An encounter with a feisty prawn

I love prawns and they're about the only other type of raw creature I dare to handle for cooking other than white fish fillet or cod fish.

But today, things changed.

Went to the supermarket on my way back from work to buy some groceries and ingredients to cook dinner cos Hubby was going to be eating dinner at home this evening. Hadn't bought prawns in a long time so I thought I'd get some to stir fry later on. I never had a problem preparing prawns for cooking -- removing their heads and legs and de-shelling them altogether etc. But guess what happened when I went home happily and wanted to deal with them? One of them started moving while I was trying to transfer it out of the plastic bag it came in! It freaked me out totally and I gave a scream, letting it slip out of my hand (that was protected by a disposable glove, as usual). It fell into the sink and continued to wriggle its legs, especially when I tried to touch it.

Then along came cheeky Hubby. He added water to the sink, wanting to see the prawn come fully alive... *grrrr* It's bad enough that I was going to cook and eat it later; I sure didn't wanna see it all moving before I murdered it! Ugh! He even joked that we could keep it as a pet! =.=!!

Couldn't bear to pick it up lest it started wriggling again, so I pleaded with Hubby to help me put it into a smaller bag to freeze with a few other prawns that I was going to save for future meals. When he tried to pick it up, the prawn gave a start and jumped right out of his fingers! A few screams -- mine -- then rang from the kitchen. After a few other attempts, he managed to pick it up by its feelers and drop it into the bag.

Sigh. Was so scared of having to de-shell the prawns that I set aside for this evening's meal cos they all looked so alive to me after the episode with the feisty one that I just boiled some water in a saucepan and got Hubby to place them all in to cook for a while. That was the first time I boiled prawns whole. Only after that did I dare to de-shell them before adding them to other items to stir-fry.

Don't think I'd be buying fresh prawns any time soon... =.=

Yummy food @ Ion & Unpleasant Experience along Orchard Road

Two evenings ago, Hubby and I met Beebee in Orchard and all of us had dinner at the food court at Ion, Food Opera. The only times we popped by Ion before that was during our weekend walkabouts, and the entire food court would be filled with the weekend crowds, so it'd be kinda impossible to have a proper sit-down meal there. But that evening was pretty okay being a work day evening and all, so we managed to get ourselves settled comfortably there for a meal.

The items we ordered tasted pretty yummy, but the prices were indeed a bit steeper than most other food courts. Beebee and I both ordered from the same stall specialising in fish soup and rice dishes -- I had some orange dory fish with side salad and rice and she had the hotplate dory fish with some kinda special spicy sauce and butter rice. Both items cost $6 each, but luckily it was quite fulfilling in terms of both taste and quantity. Hubby had some award-winning Hokkien mee that was selling at $5 for a regular plate -- it tasted so good that Beebee and I kept stealing strands of his noodles away from his plate. Haha.

Then came yesterday evening when I was in Orchard again for some business with a few colleagues and students. After that, I went about trying to get some ideas for Hubby's Christmas gift and ended up at Ion's food hall again to get some takeaway food for my dinner and Hubby's supper.

Bought for Hubby the beef burger with avocado and cheese from R burger, the little burger eatery established by Mediacorp artiste Adam Chen. Unlike normal burger buns, the burgers from his stall all have fillings between those white Chinese bun-like tops and bottoms, which is said to be full of collagen goodness to appeal to the female crowd. Some of his burgers were featured in the latest issue of Her World, which Hubby and I were poring over just last weekend. Couldn't remember which were the hits and which were the misses as stated in the magazine article, so just chose whichever I thought was interesting. Thank goodness Hubby thought it tasted good. :p

For my dinner, I had some takeaway Japanese gyoza that came with some special sauce instead of the normal ginger strips and vinegar, as well as a small bowl of Korean rice cakes that were drowned in some rich kimchi gravy with bits of vegetables here and there. That was the first time I tried Korean rice cakes... expected it to be a little like our local lontong, but the rice came in short but thick rolls and tasted pretty rubbery to me, so I didn't quite fancy that. Loved the gyoza though. :)

