| Tokyo and Hakone in brief |
[Dec. 30th, 2009|04:40 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  pleased | ] |
Breakfast set at the Tonosawa QS Hotel
Best soft-boil eggs ever; their seasoning is superb. Anyone knows how/where to get them?
Btw, Tonosawa QS has a fantastic view. It makes staying in on a rainy afternoon a good idea. Private onsen available too, it's indoor though.
( Pictures galore! )
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| Random updates (post Christmas) |
[Dec. 28th, 2009|12:41 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | pleased | ] |
Soooooooooooooooo many things have happened this month, I don't really know how to update (as cliche as it sounds). So here's a random collection from my trusty cybershot camera phone.
Mt Fuji, as seen from Hakone (near the Sulphur Eggs shop). Brilliant, with a belt of clouds adding mystique to the majesty of the mountain.
The best biz idea goes to the Sulphur Eggs shop -- selling eggs cooked by sulphuric gas-heated ponds, 5 a bag, 500 yen per bag.
Green tea bottles having a soak in a hot tub - another brilliant idea in wintry Japan.
Sweet surprise from Lena (visit them at Haven Bakery blogspot). My colleagues are full of praises for the Mango Cake.
My first okonomiyaki attempt. Yummy. Ingredients from our fav 100 Yen shop in Tokyo.
Rice rolls with seasoning from the 100 Yen shop
Last but not least, our favourite purchase from Tokyo - the Umeshu that Obasan says is OISHI! Turns out to be a hit at the party... yummy!
Happy 2010 my friends!
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| *poOf* |
[Dec. 10th, 2009|01:49 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | ecstatic | ] |
I'm off to enjoy wintry weather, stay well meanwhile. Back in action on 21 Dec.
*hugs*
Oh and yes, my eyelid is twitching again. Time to shake some of that stress and anxiety off. Hopefully hotsprings can do what they claim, and that sulphuric acid cooked eggs can add some years of good health as well. :-) |
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| And the real cause is... |
[Dec. 5th, 2009|10:45 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | happy | ] |
After 14 dives in 3.5 days, I had a massive ear infection in both ears. The left side was extremely bad, the worst I've experienced to date. When I woke up in Bkk after the bus ride and a short nap, I decided I need to get to the hospital.
To cut the long story short, the pain subsided, and I finished my course of antibiotics, both oral and drops. So I went to the doc near my workplace on Friday - first time to "queue", and the 2nd time to see the doc (there were 10 patients ahead of me in the queue).
The doc concluded that the ear canal was still swollen, and put me on another course of antibiotics. I remembered I had another reason to visit him - my twitching eyelids that were acting up for the last 2-3 wks since before the dive trip.
He looked at me with big, earnest eyes (this is a kind-looking, old Indian doc), and said the most common causes of twitching eyelids are anxiety and stress. I looked at him puzzled, because my eyelids were still twitching during the dive holiday (and the bkk days that followed). He asked if I can't recall when I last felt stressed or anxious.
I smiled, and replied, "doc, I brought my laptop to come and see you, what do you think?". :-)
Later during lunch, another colleague shared her story when I shared the revelation about twitching eyelids. She said she had weird stares all over when she was queueing in the clinic and working on her lappie.
The story of our lives.
It's not just work, it's about other things, like your friends getting married, giving birth to kids and more kids, getting a house, finding a new job, finishing a marathon, returning from great holidays, timely return from work trips, and so on. For that, I give thanks, and heartiest congratulations to Fur on her beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeg day tmrw! |
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| Richelieu's Rock video |
[Dec. 5th, 2009|12:01 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | peaceful | ] |
Love the sound of my breathing, love the last frame. :-) |
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| Back from the Similans |
[Dec. 2nd, 2009|10:38 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | pleased | ] |
14 dives in 3.5 days, no mean feat. I was so sure I lost some weight, partly due to the fact that my jaws were sore from the regulator. Another reason could be the inflammation of the ears, it's amazing how pain just helps you forget hunger.
