QING Moments

SNEAK PREVIEW OF ORCHARD ROAD’S CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

qingmoments — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:37:34 +0000

November has quietly sneaked in, and soon, Christmas bells will be ringing again. Just how time flies….

Walking on Orchard Road now, one will not miss seeing the decorations that are being put up for the upcoming annual Christmas Light-up event, which will run from 7 November this year through to 3 January 2010. So it is just less than a week away.

“A Christmas All Decked Out” is the theme for this year’s Christmas light-up on Orchard Road. Many Santa Claus, snowmen and Reindeers are used for the decorations.

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the decorations. Except for the very last photo, all photos on this entry were taken using the camera on my iPhone. The quality is not bad right?

Little snowman outside Wheelock Place and Liat Tower

Decoration at the entrance of Wheelock Place

Blue decoration outside Wheelock Place and Liat Tower. Similar decoration in red colour is found in other parts of Orchard Road

Golden decorative items used by Tangs

Workers putting up the decorations in Tangs

Decoration at the lobby of Wisma Atria

Decoration at the junction of Orchard Road and Scotts/Patterson Roads

Giant Santa Claus, one each at the four corners of the cross-junction of Orchard Road and Cairnhill Road

Orange and while balls hanging down from the trees

I wonder if there will be any surprises in the decorations and light-up this year? I shall share more photos after I have a stroll down Orchard Road one of these nights.

I always like Singapore the best during year-end when the weather is slightly cool (though wet as well) and the spirit of love and joy is felt everywhere especially in the shopping malls and along Orchard Road. After all, this is what Christmas is all about – GOD’S LOVE, JOY AND PEACE TO ALL MANKIND.

However, unlike previous years, DS and I are planning to spend Christmas on a cold winter land outside Singapore this December. Hopefully it will be a white Christmas for us! We are eagerly looking forward to seeing this pink “Princess Christmas” decoration in a tiara motif in our holiday destination. It has been 13 years since we last spent Christmas in overseas. That was a summer Christmas down under in New Zealand.

Can you guess where this is going to be?

Since we will be away, we will not be putting up our 5-foot tall Christmas tree at home this year. DS is mot happy about it as it is quite a chore to put it up, and then bring it down when the festive is over.

We are counting down to December …….

BITTER MEMORIES OF SWEET POTATOES

qingmoments — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:15:11 +0000

Our breakfast this morning was steamed purple sweet potatoes (or in Japanese, Murasaki Imo 紫芋）which we bought at Isetan Supermarket when we went to its Okinawa Fair two days ago.

I would say it was a luxurious treat because these four purple sweet potatoes cost us S$20.64, and this is far more costlier than a typical local breakfast. I am still wondering why they are so expensive although, as a matter of fact, they are very delicious and the best we have tasted so far.

DS and I don’t eat sweet potatoes often but eating them always reminds me of my mum’s stories about Japanese occupation during the World War II, and the hardship they had suffered. Then, as a young kid, my mum and her family survived on raw groundnuts and sweet potatoes many a times. In fact, it was considered a luxury to be able to have sweet potatoes! Life was really tough then and it is something that we, the lucky younger generation, can’t possibly imagine.

Coincidentally, I happened to watch two movies related to Japanese on World War II recently – the City of Life and Death on the Rape of Nanking (by the Japanese) in 1937 and Kabei (aka Our Mother). The latter, a Japanese movie, depicts the great love of a Japanese mother during the early 1940’s when Japan was in war. It also brings about a message for peace. I was greatly moved to tears by both movies.

City of Life and Death (南京！南京！）Movie Trailer

Kabei Movie Trailer

It is a great blessing that we are now living in a peaceful era although sadly and unfortunately, there are still wars somewhere on this world.

Why is peace so elusive? Human beings resort to war to fight for power. It seems natural since war is not limited to the human species. In the animal kingdom, whether big or small animals, like tigers, lions and even ants, also engage in wars and fights in order to establish their own dominions. So, human beings are just like animals. Just how sad, isn’t it?

War is cruel. I just hope mankind will always remember the pains and sufferings of our forefathers. No one shall ever take peace for granted, and there will never ever be another world war on this earth.

2009 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX – VROOM, ZOOM AND BOOMS

qingmoments — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:44:31 +0000

Interesting, exciting, tiring and memorable. These are the words I would use to sum up my experience watching F1 car race live for the first time ever in my life when I attended the 2009 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix (night races) last weekend.