Overall, not bad lah...there really is quite a variety of food items over at Ion so shoppers are spoilt for choice. I walked several rounds trying to decide what exactly to buy! :p

Hmmm...speaking of walking, an unpleasant encounter was what I experienced for the first time while walking over to Ion from Ngee Ann City yesterday. Was accosted by two females who acted over-friendly and pleaded with me for some time to do a survey. Told them I could only spare five minutes, and was led all the way to their office on the 18th floor of Ngee Ann City Tower B. On the way up, I was already bewildered and kept asking where they were leading me. Then when we got to the 18th floor and entered their office, one of them just led me to this height and weight machine and wanted to take my measurements! At that point in time, I became more angry than puzzled and told them I didn't agree to be taken all the way here to take whatever measurements and that I only agreed to answer some questions. Then I told the flabbergasted girl that I wasn't even told the objective of whatever they were trying to do. Then the other female appeared again and wanted to pacify me by leading me to a small table and asking me to sit while she explained further. Turned out they were trying to promote some stuff. I refused to listen any longer and simply stood to go. They then showed me to the door after handing me a leaflet. If their intention was to make known their company brand to me, then I think they've achieved their aim, cos I won't ever forget this company and its rude tactics.

That experience left such a bad taste in my mouth that I don't think I'm ever inclined to accept any similar request to 'answer a few questions' at all in future. Hmmph! *angry*

An 'emotional' day!

What a day today! Experienced a whole range of emotions right from the start of the day...now I'm kinda exhausted from all the different feelings generated from within me all within the span of twelve hours at the workplace today.

First, I felt woozy...with affection! Haha...Philip brought his maltese pup to work today, and he made us ladies go absolutely ga-ga over him, that little thing! So adorable... reminds me of the variety of puppies that the Pet Safari @ Vivocity has on display for sale. My heart always melts at the sight of these precious creatures! Poor chap though; he started to shiver amidst all the attention focused on him and all the cooing sounds around him after a while so we decided to better just leave him alone to calm down. Hee.

Then, it was an absolutely pleasant surprise when someone expected to be in didn't turn up and everything just went so smoothly. Shan't elaborate, but I know everybody was so delighted. Some of us even started high-fiving each other in celebration! Haha...so funny.

Next was the feeling of excitement and anxiety at the same time as the O level class students started streaming in way before their first paper, English Language, started in the afternoon. Wow! Among all the times I've taught O level graduating classes, this must be the time I felt most thrilled and jittery all at once! That's cos I'm very close to this cohort of students...I know more than half of them personally and talk to even those I don't really teach. Some of the kids in this cohort have been with me since they joined the school in Sec 1...that's four whole years of 'kinship' too! And of course, unlike previous years when the O level classes I had were just my subject classes, it's my own form class taking the exam this year. Omg... I think I was just like one of them, anticipating the start of the exam. Bought Vitamin C sweets for my class so they could have them during their break to energise them with a little sugar rush, and also sent them SMSes each to encourage them before the exam. They were such sweet kids...replying me and promising to do their very best so that they could get me distinctions. Awwww.... I love this bunch of teens! Rushed out to check on them and the kids from other classes as well during their break to see how they did for the first paper; answered all their queries, pacified them when they started freaking out, and jumped around with them in excitement when they talked about what they could do right. Haha... felt like I was the one back in secondary school, doing my Os! ;P

And there was also a brief period of annoyance as I became irked at some stuff that took place and that, in my opinion, wasn't professional or ethical at all.

Next came relief when some of my unhappy doubts were clarified eventually.

Happiness arrived when I at last left the workplace and discovered Hubby sitting at the bus stop facing the school while waiting for a bus to go for his session. Though it lasted only a couple of minutes as I spoke to him on the mobile phone and looked at him at the same time, it felt like a nice way to end the eventful work day.

Oh and now...relaxation as I'm gonna play my PC game after this! ^_^

The Hossan Leong Show

Hubby bought a CD yesterday -- The Hossan Leong show. Some of the songs are hilarious... as usual, it's super Singlish, but I think as a true blue Singaporean, I can thoroughly enjoy it. Besides the main tracks, there are funny voice advertisements adapted from the serious ones that we see on TV.

