Morning on the Kelong

2nd day
Alarm went off at 6.30am, as we wanted to catch the sunrise. However, we’re not sure if it’s because of the drizzle that we did not managed to see it or simply that it can’t be seen from this side of the kelong???

Breakfast was simple seafood porridge consist of real crabmeat, whole small squid, prawns and salted eggs. It was so yummy that we had 2 bowls each. After breakfast, we packed up and lazed around again as we were the 2nd batch to leave at 11pm. Lucky us managed to see the uncle feed those big fishes. He lifted up those wooden planks and threw in the small fishes and we see those HUGE fishes rushing for it. He breeds a very special fish that was bluish in color, which can be eaten. Blue fish on your plate, anyone??

After what seems like a long wait, the bumboats arrived punctually at 11pm and it’s time to bid goodbye and head back to SG.

. seafood porridge . fishes .
. waiting for the bumboat . bumboat .

Though it was not blasting a blasting trip as predicted, it was indeed an experience worth going for.

Asked if I’ll go again?
No straight nos,
But no straight yes too (as I’ve already experienced it)

A night on the kelong

Cont’

So, as mentioned on my prev post, we were practically lazing around, playing card games, snacking, lazing around and waiting for dinnertime…

Dinner & Shower
@ 6.30pm, the long awaited evening arrived and it’s time for dinner!! Being on a kelong, what can we expect but sumptuous seafood for dinner? I simply love the steamed fish, it was soft and sweet. *slurp slurp* I think the 4 of us enjoyed our dinner very much, savoring the tasty soup and the crabs.

. bee hoon (lunch) . steamboat . steamed fish .
. assorted steamboat dishes . chilli crab . prawns .

After dinner, it was time to wash up. Fresh water was delivered from the mainland and stored in huge pails and we were to scope them up with cups. Each person is entitled to only 1 pail of water for shower. Surprisingly, it was enough for one to get a clean wash and of course, I brought along a 1.5 litres of mineral water for washing my face. Keke

Supper & Sleep
BBQ supper started around 11pm, but as I’ve just showered, I decided to forgo it and catch the World Cup – Germany and Sweden instead.

. toilet . shower .
. supper . "bedroom" .

It was difficult to get into sleep as the guys were cheering for the WC and it was also quite stuffy. But the weather changed to chilly when it rained about 3 plus in the morning and I felt super cold despite having jacket on and even resorted to using the pillows to cover my legs. keke

To be cont' (on 2nd day)

5 star for Pengerang Kelong

. Soon Hock Kelong .

Overall, this trip was rather fun though we were quite bored as we don’t fish and play majong. Time was moving slowly… so most of the time were spent playing card games (provided by the owners), eating and taking pictures.

I guess we were the only group that took the most pictures. Departure hall, in bumboat, 1st step onto kelong (when people were moving in to settle down), toilets, food, our "room", kelong structure and many more were captured into our cameras. A picture really tells a thousand word, therefore I would like to capture whatever we’ve experienced in my pictures and this post.

Though, it was no 5 star posh place for a short gateaway, the service we received from the owners were definitely 5 star. They offered us durians, reminded us more than once that there were fruits available after dinner etc. When I asked if they have chinese tea (cos I saw some pple drinking), the auntie told me that they (group members) actually brought those along with them, but if I’ll like to have a cup, she can offer me a cup (her own). When it was time for fish feeding, the uncle told us to take pictures and even waited for us to take out our cameras before throwing in the small fishes for feeding the BIG fishes.

It’s such small gesture that made me felt welcomed in their humble kelong/home.

To be cont’ (on fresh water, food, world cup/sleep)

Of Interview, $$ and Holiday

I'll be going for the SQ interview (walk-in) again this Saturday @ Swissotel. This time, I'll be going with Janice and her friend and I seriously hope that I don’t get so nervous and screw it up again.
Wish me luck!!

Mummy just spent $100 plus on a Burberry's pink leather belt just because it was on sale and she thinks it'll match Sis's white shirt (but sadly it doesn’t). It's so *duh* cos we hardly wear belts so we "scolded" her for wasting money.

Japan trip will be postponed to October, as it’ll be too rush (mentally) for me to leave on next Monday (3rd July). However, Mummy would be following Aunt for this trip. The October trip has to be confirmed again, as we'll need to wait for cousin to finish his PSLE. Let’s see how everything goes.

