Lao Da brought us to a new place today. It's supposedly reputable for it's authentic Shanghainese Food. We ordered several items, like the usual Xiao Long Bao, Jia Xiang Mien, Fried Bao, etc.
The item I loved the most was the Black-Butt Bao aka Fried Bao. . . Yum! haha. This is seriously good, though I got burned on the lips by the hot oil while trying the first one. The filling is normal, but it's the aroma of the bao-bread that struck a cord with my taste buds. Definitely one to come back for.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Feast@East The Buffet Restaurant
I was at Roxy Square today for off-site training. Car is still in the workshop, so I took a cab from home to meet Meimei for breakfast. Meimei was so nice, accompanying me to Roxy hehehe. We had Mc Donald's breakfast. Love a slow and quiet morning hehe. After that she got on a bus home and I was off to the Roxy Hotel for my Advanced Coaching training.
The highlight of the day though was the lunch. I was half expecting it to be another normal passable buffet lunch. But surprisingly I enjoyed it very much. It even has durian paste for dessert. Michelle from TM was at my table and she mentioned the chef of the place actually came from Ellenborough market cafe, which is famous for their durian paste. Hmmm interesting. No wonder they have it here. And it's not just the paste. They have a variety of desserts and a pretty decent selection for appetizers and main course. I enjoyed it enough to even take a brochure for Meimei to have a look. I think I'll be back at this place again. Hehehe Yum!
The highlight of the day though was the lunch. I was half expecting it to be another normal passable buffet lunch. But surprisingly I enjoyed it very much. It even has durian paste for dessert. Michelle from TM was at my table and she mentioned the chef of the place actually came from Ellenborough market cafe, which is famous for their durian paste. Hmmm interesting. No wonder they have it here. And it's not just the paste. They have a variety of desserts and a pretty decent selection for appetizers and main course. I enjoyed it enough to even take a brochure for Meimei to have a look. I think I'll be back at this place again. Hehehe Yum!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
MRT & Bus - This Feels Weird
I'm sure i'm gonna get a lot of flak for saying this. "It's been so long, so this is how riding on the MRT feels like". Yeah yeah, go ahead and flame away, scrowl and complain all you want. It's the truth I've not taken an MRT ride for the past 5 years. Nothing to be ashamed off nor am I being proud about it. Just stating a simple fact.
Anyways, with my car at the workshop, I took a cab to Bedok to meet Meimei. Ouch $30, wow this is more expensive than driving! And if things couldn't get any worst. The workshop called me close to lunch time that the total cost to replace the bonnet and spraypaint is not $580, but $1200 now. Damn! There goes all my money this month. Crap, I could have claim the insurance, pay $400 for the excess and be done with it . . . Seriously pissed.
Anyways back to the MRT, smells weird. It has a plastickey smell . . . very weird. But besides that, I feel a general sense of nostalgia. Hahaha, 5 years is a long time you know. I even had to borrow a E-links card from Meimei. Good to experience it though, brings you back to reality.
Oh yes, let's not forget the bus ride. We took a ride from Suntec to Changi Airport for Popeye's. It's like my old school days! Hahahaha.
Anyways, with my car at the workshop, I took a cab to Bedok to meet Meimei. Ouch $30, wow this is more expensive than driving! And if things couldn't get any worst. The workshop called me close to lunch time that the total cost to replace the bonnet and spraypaint is not $580, but $1200 now. Damn! There goes all my money this month. Crap, I could have claim the insurance, pay $400 for the excess and be done with it . . . Seriously pissed.
Anyways back to the MRT, smells weird. It has a plastickey smell . . . very weird. But besides that, I feel a general sense of nostalgia. Hahaha, 5 years is a long time you know. I even had to borrow a E-links card from Meimei. Good to experience it though, brings you back to reality.
Oh yes, let's not forget the bus ride. We took a ride from Suntec to Changi Airport for Popeye's. It's like my old school days! Hahahaha.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Making a Claim?
I brought the car to IDAC yesterday. Filled out the form and approached the counter when my number blinked. "Eh, sorry sir, we do not process AIA insured cars here. AIA doesn't use IDAC" "Huh? What? I thought every motor insurance uses IDAC for accident reporting?" "Nope, AIA doesn't. Sorry sir, we can't help you."
Ah what nonsense. Ok nvm, called up AIA and thankfully they have a authorised reporting center at Orix which is just round the corner. So I drove off in search of it. I keep seeing it on the opposite side of the road but could never get a clear way to get there. In the end it took me 5 rounds around the entire industrial estate to get to the entrance of Orix. Phhhffff.
So I sat at the counter to fill up the form again. This time there is a customer service rep to help me write down the details. All I had to do was to tell him what happened. Then came the time to indicate whether to claim insurance on the repairs or not. The rep took a look at the car and said the repairs would cost something between 2-3 thousand. So I called my dad to ask for his opinion. I told him I wanted to claim the excess (paying just $400 with the insurance company paying for the rest), but what I got was a dressing down. He literally blow his top at me. What the hell! . . .
