Day Out with the Boys

SHREK Forever After ... here I come!!!

Had promised my sis to go watch this movie with her but did not have a chance to do so till now. But with initially plan to just go watch with her, ended up have to watch it with the boys.

Took me awhile to convince Oswald to go watch this movie. I'd equip the boys with drinks and snacks hoping that they will sit through the movie. Luckily the boys are quite cooperative. Oswald only started complaining about 3/4 way through the show. He said, "Mummy, I don't want to watch SHREK." As for Owein, he sat on his own for the initially part and finish off the movie on my lap. Hee hee ... anyway, it was a successful movie screening.

After movie, it is time to plan what to cook for dinner. Having a craving for soup, so I head to Eu Yan Sang to pick up some soup concentrates.


I've seen these concentrates around for quite awhile already but never bother to give them a try. A friend introduced it to me quite recently and it really taste not bad. With such, cooking herbal soup is no longer a headache and hassle. No need to keep unused herbs and not to mention the heap of herbs to be thrown away after cooking. How easy cooking can be nowadays ... ^_^.

Here's my American Ginseng Soup ...


According to the write up on the box, "this pleasing soup revitalised you, helping you stay at your best every day." It is so easy to prepare ... all you need is a whole chicken and a bottle of soup concentrate and you can start boiling!!! With this, I can make herbal soup more often to 补补身 already.

Recipe - Sweet and Sour Pork

Hmmm ... I'm never a fan of DEEP FRYING (which I also believe a lot more others out there share the same view as me). Hate the cleaning up after that and the waste of oil. But ... since my sister had especially requested for it ... no choice loh.

I had done a Hawthorn Berry version sometime back. But I don't think she will like it as much because that was a wee bit on the more sourish side. So I'd decided to do it the traditional way.

Drama - 宮 (Goong - Princess Hours)

Princess Hour is a drama that depicts a modern Korea constitutional monarchy. Shin Chae-kyeong and Lee Shin (the Crown Prince) go through numerous incidents in which they end up fighting. Chae-kyeong witnesses the scene where Lee Shin proposes to another woman to avoid their arranged marriage. The story evolves from the fact that Chae-kyeong's grandfather was very close to the former monarch, whose wish was for her and the next Crown Prince to get married.

Faced with the decreasing popularity among the public for the Royalty, a grand wedding for the Crown Prince, Lee Shin, is decided to be the best publicity move to improve the image of the Royalty and at the same time prepare Shin for immediate succession. This gives some impetus to the otherwise unrealistic union of the two. A perfect boy from a noble bloodline, with good looks and a sense of unpolished beauty has to marry against his will to an ordinary girl from an ordinary family, with a clumsy character, average grades and average looks.

After 14 years of living in England with his mom, Lee Yul appears all of a sudden. He is Shin's cousin as well as the former Crown Prince. Everything seemed to be going normally until Chae Kyung's optimistic spirit wins the heart of internally lonely, Yul. As the Crown Prince Shin and simple-minded Chae Kyung's relationship appear to developing deeper feelings, a series of scandals are exposed to the public right after the pair were officially announced married. Will love prevail all in a world of political pressures and martial hardships? Or will being in the spotlight of the public be too much for the young newlyweds to endure?

The process how Shin Chae-kyeong and Lee Shin fall in love with each other unfolds with excitement in this drama.

Feasting TIME!!!

We had a great feast at a friend's newly open Japanese restaurant - Tenza Izakaya @ Sunset Way last night.


Tenza Izakaya
Sumibiyaki & Sake Bar

106 Clementi St 12, #01-38D
Singapore, 120106


A decent sized restaurant which offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Enjoy fresh air and embrace in the serenity while dining outdoors. With comfortable seats (provided for both adults and the little ones), candle lights flicking and wind blowing gently to enhance atmosphere accompanied by the delicious food and drinks and served by friendly staffs ... what more can you can ask for to end your day!!!

Not to mention, if you choose to dine indoors, you get a full with of what's happening in the kitchen with their open concept kitchen.

Hmm ... ok I think I better stop LOL if not it will sound like I am advertising for my friend :p But then again ... WHY NOT!!! hehehe

Anyway, my dinner on Saturday night were as follows:-

Starter for all diners. Cabbage with their special in house miso. Just dip the cabbage leaves into the sauce and start munching away. First time I ate my cabbage RAW and I never expect I would enjoy eating raw cabbage that much. I can't stop munching ...


Sashimi was served finally and see how pretty it was ... almost can't bear to eat up what's being served but the sashimi looks so delicious, it would be a SIN if I don't eat it ... LOL. Sashimi is so FRESH. The fishes are freshly imported on every Tuesday, Fridays and Saturdays.


Next item, Kani Karaage (deep fried soft shell crab). Fried till perfection and the sauce that came with it really compliment the crabs. I was taken surprised by the sauce as it tasted very different from those served at other places. I usually eat my soft shell crab as it is because I find it actually tasted better without the sauce. But here, I soaked my crabs in the sauce before sinking my teeth into them.


