Mar26 Roundup

Slow month for pictures. Traveling for work didn't help. I'm very much into getting McAllen stabilised and finishing the quarter close. Hopefully all these will change the next few months since the project is now live.

My First Big Arch

McDonald's had launch a new burger in the US, the Big Arch. There was some meme going on the internet when the CEO of McDonald's posted videos of him trying the Big Arch and then other fast food chains CEO did the same. 

They don't have it in Singapore so I was rallying to try it while I get the chance here in McAllen. I was disappointed they destroyed the old Big Mac taste I was so used to when they introduced a new recipe a few years ago. Been on double burger since but the Big Arch may be a new staple for me.

Turned out pretty good. It seems to have bits of bacon and fried onions on it that gave it that extra flavour kick. I wonder if it'll be the same in Singapore if and when it arrives because the Singapore McDonald's have to be Halal certified so the ingredients they may slightly differ.

Whatever the case, this is my go-to now in the US McDonald's.

Work Travels: In McAllen Again For Quarter Close

The plane was fully packed with only a single seat left on my flight from Singapore to San Francisco. It seems there were diversions of flights due to the Middle East war and many folks who were originally going through Dubai or Doha were instead sent eastwards to get back to the US instead through Singapore. An Indian boy about the age of 萱萱 was seated in the middle seat beside me. My Papa bear instinct kicked in on the trip and I helped him with the food, gave him wet tissues to clean his hands etc. His parents had a baby and were seated further back after the bathrooms.

I came early before the quarter close to make sure we had things nailed down so it'll be a smoother close. Several of the DT team members are also coming on-site. I have Martin for company this trip though so I expect it'll be easier for meals. I requested for a larger car so Martin can get in haha.

 

Raid Shadow Legends: Reset Queen

2x Primals again. I had 50 shards and wasn't hopeful. It took 197 primals to get the last mid-tier Mythical Fjorad. But somehow it popped after 18 shards. I'm elated but also cursing myself for selling her 6 star soul few months ago. I never thought I would pull her and made the bad decision to sell her soul which would have added another 20 speed. For a buff stipper, speed is everything and I in my foolishness sold it. Bah!

Activating Big Sis Mode

They often squabble like all siblings do. 萱萱 tends to be very stern, less flexible and sometimes in my eyes, bullies 阳阳. 阳阳 is soft, sometimes naughty and dearly loves his sis. I had always wish they get well together because I was never close to my bro. I would like them to learn from Meimei and have a good relationship with each other. But 萱萱 sometimes makes it very difficult to see that.

Until she gets put into a situation where she has to be the big sis. So it happened today where I refuse to carry the swim bags and insist the kids carry their own. Suddenly it triggered 萱萱's big sis instinct and she simply picked up 阳阳's bag too. I like seeing it but also know it's a fickle moment. The challenge is how to make it more permanent where 萱萱 knows she is the big sis and should act like one.

Table Tennis Class

Meimei research and found ActiveSG table tennis training for the kids this week during the 1 week school break. We had briefly chat about picking up table tennis as a CCA during dinner. 阳阳's going to P3 next year and would need to pick one. Table tennis is a good sport to help him build agility and strength in his joints. We had hope this training would spark the interest in table tennis.

Unfortunately the kids had lots to complain about the training. Meimei commented in resignation after that she can give up the idea of getting a table tennis national coach to teach the kids. Well I'm glad Meimei tried to get the kids the best.

A Slippery Stowaway

We had a tiny stowaway today during our journey home. I had just entered the PIE when something moved in the corner of my eye. I was driving so I had to keep my eyes on the road. But you cannot ignore something that has a wiggling tail squirming past your dashboard. The kids were very excited seeing him though.

I couldn't do anything till we were parked. But by that time, the little stowaway had already gone to the corner which served as a good hideaway when I tried to catch it with a tissue. The kids were irked by it and I took the opportunity to tell them about not eating in the car. We can only hope it finds another place away from our car to hide. It had better not fall onto my face or body when I'm driving though ... that may cause an accident I would definitely be so embarrassed to explain.

