YAY! My sister and niece are arriving in Singapore very soon! Missed them :)
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
10.31.2009
Sakae Sushi not ideal for Family Dining..
So I finally took my family to Sakae Sushi @ Wheelock Place earlier this month to use my $50 voucher. Picked this location particularly because I saw on the website that it has tatami rooms!
But we didn't get the tatami room :( It was all dark as if that part of the shop is not yet open for business. What's worse was that one of the waitresses actually told us to not put our stroller beside our booths (my niece was still in there at that time). A little disappointing but understandable, as I really thought that the waitresses should offer us a tatami room if they didn't want us to have the stroller in the walkway - could be dangerous with them serving hot food. (We should have requested then too :\) Reason is simple. We were a big party with 4 adults 1 child 1 baby plus a baby stroller. It's very inconvenient to eat while carrying a baby, you know. Instead of asking your customers to adjust to your store plan, you should be trying to accustom to all your customers' needs at all times. That's what customer service is about, right?
So then we ordered 2 unagi-don, 1 gyuu-don, some side dishes, and some colored plates off the sushi train. I must say that the Enoki Niku Maki is quite disappointing - overflowing with teriyaki sauce, too sweet! It's a lot darker (black sauce) than in this picture. But the Saba Shioyaki is not bad for my dad - I think he enjoyed it.
The meal totals out to be $95 - $50 (voucher) = $45. This is my first time ordering ala carte at Sakae Sushi, and I believe it would be my last LOL. To be honest, Sakae Sushi's food is not top grade, though still lot better than those really cheap ones. Ala carte..sure, but cost-wise, is a little too pricey for me. So their buffets are the best - value deals especially if you eat a lot or eat a wide variety! & you have my honest opinion here :)
Just one thing to note when eating buffets:
If you want to use Sakae Sushi vouchers or if you want to benefit from 10% discount and/or 12% rebate from your Sakae Card, then you have to go ala carte. Sad, but the buffets are in fact a "promotion", so not valid with any other promotions.
Oh, and why Sakae Sushi is not ideal for families?
If you're interested in trying out at Sakae Sushi, check out Sakae Sushi's on-going promotions!
But we didn't get the tatami room :( It was all dark as if that part of the shop is not yet open for business. What's worse was that one of the waitresses actually told us to not put our stroller beside our booths (my niece was still in there at that time). A little disappointing but understandable, as I really thought that the waitresses should offer us a tatami room if they didn't want us to have the stroller in the walkway - could be dangerous with them serving hot food. (We should have requested then too :\) Reason is simple. We were a big party with 4 adults 1 child 1 baby plus a baby stroller. It's very inconvenient to eat while carrying a baby, you know. Instead of asking your customers to adjust to your store plan, you should be trying to accustom to all your customers' needs at all times. That's what customer service is about, right?
So then we ordered 2 unagi-don, 1 gyuu-don, some side dishes, and some colored plates off the sushi train. I must say that the Enoki Niku Maki is quite disappointing - overflowing with teriyaki sauce, too sweet! It's a lot darker (black sauce) than in this picture. But the Saba Shioyaki is not bad for my dad - I think he enjoyed it.The meal totals out to be $95 - $50 (voucher) = $45. This is my first time ordering ala carte at Sakae Sushi, and I believe it would be my last LOL. To be honest, Sakae Sushi's food is not top grade, though still lot better than those really cheap ones. Ala carte..sure, but cost-wise, is a little too pricey for me. So their buffets are the best - value deals especially if you eat a lot or eat a wide variety! & you have my honest opinion here :)
Just one thing to note when eating buffets:
If you want to use Sakae Sushi vouchers or if you want to benefit from 10% discount and/or 12% rebate from your Sakae Card, then you have to go ala carte. Sad, but the buffets are in fact a "promotion", so not valid with any other promotions.
Oh, and why Sakae Sushi is not ideal for families?
Sakae Sushi's primary seating areas are the booths, because of the sushi train. But not great for a big family with kids. That's why a tatami room is perfect! Best to come in twos, so both can get their hands on the sushi train running by them :D
If you're interested in trying out at Sakae Sushi, check out Sakae Sushi's on-going promotions!
Oh, I noticed that there's a Sakae Pasta Shop @ Wheelock Place! Worth a try next time :)
7.01.2009
Cupcakes & Zhiyu's 1st birthday
CUPCAKES NIGHT 2!
Over the weekend, my sis, qiqi and I baked cupcakes (again) to celebrate xiaoyu's 1st birthday :) The recipe was taken from Children's First CookBook by Annabel Karmel.
Making cupcakes...
First heat the oven to 180°C or 350°F. Then prepare the following.
From previous experience, the cupcakes were too sweet and greasy. So we tweaked the formula a little - reducing both sugar and butter - to suit our taste preferences. (experiment with the right amounts for yourself!)
Mix all the ingredients together!
Add in some flavor! We threw in some chocolate chips, but raisins or blueberries would work too.
