Last Two Days In Singapore

What my son tagged as a "stupid Sunday" yesterday; because he was almost bumped head on by a car coming towards him on a one-way thoroughfare; turned out to be a wonderful day of bonding. 

We had mass at St Bernadette at 11, where they usually go on Sundays.  In the car on the way to church, my son was telling us that the congregation of locals here are Catholics by choice, and therefore they are really devoted. They are active in church-related activities and they really look after the church itself; its cleanliness, the floral offerings and seminars. The mass was very solemn, the sermon short and in keeping with the Sunday's  gospel: "the temptation".  The communion was very orderly and the hymns well sang by the choir and the congregation. 

We had lunch at  Sentosa Cove, an upscale oasis of the rich. It has a long restaurant row along the water front; including Hotel W.  We made reservations at "Pomodoro" anticipating a croud since we got there at lunchtime, the peak hour; and to ensure that we will have a place to eat.   We ended up at "Sabio's", a Spanish restaurant, and had tapas instead of pizza and pasta at Pomodoro .

The  "cove" accommodated numerous yachts in the water surrounding the restaurants, giving a glamorous view of the place. I noticed a lot of babies and small kids being tended by their parents, it was Sunday after all, a family day.  While their parents; mostly white and probably expats from America, Australia, UK  ate and chatted with friends; their kids played around, oblivious of the crowds passing by.  It was somewhat difficult to imagine that these parents in their very casual clothes would be working in their coat-and-tie in the confines of their high rise plush offices the next day. Well, that's what they call "expat living". 

The previous day, a  Saturday, my son and his wife were also free, so they brought us to Shangrila for high tea.  As we entered the lobby, my daughter-in-law said that you can always tell if you are in a Shangrila Hotel because of the lay-out and the ambiance.  My son invited the sister of our son-in-law and her husband who both worked in London for almost three years earlier and opted to come to work in Singapore to be closer to home. 

Here's what we had, a couple of this 3-tier tray of goodies with our tea.  High tea in Shangrila Manila includes Filipino delicacies which they didn't have here. 

Dinner last Saturday was at another glamourous waterfront, at the Fullerton Bay Hotel.  We were seated under one of these arches on the boardwalk.  While we were  waiting for our dinner to be served,  we watched the fireworks from the Skypark that takes place every night at 8 and if I heard it right, the subsequent one was to follow in another hour. 

The view was breath-taking that I didn't want to pass up on it without posing for a picture at the boardwalk. 

This is a view on the boardwalk going to the Fullerton Bay Hotel.

After lunch yesterday in the car going home, my son was asking us where else we wanted to go; what we wanted to eat and what more we need to see or buy.  We said we were fine and he said, there's one more meal, where would you like to go for dinner?  We said wherever they can relax to prepare them for their next day's work. They had entertained us enough and if it was not a hassle to eat at home, that was fine with us. And we ended up at their condo, just relaxing, listening to his choice of music in companionable silence. 

When I went to sleep last night, I did not count sheep, I counted my blessings. 

Enjoying Singapore

The very next day after our arrival was my husband's birthday. My son and younger daughter cleared their heavy schedule to be free from work so they could bring us around.  Even though I was not the celebrant, I  felt very touched and flattered at the same time for their gesture; that they could spend the whole weekday with us. 

We had a good time that started with a ride on the Singapore Flyer.  Let me tell you, the view from the top was spectacular, and as they say, it was really

 

 " a moving experience at every turn"; a truly "world-class waterfront attraction with extra-ordinary views of the city and beyond". 

"Towering at 165 meters above an extensive spread of water, you feel the pulse of the busy city, witness it's growth alongside new developments; see firsthand the magnificent views of the Marina Bay skyline and catch glimpses of Malaysia and Indonesia, and if you're lucky you can witness a wonderful sunset, leaving you in awe and wonder".

For viewing purposes, it took us 28 minutes to go full circle and I learned that when we alighted and disembarked, the flyer did not stop, it went on its regular pace.  