Nevermind, since you don't want me to claim insurance. Fine, I won't. I made the report and drove over to a workshop just round the corner (haha, everything is close by) recommended by Ah Ming. He helpfully came down from his office to check in the car for me. Quote for replacing the bonnet and spray painting came to $580. Hmm ok, not too bad. So I left the car with the workshop.
Ah what nonsense. Ok nvm, called up AIA and thankfully they have a authorised reporting center at Orix which is just round the corner. So I drove off in search of it. I keep seeing it on the opposite side of the road but could never get a clear way to get there. In the end it took me 5 rounds around the entire industrial estate to get to the entrance of Orix. Phhhffff.
So I sat at the counter to fill up the form again. This time there is a customer service rep to help me write down the details. All I had to do was to tell him what happened. Then came the time to indicate whether to claim insurance on the repairs or not. The rep took a look at the car and said the repairs would cost something between 2-3 thousand. So I called my dad to ask for his opinion. I told him I wanted to claim the excess (paying just $400 with the insurance company paying for the rest), but what I got was a dressing down. He literally blow his top at me. What the hell! . . .
Nevermind, since you don't want me to claim insurance. Fine, I won't. I made the report and drove over to a workshop just round the corner (haha, everything is close by) recommended by Ah Ming. He helpfully came down from his office to check in the car for me. Quote for replacing the bonnet and spray painting came to $580. Hmm ok, not too bad. So I left the car with the workshop.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Ping Pong Pang!
Bad bad bad . . . How did this shit happen again . . .
Can't really remember much. One moment I was on the filter lane to get into PIE from Macpherson. I turned my head right to check my blind spot. Next, "Stop!!!" . . . I jammed the brakes. As I hear the brakes screeched, I see the back of the lorry slowly coming towards me. It was only a few seconds, but the scene took an eternity. Damnit, I'm at the butt of the lorry . . .
It seems another lorry infront had came to a sudden stop. And the following car and lorry jammed their brakes to avoid hitting. I was next . . . but sadly I couldn't avoid a collision. My bonnet was dented. Mostly cosmetic damage. The lorry's tail bar got banged up. Other than that, not much damage. We exchanged phone numbers and personal details, took lots of pictures and went our own way. I'm not gonna go into the vivid details, because honestly I rather forget about this episode.
Can't really remember much. One moment I was on the filter lane to get into PIE from Macpherson. I turned my head right to check my blind spot. Next, "Stop!!!" . . . I jammed the brakes. As I hear the brakes screeched, I see the back of the lorry slowly coming towards me. It was only a few seconds, but the scene took an eternity. Damnit, I'm at the butt of the lorry . . .
It seems another lorry infront had came to a sudden stop. And the following car and lorry jammed their brakes to avoid hitting. I was next . . . but sadly I couldn't avoid a collision. My bonnet was dented. Mostly cosmetic damage. The lorry's tail bar got banged up. Other than that, not much damage. We exchanged phone numbers and personal details, took lots of pictures and went our own way. I'm not gonna go into the vivid details, because honestly I rather forget about this episode.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A Good Deed
I did a good deed today. Nothing much except I wished someone did the same for me when I was down on my luck.
It all started yesterday . . . (cue old man with bubbles forming into a thought cloud pic) hehe. I had just brought Meimei home from a wedding dinner at M Hotel and it had started to rain. As I walk along the pathway to the car, I noticed something on the floor. I went close to check it out and sure as the sun, it was a wallet. Looking like it was dropped by someone living nearby, or as I hoped. I ransacked it looking for a phone number so I could call the owner. All this while I was on the phone with Meimei telling her about my find.
Sidetrack - In the wallet: About 8 credit cards from all the banks in Singapore, 60+ dollars in cash, Driving licence, ID card, some name cards of his insurance agent, membership cards. Why would anyone need 8 credit cards?? If you have it, then you have it. Don't need so many to tell the world you have it. Phhffff.
In the end all I could find was an address. Oh . . . it's the same block as Meimei. So I went up to the 11th floor and banged on the door. But oh well, no one was home. Hmm I'll try this tomorrow night again.
Fast forward to tonight. The door was ajar as I approached. Then a lady came to the door looking suspiciously at me. "Yes? what do you want?" Damnit . . . I'm here to do a good deed and yet I'm being eyed like a criminal. "Does Mr. XXX live here?" "Yes, why are you looking for him?" (All this while she gives me the cold shoulder treatment) "I found his wallet last night. Is he in so I can pass it to him?" I pulled out the ID card and stuffed it into her face.