This is Tatami Iwashi (grilled sardine mat). 1st time seeing and trying this. Basically it is a Japanese processed food product made from baby sardines laid out and dried while entwined in a single layer to form a large mat-like sheet. It serve as a snack or accompaniment to sake or beer drinking or you can even eat it just like that.


This dish is Unagi Jyoyo Age (deep fried eel with yam). Yam paste is used to coat the unagi before sending it to be fried. That being said, the distinct taste of the unagi is there when you bite into it.


Asari Sakamushi (sake steamed clam). I guess no need to say much for this. Sweetness from the clams + sake ... OISHII!!!


Not done yet ... more to come. Buta Yawaraka Ni (8 hours braised pork). For fatty meat lovers, this is one that you cannot miss. Feedback from some customers said that the meat should be more fatty but to me, I think this is just right.


Our last dish ... Tai Tuba Maki Ni (snapper rolled with beancurd skin). I've only got one word for this ... OISHII!!!

If you are interested, you can follow their updates on facebook or their blog.

Satisfying My Cravings ...

Got craving for 扣肉包 so decided to make my own version of it for dinner tonight ... ^_^

Braised Pork Belly + Steam Bun

I've already tried my best to choose the most 'lean' piece of PORK BELLY from the butcher to reduce guilt but FATS is something that cannot be avoided for this dish.

Being able to sink my teeth into those fats can be considered as an indulgence especially you have an eyeful hubby who is always on the look out for those fatty tissues.

The next thing after this meal ... find ways to burn off those extra fats consumed!!! LOL.

US ... here I COME!!!

Erm ... US stands for Universal Studios and not United States :p

Finally it is my turn to try on the rides at US. The last time we were there we got kids with us and hence cannot go on the rides. Taking my sister as an excuse, I have a chance to re-visit US once again. Sister is on vacation and she got a friend with her this time so ... what a perfect excuse to head to US again!!!

The weather was good, the company was great and we had so much fun!!! The only pity thing about this visit is that the famous Cylon (blue track) & Human (red track) coaster ride is not ready yet. It was closed down awhile back due to some technical issues. But it is ok ... give me another excuse to go again hahahaha

Check out the pictures we took HERE.


P/S: Hubby almost 'dumped' me upon reaching US. He was not feeling very well and was thinking maybe he just drop us there and come pick us up later. I just kept quiet when he made that suggestion. Luckily he decided to just come along despite the fact that he's unwell. Thanks dearie ... thanks for coming along and hence make my day so special.

Movie Treats

Woo Hoo ... haven been to the movies for the longest time. Finally had the chance to do it and that resulted in 2 movies in a week ... YIPPIE!!!

Hubby and myself had caught Iron Man 2 last sunday (1 May 2010) and IP Man 2 last night.

My personal preference ... IP Man 2.

Mother's Day Project

Mother's day project from the boys' school.


Though it was nothing much but it was really touched to received it from the boys ^_^

Drama - 冬季恋歌 (Winter Sonata)

冬季恋歌 (Winter Sonata) was the second of the season-themed drama series directed by Yoon Suk-ho. The other titles to the series are:

秋天的童话 (Autumn Fairy Tale)
夏日香气 (Summer Scent)
春天华尔兹 (Spring Waltz)

The story begins when Joon-sang, who is the son of an eminent musician who moves to Chuncheon; a rural city in South Korea. As an extraordinarily talented student, Joon-sang is welcomed by his fellow students as well as teachers, but remains a quiet, introverted young man. As a result of his belief that his father is dead and serious conflicts with his mother, Joon-sang believes that no one truly loves him.

On one fortuitous day on the ride to school, Joon-sang's classmate Yu-jin interrupts him on the bus. Joon-sang soon falls in love with Yu-jin, who opens herself to him with an innocent heart. Their love, however, is cut short after Joon-sang is involved in a serious auto-accident and, due to brain damage, is unable to recall his past life.

Joon-sang's mother, desiring Joon-sang's love and respect, has Joon-sang brainwashed by a psychologist, so that Joon-sang will not remember his painful memories of growing up as an illegitimate child. As a result, Joon-sang's memories prior to the accident are erased. Joon-sang's mother decides to move to the United States with Joon-sang, where he can start a new life under the identity of Li Min-hyung. As such, both his friends and teachers are told that Joon-sang is dead.

Ten years later, Joon-sang is an award-winning architect in the United States. He does not remember anything about his life in Korea. He is completely different, an open-minded person who cares about other people, including his mother. He returns to Korea and Yu-jin sees him on the street, prompting her to put off her engagement to childhood friend Sang-hyuk. Little does she know that Joon-sang is dating her friend and sometime rival Che-lin. The story's plot intensifies when Yu-jin begins work at the firm where Joon-sang is employed, and tries to find out if he is her lost lover Joon-sang.