Dinner is also served in some of it's cars.  The Singapore flyer has become popular as a romantic venue for many marriage proposals. A friend of my daughter's (and her bridesmaid at her wedding) agreed to go steady with her boyfriend at the London Eye and they got engaged at the Singapore Flyer.  I'd say, that is being very consistent, right? Following this logic, do you think that they will also experience these "ups and downs" in their relationship?

Here are some views I saw while riding the flyer:

A side view of the Skypark

This car was ahead of us, it was at its topmost.

The day continued on to lunch in downtown Singapore.   After coffee, we went around Orchard for some shopping. But the day did not end there, for there was still my husbands birthday dinner which we celebrated at a Korean restaurant at the Esplanade.  The view at night is another wonder.  Here, I took a picture on one side:

The Skypark at night.

This vacation is truly a dream.  Now I recall what one resort advertisement had to say about vacations:

"Happiness is high priority;

Urgent appointment is shopping

Rush hour is going to lunch;

Meeting is in a cool comfortable well-appointed restaurant

And the only deadline is dinner, 

after which gives way to sleep."

Going To Singapore

I didn't realize that there are many things that make me happy.  It's funny when I think about it;  if you're on the look out, you will be surprised to find that really, there are lots of things, events and even people that can make you happy. This trip however is the prime reason I'm happy today. 

As our journey started, my husband chose to take a cab from a reliable cab service instead of getting our part-time driver to bring us to the airport.  As I approached the cab, I was surprised to see that the driver was not properly dressed; we use their services often and the drivers always looked very proper.  Though he was in uniform, his shirt was not buttoned; his collar askew; his sleeve crumpled; definitely not professional looking.  But when he greeted me "good morning" in his respectful and pleasant  voice, I forgot all about his looks and I readily answered back "good morning" as well.

While on the road, I noticed a very tiny plastic yellow duck with a red beak on the dash board;  it's about two inches; like those that babies play with in the bathtub. Because of my fondness for ducks, this brightened my morning immediately.  I asked whether it's his daughter's or son's but he said that the former cab driver found it in the cab and decided to glue it on the dashboard. Here, take a look. 

While waiting for our flight, I had a quiet time at a food booth at the airport reading magazines while I ate my smoked salmon-cream cheese panini with chips along with cafe latte for brunch. I regret not taking a picture; the panini was not only crunchy and the salmon delicious, it got some crunchy greens as well and it looked good. 

Whenever we go to Singapore, we always look forward with happy anticipation.  Singapore being the most metropolitan city in Asia; and the most expensive city in the world according to the latest survey; Tokyo is just no. 5;  is never boring.  As we go back twice a year, there are always new places to go to and new things to see.  Like Paris, London and New York, it is also the venue for fashion week in Asia. 

We've tried almost all the airlines going to Singapore because of our frequent trips, oftentimes even quarterly. If you have never experienced taking the budget airlines however;  you will find the price affordable, but of course, it should live up to its name, "budget". You only pay for the weight of your luggage, if you only bring your carry on with a maximum weight of seven kilos, then no extra payment required; if you want food, you buy, so there is no built-in charge. The conveniences of web check-in and printing your boarding pass a few hour before the flight is also a practice. 

People who are used to the high-end airlines may find it too hassled; just putting stuff in the over-head bin seemed like a race; if you are slow your things will have no place since some passengers bring a lot of stuff; making the bins bulging and almost bursting, figuratively speaking. There is a lot of chatting going on especially if you happen on a flight with a group who work abroad. They even share food across the isle and there is that never-ending exchange of experiences working abroad. 

 If you look at the brighter side of it though,  it could be fun as well. After food and drinks were sold, served and consumed; a crew member said that "the flight won't seem complete without the on-flight games" where the passengers participate. A crew member sung and the first one who guessed the title right  as in " name that tune" got the airline souvenir item.  Another game is "show me" or "bring me", as in kids' birthday parties, and again, the first who presented the requested item got another souvenir. 

I won this pouch when I was able to show my senior card that was requested in "show me".

Arriving in Singapore, I felt so much lighter, my surroundings definitely brighter, the air-conditioning a notch cooler and my breathing easier. One friend even said that their group were coughing  before they left their Asian country, but when they got to Singapore, their cough stopped. A miracle? I don't think so, the air they breathe here is definitely cleaner. 