Lay out paper cones onto the tray and fill each cone to 1/2 or 2/3 the capacity. Put in the oven! Bake for 18 to 20 mins. (watch out for the color yourself!)
Meanwhile, prepare icing...
Baking for kids is simple. Just mix everything up and add any coloring you would like! We had green and pink. Then put the icing in a corner of a small plastic bag. Cut off a tiny corner.
Ohh the cupcakes are almost ready!
Remove the cupcakes from the tray and leave out to cool down. (IMPT or your deco will melt!)
Making our second batch of cupcakes.
Ta-da! We wrote HAPPY 1st BDAY XIAOYU! on the cupcakes!
Next morning on webcam...
Opps, qiqi already started feasting on the cupcakes!
So good to see her again, she has grown so much and very talkative now! (keeps saying "da-da-da") I miss carrying and napping with her :)
Singing a birthday song for xiaoyu... Wah she was all ready to cut her cake!
Ok, no more talking. Just eat ;)
Over the weekend, my sis, qiqi and I baked cupcakes (again) to celebrate xiaoyu's 1st birthday :) The recipe was taken from Children's First CookBook by Annabel Karmel.
Making cupcakes...
First heat the oven to 180°C or 350°F. Then prepare the following.
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 125 g sugar
- 125 g butter
- 125 g raising flour
- chocolate chips
From previous experience, the cupcakes were too sweet and greasy. So we tweaked the formula a little - reducing both sugar and butter - to suit our taste preferences. (experiment with the right amounts for yourself!)Mix all the ingredients together!Add in some flavor! We threw in some chocolate chips, but raisins or blueberries would work too.Lay out paper cones onto the tray and fill each cone to 1/2 or 2/3 the capacity. Put in the oven! Bake for 18 to 20 mins. (watch out for the color yourself!)Meanwhile, prepare icing...
- 25o g icing sugar
- 125 g butter
- 1 tsp water
- coloring
Baking for kids is simple. Just mix everything up and add any coloring you would like! We had green and pink. Then put the icing in a corner of a small plastic bag. Cut off a tiny corner.Ohh the cupcakes are almost ready!Remove the cupcakes from the tray and leave out to cool down. (IMPT or your deco will melt!)Making our second batch of cupcakes.Ta-da! We wrote HAPPY 1st BDAY XIAOYU! on the cupcakes!Next morning on webcam...
Opps, qiqi already started feasting on the cupcakes!So good to see her again, she has grown so much and very talkative now! (keeps saying "da-da-da") I miss carrying and napping with her :)Singing a birthday song for xiaoyu... Wah she was all ready to cut her cake!Ok, no more talking. Just eat ;)
6.03.2009
Monopoly Deal
Ever since krisandro blogged about this card game, it has been my #1 wishlist item! (I'll talk about why this variation of the classic Monopoly is so great later.)
And what a great opportunity it was last night when I went to J8 for dinner...
Hmm, seemed like there was going to be a public game play or something. Just look at that big Monopoly board on the floor.. & the huge dice too!! It got me really excited, like a child in a dreamland. :D
The event (sponsored by BHG) actually featured a number of Hasbro's all-time favorite "family" games: Risk Reinvention, Jenga, Cluedo, and Game of Life, just to name a few. Monopoly seemed to be the star of the show :)
Around the human-sized Monopoly floorboard were 4 mini booths, showcasing Connect 4, Pictureka, Jenga, and Monopoly Deal. You could actually join in and have a game right on the spot!
No doubt, I took this chance (dinner first) to get my hands on my own Monopoly Deal card game. There were 2 options: 1) the "traveling" version - compact, all-you-need for S$11.90 and 2) the "shuffler" version - complete with a Shuffle Shaker to help you shuffle your cards easily!
Woohoo~ at last!
*Shake shake shake* The Shuffle Shaker!!
I played 10 games straight with wx, and *doh* I lost 9-1! I feel it's my luck. T_T He always drew good cards. So to prove my hypothesis... (that he won by luck not by skill)
I set up a game experiment where I will play his cards and he will play mine. We had our own rules too: loser will shuffle and winner gets to start first.
Independent variable: I shuffle the cards, assuming that I had lost the previous game.
Dependent variable: When dealing, what was supposed to be wx's cards were now mine, and vice versa. While playing, what was supposed to be drawn into wx's hand were now drawn into mine. So theoretically, I should have wx's "luck".
Hypothesis: If I win, "luck" played a key role in wx's triumph. If I lose, wx did probably perhaps could be possibly by chance had better skills and strategy than me.
And I won. :) Case closed, it really is the "luck". LOL
-----
More coming on game play and rules...
And what a great opportunity it was last night when I went to J8 for dinner...
A Monopoly Party!
