Trip to the Esplanade and Marina Sq

The family went to the Merlion Park on Sunday morning. That place was packed with tourists, and just discovered that there were several makan outlets under the bridge (perhaps it had been there a while...). We then took a walk to Marina Sq for our lunch at Sakae Sushi - our first attempt to get Xin Yi interested in Jap food, and it failed miserably. Apart from the little bit of rice and fries (served on a fire engine toy-like tray), and the Yakult, she did not have anything else. We thot she might be keen on the chicken cutlet, but perhaps it was the sauce/gravy ... anyway we would not be deterred and would go back again. I suggested to the missus that perhaps we should go to food court and patonised those serving jap food... at least our pocket could bear easier with another disappointment. The day of course ended at nowhere else but Swensen's. She was absolutely thrilled by the Topless 5 which had 2 scoops of her favourite strawberry ice-cream and extra wafers. And of course, there was the balloon which she would never be tired of... thsi time it was a yellow one.

Busy Thursday evening

A busy evening for all. Xin Yi had been rubbing her eyes for days, and my parents called on the day that one of it had swelled badly. We suspected it could be due to her long hair, but nevertheless we brought her to the pedia at abt 7pm (before dinner). The Doc said it was likely due to dust mytes and asked us to wash her clothes and bedsheets with hot water to kill them. For the two medicine, incl the eye drop, and of course the consultation fee, it costed a three digit sum. Of course, youd would try to squeeze out as many as answers to your doubts during this short consultation, and these included:

1. Child shld not see PC screen for more than 30minutes at a go. Such would strain his/her eyes.

2. Zyrtec (www.zyrtec.com) is not addictive, and is meant for long-term usage. It is alright to continue if there is a need. Btw, this is meant for allergy symptoms. The one for adults come in tablet form.

After the doc, we rushed from TMC to United Sq where the missus had made an appt with Daryl, the hair stylist at Jean Yip Academy, for her hair-cut. Missus was there earlier to have her hair done, and it was the baby's turn. If you can recall, i mentioned Daryl does the hair work for all three generation in my family - my mum, missus and the daughter who went there several times already. During the early days, having her trims were "serious" matters, as there were at least three persons to attend to her. One who did the trim, the other (also hair stylist) to distract her, and missus/parents to pacify her. Now she is used to it, and would quietly sit there. Btw, the pple there were kind enuf to charge a token sum. Gd customer service :)

On the same night, I took the portable "steamer" (from my parents') who heats up water and sends out the steam and sprays it on her bedding and stuff toys. We used to do it on and off, but we thot doing it too often does not help to cultivate her resistance to her allergic problems (her nose - on/off we would give her Zyrtec if there are signs/symptoms). Guess we might have to do it occasionally.

News today

Two headline news got my eye this evening. The first was the announcement by the Minister that a review on the land transport system in this country is to be commenced, with the objective to reverse the downward trend of locals commuting by public transport. If this is going to happen, well, my rice bowl would be less fragile.

The other news was the showcase of SAF's Bionix II, a project by former colleagues at Depot Road. In fact saw some familiar faces, including the PM - i mean the programme mgr, an old-guard, who was interviewed by CNA. Perhaps, they may win this year's DTP. The sight of armour vehicles charging in the field (must have rehearsed many times), though i know is wayang, still bring back fond memories of both NS and DSTA days.

Anyway, i shall end today's posting with a MRT route map of the future - courtesy of wikipedia.org. If this is gog to materialise, many pple, including me, would likely have our job for a long, long time.

Thanks for your comments

Just realised few hours ago that I have set "moderate comments"in my blog setting, which explained why I did not have any comments to my blog entries. Must thank you guys for the kind words.

Seems that there was much interest on my wine drinking. Of late, i had cultivated the habit of opening one bottle on Sunday or Monday nite every fortnightly. Missus seldom drank, even if she did, it would be 1/3 or 1/2 glass. So normally, i would split one bottle into three shares. Two shares to those small bottles, and the remaining was for the first night. So, i would have wine drinking on three consecutive nights, and two nights if missus helped a bit.

It must have been ages when i last hosted some kaki to a drinking session. Gone were the days when we easily opened 3 to 4 bottles a night.