I know Hossan Leong does standup comedies etc, and I've watched other youtube videos featuring his songs as well, but when the visuals are removed and there's only his voice left, I think I start paying more attention to his vocals. He does sing well, and his voice alone exudes so much confidence. Not bad at all! This CD sure made me look at him differently. :)

Why I ain't an artist...

Hung on the wall in our study room these days is a poster replica of the famous Mona Lisa portrait, as seen below (of course the watch didn't belong in the original portrait -- it was cut out from somewhere and just superimposed onto her wrist by my watch fanatic of a Hubby so that she'd have a nice accessory to wear :p):

A few days ago, while I was busy clearing work at home and Hubby was busy thinking of how to occupy his time, he came up with an idea. Taking his sketchbook, he sat down on his chair, swivelled round to face Mona Lisa, and proceeded to sketch her on his own, without the help of an eraser as usual, in his little sketch book (it's his fourth drawing in there now). I thought it looked pretty cool, considering the fact that he'd never been trained in art and didn't have to use an eraser at all. Here's what it looked like:

Hubby's only grouse was that it looked as if his version of Mona Lisa had a bit of a toothache, since her jaw looked kinda swollen. Anyway, last night, I took up the challenge to draw my own Mona Lisa. Hubby did his sketch within 2 hours; I did mine in 10 minutes, half of which was spent on laughing at my own drawing, which ultimately looked like this:

I laughed so hard that my sides ached and tears flowed profusely from my eyes. And to think I was the one who had attended art classes at a community centre when I was a little kid! Ugh! Wonder where and what on earth my Mona Lisa was looking at! Check out her eyeballs and you'll see what I mean. Omg. Hahaha...Hubby didn't want me to throw it away though. He said it looked like some cartoon version of Mona Lisa! Hahahaha...

What I bought...and what Hubby cannot buy anymore...

Met Hubby after work yesterday at Jurong Point in the evening with the intention of having a nice dinner and then buying a memory foam pillow that's on great discount at John Little.

We enjoyed our meal at Swensen's -- Hubby had the Cheese Steak Meltdown while I took the Chilli Fish Pasta. Both satisfied our hunger quite well. Then I ordered the plain vanilla yoghurt for dessert, expecting it to come in a small cup like those you buy at yoghurt stalls, but it came in a sundae glass. Tastes great and costs only $3.60, more than what you'd get at those stalls, so that was a pleasant surprise. :)

Then after walking around a bit, we went to JL. Bought my second PC game ever! Haha...it's another time management game that I played online at Playfirst before -- "Ranch Rush". There's 20% discount, plus I guess working really really hard for the past week made me feel like I truly deserved a reward, so that's kinda like one to me. No wonder they call it retail therapy -- it's really easier to spend when you're so stressed! :P

Next, it's on to the pillow. Bought two of them cos they were each less than $20 when they usually cost $79. Plus it's memory foam which, according to the claims made on the box, is supposed to cure headaches, muscle aches, insomnia etc... which is strange cos, when I got up this morning, I got a headache AND shoulder aches! *annoyed* Think that pillow's too hard for me. Ugh! Why can't I ever find the perfect pillow?!!!

Well, at least Hubby's fine with the pillow, so it's not exactly a total waste. But he does have one headache of his own to deal with -- how to prevent himself from getting a new watch till his birthday next year:

There! Now he can't go back on his promise again. We did this contract thing once on a scrap of paper a long time ago, and he did pretty well by abiding to the rule. This time, Hubby was the one who brought up the idea of drafting a really serious-looking contract (he even sat beside me telling me what picture he likes and the designs or wording that I should include)...all these came about because the day before yesterday, he went to Cortina's again for their sale and came home so happily with a Ball watch as his new baby but also so guiltily for spending once again on watches. (I'm just glad he didn't draw up any contract to curb my bag-purchase habit too. But then again, at least I've a little bit more self-control when it comes to spending! :p)

Never mind... no freedom to buy watches? Hubby can spend his time focusing on his drawings instead now. He's done 2 sketches in the little art book he got recently and he just did a third one earlier this morning to spice up the look of HZ's birthday pressie, using my doggie stationery bag as his model:

Heh, not bad lah huh, his effort? And he didn't even have to erase anything! If I were the one drawing, my dog would probably end up looking like a pig or something. :p

Sigh ok ok, enough for now. Must get back and continue to plough through my work already. There's still lots to do!