In any case, it's an eye-opening experience, though we missed the mantas and the whale sharks. Some picts are up on FB, below are some that I've seen but simply unable to capture on camera, so I've borrowed from other photographers with pride.
Anemone shrimp
Frogfish
Ghost pipefish
Seahorse
My favourite.. pineapple fish!
I can't believe we're going Tokyo next week. Whee! |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 13th, 2009|01:37 pm] |
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Who do you talk to, when you don't know who you can talk to? |
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| The deed is done |
[Oct. 24th, 2009|05:13 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | thankful | ] |
Just before I started the 11 grps project, we found The One (courtesy and thanks to E!), and did the necessary. With the signing of papers, shaking of hands, and the congratulatory note (oh, and not forgetting the presence of dear min), it really felt like the real deal. hehe.
The reality is still sinking in, but we're able to visualise it a lot more more. Can't wait for 2013, but meanwhile, there's the whole Move to look forward to.
Oh, not forgetting the mantas that're waiting for us in Similan and wintry Tokyo.
Just as Jon says, God is good. |
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| Thoughts |
[Oct. 17th, 2009|10:24 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  thoughtful | ] |
I've been reading this Happiness book written by a buddhist monk, and he talks about the ephemeral nature of thoughts. He argues that thoughts are what causes frustration, anger, and whatever negative feelings you can think of. To cope with that, he recommends meditating on the nature of thoughts. Visualising thoughts as waves in the ocean, focusing on where the thoughts are coming from, where the thoughts are going to. Not exactly looking at the source (as in the events) that caused the thoughts, but rather to recognise that thoughts come from the vastness (or nothingness) and fade into the vastness (and nothingness).
Interesting thought, isn't it?
In other news, I almost bought it, but I didn't, coz it was bought before I could pay for it. I guess that's Mr God's way of saying, "not yet, my darling". |
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| The first Lasagne |
[Oct. 11th, 2009|09:36 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | satisfied | ] |
Having been inspired by the EB's wife's bachemal sauce lasagne, I googled for a recipe. First on the list was J@mie 0liver's, so that's what I used.
A pictorial flow of what happened...
Step 1 in preparing the bechamel sauce:
Boiling 600ml of milk with onions, 8 black peppercorns, 3 cloves, 2 bay leaves (i skipped the 4 stalks of parsley)
Step 2 of the bechamel sauce:
Stirring in 2.5 tbsp of plain flour into 50g of butter over low heat
Step 3 (and final one) of the bechamel sauce:
Combine the strained milk and the buttery flour mixture
The assembly:
One layer of bechamel sauce, laying of the lasagne sheets, then bechamel sauce + basil pesto sauce. Dump 1/2 of the vine-riped tomatoes (costs abt S$2 per tomato) and 1/2 of the spinach (which according to 2 guinea pigs tastes like di huang cai, whatever that is), sprinkle mozarella + parmesan cheese + basil leaves. Repeat process of laying lasagne and whatever else. Finally, top up with a last layer of lasagne, cheese and basil leaves.
Finally, bake at 180 degrees for 40min, allow to set a while (at least 15min according to experience), and serve!
Not before having a starter of course...
There, a diary of how my Saturday went. Sunday was spent sleeping after church to recoup the massive loss of energy. :-) |
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| I've survived the flu |
[Oct. 5th, 2009|10:40 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  full | ] |
It was a horrible 1.5 wks. There was the nagging pain in the throat. Sometimes I can barely whisper. Often I feel weak. Sometimes I wake up with a splitting headache. And I'm always tired.
It boils down to a nasty bout of flu. Plenty of those in office were suffering from it. I just feel sad for those whose doctors prescribed antibiotics. Flu is caused by a virus, and antibiotics can do nothing about it.
In any case, I've done quite a bit in the 1.5 wks. I've preached my first 1/2 hr sermon, done mooncakes with the elderly, brewed a pot of xia ku cao and two pots of barley.
To celebrate the end of my flu, I had 3 slices of pizza, and on the following day, crab beehoon and durians for dessert.
Bliss, is what the post-flu celebration is about.