The F*cking Stupid Guard

The rain was so bad I got all wet just getting to the school gate to try and pick the kids. Ana had already picked them from the gate but I was trying to give them a lift. So Meimei had to be the go-between since only she has the app to contact the kids on their watch.

Eventually we managed to confirm that I would pick them from the school drop off lobby. However when I reached, the kids were outside gate 4 and only allowed to go into the school again when I arrived.

When 萱萱 and 阳阳 got into the car, 阳阳 was visibly shaken and in a foul mood. 萱萱 seemed to be very angry too but trying to console 阳阳. From the bits and pieces of conversation I could make out in the journey home ... the rain was so horribly strong I couldn't hear much ... the school guard refused to allow Ana to go into the school and they were stopped at the gate. The security guard pushed 阳阳 and he nearly fell down the stairs.

So 阳阳 felt bullied and was very angry that he couldn't fight back. So without any way of direct recourse, both kids let out their anger and frustration by drawing up a demeaning picture of the guard together with a few choice words. I didn't chastise them for the strong language as I remember feeling the same utter sense of helplessness and fury when I bullied as a young kid.

Yeah the rain was so bad ... my shoes and socks were soaked.

Roundup Feb26

I don't have much to share this month in terms of photos. I was away on the first and last week of the month and there are only a few photos I received. Even when I was in Singapore I was dealing with jet lag and trying to sort out the mess of the month end close. I'm glad we went live and close out the first month end process. It's a project I've been working every weekday night for the past 18 months to deliver.

Work Travels: Bangalore Feb26 Pretty Good Lunches

Travelled to Bangalore this week on a short trip. It's a mini Finance workout to run through test cases so it's just me. We went out for lunch each day and the team brought me to try Bryani which is one of my favourite dishes. I discover a glorious treat in a papadum that is topped with freshly cut tomato, cucumbers and onions. I was cautious in eating raw stuff outside the hotel but they assured me that it'll be fine. I also had mutton soup which you cannot really find anymore in Singapore. We went to the same restaurant twice in a row because I loved the food there.

Table Tennis At A MRT Station

Never knew there were table tennis tables at a MRT till Meimei booked one for the kids to play. Meimei seems to think that table tennis will be a good sport for the kids to pick up at school as a CCA. I think it all depends on their interest and its good they get to try it out now so they know what it's all about.

The only downside to it is that if they get sweaty and tired, we still need to make our way back to Marina Square where we parked the car. Plus kids are typically dressed for church instead of sports. Thankfully it's all in the comfort of aircon. I might need to switch out my Sunday "Fresh clothes day" habit if this persists. 

Bumper Cars

We were at River Hongbao at Gardens by The Bay this evening. They had put up a carnival and Meimei was in a generous mood and bought a few packs of tokens so kids could play in various carnival rides. Both kids were excited to try the bumper cars. It sounds fun right chasing after one another and trying to bump them. 

But after the first few bums we noticed that 阳阳 tries very hard to avoid everyone. 萱萱 on the other hand chases after everyone and ramming into them.

We found out later that 阳阳's waist band was too tight and after being bumped, the band constricted and he felt pain at his abdomen. Well that explains it. It's good that they had a try at it so they know what it's all about. I'm pretty sure this experience has put 阳阳 off bumper cars for good. No loss really.

Self-Awareness Of Parking Skills

Was parked at Jewel Changi today. The BMW on our right had also just parked but were slow to leave the car. So we left the car while the driver was fiddling with something in the boot. 

When we got back after lunch we noticed a very silly and yet sensible contraption on the BMW. Firstly we were nicely parked in our lots and no one is encroaching on the other. Plus ours is a sliding door so it'll never hit their car.

I was very tickled when I saw it. They must have had bad experiences parking at their condo carpark. But I was like "dude, it's just a car!". Or ... they are so bad at their parking that they consistently get their doors scratched or banged that they have to resort to doing this. What do you think it is?

 

Happy CNY 2026!

Happy New Year! I tried to fit into the Goldlion shirts but most of them don't fit at the waist anymore. They must have shrank in the cupboard after such long period of neglect. I'll get new ones next year, Goldlion usually carries a couple of red ones.

Meimei has dress up the kids in perfect attires as usual. She has the midas-touch to getting things looking pretty and perfect.

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.