While we lined up at immigration, I texted my son that we arrived and he texted back that he is already waiting near the conveyor. 

And the airport? If you take time to go around the huge, very modern Changi Airport, you can see miniature replicas of their tourists spots, like the "gardens by the bay".  There is a profusion of plants and flower arrangements all over the establishment, not to mention the convenient amenities to be enjoyed while waiting for a flight. 

But what is so special arriving here is the comforting presence of loving good company; and the absence of stress. 

My Regular Bread

“What must you break apart in order to bring a family close together? Bread, of course.” 

― Jodi Picoult, The Storyteller

Eversince I discovered French bread drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary leaves, I've been eating this often.  I don't know which is addictive, olive oil or rosemary or the combination of both.

Did you ever try it? 

Lately, I always crave for this snacks.  Though I favor the regular French bread, I choose to get wheat French bread. I know my health is my own doing, nobody to blame but me; so I choose to be responsible. 

I always divide the long bread into two, put back half in its plastic wrap to keep in the freezer so they stay fresh until I will toast them. 

I slice the half French bread myself, I don't trust the guys at the bakery to cut it into equal sizes the way I want them to be. Being uniform in size matter so they will toast evenly. 

I lay each piece on a tray to dub with olive oil flavored with rosemary, 

then sprinkle rosemary leaves on each slice. 

now they are ready to pop in the oven.

It takes about 3 minutes to have a soft but crunchy bread; toasted on the outside but soft in the inside. It will take longer if you want it crunchier.  I'm not timing the oven, my cue is when that incredibly pleasant smell hits me that I know they are done. 

I spread salsa on them but pate or jam will be okay. My husband prefer to dip it in a meat dish with a thick sauce, like callos or beef stew or gambas. Sometimes I would eat them as is, with no spread whatsoever. 

"Man cannot live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter."

James A. Garfield

Sunday Is My Market Day

This Little Piggy

   By mother goose

"This little piggy went to market,

This little piggy stayed home,

This little piggy had roast beef,

This little piggy had none.

This little piggy went ...

Wee, wee, wee,

all the way home!"

Source: Head Shoulders Knees and Toes and Other Action Rhymes (2002)

Sunday is my market day.  When I was employed, I market on a Saturday but there were so many people at the wet market near our place; it was hard to get what you want and there's a long queue at the fish and meat vendors, and  if I don't go early enough, they run out on the choice cuts of meat and the fish that I like. 

So, I changed my schedule and today, Sunday, I woke up early hoping to get a good parking slot, true enough, I was able to park right in front of my fruit vendor. 

My first stop was at the seafood vendor and I was able to get the seafoods I need: squid, shrimps, asojos, lapulapu (grouper),  oysters and scollops (both removed from their shells).

I will cook sinigang, (fish soup) with tomatoes, tamarind bouillon to give it a slightly sour taste; native leafy veggies will go in as well.

I cut the squid into rings, marinated with kalamansi juice, salt, pepper and wine; for my granddaughter's calamari this week; she is expecting this every week when she visits.   "That's your specialty, Nana", she says. 

I opened up and de-boned the asojos and marinated them will wine, salt and pepper, they are good for my husband's  breakfast any day.

 I steamed the shrimps for my husband's breakfast.  (he will eat it with fresh tomatoes and shrimp paste).

 I will reserve the scallops to stir fry tomorrow with some veggies as well; 

And the oysters?  They will swim in vinegar, chopped onions, ginger, and ground pepper; that is our appetizer for lunch today. 

I boiled the chunks of pork belly with spices for lechon kawali (deep fried pork belly);  while the pork belly slices will be marinated with some spices, wine and vinegar, this will keep in the refrigerator for 10 days, longer at the freezer.  It will be convenient to grill a few pieces when we feel like. 

  

The pork tenderloin, I cut into medallions and mixed into the Filipino barbecue marinade I made. Sometime this week I will grill them. This will go well with another veggie dish. 

, I divided the beef (that's almost two kilos) ; two-thirds will be for beef stew and one-third for beef steak with a lot of onion rings on the side. 