I have mentioned in my previous blog entry that I am not a fan of F1 and I was not sure if I would enjoy myself. Well, I am glad that I had a great time despite having to stay late for three consecutive nights and suffering huge crowds everywhere in the Marina area. It was through this first-hand experience that I learned a lot more about F1 race and got a better idea on how the event is like.

Lewis Hamilton’s win that night made the event even more memorable for me because I am his supporter! I was both thrilled and touched when watching the British flag being raised at the podium over the big screen, and hearing a group of his British supporters seated behind us singing the British anthem loudly and proudly.

A newly formed F1 team by Malaysia will join in the race from the next season (2010) and I wonder if there will ever be the day when Singapore will have its F1 team?

Must have for the event – the survival kit which costs S$2 and consists of a pair of ear plugs and a poncho. Thanks to the great weather throughout the event and we did not have to use the poncho at all!

Crowds everywhere!

Great demand for beer during the 3 nights. S$8 per cup of Tiger beer and S$10 per cup of Heikenen beer!

Lots and lots of manpower deployed to put the event in good order

Racing accident happened every night

Large crowds waiting patiently near the Bay Grandstand to catch a glimpse of the drivers during the Drivers’ Parade on Sunday (27 Sep) evening

Timo Glock from Panasonic Toyota Racing. He won the second place in the race

Loudest cheers for Lewis Hamilton during the Drivers’ Parade!! He was in pole position for the race and was the winner for the night as well.

The upcoming new landmark for the Marina Bay area – The Marina Sands IR (Integrated Resort) which is due to open in 2010

Drivers’ in action. Lewis Hamilton leading all the way!

Jarno Trulli of Panasonic Toyota Racing and Fernando Alonso of Renault Team

Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari

Jenson Button of Brawn GP

A stroll down the racing track around the Bay Grandstand area after the race

A group of Lewis Hamilton’s supporters at the track after the race.

Vintage cars used for the Drivers’ Parade on display near Empress Place

Will I want to watch the race live again in future? Well, I don’t know yet. I have to say that the tickets are expensive but if I could, I would be interested in those S$1,388 Pit-stop tickets to be able to see all the “happenings” there. My younger sister, a fan of F1 and a supporter of Kimi Raikkonen, was very fortunate to have received a complimentary S$1,388 ticket from her friend. I hope I will be this lucky someday!!

阿密特首次世界巡回演唱会-AMIT LIVE FIRST WORLD TOUR

qingmoments — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:31:35 +0000

天后张惠妹（阿妹）又要开唱咯！

2010年1月30日，新加坡室内体育馆隆重登场！

阿密特首次世界巡回演唱会

这将会是老公和我第五次看阿妹的演唱会。全新的造型、全新的演唱会，非常、非常的期待，也希望是一个惊喜连连的演唱会！

今天开始售票。我已买了两张票，而且是很好的位子哦！

AMit阿密特-分生MV

SEASON TO BE OVER THE MOON

qingmoments — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:28:20 +0000

Can you guess what this is?

Did you guess it right? It is a box of moon cakes from Golden Peony Restaurant of Conrad Centennial Hotel.

The packaging though looks deceptive and non-traditional, it is very unique and practical. Each moon cake is individually wrapped, thus maintaining a good hygiene standard, and the box can be re-used as a storage box for items like costume jewelleries! What a creative design! I was very attracted by it when I went shopping for moon cakes at the Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Festival Bazaar (basement 2) two days ago. I think this is probably the most impressive packaging I have seen this year! But of course, this was not the reason I decided to buy a box home.

The Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Bazaar was rather busy on last Friday’s afternoon

When choosing my choice of moon cakes, quality has to come first. This means that the skin of the moon cakes must not be too oily nor too dry, the lotus paste has to be very fine and smooth and not too sweet, and the egg yolks are of good quality too.

I love moon cakes, especially those with egg yolks. This year, DS and I have decided to continue with our annual feast for this special Chinese festival after a break last year. This is what we have bought so far….what a treat, isn’t it?

I don’t really like the Da Zhong Guo moon cakes but there are hardly any good choices for black bean paste fillings which DS likes.

Most likely I am going to buy more moon cakes when I finish eating these! I can eat one whole piece in one sitting!

崖の上のポニョ – PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SEA

qingmoments — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:00:54 +0000

I had an enjoyable weekend last week, watching Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ – 2008) DVD by Miyazaki Hayao (宮崎駿). The movie was so lively and captivating, so much so that I fell in love with Ponyo and the little boy, Sousuke after watching it.

I had also watched Miayazaki Hayao’s last productions – Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し – 2001) and Howl’s Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城 – 2004), but I like Ponyo the best!

Have you watched it?

