Life Sucks

Everybody knows that most of the old pre-war houses in Chinatown have been torn down and in its place have risen nameless concrete high rise building that bears no semblance to the past and is a clone of buildings all over the world. But in the name of development, a fair number of post war high rise buildings have also been torn down and in its place have risen newer and higher buildings. This was the old Robina House. I remembered MacDonald had its first CBD outlet here in eighties. In its place now is a gold color shiny One Shenton.

Most superfood are actually very normal food that we consume almost without any thoughts and become superfood only when some angmoh company decided to teach us Asian and the world how to eat them and make them; the angmoh company get rich in the process. So we have mangosteen juice costing $80 a bottle, acai berries and Chinese Wolfberries (Goji) costing an arm and leg. Then there is  Chia Seeds   - one of the latest superfood. Thankfully, the Chia Seeds appears to be pretty reasonably priced in comparison, about S$15 for 250 gm. And even more so, Basil Seeds have not gotten on to the spotlight of the angmoh and is still cheaply available. Chia Seeds (image from Wikipedia) Chia Seeds (Silvia Hispanic) originally comes from Mexico but Australia is the biggest producer in the world. Chia Seeds was popularised by Christopher McDougall in his book "Born to Run" and has become some sort of cult food for runners. Chia Seeds looks a little like sesame seeds and com...

Have always wanted to try the famous Mellben Seafood in Toa Payoh but has never found the courage and time to brave the crowd. Fortunately, here in Pasir Ris, there is a branch of the famous seafood restaurant. And after moving here for over a year, finally found the time to go down and try the food. We ordered Mom's favourite, the cereal prawn. Also, there house specialty, the tofu. It came with a nice thick sauce and plenty of chye poh. This was good.

With no running to do, my weekend has gotta kinda boring. So when M goes for her runs, tagged along (actually not much choice there, have to be the driver). So when the occasion calls for it, decided to turn photographer. First up was the  TNF 100 Challenge 2nd Progressive Run at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. While waiting for the runners to return, went around the trails looking for some subject to snap. First came across this little critter - a cotton stainer bug as I later found out. I also found out it was damn tough taking this sort of 'macro' photo without a proper macro lens.  Cotton Stainer Bug I was using a 55 - 200mm len initially for the runners but for the bug, no matter how I zoom, or stand far away, I couldn't get a clear sharp picture. So I switch to a 28 - 55 mm len but didn't fare much better. I didn't dare go too near in case I scare off the fella but standing far away means I couldn't be able to get a nice close up. In the end, ...

It's that time of the year for the Mooncake Index, first stated in 2007. For the life of me, I can't remember why there wasn't one last year. Maybe I didn't get any moon cakes? Not very likely though. Anyway, the MCI reflects the state of my expenditure and the business given out and the corresponding reactions to the business doled out. On this count, the year appears to be a good year for businesses despite a drop in ad spending. The first one (actually 2 of them) was from Crystal Jade. Among the early bird to arrive at my desk was everybody favourite, the Champagne Truffles Mooncake from Raffles Hotel.

The last time I stepped onto Pulau Tekong was more than 20 years ago. And unlike the younger male of today, I did not do my Basic Military Training there. So I had very hazy memory of the island other than that it was bare and hot! View of Tekong camp from the sea Recently I managed to visit Pulau Tekong. No I wasn’t going there to do any soldiering. Me I too old for that. I was there to send off the Kid for his stint. D day for him and a good old walk down the memory lane for me. The last time I went there, we were dumped onto  Changi   Beach  from our 3-tonners and then herded like sheep up to a hot and open RPL. Once on Tekong, we had to march to the training ground. But nowadays, the soldiers are ferried in air conditioned passenger launch from a airy clean ferry terminal at Changi and whisked off straight to another equally spacious jetty which leads directly to the compound of the camp. I don’t have any impression of the old camp there but certain...

I have heard of this place for a long long time since I started working in that area 25 years ago but have never went in there until now. It was a quaint old place just like The Ship Restaurant or Shashlik . The decor is so dated. They used those cheapo plastic table mat and red and white checkered table cloth. Even the music they played were oldies. And best of all, the price of the food stayed almost in the 80's, that is to say, it was pretty decent. Having survived for so long and in such an obscure corner of town, I reckoned the food must be pretty decent. Indeed even on a Sunday evening, there was a sizeable crowd in the small little diner. Unfortunately, that didn't turn out to be true. The portion was fairly big but taste wise, it was so so and nothing to shout about. We ordered a plate of baked cheese which cost $16.00. 

One of the few times that I walked down Orchard Rd from Scotts Rd till Orchard Central. Along the way, pass this giant poster that has been attracting the wrong attention. Some 'concerned' citizens have written to the press to complain that the ad is indecent! Read the complaints here and here . I looked left and right and mostly up and down and frankly I can't see anything indecent about it. However, I do agree that the ad should be removed. I thinkthe visual of a half naked male torso serve more to attract the 'other' group of 'guy'. Me think, they should replace it with something that is more soothing to the eyes like this ad: Further down the road saw this super long queue snaking all the way from Orchard Building to Yan San Building.  What were they queuing for? To get into H&M , the latest international brand that opens its door in Singapore today. People even queue up overnight ! All this to get into an outlet which is so common ...

The gahmen has been trying to preserve the old pre-war shophouses in Chinatown. However, somehow even after restoration, although the buildings now look nice and clean, somehow they have lost its charm. This is the  Nagore Durgha Shrine . It used to be so run down it was in danger of collapsing but after a few years of renovation, it is now opened as an Indian Muslim Heritage Centre. What is said is that it is now so commercialised and there is a cafe right in the middle of the hall!  Some of the shophouses have been restored by the private sector. This one is fairly well done although it is a pity the coffeeshop on the ground floor spoiled the ambience. This one at the corner of McCallum Street and Amoy Street is so colorful it looks so weird and out of place! And the picture of the Chinese Junk!