Hmm, seemed like there was going to be a public game play or something. Just look at that big Monopoly board on the floor.. & the huge dice too!! It got me really excited, like a child in a dreamland. :DThe event (sponsored by BHG) actually featured a number of Hasbro's all-time favorite "family" games: Risk Reinvention, Jenga, Cluedo, and Game of Life, just to name a few. Monopoly seemed to be the star of the show :)Around the human-sized Monopoly floorboard were 4 mini booths, showcasing Connect 4, Pictureka, Jenga, and Monopoly Deal. You could actually join in and have a game right on the spot!No doubt, I took this chance (dinner first) to get my hands on my own Monopoly Deal card game. There were 2 options: 1) the "traveling" version - compact, all-you-need for S$11.90 and 2) the "shuffler" version - complete with a Shuffle Shaker to help you shuffle your cards easily!
The Big Game
The Monopoly Deal card game is essentially a super-condensed version of the classic Monopoly board game. And I meant it in a good way! I've always loved to play classic Monopoly: I think it's fun and very engaging - lots of laughter in the process! But people whom I approach to play with often complain that it's "too long" "never-ending" or "not fun with just 2 of us". Monopoly Deal is a perfect counter to these blatant comments! It's never too long - you can win (or lose) a game in 10 mins - certainly not never-ending, and it is great fun even with just 2 players! Definitely a must try.Woohoo~ at last!*Shake shake shake* The Shuffle Shaker!!I played 10 games straight with wx, and *doh* I lost 9-1! I feel it's my luck. T_T He always drew good cards. So to prove my hypothesis... (that he won by luck not by skill)I set up a game experiment where I will play his cards and he will play mine. We had our own rules too: loser will shuffle and winner gets to start first.
Independent variable: I shuffle the cards, assuming that I had lost the previous game.
Dependent variable: When dealing, what was supposed to be wx's cards were now mine, and vice versa. While playing, what was supposed to be drawn into wx's hand were now drawn into mine. So theoretically, I should have wx's "luck".
Hypothesis: If I win, "luck" played a key role in wx's triumph. If I lose, wx did probably perhaps could be possibly by chance had better skills and strategy than me.
And I won. :) Case closed, it really is the "luck". LOL-----
More coming on game play and rules...
5.26.2009
Cupcakes Night!
Here's a recommended weekend activity for families with kids:
Note: These were decorated by my sis and niece.
Instructions were very simple from a children's cookbook. (I'll add the recipe next time)
*imagine the missing cupcakes recipe*
Ta-da! Yummy cupcakes, but a little plain eh? Here comes the fun part of decorating your cupcakes!
The cookbook featured really cute ideas using marshmallows to turn your cupcakes into sheeps and pigs. We skipped that part because it would only make my niece even more hyper than she usually is. Lets make our own icing first. :)
*icing recipe in the works*
Add a bit of coloring! We had pink and green.
A DIY icing bag!
Look at all the cupcakes I decorated!
And the adults (me, sis and mom) decided to have a cupcakes deco competition. Each of us submitted 2 cupcake designs. Judges were my 2nd sis and bro-in-law.
I was proud of my Doraemon idea. But nobody picked it! T_T
My other design (face with spectacles) was more successful, nominated twice. No one knows about this but guess what? It's a face of wx's.
:)
Note: These were decorated by my sis and niece.BAKE YOUR OWN CUPCAKES!
My 3-year old niece enjoyed it. It's almost like playing Cooking Mama on Wii or the iPhone!Instructions were very simple from a children's cookbook. (I'll add the recipe next time)
*imagine the missing cupcakes recipe*
Ta-da! Yummy cupcakes, but a little plain eh? Here comes the fun part of decorating your cupcakes!The cookbook featured really cute ideas using marshmallows to turn your cupcakes into sheeps and pigs. We skipped that part because it would only make my niece even more hyper than she usually is. Lets make our own icing first. :)
*icing recipe in the works*
Add a bit of coloring! We had pink and green.A DIY icing bag!Look at all the cupcakes I decorated!And the adults (me, sis and mom) decided to have a cupcakes deco competition. Each of us submitted 2 cupcake designs. Judges were my 2nd sis and bro-in-law.
I was proud of my Doraemon idea. But nobody picked it! T_TMy other design (face with spectacles) was more successful, nominated twice. No one knows about this but guess what? It's a face of wx's.
:)
5.05.2009
Good ideas, Part I
I meant to write about this 9 months ago. :p
I attended a friend's (of my sister) wedding brunch in the States. Like any other wedding receptions, they give out souvenirs or gifts as memoirs of the couple's union. Sometimes a small wedding photo, sometimes a mini box of chocolates/candy. In Singapore, the Chinese usually give out gift cards/vouchers for wedding cakes/biscuits. Check out this one instead. It's unique!
A Chinese fan.
I know I know, these fans are all over Asia. But in the United States, particularly when you have lots of American friends, this is the h-a-w-t gift. (And very practical in summer from a summer wedding reception!)
Beautiful little pink flowers (Are these 梅花 - plum - or 桃花 - peach - blossoms? :p) growing out from the left as you open up the fan, and the word "爱" (aka. Love) mimicking the style of Chinese seals, gave this Chinese "painting" a finishing touch.
