to be part of the younger crowd again, and to see how their undergrads live life in London. I like the scene here. Made me feel young again, especially when everyone got up and started to dance at the end. It was very difficult to dance to some of the music, but they all just bobbed up and down on the spot! Hats off to them for their spontaneity and enthusiasm man… Kristin was telling me about how they used to hang out in US. And this reminded her so much of her experience there. Sometimes I wish I knew or understood her experience in US more.
3. Cambridge
I went to Cambridge by myself. It didn’t have the best weather, but it made me feel so relaxed and at ease. I haven’t felt like that in the longest time… I went to a few of the colleges, walked around Lion’s Yard, walked up and down a few times, had the best pecan tart at a popular patisserie… I had a blast=)
4. Kobe Jones!!!
I went to Kobe Jones, a Jap Fusion restaurant. When Kevin was waxing lyrical about it, I didn’t know what to make of it. It wasn’t in Kristin’s Zagat guide because it just opened a few months ago. But after going there, I have discovered a whole new category of cuisine… honestly. It’s opened my eyes in more ways than one.. haha. The food is awesome. I didn’t know that such things could be done to Japanese food!!! And then I really started to understand what it meant to DINE IN LONDON. Dining in London is a holistic experience. It’s not just about the food. The ambience, the service, the conversation and the alcohol…. They all make up parts of what good entertainment is. And London is the place to go. I couldn’t think of a single place in Singapore that even bears a slight resemblance to the experience I had there. Try the “Number 1 Special”($4.50) when you get there people. It sounds really dubious, but you won’t regret it. Kevin, you officially have good taste in my book!
5. Plays
I watched 2 plays – Woman in Black and Boeing Boeing. I REALLY REALLY LOVED THE FIRST ONE. It was something I’ve always heard about it and I have been dying to check it out since Mr Perry talked about it in our lit class! Teachers can really plant seeds into students’ minds. I had been carrying this with me the last 7 years. And it has lived to its expectations. I never really thought I could be scared and freaked by something that is playing out live.
BOEING BOEING was good too. Light-hearted but a little draggy at some parts.
6. Yauatcha
But the highlight of the night has to be Yauatcha. It’s this high-end place which serves good fancy dim sum (catered to ang mohs of course) It was set up by Allan Yau, the man behind wagamama and hakkasan. I was won over by their ostrich dumplings, crispy Mongolian lamb, and venison puffs (which taste and look like char siew puffs). Upon entering, you realize that it has elements of a typical Chinese restaurant. It’s very tongue in cheek. There is your requisite aquarium, but with fancy fish instead of fish to be served as food. There is also the typical Chinese peonies/flowers by the side of the cashier. But they are done up in a stylistic manner.
And that’s where the similarities end. This is high end London fare for you. It’s like the supposed latest place to be seen. I personally don’t go to such places, but I must say that the food really impressed. Plus, you can tell that care and attention has been given to the smallest details, from the black marble of the washrooms and the terraced sinks, to the stylish faux cheongsams that the waitresses wear.
Morocco was great. For 8 days anyway. Anymore and I would have to kill one of the stray men who yelled out "Konichiwa" or "Kombawa" to us. And it wasn't that they were being polite. They were just teasing a reply out you. For two days we ignored the more than 40 catcalls we got per day. Then, we thought we came up with a good retort: "Je ne suis pa Japonais" (I am not Japanese!)This followed with a "Korean? Chinois? Americain?" Then after that, we learnt that silence was the best medicine. But we still got the occasional "Racist?" ??!!!
And then there were the hamsup men. HAMSUP MEN WHO TOUCHED US ANYWAY AND AT ANY CHANCE THEY COULD!!! I have been caressed, stroked, hugged, nicknamed, and had beard bristling against my cheek at every opportunity!!! Maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit, but being Chinese and travelling with another girl is a surefire way to encourage these young Moroccan guys. Hmmph!!!
But you know what, amidst all that inconvenience that is horny Moroccan men, I had a fab time in Morocco. I travelled to lesser trekked parts of Marrakesh with dear Kris, like the Jewish area and the tanneries, and came back unscathed and somewhat tougher. There were slightly nervewrecking moments, like when we were surrounded by guys demanding money for the tanneries. Or at the Jewish area, where we did not know where we were going and we kept getting this weird guy following us.
Whatever it was, these little rough escapades were what made Morocco exciting. You never know what the day will bring. And I think I learnt from Kris the art of standing up for oneself. (That was how I learnt how to yell at the guy at the lift today... the one who called E* bitch for no reason whatsoever)
Kris was also lovely company. I think the company is always the most important. If conversation is shitty, or if you are having a fight with the person you are travelling with, u ain't going to have a ball of a time.