Praying for all the teachers whose kids are going to face the gruel of examinations. May your hard work and their preparations pay off, and may all the marking go smoothly, quickly, and painlessly!
Finally, may all of us be kept safe from flu and bugs, and enjoy good health forever more. Amen. :-) |
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| First friendly cat encountered |
[Sep. 23rd, 2009|11:44 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | amused | ] |
We were walking round the neighbourhood after a late night ice lemon tea, when the neighbourhood cat decided to roll and let us rub its tummy. When we didn't oblige, it just kept tagging along anyway. After the VP got into the cab, the cat did its stuff again, so I rubbed its tummy, and it wanted to play by pawing and opened its mouth and acted like its gonna bite. It almost followed me home, but didn't take the lift. Sweet little cat. Usually, all the cats I meet ignore me. Like totally.
In other news...
Am preaching on Sunday, let me know if you'd like a copy of the transcript. Errr... I'm only a third through it though. :P |
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| New curtains, new bed, new room! |
[Sep. 12th, 2009|06:33 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | pleased | ] |
After the curtains purchase from Ikea on Fri night (waited almost half hr for the free bus – not recommended), the new bed arrived on Sat afternoon. We tried looking for a decent mattress from Courts and the like of them, but the prices were exorbitant, like 4-digit costs! Knowing that this bed is just going to be temporary (given the relocation exercise that will likely take place in a yr’s time), it made sense to buy a cheaper one. I found this Singapore website (www.beds.sg) via google, and hey, major brands are selling for 3-digit prices, good deal. Finally the VP settled for a Wasaly mattress, mattress protector, 2 pillows, all from the same web site. Delivery happened 3 days after the online order. The delivery guys helped move the old bed frame out, kudos to them! Doubt the VP and I can survive the weight of the bed frame down the staircase.
After the delivery guys left, we quickly dressed the new bed with the freshly washed bedsheeets. Wheeeeeeeee! New bed in the room, with the effort with a few clicks. For the new house, will definitely visit them for good deals.
Happy week ahead! |
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| Whee it's the wkend! |
[Sep. 11th, 2009|09:49 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | peaceful | ] |
Life's really good when I open my eyes to the good of things. Last weekend was spent making (supervising my dad) lemon grass drink, which turned out really yummy. And what else did I do? Hmm... oh dragonboating (or at least while it lasted) and having the 2 lunches that happytreefrenz blogged about.
Tmrw, the VP's new mattress will arrive, and we'll be putting up the new curtains. Then we'll attempt this mooncake recipe I found online.
Domesticated wkend for me, hope you have a great one too! |
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| My 2nd warehouse sale |
[Sep. 4th, 2009|09:50 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  tired | ] |
This yr, it's held at the th@i embassy. The VP was shocked at my $41.50 worth of purchase. Well, it's basically my 6mth supply of shampoo and body wash. Buying was easy, trucking them home was the tough bit (think fri evening crowd). In any case, we survived, and I've finally bought 2 tubs of the intense treatment thing for my poor dry hair (which happens to grow on oily scalp). Not sure if the intense treatment thing will make the scalp oilier, but hey, pple only see the hair, no?
In case you're keen, you can visit the th@i embassy for my company's warehouse sale, the toiletries sale worth waiting for! Now till 7th sept, ends at 9pm.
Happy weekend! |
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| Donating blood |
[Sep. 2nd, 2009|10:08 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | relieved | ] |
I haven't donated blood in over a year, so when the SMS from bloodbank came appealing for pple of my blood type to come forward, I did.
Post the blood donation (after I reached home and finished dinner), I had a massive tummy ache. The kind where you break out in cold sweat and feel like fainting on the toiletbowl from pain. After the episode which lasted for about 45min, I told my dad I had a tummy ache. His immediate response... you're saying my food gave you tummy ache? I had no problems after eating it.
So, after failing to defrag my hard drive, I googled for any possible relationship. Here's what I found.