But that's not it! Look closer and you can find the couple's names imprinted (on a sticker) on the surface of the outer bone.
Praises to the couple - Very creative thoughts on your wedding gift! It really made your wedding a special one for the guests, and it showed how much sincerity and appreciation you hold for the friends and family who were there to witness your happiest moment.
And thank you for the coolest idea, I have just decided what my wedding gift would be. :D
A pair of chopsticks. The last character of our Chinese names carved, one on each. Together, tied by a piece of red string.
Think of it as the best and only opportunity to market yourselves as a couple (much like a signature or a name card) to your friends and family. (I mean, how often are you able to gather everyone you know in one place? Just this once.) Make it memorable. Make it valuable. Make it long-lasting.
So what will your wedding gift be? How will you like your friends and family to remember you and your loved one?
Drop me a comment or tweet @chibiryan to share your thoughts!
P.S. This post is simply to help you generate some ideas if you are looking to have a more unique and creative wedding. If you genuinely thought of the same idea, that's great! But please do not copy every single detail from what is posted here. (Or at least give credits to the people who thought of the idea first. If you think you're the first, feel free to voice it out here.) Every wedding is meant to be unique. So be yourself. :)
I attended a friend's (of my sister) wedding brunch in the States. Like any other wedding receptions, they give out souvenirs or gifts as memoirs of the couple's union. Sometimes a small wedding photo, sometimes a mini box of chocolates/candy. In Singapore, the Chinese usually give out gift cards/vouchers for wedding cakes/biscuits. Check out this one instead. It's unique!
A Chinese fan.
I know I know, these fans are all over Asia. But in the United States, particularly when you have lots of American friends, this is the h-a-w-t gift. (And very practical in summer from a summer wedding reception!)
Beautiful little pink flowers (Are these 梅花 - plum - or 桃花 - peach - blossoms? :p) growing out from the left as you open up the fan, and the word "爱" (aka. Love) mimicking the style of Chinese seals, gave this Chinese "painting" a finishing touch.
But that's not it! Look closer and you can find the couple's names imprinted (on a sticker) on the surface of the outer bone.Praises to the couple - Very creative thoughts on your wedding gift! It really made your wedding a special one for the guests, and it showed how much sincerity and appreciation you hold for the friends and family who were there to witness your happiest moment.And thank you for the coolest idea, I have just decided what my wedding gift would be. :D
A pair of chopsticks. The last character of our Chinese names carved, one on each. Together, tied by a piece of red string.
Think of it as the best and only opportunity to market yourselves as a couple (much like a signature or a name card) to your friends and family. (I mean, how often are you able to gather everyone you know in one place? Just this once.) Make it memorable. Make it valuable. Make it long-lasting.
So what will your wedding gift be? How will you like your friends and family to remember you and your loved one?
Drop me a comment or tweet @chibiryan to share your thoughts!
P.S. This post is simply to help you generate some ideas if you are looking to have a more unique and creative wedding. If you genuinely thought of the same idea, that's great! But please do not copy every single detail from what is posted here. (Or at least give credits to the people who thought of the idea first. If you think you're the first, feel free to voice it out here.) Every wedding is meant to be unique. So be yourself. :)
4.19.2009
A newborn.
The thought of giving birth is starting to give me shivers. Maybe I won't have kids. But all those maternity subsidiaries are just so tempting! :x
2.14.2009
Feb events
Hmm... been over a month eh. Been busy with other stuff and also somewhat lazy to update here.
Last weekend, I treated my family to a game of indoor minigolf @Lilliputt! I thought it was quite expensive considering the size of the place. :S $18/adult and $12/child. Good thing is you get 10% discount for using Amex and 20% discount for the baby-of-the-month (Feb babies). Totals out to $90 for 5 adults and 1 2yr+ child. (Yes, 2yr is charged the same rate as a 12yr.) There used to be an outdoor minigolf place in Sentosa, Sijori Wondergolf. Cheap, only $10/adults and $7/child! But sadly, it's under construction work now. :( So Lilliputt was our only choice left.
It's located in East Coast Parkway at the Big Splash. In fact, it's right next to the Road Safety Community Park. That was my favorite when I was young. I wonder if they let adults participate as well? Would look so stupid eh.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, the Road Safety Park is like a treasure hunt game about road safety. It's designed with roads, traffic lights, and various designated checkpoints. The idea is to teach school children the correct road safety rules, as either pedestrians or cyclists, while traveling to all the checkpoints and collecting validation stamps on the route card. I went there twice when in pri sch because I did well on the first. ^___^)v
It's Valentine's Day! :D Going off to Sentosa with wx in 6 hours time! ♥!!
Last weekend, I treated my family to a game of indoor minigolf @Lilliputt! I thought it was quite expensive considering the size of the place. :S $18/adult and $12/child. Good thing is you get 10% discount for using Amex and 20% discount for the baby-of-the-month (Feb babies). Totals out to $90 for 5 adults and 1 2yr+ child. (Yes, 2yr is charged the same rate as a 12yr.) There used to be an outdoor minigolf place in Sentosa, Sijori Wondergolf. Cheap, only $10/adults and $7/child! But sadly, it's under construction work now. :( So Lilliputt was our only choice left.