And I can never forget the Sahara, with its sweeping sand dunes. The shadows playing against the smooth sand. When you walk on it, it's like destroying something that was really beautiful. Even if you know the dunes are temporal.
And how beautiful the Djenna el Fena looked from above in the roof top terrace of a café. How the colours change within the hour. And how the drums sound as people swarmed to the square in droves. And then the smoke swirls from above the food stalls as people mill around. And then all the lights start blinking and flaring. And the ever steady beat of the drum was like the rousing heart beat of a sole organism. Cliché I know.
Then to UK I went. I was very relieved to be part of a more civil society once more, a place where I won’t get harassed every 30 seconds.
I had quite a bit of relaxing me-time in UK. Time to think. Time to ponder. Time to just appreciate my surroundings. Things I haven’t done for some time. And immediately, Ecclesiastes comes to mind=) In UK, this time round, it was good to be with my friends, who were really hospitable and who were there for me. There were quite a few ‘first’ experiences too. Here are some of the highlights. Most of them are food highlights:
1. Carluccio’s
We went to Carluccio’s – This delightful Italian restaurant near Oxford Circus. Set up by some celebrity chef, it serves light Italian fare with a slight twist. I had this penne with fried spinach balls and done aglio olio. I can’t stop thinking about it. The mushroom soup was done as a clear soup with huge chunks of bacon and mushroom swirling in it, with a rich thick foccacia on the side. Yum… … There was a Jamie Oliver quality to this restaurant. It was light fare, nothing to pompous or fancy. Comfort food.
2. Jazz performance
I went to Kevin’s Jazz performance at the Royal College of Art café. This is what being an undergrad is like in UK!!! Kevin’s in this jazz band that performs regularly at such venues to undergraduates. It was fun to be part of the younger crowd again, and to see how their undergrads live life in London. I like the scene here. Made me feel young again, especially when everyone got up and started to dance at the end. It was very difficult to dance to some of the music, but they all just bobbed up and down on the spot! Hats off to them for their spontaneity and enthusiasm man… Kristin was telling me about how they used to hang out in US. And this reminded her so much of her experience there. Sometimes I wish I knew or understood her experience in US more.
3. Cambridge
I went to Cambridge by myself. It didn’t have the best weather, but it made me feel so relaxed and at ease. I haven’t felt like that in the longest time… I went to a few of the colleges, walked around Lion’s Yard, walked up and down a few times, had the best pecan tart at a popular patisserie… I had a blast=)
4. Kobe Jones!!!
I went to Kobe Jones, a Jap Fusion restaurant. When Kevin was waxing lyrical about it, I didn’t know what to make of it. It wasn’t in Kristin’s Zagat guide because it just opened a few months ago. But after going there, I have discovered a whole new category of cuisine… honestly. It’s opened my eyes in more ways than one.. haha. The food is awesome. I didn’t know that such things could be done to Japanese food!!! And then I really started to understand what it meant to DINE IN LONDON. Dining in London is a holistic experience. It’s not just about the food. The ambience, the service, the conversation and the alcohol…. They all make up parts of what good entertainment is. And London is the place to go. I couldn’t think of a single place in Singapore that even bears a slight resemblance to the experience I had there. Try the “Number 1 Special”($4.50) when you get there people. It sounds really dubious, but you won’t regret it. Kevin, you officially have good taste in my book!
5. Plays
I watched 2 plays – Woman in Black and Boeing Boeing. I REALLY REALLY LOVED THE FIRST ONE. It was something I’ve always heard about it and I have been dying to check it out since Mr Perry talked about it in our lit class! Teachers can really plant seeds into students’ minds. I had been carrying this with me the last 7 years. And it has lived to its expectations. I never really thought I could be scared and freaked by something that is playing out live.
BOEING BOEING was good too. Light-hearted but a little draggy at some parts.
6. Yauatcha
But the highlight of the night has to be Yauatcha. It’s this high-end place which serves good fancy dim sum (catered to ang mohs of course) It was set up by Allan Yau, the man behind wagamama and hakkasan. I was won over by their ostrich dumplings, crispy Mongolian lamb, and venison puffs (which taste and look like char siew puffs). Upon entering, you realize that it has elements of a typical Chinese restaurant. It’s very tongue in cheek. There is your requisite aquarium, but with fancy fish instead of fish to be served as food. There is also the typical Chinese peonies/flowers by the side of the cashier. But they are done up in a stylistic manner.
And that’s where the similarities end. This is high end London fare for you. It’s like the supposed latest place to be seen. I personally don’t go to such places, but I must say that the food really impressed. Plus, you can tell that care and attention has been given to the smallest details, from the black marble of the washrooms and the terraced sinks, to the stylish faux cheongsams that the waitresses wear.
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