「崖の上のポニョ」予告編と大橋のぞみ主題歌

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea Japanese Trailer

私もポニョと宗介が大好きだよ！宗介の声がとてもとても可愛いね。。

WEI LIAN (aka KELVIN TAN), THE EXTRAORDINARY SINGER

qingmoments — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:40:47 +0000

WRITTEN BY DS

Kelvin Tan Wei Lian （陈伟联） would have remained obscure his whole life had he not joined the 2005 Project Super Star singing competition by Mediacorp. I did not follow the show at first, and only towards the last 2 episodes did I get to know about him and was really captivated by his emotive voice.

I remembered then that there was a controversy or misunderstanding in the competition that he was advancing based on sympathy votes and not real talent. Of course I didn’t agree and voted for him to win and was certainly delighted that he did.

陈伟联早期牵动人心的演唱－其实你不懂我的心

A touching rendition – Wei Lian singing “Qi Shi Ni Bu Dong Wo De Xin” (You Don’t Know My Heart) live. This was one of his songs at the final of 2005 Project Super Star

Wei Lian is certainly extraordinary and I always looked forward to his new albums.

His latest album, Moving Notes, is still as good as the first two, and certainly would be my most played album for quite a while. I just love the songs that are so touching when sung by him. In this album, track number 11, The Big Sea （大海）, is my favourite, and track number 05, Breakup Letter （分手的情书）, is a close second. Out of 11 tracks, I like 9 of them quite well, and two might just need some more listening so the album is certainly a very good buy.

陈伟联的第三张专辑－走唱(2009)

陈伟联的大海 MV

陈伟联的第一和第二张专辑－我只是想要…..(2006) 和 i伟联(2007)

陈伟联第一次上台湾电视节目－快乐星期天の快乐歌喉站（2007年），演唱火柴天堂。好一个动人心弦的演唱！

Another excellent yet touching rendition by Wei Lian – singing “Huo Chai Tian Tang” (Matchstick Heaven) in his first TV appearance in Taiwan (2007). Note the comments from the Taiwanese judges.

Somehow, I feel that his first 2 albums have more touching songs. This latest album has two, and I hope Wei Lian is not changing his style to become more ‘ordinary’! Jay Chou doesn’t need to change his style and I believe many of his fans will continue to like his style, and so I think Wei Lian can afford to stick to what he does best by belting out touching songs. I didn’t buy any of Kelly Poon’s （潘佳丽） and Sin Huey’s (Xin Hui’s 石欣慧) albums so you can imagine how competitive professional singing is, and I am a person that buys about 50 CDs a year (I support Sun Yan Zi 孙燕姿, Joi Chua蔡纯佳， JJ Lin 林俊杰 and Jocie Guo 郭美美 though).

Anyway, I certainly hope for many more good years to come for Wei Lian, and I will always be his fan if he can maintain his style.

GETTING READY FOR THE RACE

qingmoments — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:45:20 +0000

Here we are looking forward excitedly to watching F1 night race – the 2009 F1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix next month – for the first time ever in our lives!

We bought the 3-Day Bay Grandstand passes

Frankly, DS and I are not fans of F1 races and I wonder if we would ever be! And we know very little about F1 Grand Prix, apart from a few prominent names like Michael Schumacher who has retired, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa (unfortunately Massa will not be in the Singapore night race this year due to his recent injury).

However, I have friends who are really fans of the Grand Prix, to the extent of travelling out of Singapore to Malaysia and as far as Japan and Melbourne, and even flew all the way from London to Singapore, just to watch the races live. A British friend of mine even took leave to be a volunteer for the first night race in Singapore last year.

Well, I suppose I would never understand what’s so attractive and enjoyable about watching the races live, until I experience it myself next month. I think even if I don’t enjoy it, I will still be happy to have experienced it at least once in my life-time. It is a case of “Been There, Done It”!

Oh yes, taking the kind advice from my friend in the UK, I had better get ready two pairs of ear plugs before I go to the races.

SERVING THE SEA CUCUMBERS

qingmoments — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:12:02 +0000

Do you know what these are? These are dried sea cucumbers which my mum bought from Fujian, China during her recent holiday trip there. They don’t look appetizing at all, do they? They aren’t cheap though.

These dried sea cucumbers are hard as stones!

When I was very young, I had seen how my late grandma went through the lengthy and tedious steps in re-hydrating and cleaning the dried sea cucumbers before cooking them. I have not tried it out myself but when my mum offered four pieces to me, I readily and happily accepted them.

Well, if you are considering cooking sea cucumbers from the dried ones, I suggest you do not entertain this thought at all unless you have the patience and time to go through the process! It took me 9 days, and lots of “hard work” to complete the re-hydrating and cleaning process! No exaggeration at all.