Finally, I bought the jersey

Finally... yes finally I bought this jersey. Parted $80 on Wednesday with a shop at Penisular Plaza for this French away jersey, which was made famous by Zidane, Henry and co. About a mth ago, I checked out the price at Queensway and that chap at Weston quoted me $119 - $10 more than internet price, and i was absolutely pissed. This time round, perhaps the World Cup fever has subsided, and the Weston shop in town offered a price which was nearly 40 bucks lesser.
My mate Su Hock asked if I had got the number and name printed, and i said i already felt very sayang to spend this much... if i really wanted to do it, then I would have "CANTONA 7"!

We took the cable car

The missus told Xin Yi on Saturday that we would bring her to the cable car ride on Sunday.. and she kept talking about it. So, this morning despite the high PSI we proceeded (
correct grammar?) as planned. We went to Mount Faber (http://www.mountfaber.com.sg/) before lunch and bought a return tix at $10.90 each per adult (Xin Yi got the ride free).

Initially it was quite scary for all, obviously the whole family had a weak stomach for height. The missus was scared but decided to go for it (for the daughter's sake - good mum!); i was not comfortable, and missus realised my hand was shaky when holding the camera, and the daughter was very quiet at first. Though we took the one at Ocean Parkk Hong Kong, this was definitely higher. But I should say it is more stable, except for the return ride towards Harbour Front (from Sentosa i.e., we did not alight at Sentosa) was a bit bumpy, and also there was some heat from the Star Virgo's chimneys' smoke ... quite an experience.

Thereafter we had lunch at the Banquet food court at Harbour Front Centre, and went next to Vivo City www.vivocity.com.sg . It was really packed, as if half the shopping crowd in Singapore were there. But I have to say that it was big, and I would say it had more appeal that Marina Sq, for us at least, as Harbour Front is very accesible from our home by both bus 131 and North East LIne. I believe we would be there pretty often. But weekly grocery would be still at Carrefour PS.. nothing can beat there, but new shopping experience at Novena MRT coming up (new mall, and Novena Sq extension) we would be spoilt by choice!

Of late, it seems that girl girl had developed a strong interest in singing ... she could sing a few verses from songs played by my mum's VCD. Sometimes she would sing something which i could not understand until i asked my mum which soung was it. Really interesting. The missus said she had followed my footstep... but i always told her that i could become a "xing-pa" (translated as "star father"). The next Joi Chua? Maybe ...

Btw, just tried Penfold's Reisiling (www.penfolds.com.au) . The missus did not seem to like it saying it was rather sweet. But, this is afterall REISILING!!! It is supposed to be sweet. But i found it rather young (vintage 2006, so what can one expect!) but the aroma was okay. I think she might be comparing the one with from Nine Island which we bought at Piper's Brook in Tasmania during our honeymoon in yr 2000. Out of the World! But again, this one from Carrefour only cost less than 20 bucks.. so cun complain lah. While getting a pics of the Nine Island label, I just realised that they have been bought over and their web-site is now under the parent company www.kreglingerwineestates.com

Got to sign off, before the effect from the wine crept in and i start writing uncomprehensive, even for myself!.

Friday outings

Xin Yi went shopping twice today. My parents brought her to Vivo City in the afternoon. She was rather excited with the water fountains, cable cars and cruise ships which she saw over there. In fact, she told my parents that she would like to take the latter two... something for us to ponder as the missus is not one that is keen with cable cars (but she claimed she would bring Xin Yi, but with her eyes closed), and I never like cruise ships, as I dun like to be confined in an area for few days.

Later that evening, we went Carrefour @ PS for our usual grocery. At the return trip home, we had to wait for 6 to 7 min for the North Bound trains. SBST should have sent in another train or two, as the train was rather packed. So much for increasing fares for better service quality.

Xin Yi did some project @ home. Well, i should say the missus did most of the works. She made flowers out from crepe papers (which she brought back from office - apparently leftover from some decorations). The idea was inspired by Barney and friends. Look closely, they were really nicely made.

A buffet lunch

This post is a slightly, as I was quite busy for the past few days - working i.e.