Marina Barrage

Went to Marina Barrage for the first time yesterday with colleagues for a work-related project. Don't think will go there for leisure cos it's really not that easy to access by public transport and there's nothing much to do there except view the gallery and stroll in the compound.

There were lots of kids, ranging from nursery tots to secondary school teens, walking about on guided tours over there though. We even came across a couple and their entourage of bridesmaids and buddies taking some wedding shots there too. Enjoyed the gallery visit-- lots of information and exhibits to do with water and conservation etc. There's even a cafe right outside the gallery that serves pretty yummy-looking courses.

As someone who loves to watch the sea, I also took a walk up this slope that overlooks the waters. There's a constant sea breeze, so it's pretty enjoyable to just feel the wind and look at the sea. Also saw a lady walking three large, adorable dogs... :) Sigh, if I hadn't been so stressed over the thought of having to continue clearing all my mountains of work after the trip, I'd probably have enjoyed myself more.

小花

The first time I was introduced to 小花
was also the first time she totally melted my heart.
She was quite mature in doggy years,
but still captured my attention
with her energetic moves and enthusiastic barking.
Though she's usually fierce towards strangers,
she welcomed me with a few licks
after checking me out with her inquisitive sniffing.
Maybe she liked what she saw, or smelt...
or maybe she could simply detect that I would ooze affection for her. :)

Whenever I went to Sophia's place,
I would grab the opportunity for some animal therapy of my own
and reach out to play with her.
There were times when she looked playfully at me,
as if she was trying to bait my attention,
and other times when she would sniff at
and then sneak a sip or bite of whatever food and drinks Sophia offered me
when I wasn't watching!
But the times I enjoyed most were when she responded to my voice
as I called her name and reached a hand out to her.
She would walk hesitantly towards me at first,
then allow me to hug and place her gingerly onto my lap,
after which she would settle down comfortably like the royal princess she was.

These days, she has been rather sickly.
Sophia had to take leave from work
and rush home quickly to be with her today after her sister called,
saying that something seemed wrong with 小花.
The pretty dog felt comforted in her owner's presence
and soon looked better.
But she was still weak,
and her days now seem numbered.

At the thought of this,
my eyes started to tear at work.
I recalled her playful barks,
her large doleful eyes,
her warm furry body,
and all the times our noses touched.

Sophia says she wants 小花 to go peacefully...
she can't bear to put her down.
I totally understand.
Now I only hope that 小花 spends the final lap of her life
with her beloved owner,
who loves her so very much,
and feels how much her existence means to the latter.

She's just a dog to some,
but to the people whose lives she's touched,
she is so much more, I'm sure.
Take care, 小花.

Floating 'bits'

This is what happens when I'm way too busy at work to remember I've a mug to wash or to make myself a new cup of tea...

Looks disgusting, right? Came back to work today and finally thought of starting the crazy work week with a steaming cup of tea...removed the lid from my mug and was greeted by this sight. The white floating bits near the spoon were some kind of mold...got goosebumps when I saw them and immediately dumped everything else to quickly get rid of the tea that must have been at least 5 days old and then made sure I scrubbed and sterilised everything with hot water!

Eeeew.