I started the first step by placing the sea cucumbers in a pot of water and bring them to boil (photo above). I then left the sea cucumbers in the pot to re-hydrate. This step was repeated twice a day, changing the water each time to get rid of the bad smell. Yes, the sea cucumbers were extremely fishy! I also had to make sure that the pot and water were completely oil-free, or the cucumber will “rot”, according to my mum. Interesting huh…

By the fourth day, the sea cucumbers were soft enough for cleaning. The cleaning job was the most disgusting part. It was extremely tedious – lots of scrapping to remove the dirt on the surface and the internal of the sea cucumbers.

Internal of dried sea cucumber

Just look at the dirt on the knife!

These are not ready yet. I had to continue with the re-hydrating and cleaning process (scrapping away the dirt) for another 4-5 days before they were ready for cooking.

I was glad that I finally completed the process with much patience and care, as if I was rearing a pet, as DS teased me!

So how did I cook them?

I lightly stir-fried them with slices of ginger, black sauce, a little salt, sesame oil and brandy before transferring them to a pot to stew with cabbage, chicken, dried scallops and Japanese dried mushrooms.

Before adding sea cucumbers

Stir-frying sea cucumbers

Stewing the sea cucumbers and I then added some French beans to complete the cooking before serving.

That was a good try although the taste can still be improved. I was glad that all four of us (our friend, my younger sister, DS and I) nearly finished the whole pot of food, together with my salted vegetable duck soup, over dinner on Singapore’s National Day!

DS loves my salted vegetable duck soup but I seldom cook it because I don’t like to eat duck!

My friend said that I could also stew the sea cucumbers with duck. Perhaps I will give this a try with my remaining sea cucumbers and DS can eat most of the duck!

Having gone through the tedious process, do I still want to put my hands on dried sea cucumbers in future? Definitely no, after I finished consuming all the four pieces given by my mum. My mum was so happy when I told her that the sea cucumbers were good. She wanted to give me more but I had to turn her down. I am glad that I have gone through yet another new experience in cooking but don’t think it is worth the effort and time at all. Furthermore, I also don’t have a strong liking for sea cucumbers. I don’t mind eating a piece or two once in a blue moon, but not more!

KING OF FRUITS AND KING OF SOUPS

qingmoments — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:23:17 +0000

Durian season is approaching its end. Though avid fans of durians, DS and I had decided to (drastically) cut down our durian intake this year, mainly for the reason that we do not want our recent weight-loss effort to be in vain. Many would know that durians contain high levels of sugar and is a good source of carbohydrate and fats.

Nevertheless, after reading a recent article in the 8-Day magazine, we could not resist heading down to Balestier Road to check out this durian stall that was featured. In fact, if not for this article, we wouldn’t even know that there are durian stalls along Balestier Road! We are so used to buying durians from this fruits shop nearby our home.

Balestier Road is located not that far from where we live now but it is a place that we hardly go. The last time we went there was in 2002, when we were hunting for a set of dining room lamps for our new home. It was this long ago!

Our taxi driver dropped us right in front of the durian stall that we wanted to go but we decided to have a stroll down Balestier Road to check out the place before our durian feast. And guess what, we had a pleasant surprise! We came across this Bak Kut Teh restaurant with a long queue outside the restaurant. It was about 9pm, on Friday night. Driven by curiosity, we decided to join the queue though it is not usual for us to want to queue for food, and I also don’t fancy eating pork.

When we were finally assigned a table, we realised that we have actually stepped into a popular Bak Kut Teh restaurant that is not only known locally but also amongst celebrities from overseas.

Not forgetting that we had to still reserve our stomach for durians, we ordered only Bak Kut Teh with a small bowl of rice. Our 25 minutes of waiting (from queuing to serving of food) proved worthwhile. This was the best Bak Kut Teh we have ever tasted, though I found the pork a little tough.

I think the price of S$6 per bowl of Bak Kut Teh, served with You Tiao and free-flow of soup, is reasonable.

Having satisfied our curiosity, we began our durian feast for the night.

This durian stall had been featured on quite a number of newspapers, magazines etc. The stall owner (above) told me he has 50 years of experience selling durians.

We had a mix of D24 (my favourite!) and Mao Shan Wang 毛山王(Hairy Mountain King)

The standard of the durians indeed did not disappoint us, and the service was also good. However, we don’t think it was worth the effort going all the way to Balestier if it is just for the durians. We will still be happy to stick to our nearby fruit shop where equally good, if not better, durians can be bought.