Money is not everything. But without money, you cannot do anything.

I SHOULD run tonight, but will I??

Breakfast
1 red apple
2 slices of bread with luncheon meat and egg
1 slice of tuna bread

Lunch
Roast chicken drumstick with french fries and vegetables

Tea break
2 slices of bread with luncheon meat and egg
1 packet of fish muruku snack

*bread prepared by Janice

It's so weird that with all the food that entered my stomach, I do not have the very full (bloated) feeling. I know that it's because its nearing to the time of the month, but 5 slices of bread in a day = my breakfast for 1 week!!!

Will thave to update on the kelong trip latest by tmr, else I'll delay till who knows when...

Mini Fruit Tarts

After seeing on a food blog on how easy it is to do mini fruit tarts, I'vedecided to try my hands on it last weekend.

All the ingredients were actually bought from Phoon Huat, all we had to do was to mix the instant custard and the rest was just "assembling" them together.

Ingredients
- super instant custard mix
- mirror gel- ready made tarts
- kiwi
- canned peaches

Haha, again Mummy and Sis were roped in to help in this mini cooking session. As we do not have a mixer, time was spent mixing the custard. With the custard done, everything was done pretty fast and in a proper manner.

I brought most of the tarts to office and packed a box of 6 for Lx, Hr and Ghaya. I'm glad that everyone gave positive feedback. *beams*

Asked if I'll do it again??
Not if there are special occasions (I'm already thinking of doing it for the next CNY).
keke

A simple but fulfilling day

It was a day out with Sis on last Saturday. We were so excited about this simple day out that we even came out with an itinerary.

1st stop was breakfast @ Bishan Mac Donald's as I had craving for their sausage egg mac muffin. Mummy tagged along but she told us that she's full and we do not have to order her a meal. Haha anyway we got her a big breakfast and shared!! We sat @ Mac for an hour and Mummy even ordered the mac chicken burger... keke hungry ladies.

2nd stop was to the temple @ Balestier with Sis while Mummy went to Grandma's house first to alter our dresses.

3rd stop, we went back to Toa Payoh central for a quick shopping session. Girls being girls, Sis bought 2 tops and a necklace within half an hour. Seeing that time was running out, we quickly got our paus for our teatime and went to Phoon Huat to buy my fruit tarts ingredients before rushing off to Grandma's house as we were off the time schedule as planned. Keke

Finally, my 1st tailored dress by Mummy is done!! Will update pics next week after Ghaya's wedding. Oh yah, heard that someone is wearing jeans to her wedding *roll eyes *

Dinner @ Pepper Lunch

After the talk @ APMI yesterday, Sis and I headed to Dhoby Ghaut as I’ve always wanted to try Pepper Lunch. I had the curry beef rice while Sis had the normal beef rice. Actually, I find the food ok only and it’s quite expensive for a meal there (minimum $8.50). Don’t think I’ll be heading there anymore unless I’ve sudden craving for beef rice.

This post is just a quick update on my “I want to eat @” list as I’m tired to write down more on the trip to APMI and This Fashion…

Like that how to work???

I received a very stupid email this morning from one of the managers. His email was something like he will not hold responsible if I were to schedule auditors for jobs if they're not of that level. I fully understand that I need to schedules for jobs accordingly to certain guidelines but do I have so many auditors for me to schedule on that. OMG!!! I can’t believe he wrote that in email and it simply display how unprofessional he is.

Anyway, there are so many restrictions to getting my job done here. But as mentioned before, there's nothing I can do about it and I wont want to get to stress over it. It's time to play "tai-chi" like what everyone is doing...

To think that I actually got so stressed last week that my neck lymph node swelled. *sigh*

Bring It On - Samba Masala

The performance by Samba Masala (SMU) last night was great!!! Despite the wet weather which did not stop till 5.30 pm, there were still many people who popped by to watch. Together with our self made “drum sticks” (my idea, keke) and the group’s enthusiasm; we think the crowd pretty much enjoyed themselves.

. "drum sticks" . balloons .

After the performance, ZR and I helped to clear up and waited for Sis to settle some stuffs before heading to Chomp Chomp for dinner. *yumz*

. sugar cane drink . satay bee hoon . pizza .