On Saturday, we had lunch at the Copthorne King's Princess Cafe with my in-laws. The price was $33+++ per person, and fortunately they gave a 15% discount for Citibank Card members.
http://www.millenniumhotels.com/MCIL.nsf/LU_RES/775$$DiningEntertainment$$PrincessTerraceCafe?OpenDocument

The food was rather tasty but the spread was small, so i was not really worth the monies, considering that this was not a fantastic hotel. Btw, the theme was Penang hawker food.

Again, we brought porridge for baby but she did not have much. None of the food interest her, except for ice cream which was specially prepared by the chef (they dun serve it as part of the spread). Of course this bowl was finished w/i good time by the two cousins.

Haze

Cannot tahan man ... really bad today.
I wonder when would the dust subsided. My eyes and throat are affected.
The joke about this haze which we had last week was that Dr M was so pissed off with the people south of his country that he started burnig trees so that the dust would disturb his kawan here.

I believe the organiser and the tenants at the various Mid Autumn celebrations, e.g. Chinese Gardens and Chinatown, would curse and swear because of the smaller crowd, since most would stay at home or seek refuge in malls. Talk about this, tomorrow is the opening of ViVo City. Another option for us now... need not always go United Sq, Novena Sq, PS...

Mid Autumn Fest @ Chinatown

Friday is Zhong Qiu Jie, so in order to enjoy the festive mood in Chinatown, we brought Xin Yi there to enjoy the lights and lanterns. I met my parents at Farrer Park station and together we hooped back to the same train to Chinatown station where the missus was waiting for us. Afterall, it made no sense for her to travel back when her office at Clarke Quay is so near!

We went to this chinese restaurant, Yong Chun Yuan, for dinner and bumped into one of Xin Yi's classmate at GUG - Terence and his parents who were there for makan. He started the term together with us but left one term earlier. His parents are one of the friendliest around so it was nice to see them again.

After makan, we walked along Eu Tong Sen Street and saw several shops selling mooncakes. But we were not keen to buy, in fact the only ones bought were the occasional ones from neighbourhood cake shops as we were quite "paranoid"of taking sugar and ie calories, esp me!

Any way we went to the bridge and Xin Yi was so exciting with lighting the lanterns (traditional ones) which my parents brought from home (well, they bought them during the weekend at Rochor). We walked around, and several kids were quite envious. Though we have been to the same place every year, i believe she enjoyed the most this time round.

To make her day better, my parents brought her one pair of "Crocs" (cannot be when it was only $5.90!) after she kept saying she wanted it. I had told the missus that i would not buy imitation but could I say "no" if the grandparents are so excited as well ... well her interest was no thanks to our neighbour's son who had a pair of the same colour (though orange was not her favourite for sure)... i guess the desire to have sth of what others had overcome your own preference at time ... sometimes we adults behave likewise... right?

A short walk at the MacRitchie Reservior

On the recent SUnday, we went for a short walk with my SIL and family at the MacRitchie Reservior Park. Instead of heading towards the fountain, we went the other direction where they offer rental of canoes and if we go further we would it Tree Top Walk.

But as I am a bit tipsy after a glass oif Penfolds Carbenet Sauvignon (www.penfolds.com), I would keep it short today and let the photos do the talking. We went along the Prunus trail and fed some fishes and saw some monkeys. Unfortunately the haze spoilt the otherwise pleasant scenary.

The Zoo trip last Sat

We were at the Zoo last Sat, i.e. 23 Sep. The delay in sending this blog was no thanks to my intermittent internet connection which has caused lots of frustration. The inconvenience included bringing my modem to Aztech for repair during lunch time (2 trips in fact, send and collect). The connection only came back yesterday after a week. Should I get PI to adjust the monthly charges?

Anyway, we went to the Zoo with my in-laws and reached there before lunch time. Knowing there were not many options for Xin Yi, the missus bought porridge from our food centre and got some pork floss as well (the cafe actually serves porridge and noodles but you must be prepared to part monies for the inflated prices and it is be a march from the entrance).



Xin Yi was quite familiar with the zoo layout, knowing what animals she would see along the way, cos her last trip (which was with Yi Xi) was in March. Our itenary was almost the same, including a stop at the children zoo. Something new was the stop at the Orchid garden and feeding the elephants.


For the trip, she noted somethings rather "unusual" though:
a. two rhinos fighting;
b. giraffe sitting on the ground;
c. elephant poo-poo in the pond