My Shake Shack Experience @Jewel Changi Airport

I've walked past this Shake Shack many times since it opened at Jewel several years ago. Meimei and I never really got to trying it. Well that's because every time we walked past the restaurant, I notice that all the patrons have gloomy looks on their face. Not once did I see someone enjoying their burgers. How is that when it's supposed to be very good.

Well I think I found out today ... on my first ever meal at Shake Shack. For a meal that costed $100+ for a family of four, I expect a decent level of quality in the food. I don't have crazy expectations but a burger is a burger right? How wrong can it go? Plus this burger chain comes with a reputation for "amazing" burgers.

Well unfortunately I can also say this is the last time I'll have Shake Shack. It's all over-blown hype. The kids tried the burger and commented that Mcdonald's taste better. The patty was supposed to be juicy and flavourful but it was instead dry. 

The nail on the coffin was charging an extra $2.40 for shrooms burger. It's my mistake but one can understand the confusion. After ordering a normal meal, there was a selection for shrooms at an additional $2.40. Ok so I thought $2.40 for some mushrooms would be nice. You know like in Burger King where there is the crowd favourite Mushroom Swiss that is priced a couple of bucks more than a normal cheeseburger. So yeah great I thought, let's make it an experience! Well ... I definitely got an experience. Turns out ... paying an additional $2.40 to the $20++ meal lets you switch out the beef patty for a portobello mushroom. WTF! Why does anyone have to pay more for a vege burger???!!!!

Then it finally dawned on me .... You'll never get your money's worth, they will bleed you dry and leave a sour taste in your mouth.

I'm now a member of the Jewel Changi Perpetual Shake Shack Gloomy Face Diners Club.

Work Travels: McAllen Food Jan-Feb Trip

Alone on this trip so I could go try out different restaurants. I still kept the usual comfort meals like Mambo Seafood, LA crawfish etc.

Happy Birthday 阳阳!

I'm so sorry I missed your Birthday again this year. Glad that we have family around for your Birthday. That's the beauty of staying close to everyone. I sent a Happy Birthday on iMessage to 阳阳 while I was on the plane. We'll have another cake when I get back the next day.

 

Shopping For A Sweater For 阳阳

I won't be able to get back before 8th Feb. The least I could do is come back with a present for 阳阳. When I told him last month that I would be traveling for work and would miss his birthday, he immediately blurted out that I'm missing his birthday again second year in a row. Man ... I felt so guilty after hearing that. But there is very little I can do. I have to be in McAllen to assist with the first month end close after the project go-live.

So I tried hard to find something he would like. I know he wanted a sweater that does not have a zip and preferably with a hoody. So when I chanced on this Pikachu sweater I was adamant to get it. I had to go to 3 different Walmart before I finally found one in 阳阳's size. I'm sure this will bring a smile to his face.

Roundup Jan 2026

Pretty busy this month due to the project go-live. Flew to McAllen for the last week and will be in Texas for another week before I go home. Couldn't be there to bring the kids to rollerblading classes but thankfully Meimei has it sorted out. 2 thumbs up for my Deardear!

Elixir Haul #32: Found My Liquor Store At McAllen

Thankfully I told the team about my blunder on the Cognac. They recommend I go to Spec's. They have a good selection of Cognac. I was surprised and elated to find a Hardy VSOP. They no longer sell them at the Changi eshop so I'm happy to get a bottle here. It cost a little more but it's more convenient to buy them here.  

Work Travels: Boo-boo on Booze!

In McAllen for the first month end under the new ERP. I made a big boo-boo on the Cognac order. My user profile with Changi still has the old passport details. So the customer rep at the collection counter would not release the pre-ordered Cognac to me. Then I tried to go to the Duty-free store to get one but because its a flight bound for the US, customers cannot carry them through the security check and the liquor has to be delivered instead to the gates. And because of that they have a cutoff of 90 minutes before the flight. And I missed that by 10 minutes ... so I end up flying to McAllen without my booze. Bah ... I need to go find a liquor store to get some ....

On better news, I was assigned a nice Chevrolet with seats and steering wheel heating for the cold mornings. On the trip alone this time so no usual morning breakfast at iHop with Martin. I expect long hours anyways this trip since we are having to deal with the new ERP.

阳阳's Education Awards

Good job 阳阳! Happy that 阳阳 is getting his turn in the limelight. I think he needs this validation more than 萱萱. He needs to work harder though ... he tends to fold easily and start lazing more quickly than 萱萱.

Taekwando Trial Lesson

阳阳 had Vanessa's boyfriend give him a trial lessons on Taekwondo and he likes it. There happens to be a Taekwondo school at Heartbeat Bedok. So we took him for a trial today. He was very happy about being around other boys his age and punching and kicking. So I paid upfront for a 3 months course and will probably keep this going so long as he is interested. It helps to build up his strength to overcome the hyper mobility. Even if it doesn't I think it can help to build his resilience too. 

Happy Birthday Meimei!

Happy Birthday! YeeYee bought fancy cakes and they look fabulous. 

Nintendo Switch 2

I've been all in on the new Pokemon Legends ZA game on the Switch. So I finally made the decision to get a new Switch 2 so I can game with 阳阳. There were deals for the new year so it all the more made it the right time get one. Unfortunately the gear that Meimei had for Switch one cannot be used on the 2. So I need to slowly accumulate accessories for the Switch 2.

Roundup Dec25

Definitely an event packed December holiday. Life is different now that the kids are older. They get bored easily and am looking for the next thrill always. I'm glad Meimei is always thinking how to spice up their free days.

For me, I'm pretty busy with work. Yes I know it's an excuse and I can do better. But I guess I'm older now and don't have as much energy as a few years before. Thankfully kids are now older so they are not as needy.

Kiddos @Singapore Zoo

We didn't really do a lot at the zoo. The kids had fun at the kids zone areas but it was a chill day to give them some fun and outdoor activities. Adding this post to simply document that we came to the zoo.

Forest Adventure @Bedok Reservoir

Layping recommended this outdoor adventure obstacle course for the kids. I never knew there was such a place near our home - it's right at the park at the nearby Bedok reservoir.

阳阳 is younger so he could only do the junior course. That's ok I'm sure we will be back again. It looks pretty fun and maybe next time I might give it a try too. The highlight of the whole course would be the flying-fox over the reservoir. 萱萱's her usual fearless self and breeze through the obstacles like a pro.

Extra Large Stuffed Toys

I was expecting that Meimei and kids were simply just spending time at the arcade fair and learning about the flaws of claw machines and how its a such a waste of money at these arcades.

But somehow our girl girl seems to have a knack for getting stuffed toys from the claw machine. I don't understand if it's pure luck or she simply has a Midas touch at it. Whatever the case ... we ended leaving with extra large stuffed toys.