It's located in East Coast Parkway at the Big Splash. In fact, it's right next to the Road Safety Community Park. That was my favorite when I was young. I wonder if they let adults participate as well? Would look so stupid eh.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, the Road Safety Park is like a treasure hunt game about road safety. It's designed with roads, traffic lights, and various designated checkpoints. The idea is to teach school children the correct road safety rules, as either pedestrians or cyclists, while traveling to all the checkpoints and collecting validation stamps on the route card. I went there twice when in pri sch because I did well on the first. ^___^)v
It's Valentine's Day! :D Going off to Sentosa with wx in 6 hours time! ♥!!
12.28.2008
big birds.
JURONG BIRDPARK! (photos later)
..Is actually quite exciting, compared to the zoo. But most parents would probably pick zoo over birdpark for a greater variety of animals. Honestly, I enjoyed the bird shows much more than I did with the elephants show, which was more traditional and common in other zoos as well.
Birds of Prey. Totally loved it. Feel the falcons and vultures swoosh pass just above your head! Took me by surprise twice as I thought it was going to smash right into my face. Haha, the birds weren't that stupid of course, but that was how close and swift they were.
Birds n Buddies. Though not as exciting as the Birds of Prey, the grand entrance of a flock of Greater Flamingos made it just as spectacular. Also listen to the parrot sing in 3 languages (客人来, Rasa Sayang, Happy Birthday)!
Lory Loft. Enjoy close encounters with 1,000 lories! Great for photo-taking too. For $3 a cup, you get to feed them their favorite *unknown* juice!
Pelican Cove. Did you know the largest breed of pelicans (Dalmatian Pelicans) weigh about 40kg and can fly 40 times the height of the Statue of Liberty?? Despite their huge and bulky looks, they actually weigh less than me ye. :p
-----
When was the last time you visited the birdpark?
I think mine was way back when I was still in primary school. I could still remember that my P2 holiday assignment was to visit the Jurong Birdpark. I got up early that morning, and was so excited about the fishballs mom was preparing for me, that I kept pacing around the house. But just as I was making a turn into the kitchen, my dad was on his way out with boiling hot water for his tea. I bumped into him. >< Hot water spilled and scalded my neck. Poor me. I had to attend my abacus sessions in school throughout the whole holiday with a big bandage on my neck. :( And it was excruciatingly painful whenever the doctor had to clean out my wound and change a new bandage. *sniff*
..Is actually quite exciting, compared to the zoo. But most parents would probably pick zoo over birdpark for a greater variety of animals. Honestly, I enjoyed the bird shows much more than I did with the elephants show, which was more traditional and common in other zoos as well.
Birds of Prey. Totally loved it. Feel the falcons and vultures swoosh pass just above your head! Took me by surprise twice as I thought it was going to smash right into my face. Haha, the birds weren't that stupid of course, but that was how close and swift they were.
Birds n Buddies. Though not as exciting as the Birds of Prey, the grand entrance of a flock of Greater Flamingos made it just as spectacular. Also listen to the parrot sing in 3 languages (客人来, Rasa Sayang, Happy Birthday)!
Lory Loft. Enjoy close encounters with 1,000 lories! Great for photo-taking too. For $3 a cup, you get to feed them their favorite *unknown* juice!
Pelican Cove. Did you know the largest breed of pelicans (Dalmatian Pelicans) weigh about 40kg and can fly 40 times the height of the Statue of Liberty?? Despite their huge and bulky looks, they actually weigh less than me ye. :p
-----
When was the last time you visited the birdpark?
I think mine was way back when I was still in primary school. I could still remember that my P2 holiday assignment was to visit the Jurong Birdpark. I got up early that morning, and was so excited about the fishballs mom was preparing for me, that I kept pacing around the house. But just as I was making a turn into the kitchen, my dad was on his way out with boiling hot water for his tea. I bumped into him. >< Hot water spilled and scalded my neck. Poor me. I had to attend my abacus sessions in school throughout the whole holiday with a big bandage on my neck. :( And it was excruciatingly painful whenever the doctor had to clean out my wound and change a new bandage. *sniff*
Dining at Dian Xiao Er
Rating: ★★★★
Went for dinner with my family at Dian Xiao Er @AMK Hub yesterday, and it was packed with people. A rather ineffective queue system though. We started queuing for a table for 5+1, not knowing exactly how long it would take. "Not too long," was what I heard them tell everyone. There was no number, so we had to stand in the line at the exact same location throughout the wait. That's how they differentiate who came first. Finally, we got our seats after standing for 45 mins. We could however order first, so food actually arrived shortly after we'd taken our seats.