Recipe - Cheddar Cream Cheese Cake

I am experimenting again!!!

This time I've added cheddar cheese to give the cake a more cheese taste.


For recipe, check out this LINK.

Recipe - Cream Cheese Cranberry Cake

Twitched a bit from the Cream Cheese Marble Cake recipe, and here's my cranberry cakes ...


I've caught on the baking bug!!! And also have gotten a really easy and fuss free recipe. From preparing ingredients to sending in the cakes to bake, all done within an hour. Fast right ^_^

The only thing is I forgotten to squeeze the cranberries dry before adding in to the batter and hence the berries all sink to the bottom. But taste wise ... still very SEDAP!!!

Recipe - Cream Cheese Marble Cake

Hmm ... Sunday ... and I am stuck at home with the kids. Hubby? Went Pasir Gudang loh :p

Not wanting to waste my Sunday away, I've decided to bake something. I've gotten a new recipe recently and plan to give it a try today.

** Ingredients all ready **

The traditional way of making butter cake is to beat butter with sugar then blend in the flour but this recipe states to do the rub-in method to combine in ingredients. Interesting right ^_^ as least it is to me because it is the 1st time I make butter cake using this method.

** This is how my butter + cream cheese with flour + sugar looks like after applying the rub-in method **

Anyway, on with the process and very soon, the batter are all placed in little cupcake cases and ready for baking ...


And after about 25 mins in the oven ... VIOLA!!!


Check out my recipe blog for the recipe ^_^

Saturday Breakfast

Oswald: Let's go for Saturday breakfast.
Mummy: Ok. What is for Saturday breakfast.
Oswald: Erm ... Saturday breakfast is breakfast you eat on Saturday.
Mummy: ..... *nothing to say*

Anyway, brought the kids out for their usual weekend breakfast ... MacDonalds!!! This time, grandpa & grandma is joining us. The kids were so happy to see grandparents still around on a Saturday morning.

Hope Dashed Again ...

I've got another feeling that my holiday plans (a trip to HK) got to be thrown into the bin once again. *sigh* So much for the excitement of checking out air ticket prices and places to visit ... all of these only made my disappointment greater.

Hubby told me this morning that he might not be able to take leave after his course because there are heaps of paperwork for him to clear when he is done with the course. Unless he can clear it fast (which he himself doubts it), or else holiday is a big NO NO!!!

*sigh*

Flower Pot For Mother's Day ^_^

Went for a baking workshop with Tracy today. The workshop is conducted by Anna Chan of Sugar Inc - Buttercream Roses Cake Workshop (Hands-On Decorating Workshop).

We were taught how to make Cream Cheese Butter Cake and how to decorate it with buttercream roses and foudant. We were taught how to pipe roses and use fondant to decorate the cake so the end product looks like a flower pot. It is really an interesting course I say.

Check out the end product of my cake.


Pretty right ^_^ I almost can't bear to cut the cake up hehehe. Gona try making this for Mother's Day this year.

School Trip to Jacob Ballas

Oswald's school had arranged a trip to Jacob Ballas for the K1s. Oswald was so excited when he heard of the news a week before and he was so looking forward to this trip. I was also invited also to help facilitation of the trip. Also, with great thanks to Peggy for baby sitting Owein, then I was able to join the group.

Check out all the happenings from my album.

Drama - 璀璨的遗产 (Brilliant Legacy)

With a catchy theme song and a nicely developed storyline, this show is worth checking out.


Go Eun Sung's life is similar to Cinderella's. After her father died, her step-mother, Baek Sung Hee, took away all of her assets and her younger brother, Eun Woo, suddenly disappears without a trace. Despite this, Eun Sung preservers and works really hard to fulfill her dreams.

When the CEO of a food company, Jang Sook Ja, suffers amnesia and can't remember who she is, Eun Sung takes her in. However, Eun Sung does not know that she is also the grandmother of Sun Woo Hwan, the man who she switched bags with at the airport.

How will their constant bickering lead them to realize that they care more about each other than they let on?

It is an APPLE!!!

Oh yes ... it is an APPLE!!!

Our newest gadget, the iPod Touch ... to be treated as a gaming machine for the kids and myself of cos ... LOL ^_^

Owein's School Work

Latest design of a boat and this is called the Banana Boat!!!

Food - Bliss Restaurant

Looking for a place with cheap and nice food with a nice environment to chill out with friends?

This place does not have fancy tables and chairs and no fancy decorations but is sufficient enough to enjoy a chill out time with friends.

** Check out the nice and serene environment **

** Friends that we chilled out with ^_^ **

The place looks not bad right ... located in Punggol Park, Bliss Restaurant.

The food we had tasted not bad too. Portions just right and quite reasonable pricing. Here's what we had ...