I only got these fruits, I prefer to get the others from the supermarket where there is a good variety to choose from.

For every meal, there is always a veggie dish, maybe what I got is enough, if not, there's always that vendor at the corner who has them fresh daily. 

That's it!  Guess I have enough to last me until next weekend.  I'm thinking that my husband often like to eat out at the spur of the moment anyway, so I may even have extras this week. 

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” 

― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

tags: food, love 1208 likes like

I Love Ducks

Here I go again, saying that my collection started as a gift. But it's true.  It was my office assistant who gave me a wooden duck for my birthday.  We were just talking about fixtures to decorate the house and I happened to mention that I like ducks, truly, I do.  

Then one day, she presented this duck to me, my first ever!  

"My husband bought this during his business trip, it's from both of us, happy birthday!":  she told me,  and I was so thrilled to have it. 

I can't explain my fondness for ducks, 

Maybe because I love country stlye in decorating the house, and ducks are often included.

Or because one of the bedtime stories I remember as a child is "The Ugly Duckling" , oh, I was sad about the duckling then, but when my mama came to the part where he blossomed into a beautiful swan, I always felt good and had a good night's sleep.

The ugly duckling

And ducks seem so gentle and tame, at least that's what I thought, not until I saw a movie where a duck defended his master along with his friend, a dog. So ducks are loyal too!

So I'm sure you would understand why I love this movie: 

My collection increased when I started buying wooden ducks one after another; I got a pair from a Christmas bazaar, another pair in an open market.  I remember I got some from my friends at the office, and the rest, I must have bought them as well. 

Except these flying ducks on the wall.  There used to be four but after I retired, I brought them home and my husband hung then on the wall outside our bedroom where we can see them often.  Here's  how I got them: 

As I entered my office on one birthday morning, I saw four flying wooden ducks hanging on the four walls with a note from each giver; the names of my staff:  Virgie, Joanne, Millet and Helen were on each of them.  Oh, what a pleasant surprise that was!  What touched me was their trouble getting them for me, their thoughtfulness was what mattered most. I can't thank them enough for the joy  getting this gift.

Today, I'm just sorry that I lost one, (due to old age, hahaha!). They weathered the sun and rain. I want to replace it so I'm always on the look out for something similar during bazaars but until now, I could not find any. 

My collection are just around the house. 

I placed the duck set for nuts and chips receptacles (given by my daughter-in-law one Christmas when she asked my son what I'm fond of and he said, "ducks") on one coffee table and joined by a celadon duck placed atop a book of Bill Clinton.

Some I placed on this dividing shelf and the ladder:

And on a wall perpendicular to the shelf as well as on the other end of this wall.

I want to put this collection together but until now I haven't figured out how to do it.  I once tried to line them up on a ledge and my husband joked that "they are like soldiers there", so until then, I guess I'll just move them around as I please. I really don't mind anyway, they're my " toys".

My Version of "Caldereta": Beef Stew With Pineapple

Today, my older daughter has no work, so she came for lunch.  I thought I would whip up something that she would like.  I decided to cook "caldereta"  (beef stew with pineapple).

First I fried the potatoes and set them aside.

Then I browned the Pamplona chorizo in a few drops of canola oil, and  sautéed the  garlic and onions.

The pineapple juice ( together with the pine tidbits)-marinated beef with soy, lemon juice, pepper and some herbs and spices were mixed in next.

After about 2 hours, and the beef was tender, I added the olives, frozen green peas and tomato paste. I made sure the beef was fully coated with tomato paste.

carrots, bell pepper and potatoes were added last. 

I like the sauce a little bit thick, so I dissolved a tablespoon of corn starch in half a cup of water. 

When it boiled, it was time to taste 

 I found I needed more pepper, fish sauce and a dash of salt.

And the dish was done!

But oops!  We need more veggies, so I sautéed garlic, onions, shrimps and pork bouillon in another pan.

Followed by the cut beans left over from my spring roll yesterday. 

Some pepper, then I tasted and it turned out the way I like it. 

Just as my maid was setting the table, I heard the gate open and my daughter came in. 

We had a good lunch!