Overall, queuing up for seats was the bottleneck for me. I guess we were unlucky too because we had a large group right before us. 15 of them. Two groups of 3 who came after us were seated first. It appeared that they would give seats according to the party size whenever a table had cleared up, reasonably. It was very strange then, because when we saw traffic OUT, there was no guarantee of traffic IN. When we were finally seated after another 10-15 mins, the 15 sat down at a large rectangular table in the corner. We took a separate smaller rectangular table towards the middle of the space. The party of 7 behind us took a separate round table. ie. For the past 10-15 mins, at least, we can be sure that the smaller rectangular table and the round table were already empty, since we did not see any more traffic coming out of the restaurant during this period, and tables were separate so we need not depend on the 15 to get our seats, vice versa. Furthermore, we stood for 10-15 mins more, at least, because the waitresses were just trying to settle seats for the larger party, or so it seemed.
I'm not sure of the situation at other Dian Xiao Er branches. This was also my first time to one of them. But I did think that the food wasn't bad, ratings as follow.
Favorites: the wintermelon soup, which had a light and natural sweetness from scallops; Poached Spinach with Century and Salted Egg, quite a unique taste.
Quite good: Prawn Ball with Mayo Sauce; Duck Roasted with Ten Wonder Herb.
Not recommended: Mongolian Spare Ribs, I personally thought it had a weird taste.
Some pictures available on their web.
I might go there again for lunch. :) HUNNGRRRRYYY!
Went for dinner with my family at Dian Xiao Er @AMK Hub yesterday, and it was packed with people. A rather ineffective queue system though. We started queuing for a table for 5+1, not knowing exactly how long it would take. "Not too long," was what I heard them tell everyone. There was no number, so we had to stand in the line at the exact same location throughout the wait. That's how they differentiate who came first. Finally, we got our seats after standing for 45 mins. We could however order first, so food actually arrived shortly after we'd taken our seats.
Overall, queuing up for seats was the bottleneck for me. I guess we were unlucky too because we had a large group right before us. 15 of them. Two groups of 3 who came after us were seated first. It appeared that they would give seats according to the party size whenever a table had cleared up, reasonably. It was very strange then, because when we saw traffic OUT, there was no guarantee of traffic IN. When we were finally seated after another 10-15 mins, the 15 sat down at a large rectangular table in the corner. We took a separate smaller rectangular table towards the middle of the space. The party of 7 behind us took a separate round table. ie. For the past 10-15 mins, at least, we can be sure that the smaller rectangular table and the round table were already empty, since we did not see any more traffic coming out of the restaurant during this period, and tables were separate so we need not depend on the 15 to get our seats, vice versa. Furthermore, we stood for 10-15 mins more, at least, because the waitresses were just trying to settle seats for the larger party, or so it seemed.
I'm not sure of the situation at other Dian Xiao Er branches. This was also my first time to one of them. But I did think that the food wasn't bad, ratings as follow.
Favorites: the wintermelon soup, which had a light and natural sweetness from scallops; Poached Spinach with Century and Salted Egg, quite a unique taste.
Quite good: Prawn Ball with Mayo Sauce; Duck Roasted with Ten Wonder Herb.
Not recommended: Mongolian Spare Ribs, I personally thought it had a weird taste.
Some pictures available on their web.
I might go there again for lunch. :) HUNNGRRRRYYY!
8.08.2008
Zhiyu's 1st month
Zhiyu is getting cuter day by day! \\\(^ <> ^)///
Here are photos from her 1st month celebration:
Fruit cake from a Greek bakery. Toxic, but my favorite!
Qiqi has been very excited about cakes and candles!
She's singing a birthday song for her Zhiyu 表妹.
This is Qiqi waiting to blow candles and cut the cake..
Kobe wants to give Zhiyu his blessings too.. muack!
How adorable! Even in her sleep, she holds on to her ang bao from gong gong..
Happy parents!!
We wrote a duckling card for Zhiyu. The cute doodles.. done by me of cos. :)
-----
Napping with her mommy's mogu man..
Here are photos from her 1st month celebration:
Fruit cake from a Greek bakery. Toxic, but my favorite!Qiqi has been very excited about cakes and candles!She's singing a birthday song for her Zhiyu 表妹.
This is Qiqi waiting to blow candles and cut the cake..Kobe wants to give Zhiyu his blessings too.. muack!How adorable! Even in her sleep, she holds on to her ang bao from gong gong..Happy parents!!We wrote a duckling card for Zhiyu. The cute doodles.. done by me of cos. :)-----
Napping with her mommy's mogu man..7.26.2008
Mini golf tournaments and updates
33 days left till I get to see my swt♥! :D happie
Over the past couple of weeks, we had two mini golf tournaments. One at Pirate's Cove, and another at Hidden Harbor Golf. I lost both but had some great shots. Hehe. Damn hot weather. Lots of fun.
27-hole at the Pirate's Cove. Pretty well designed terrain and obstacles.