. chwee kuay . bbq chicken wings . fried carrot cake .
not in pic - delicious pork porridge

Discussion on Pengerang Kelong Trip

As SH had her last day @ work last Wednesday, I volunteered to be “in charged” for ther leaving gift. My idea was to do a digi scraping, get a photo frame and write our well wishes on the back of the printed photo. After a couple of tries for the perfect font, paper and pictures, I showed the rest on the finished photo. However, the negative comments were more than the positive ones. People commented that they look fat in the picture... Well, sorry, but I still have not acquired the skills of making someone look slim with Photoshop. So they suggested that I remove the main picture and replace it with some other “nicer” pic.. *roll eyes*

Anyway, I’ve just redone it and will be printing it out later. And I don’t care anymore if you think you look fat or ugly. *hmph*

On another note, I met up with the gals on Thursday night for a quick dinner @ Miss Clarity Café.

. miss clarity café . salmon baked rice . clarity’s triple deck sandwich .
. chicken bollatine . mud ooze . bread and butter pudding with vanilla ice cream .

We discussed about our confirmed Pengerang Kelong Trip and got so excited over this 2 days 1 night trip.

I’ve written down the checklist and will be sending it over to them soon. Haha, it’s so funny that we’re “planning” so much for this very short trip. Well, we don’t expect it to be a blasting trip but it’s still an experience worth going for.

I'm feeling like a

- rubber band which might snap anytime, anywhere
- water dam whose gates almost gave way

Impromptu Session with the Gals

Met up with Lx for an high tea (Imperial Treasure) cum shopping session on Saturday. It had been a long time since we last met due to her exams, therefore there was lots of catching up. After filling out stomachs, we headed to Suntec City as she wanted to check out the PC show.

It was such a coincidence that Hr was working part time at a book fair @ Suntec. So we popped by to say hi and “caught” her watching the Chinese educational show opposite her booth instead of working.. haha. We chatted for awhile before leaving for shopping at Marina Square as we’ll be meeting her for dinner after her work @ 8pm.

Dinner was at Country Manna's, after which Lx treated us to dessert at Swensens.. *yumz* Though it was an impromptu meet up, it was a really fun “gossip” session (esp when the last time we met up with Hr was 4 mths ago…)

Fine Dining @ Garibaldi

To make use of the UOB - 1-1 dining delight, I treated Mummy to Garibaldi. At first, I made a booking for buffet at Grand Copthrone Waterfront hotel, but after hearing Sis raved about Garibaldi, we changed our decision.

Though the price would cost 2.5x more, I though it was a great opportunityto try out Italian fine dining.So, I took my polling day leave in lieu on Monday (29th May), dressed up and went for it.

Upon reaching, the staff told us to get comfortable and after our order was taken, we were served with warm crispy focaccia bread to be dipped in olive oil. They waiter refilled the bread automatically when he sees that one finishes the bread. Haha, Mummy loved the bread!!! I had a glass of white wine while Mummy had the red wine upon recommendation by the staff. We had the gourmet menu which consist of the following:

GOURMET MENU

. Crab Salad with Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes and Orange & Saffron Sauce .

. Pan-roasted Goose Liver with Spicy Apricot Chutney, Endives & Balsamic Vinegar .

. Angel Hair Pasta with Lobster, Sweet Peas and Tomato Sauce .

. Beef Tenderloin with Porcini Mushrooms .

. Molten Lava Chocolate Cake with Hazelnut Icecream and Coconut Sauce .

. Coffee or Tea .

Though the portions of the dishes were of “tasters”, we were already full after the beef tenderloin. However, the molten lava chocolate cake was not to be missed!!! Paired with the hazelnut ice cream, it was simply divine… *ahhhh*

I’m gald that Mummy and I enjoyed the delicious lunch and it was truly a nice fine dining experience :-)

Out of Control

There are many things in my job which can occur that are not within my control.

I'm hating it as I can only pray that "chuan dao qiao tou zi ran zi" and everything goes well from there.

I dont like it when I have to deal with office politics and put on a mask at times.

I'm having a slight headache now as I'm been stressing out since I started work this morning.

Therefore, here I'm writing this post to "rest" for awhile.

p/s: I still have outstanding post on my lunch @ Garibaldi and Saturday Girl's Day Out, till then...