Now she looks stunned. "Oh! My brother dropped his wallet?? How careless of him!" Ding ding ding! Lightbulb blinking in my head . . . wait a sec, she is his sister or so she claims. She doesn't know he dropped his wallet? Hmmm is she really who she say she is? Hmmm.
"Is Mr XXX in? I'll like to pass the wallet to him personally." "No he isn't. But you can pass the wallet to me. I'm his sister." "Hmmm, but I rather pass it directly to him" This time it was my turn to eye her suspiciously. I looked at the ID picture, then stared at her, then at the address, then at the unit number. I think I was so obvious she caught it hahahah. She suddenly turned friendly and opened the grill door. She called her brother, hmm I couldn't catch her conversation, but I assume as much as she came back and told me her brother just told her about it over the phone.
Again, eyeing her with suspicion and distaste, I handled her the wallet. (Me thinking) "Oh well, this is the correct address. No sense wasting more time on this. Just get it off my hands before the owner decides to cast a bomoh spell on it. Can't be too careful with Indonesians."
She took it and first thing she went for was the cash. She was satisfied with the contents and turned to say "Hey, thanks. My brother would like to reward you with something." "Nah, it's ok. I have to go now." I walked to the elevator "No really, my brother is very thankful you brought his wallet back. Please wait." "No, it's ok. Just ask your brother to be careful next time." "Eh, do you live around here?" "No I don't live here, just came over to friend's place" "Oh does your friend live around here?" Hmmm, I getting a sense she is trying to flirt with me *Alarm bells* "Yes, my girlfriend lives around this area" "Oh ok . . ." She looks visibily disappointed. The elevator finally arrived and I scurried away.
Phew . . . why is returning a wallet so troublesome? Haiz, doesn't pay to be nice. But oh well, at least I know I did a good deed.
It all started yesterday . . . (cue old man with bubbles forming into a thought cloud pic) hehe. I had just brought Meimei home from a wedding dinner at M Hotel and it had started to rain. As I walk along the pathway to the car, I noticed something on the floor. I went close to check it out and sure as the sun, it was a wallet. Looking like it was dropped by someone living nearby, or as I hoped. I ransacked it looking for a phone number so I could call the owner. All this while I was on the phone with Meimei telling her about my find.
Sidetrack - In the wallet: About 8 credit cards from all the banks in Singapore, 60+ dollars in cash, Driving licence, ID card, some name cards of his insurance agent, membership cards. Why would anyone need 8 credit cards?? If you have it, then you have it. Don't need so many to tell the world you have it. Phhffff.
In the end all I could find was an address. Oh . . . it's the same block as Meimei. So I went up to the 11th floor and banged on the door. But oh well, no one was home. Hmm I'll try this tomorrow night again.
Fast forward to tonight. The door was ajar as I approached. Then a lady came to the door looking suspiciously at me. "Yes? what do you want?" Damnit . . . I'm here to do a good deed and yet I'm being eyed like a criminal. "Does Mr. XXX live here?" "Yes, why are you looking for him?" (All this while she gives me the cold shoulder treatment) "I found his wallet last night. Is he in so I can pass it to him?" I pulled out the ID card and stuffed it into her face.
Now she looks stunned. "Oh! My brother dropped his wallet?? How careless of him!" Ding ding ding! Lightbulb blinking in my head . . . wait a sec, she is his sister or so she claims. She doesn't know he dropped his wallet? Hmmm is she really who she say she is? Hmmm.
"Is Mr XXX in? I'll like to pass the wallet to him personally." "No he isn't. But you can pass the wallet to me. I'm his sister." "Hmmm, but I rather pass it directly to him" This time it was my turn to eye her suspiciously. I looked at the ID picture, then stared at her, then at the address, then at the unit number. I think I was so obvious she caught it hahahah. She suddenly turned friendly and opened the grill door. She called her brother, hmm I couldn't catch her conversation, but I assume as much as she came back and told me her brother just told her about it over the phone.
Again, eyeing her with suspicion and distaste, I handled her the wallet. (Me thinking) "Oh well, this is the correct address. No sense wasting more time on this. Just get it off my hands before the owner decides to cast a bomoh spell on it. Can't be too careful with Indonesians."
She took it and first thing she went for was the cash. She was satisfied with the contents and turned to say "Hey, thanks. My brother would like to reward you with something." "Nah, it's ok. I have to go now." I walked to the elevator "No really, my brother is very thankful you brought his wallet back. Please wait." "No, it's ok. Just ask your brother to be careful next time." "Eh, do you live around here?" "No I don't live here, just came over to friend's place" "Oh does your friend live around here?" Hmmm, I getting a sense she is trying to flirt with me *Alarm bells* "Yes, my girlfriend lives around this area" "Oh ok . . ." She looks visibily disappointed. The elevator finally arrived and I scurried away.
Phew . . . why is returning a wallet so troublesome? Haiz, doesn't pay to be nice. But oh well, at least I know I did a good deed.
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