Hidden Harbor Golf is an extension of the American Adventures Park. 18-hole, with the last being a giveaway hole-in-one. But my sister managed to make it in 2. Haha. We also took rides at the amusement park area. For kids. Qiqi was happy!! But sadly, most rides are too small for adults. :(
-----
I mailed out $500+ worth of books and stationery the other day. Haiz. Just packed another boxful of soft toys. Probably be at least another $100 to ship that out. I have a feeling that the money I've earned in the past year is draining out. Eelk.
Work stuff is kinda disappointing, but expected. Don't even want to talk about it. Lazy I am, but I should really try to push for a recommendation letter eh? Or not.
After all these crap, I just want to get on the phone with wx. At least, love and peace could calm my mind.
Over the past couple of weeks, we had two mini golf tournaments. One at Pirate's Cove, and another at Hidden Harbor Golf. I lost both but had some great shots. Hehe. Damn hot weather. Lots of fun.
27-hole at the Pirate's Cove. Pretty well designed terrain and obstacles.
Hidden Harbor Golf is an extension of the American Adventures Park. 18-hole, with the last being a giveaway hole-in-one. But my sister managed to make it in 2. Haha. We also took rides at the amusement park area. For kids. Qiqi was happy!! But sadly, most rides are too small for adults. :(-----I mailed out $500+ worth of books and stationery the other day. Haiz. Just packed another boxful of soft toys. Probably be at least another $100 to ship that out. I have a feeling that the money I've earned in the past year is draining out. Eelk.
Work stuff is kinda disappointing, but expected. Don't even want to talk about it. Lazy I am, but I should really try to push for a recommendation letter eh? Or not.
After all these crap, I just want to get on the phone with wx. At least, love and peace could calm my mind.
world's suckiest: badminton player.
I don't think anyone could play this sport as bad as I do.
The first time I really played badminton, straight for like a month or so, I completely lost the ability to play table tennis. (Back to zero. It's as if I've never learned that sports before. I "gave up" being a better player.)
Never quite dare to touch badminton again, until someday I started going to a nearby community center to play with my mama and sisters. And.. I hurt my neck. Could turn or tilt my head for like two weeks.
The third time I played badminton was when I came to Atlanta for winter break. That time, I hurt my right toe nail because I didn't cut my nails. It remained black for months to a year.
This is the fourth time I hurt myself in badminton. Took care of my neck and toes this time, but whack too hard and hurt my right shoulder. T_T
Sobs~
The first time I really played badminton, straight for like a month or so, I completely lost the ability to play table tennis. (Back to zero. It's as if I've never learned that sports before. I "gave up" being a better player.)
Never quite dare to touch badminton again, until someday I started going to a nearby community center to play with my mama and sisters. And.. I hurt my neck. Could turn or tilt my head for like two weeks.
The third time I played badminton was when I came to Atlanta for winter break. That time, I hurt my right toe nail because I didn't cut my nails. It remained black for months to a year.
This is the fourth time I hurt myself in badminton. Took care of my neck and toes this time, but whack too hard and hurt my right shoulder. T_T
Sobs~
7.16.2008
Zoo Atlanta journal
Just back from the zoo!
Zoos are pretty much the same everywhere: animals staged typically includes, lions, tigers, leopards, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, rhinoceros.. add in some pretty birds and rarer animals like pandas, red pandas, or komodo dragons.. what else? Otters, penguins, crocodiles, snakes, how about some farm animals? Pigs, lambs, goats..
I think what makes a zoo fun is no longer just about the type of animals exhibited, the number and rarity, but the type of activities it encompasses, the themes, the organization, and the circulatory system. Think of how to get the people involved..
Zoo Atlanta, as well as the one in Pittsburgh, features a petting zoo area for kids. What's so exciting about viewing animals from a few hundred feet behind the fence?? Even for the most common types of animal, goats and pigs, it can become an interesting experience for people from the city. In the Pittsburgh Zoo, there are young kangaroos to pat, and an area where people could interact with deers freely.
Soooo, took some photos and few videos. Put them together in an online scrapbook! Enjoy!
P.S. No photos from Pittsburgh Zoo :( sobs.
Zoos are pretty much the same everywhere: animals staged typically includes, lions, tigers, leopards, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, rhinoceros.. add in some pretty birds and rarer animals like pandas, red pandas, or komodo dragons.. what else? Otters, penguins, crocodiles, snakes, how about some farm animals? Pigs, lambs, goats..
I think what makes a zoo fun is no longer just about the type of animals exhibited, the number and rarity, but the type of activities it encompasses, the themes, the organization, and the circulatory system. Think of how to get the people involved..
Zoo Atlanta, as well as the one in Pittsburgh, features a petting zoo area for kids. What's so exciting about viewing animals from a few hundred feet behind the fence?? Even for the most common types of animal, goats and pigs, it can become an interesting experience for people from the city. In the Pittsburgh Zoo, there are young kangaroos to pat, and an area where people could interact with deers freely.
Soooo, took some photos and few videos. Put them together in an online scrapbook! Enjoy!
P.S. No photos from Pittsburgh Zoo :( sobs.
7.12.2008
Meh.
updated: zoo trip postponed due to bad weather.
