Sentosa Picnic

The long talked about yearly sentosa outing happened on 29/12/08, before the new year. Phew, we made it!

Because we were so blinded by the sun, we missed out that there was a shady tree just 1.236 metres away from us. So we plonked down on the burning sand and got ready to toast our bread. All the time pretending that the weather was not hot at all, freezing in fact.

Then emelyn couldn't take it anymore and opened an unbrella which led to the discovery of the shady spot we named: Under the tree.



The cheese really melted. Just ask cheryl.



We played Captain's ball with rotten bananas. Which turned into muah chee. And attracted more friends, namely flies.

There was a sandcastle building competition after the horrendous chase after the rotting banana.

I think kaichi and I did a good job, even though we lost badly to the egyptian tomb.

We call it "The King Of FAR". Theme: Fat And Round. King because our handwritings were just too big for Kingdom. I bet you guys are jealous of our artistic abilities. Too bad.

And finally...



But I think we still look more natural flying.

30122008

This is not really supposed to be here and such posts wouldn't come out often. I just needed to put this down somewhere and this is perhaps the most convenient place, seeing that I don't keep any diary or such.

Today I went to pay a long overdue visit to my babysitter's place. It's been more than a decade since I've really seen her and talked to her. I remember telling myself I have to do this before the new year so that I can leave 2008 without any regrets. Especially after I've seen the fragility of life.

I thought I would feel like a kid once I saw her, I thought it would feel as if the clock merely stopped for 10 years. I was wrong. And it frightened me as I saw how much she has aged. I was suddenly scared of the future where she would no longer be around and those people that I've taken for granted my whole life would leave.

Then I started to regret, ironically, seeing that I was trying to prevent regret in the first place. I wanted those years back, those years where I actually covered her up with all the other childhood memories and people with years and years of dust.

I like seeing her smile because of me. The old folks aren't that good at expressing their feelings but it radiates off them, for you to feel. And I can imagine how she must have been anticipating my visit since the call I gave her yesterday.

It amazes me that some things in life don't change. I know that no matter who I became in these 10 years, she would still love me as much. Even if I completely forget about her, she would still occasionally dig up those photographs and reminisce about the days when she was in my life.

It's the little things, like giving me all her containers after I told her I was selling pineapple tarts for new year, sending me off at the lift just so she could see me a bit more despite the 3 hours and calling to check that I'm home safely, that makes the regret turn into pain.

I'm just so glad that I grew up before she left to realise her love and try my best to make up for the lost years. My grandma died 4 years ago and it's been a regret of mine all along that I didn't reciprocate everything that she has done for me. I wish I could tell her that I really appreciate all that she had done and I really want to make a cake for her. Even if she doesn't like it, I know she'll still pretend to like it because I made it. And she'll be proud of me.

I really want to make a cake for ahma. The best cake in the world for the best ahma. I want to see her smile because of me again.

I came home today and mopped the entire house, I even bought biscuits for my dad. Then I realised how old my parents are, both in their fifties. And I didn't want the same kind of regret in my life.

It's love like these that doesnt change. Love that can be felt even if they are no longer around. It's to be reciprocated before it gets too late.

Life's too short for regrets.

Hokkien Mee

Food Republic chain of hokkien mee. A rather steep price of $4.50 but worth the buy.

Get it at any Food Republic chain, Wisma or Vivocity or whereever.

It's fried with pork lard and the chilli is fragrant but not too hot.

The Sweet Stone Parad'Ice

The Sweet Stone Parad'Ice

Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road
#01-67/76/94
11.30am-9.30pm (mon to wed open till 6pm)
http://www.thesweetstone.com/

Nearest MRT: Lavender
Bus 100

Belgian waffles in dark chocolate fondue. Affordable luxury. It's what makes life so much more bearable.

It's $2.50 for a waffle and a chocolate dip. Good Good Eat.

Cinnamon cookies

This was originally meant to be gingersnaps, but I could not find the gound ginger and cloves, hence I replaced both of them with ground cinnamon instead. The sugar can be slightly cut down and it is very important to make the cookies as thin as possible as they taste better thin. Use a good and big rolling pin.

Here is how thin it should be. As it gets thinner, it's best to roll slowly and exert more force. There's a trick to doing it and you usually get it after the first batch.



Cut it with a cookie cutter.



Remove it slowly and carefully. It tends to break very easily as it is very thin.



Baked. Take note that it burns very easily so keep an eye on the cookies!



Here's the original recipe:

Swedish Gingersnaps

Ingredients:
300g Sugar
100ml Water
50ml Treacle (Molasses)
1.5tsp Ground Cinnamon
1.5tsp Ground Ginger
1.5tsp Ground Cloves
200g Butter
560g Plain Flour
2tsp Baking soda
Brandy (optional)

1) Bring sugar, water, treacle and spices to a boil and let the mixture cool.
2) Add butter little by little (and brandy if used). Stir vigorously.
3) Add sifted flour and baking soda.Let the dough rest overnight.
4) Roll out the dough to 1-2mm thickness. If it is too dry,a little water may be added. Do not let the dough get too wet as it will stick on to the rolling pin. This is best done on non-stick paper.
5) Cut using a cookie cutter and bake at 200 degree Celsius for 5-8 minutes.
6) Leave to cool and store in airtight containers. They may be kept up to a week.

If anyone knows where to find the ground cloves and ginger, please let me know! Thank you.