"There is a possibility that you may experience some side effects, both during and after, blood donation and these are:
*Dizziness or faintness
*Upset stomach
*A bruise, redness, or pain at the site where the needle was inserted
*Pain due to a nerve irritation by the needle"
And I rem another tummy ache incident post a blood donation with min, and I happily blamed the food from Food Street. Now I know... I belong to the minority who suffer from tummy ache! Shall make it a point to head straight home after the donation, so that even if I do faint from the tummy ache, it won't be in a smelly public toilet!
Btw, they're still low on blood, so if you're A or O and "don't belong to a high risk sex category", do go ahead! They close at 8pm on Fridays (6.30pm on other days). |
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| Nitrogen November |
[Aug. 22nd, 2009|12:07 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | pleased | ] |
It's official! The VP can leave SG in Nov, so we're heading off to the Similan along with ~y~ for our first truly LOB experience. A Thai colleague went with the Tapana and told me about the free airport transfers, great food, and manta rays, and I'm sold. Checked out the air tickets, and this is what we're planning to do...
Mon evening: Arrive in Phuket airport + transfer to Tapana (the boat)
Tues-Fri: 3-4 dives a day, then some land time in Phuket and sleep over at Tapana (hence saving on lodging in Phuket)
Sat noon: Fly to Bkk
Sat-Mon: Eat, shop, massage, eat, shop, massage
Mon night: Back home
Fur will be happy to know we'll fly back in time for her big day that Sunday. The following Friday, I'll be heading to Tokyo.
Fingers crossed that when i return to work, everyone will be on their christmas break. hehe.... |
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| Happiness as the end purpose of life? |
[Aug. 20th, 2009|12:46 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | peaceful | ] |
As I was telling ~y~ the other evening over dinner, I've started reading a book by Matthieu Ricard, a french monk based in the Himalayas. Sometimes touted as the happiest person on earth, my friend T watched a video of him on the habits of happiness. I've put it on my FB, but for the sake of those not yet initiated, you can go to the link: http://www.ted.com/talks/matthieu_ricard_on_the_habits_of_happiness.html
Basically, MR regards true happiness as being at continual well-being (as an inner state). All the things we do (such as hoarding, seeking pleasurable experiences) are all but transient. Since these feelings are ephemeral, the feelings/bouts of "happiness" will be but a brief experience. That's a good rationale why we all slip into periods of depression or struggle in a cycle of highs and lows.
That's where I got to in Chapter One, will share other nuggets as I explore on my journey in seeking Happiness. May you find yours too! |
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| Revelation of the wk |
[Aug. 13th, 2009|11:17 pm] |
I guess, it's all a matter of perspective?
I was experiencing my usual Sine / cosine curve the past week, and while in the trough leading to my birthday, awoken to the fact that I would die a miserable person if I died living the way I did the past 1 yr for the next 50 yrs or so. In my low, I talked to D about it, while VP was around. In my peak, I shared with the same revelation about making each day count and not let the work in work drag us down.
VP commented the two delivery were really different. In any case, my point is made, and I rest my case.
Time to enjoy the liturgy in TGIF! |
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| Incredible India Part x |
[Aug. 7th, 2009|11:15 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  predatory | ] |
x = x, no the roman numbering btw. :-)
The very Indian looking ordering counter - I had a chicken tikka wrap. Almost like chicken wrapped in oily fried dosai.
The ruins I came across in Lodi Gardens - insisted the ricky driver sent me to the garden after passing by, while he was trying to send me to a touristy shop (think the kind where phuket drivers send tourists to in order to earn a stamp from the shop).
Oh, the ricky driver tried to humour me by saying I look like I'm from bombay. Like HAH. Now I understand how the VP feels when pple think she's from Ph or Th.
Otherwise, the 10 rp ride was quite worth it.
This is the 400 yr old tomb(s)...
Perhaps that's why I dreamt that I was a ghost, but a high tech one. My ghost friend got me a laptop, so I was actually going to email home...
Updates from my laundry:
The nano-environmental laundry ball is really quite cool, clothes do smell fresh and clean, but the good smell is likely a function of the softener. Nonetheless, I'm all for going detergent-less. Too bad for consumer goods companies that peddle laundry detergent... |
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