My family has been here for almost a month, my baba just arrived couple of days ago, and I have been so slacked ever since. All the work that I wanted to do part-time are on hold. Sobs. That means no money. Shipping stuff back to Singapore will cost a bomb. =( Just sold another book on Amazon, earned $65. But I still have like 8 other books waiting to get rid of. Sigh. Went to factory outlet today and I bought nothing!! woot. Only spent $9 on a little dress for Julian. (OMIGOD I just carried her for the first time just now! So small and chubby, and doesn't make a fuss when people carry her, unlike Qiqi.) Going to the zoo tomorrow. Hope it's not as unworthy as the Children's Museum we went on Tuesday. Much smaller than Pittsburgh's and not very well maintained. $11 for adults AND children. So that's how they treat children at a museum especially for them. To charge them like an adult. Why do they even bother having both adults tickets and children tickets? They're the same!
My family has been here for almost a month, my baba just arrived couple of days ago, and I have been so slacked ever since. All the work that I wanted to do part-time are on hold. Sobs. That means no money. Shipping stuff back to Singapore will cost a bomb. =( Just sold another book on Amazon, earned $65. But I still have like 8 other books waiting to get rid of. Sigh. Went to factory outlet today and I bought nothing!! woot. Only spent $9 on a little dress for Julian. (OMIGOD I just carried her for the first time just now! So small and chubby, and doesn't make a fuss when people carry her, unlike Qiqi.) Going to the zoo tomorrow. Hope it's not as unworthy as the Children's Museum we went on Tuesday. Much smaller than Pittsburgh's and not very well maintained. $11 for adults AND children. So that's how they treat children at a museum especially for them. To charge them like an adult. Why do they even bother having both adults tickets and children tickets? They're the same!
6.29.2008
A new life.
I just witnessed the birth of my 2nd niece today. Julian/芷瑜 is the name. My gawd. I mean, how many times in your lifetime would you actually witness someone giving birth, watching the baby come out of the... (forgive me, but my bio knowledge sux way beyond your imagination) Anyways, it was quite a smooth delivery (and yes, it was all bloody and I watched through EVERYthing). I thought this would be a good chance for me to understand the procedure visually, trying to comprehend the amount of pain during the giving birth. My sister finally resorted to epidural anesthesia, it means sticking a needle into your spinal cord to numb your body so you don't feel pain from contractions. I guess the pain is really menstrual cramps amplified n times. :s Most part of the process is just gross. Looks painful, and I wonder if without the epidural, whether the pain from contractions or the pain from tearing the vagina is more significant. Ewww.
Pictures to come.
Pictures to come.
6.26.2008
In my other life..
- Been quite into Wii sports after my family arrived. They're quite into it. And oops, I forgot to do my Wii fitness today. Although I can never quite believe how a 23 yr old and a 61 yr old can have their ages switched in a virtuality. =\
- They watched 2 HK dramas and I missed out on both. =( Caught only a few episodes over the weekends. But this House drama is awesome. Watching Season One. Only just started watching so I've missed quite a number of episodes now, but it's a different medical case each time so no missing out on plots.
- I got my international license today. $15 + 10 for 2 passport-sized photos. Eh hem.. don't know if you are aware of how it works, but this is supposed to get me my license in Singapore. We'll see.
- Nothing much happening on WoW these days. We transferred servers (back on a PvP server.. exciting). But it's like everyone's disappeared after the transfer. I don't log in as often too. Plan now is to focus on leveling and PvPing (I'm learning). Season 4 just came out.
- It's MidSummer festival now.. xiang xiang surprised me with a Captured Flame yesterday. Muuuuacck. So sweet. ^////^ Love you much!!! =D
12.30.2007
不想长大。
Came back from Orlando last night after a 5-day road-trip-holiday in Disney World!! This is my second time there since the Christmas of 2005 (with mr. goh and 2 of his friends..visited 2/4 Disney theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot - and Universal Studio). This time is obviously different in many ways:
1) I went with my sisters, brother-in-law, xiao guo and the most adorable QIQI!
2) No more couple/lovey-dovey talks/acts. I was the "odd one out" there (theoretically, besides qiqi).
3) Did not visit Universal Studio..
4) But went to ALL 4 theme parks ^^
5) Took more and more rides..
6) and more and more photos (of qiqi, close to 500!!)
7) We have a big car. Meaning access to more food options and finally...factory outlet shopping *wink*
Anyways, very happy to be back there again...it's like I'm back to being a kid!
1) I went with my sisters, brother-in-law, xiao guo and the most adorable QIQI!
2) No more couple/lovey-dovey talks/acts. I was the "odd one out" there (theoretically, besides qiqi).
3) Did not visit Universal Studio..
4) But went to ALL 4 theme parks ^^
5) Took more and more rides..
6) and more and more photos (of qiqi, close to 500!!)
7) We have a big car. Meaning access to more food options and finally...factory outlet shopping *wink*
Anyways, very happy to be back there again...it's like I'm back to being a kid!
10.16.2007
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