Birthday baby and Tokidoki

Hubby and I attended the birthday celebration of Little Reynard, Precia and William's pride and joy. Precia was Hubby's friend at NUS, same cohort, but we'd never met till yesterday. She's a teacher at a secondary school too, so it's quite easy to click with her cos teachers always talk about teaching-related stuff (what else?!) when they get together. :p William is, of course, her husband -- a friendly, gentlemanly kinda guy. They're quite a nice couple. :) Precia used to be a model too and took on assignments during her NUS days. Cool huh? She really does look it, being tall and very slim, even after becoming a mummy! We also chatted with William's sis and bro-in-law, who were sitting right beside us. They're a sincere pair who speak their mind and crack jokes with ease. :)

The mini party was quite special; it was held at one of the best Nyonya restaurants in Singapore -- Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe. We were treated to a high-tea buffet there, and there was quite an impressive array of Nonya delicacies ranging from the sweet to the savoury, given the small space that the restaurant occupies. Nevertheless, it's exactly because of this that there's a homely feel to it. I don't fancy sweet kueh kueh stuff, so I skipped those and went straight for the savoury items -- kuih pai tee (you get to stuff those on your own!), some gado gado and yummy chwee kueh stuffed with chicken filling. MMmmmm... ^_^ If I weren't already starting to feel a little full, I'd zoom in on the Nonya laksa and mee siam too! Never mind, think it won't be the last time I go there cos I quite like the place. :)

And then, of course, there's the little star of the afternoon -- Baby Reynard! He's kinda quiet, maybe just shy around people, cos he's said to be quite a demanding kid at other times. :p But he looks so sweet, with his large, inquisitive eyes. And check out the cake! Aiyo, really... kids these days are so lucky! Their cakes come with toys and all -- so lovely! The one we had was a two-tiered cake. The top layer's lychee and martini, while the bottom's rich chocolate. We tried the top one yesterday; it really does have that alcohol punch and there's actual lychee in it. Precia passed us a super huge piece of the chocolate layer to take home...shall try that later when Hubby's back for supper.

After the party, we went about at Bugis and Iluma. Discovered this store that sells genuine Tokidoki merchandise -- bags, stationery, pillowcases, clothing -- so cool! Had such a great time feasting my eyes on all the designs and browsing almost everything in there. Ended up buying only a $2.95 strawberry tofu folder (I've the figurine mah...and strawberry and tofu -- I love both!) though, cos couldn't bear to spend on the rest. The Tokidoki stuff aren't cheap. A small handbag could cost $200-$300++, while a sweater or jacket could cost close to $200. Maybe the next time I get my bonus, I could come back here... :p

Ups and Downs...

The Up: Happy Red Bomb

Yaay! Received an SMS from KH this morning about his upcoming wedding in December. So happy for him! Glad to know that things have been going on so smoothly between him and his girlfriend and that he'll be starting a brand new phase in his life, which is what he's always looked forward to. :)

His message reminded me of my secondary school friends...we've been so busy as adults with our own commitments that we've not managed to keep up with the annual festive gatherings that we used to schedule after we graduated together, but it's great that we still think of sharing the joys in our lives with one another. :) Been communicating through SMS with Elmo recently too, and we're quite set on meeting up before the year's over! KH's wedding will be a good opportunity for that before we settle on meeting up in private. There'll be loads to talk about... Hee. ^_^

The Down: Tense Atmosphere

人与人之间，讲究的是沟通。

不论是家庭成员，或是工作伙伴，

都需要正确的沟通，才能避免不必要的误会。

今天就发生了好多争执与不愉快。

看到那么多人不开心，

自己的心情也多少受到影响。

不晓得明天大家的心情会是怎样的。

心里总有些不安。。。

唉。

Brain 'freeze'...(and not cos of ice-cream)

Done with one task, yet the satisfaction only lasts a pathetic 5 minutes before I scutinise my to-do list and realise that a thousand other items are still staring back at me, waiting for me to cross them out. Worse still, there are times when I might cross out one and, after checking my email, end up adding a few more to the list.

Deadline after deadline after deadline... when will this end?! I think I enjoy my work in general but when everything falls on me like a million bombs, I can't quite derive the same amount of pleasure as what I'd get if I were given ample time to clear one task at a time. I'm soooo looking forward to 1st December, when I can finally bid a temporary goodbye to all the jobs that I'm involved in and enjoy myself in Perth.

But for now, I just need to maintain my sanity. :S