Yeah right, we looked a little nerdy. But who cares? Haha

This was taken at the end of our JC 2 before we graduated.

Recently, I took the bus number 76 down to Parkway Parade. That was the bus I had to take for 2 years while I was in JC. As I sat on the bus, all the memories of my JC life came crashing back at me.

New private developments and new eateries have sprung up in the East. Now, the place looks almost foreign to me, and even the shops at Parkway Parade have completely changed. Not surprising. It has been more than 10 years since I graduated.

I remember how I used to catch my forty winks on the way to school on the bus and how I would miss my stop and I had to sweep up all the leaves on the parade square as my punishment for being late (yeah, I had my fair share of struggles back then too = P). On my lucky days, some kind souls from school would shake me out of my snooze land before I got black-listed by the Discipline Master. I also remember my Civics tutor (form-teacher) cum GP tutor and her snarky comments, my endearing Math tutor, my JC friends and how we used to hang out at Parkway Parade and Siglap after school. It was fun.

Though working life makes me feel empowered, it comes with a lot of stress, frustrations and worries as well. As a student, I was not able to enjoy the luxuries of life, but life was simple and carefree then.

Will I relinquish some of the luxuries that I enjoy now to go back to the basics? I think I will readily do so.

There's something creepy going on in my house….

For the record, it has nothing to do with the Halloween season. It has been discovered that we have a lizard gallivanting in our kitchen lately. This lizard is ostensibly intelligent. It has successfully kept a profile so low that no one's seen it. It has also evaded all attempts to capture it, leaving only traces of its presence around – the by-product of all its feasting! Perhaps this is done deliberately to boast to us that it can get away with defacing our spotless kitchen with its droppings. Judging from the size of its droppings, I suspect it is a mutant-sized, gooey creature.

I'm on a mission to hunt this fellow down. Pardon me for not taking a pacifist approach to life when it comes to creepy crawlies. If I catch a fly, I will release it outside the house. If I catch a spider, I will escort it to the woods. BUT if I catch a lizard…. it's going to be SO DEAD!

*No pictures for this post. My blog shall remain untainted by creepy crawlies!
When it comes to re-makes, I'm usually not very keen to watch the movies. To me, they are a mere repackaging of the original plot with some A-list movie stars or popular idols of the moment as part of the main cast in order to pique public interest and make such movies into a box-office hit. More often than not, such re-makes are squalidly produced for mass consumption.

However, after watching the recent Hong Kong movie "Connected", starring Lousi Koo and Barbie Hsu which is an adaptation of the Hollywood movie "Cellular" (2004), I must say it changes my perception of re-makes. Even though I haven't watched "Cellular" before, I think the Chinese version is of a respectable standard for a re-make.

My Review:
This is one of the few Chinese movies that I enjoy! It is a great thriller cum suspense movie that put me at the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I'm also impressed with Barbie Hsu's acting. I'm glad she has shed her cutie-pie / damsel-in-distress image in this movie for a resourceful IT geek who tries desperately to save her family (Right, still a damsel-in-distress, but a character with some intellect!). It's really worth a watch.

Some said that the Chinese version is much better than the "Cellular". Well, I can only review it once I get my hands on the Hollywood version.

A curry puff a week keeps my woes at bay!

Much to my dismay, my favourite curry puff stall in the Woodlands Industrial Estate has closed down recently. No doubt, there are other options available and most people laud about Old Chang Kee and Tip Top Curry Puffs, I have my personal misgivings about them.

Reasons:

Old Chang Kee (OCK): Though OCK has come very far since its inception, they are becoming too commercialised for my liking. Their puffs have lost the taste of a home-made curry puff. To me, they are a mere quick fix in desperate times.

Tip Top Curry Puffs: I don't support tax evaders! As a good citizen who is pathologically obsessive about being honest with our Singapore Government, I find it repulsive that a millionaire like the owner should have the audacity to under-declare his profits! Read this article.

Knowing that I have been gravely deprived of a good curry puff, my husband brought me to a stall that Makansutra rated full marks (6 chopsticks!! – Die die must try!). Deep-fried to a delectable golden brown, the crust of the curry puffs is crispy and their puffs are stuffed with generous chunks of potato and a slice of egg. The curry is simply awesome with just the right about of spiciness.

If I may be pardoned for the use of Singlish here, there can't be another word that describes the sense of satisfaction derived more aptly than this one - SHIOK!!!

Melben Seafood has always been known for its Crab Bee Hoon. In fact, it has become an institution over the years. The only thing I dread about dining at there is the waiting time. Their queue never seems to cease (even at 9pm)! We thought we had to resign to the fact that there's nowhere else which serves such good quality crabs in the heartland.

BUT…. Lo and behold, we found a gem!

Lately, we uncovered a secret spot where they serve fresh and big crabs that can give Melben a run for their business. I'm not going to divulge its location just in case everybody swamp over to check it out and I slip back to square one - queuing up for crabs again! (Yeah, kick me for being selfish but I'm not going to budge.)

The eatery is well-hidden under a tired-looking HDB block where it will probably go unnoticed if you're not observant enough. It looks like any other coffeeshop with foldable tables, plastic chairs and unremarkable fluorescent lighting. While many seafood joints try to ride on Melben's success and emulate their menu, this eatery offers unique dishes such as their Crab coated with salted egg yoke and butter, Pumpkin Tofu, Fried Brinjal, etc.

Though every fiber in me is urging me to go back again to check out the other specialties, I must get a hold of myself. My quest for good food cannot stop here.

We have made a pact with our eating kakis (our beloved aunt and uncle) to embark on a gastronomic journey starting this weekend to ease the stress of exam-marking. So stay tune for a series of my upcoming gastronomic rumination!

If I have to choose a place to chill out and hang out with friends, it has to be Holland Village! Nestled in the middle of a residential estate, Holland V transforms into a bustling enclave at night. It has an array of cafés, bars and ritzy restaurants which are usually filled with the corporate crowd and expatriates in the evenings

On the eve of the public holiday during the week, we managed to stake out a spot at our familiar haunt which serves a potent mix of lips-smacking finger food, house pours and beer. I like this particular café bar very much. It's a great place to hang out with friends without the formality and hassle of an up-market bar. On top of that, they engage rather good live bands to perform every night. If we can, we like to go on Friday nights when the East India Company (EIC) plays. This band really has a knack of getting the crowd in a mass sing-along session.

Instead of my usual mock tail or juice, I decided to have a glass of white wine that night. The gratification that came along with it was most welcoming. Surely, immersing myself in the relaxing ambience with decent wine and great company is one of the many pleasures in life!