Staycation

Yup, we're responding to the local gimmick that is going around in order to promote spending, more spending. Guess what would happen if everyone holds onto their monies? We'll each get richer what else?!?

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Hahaha, joke aside............but of course we cannot forget about contributing to our motherland can we...........So Singapore, here we are, throwing in some $$$$$ contributions to the economy!

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and where, Yes,...........to the nearby Rasa Sentosa Resort on Sunny Sentosa island, today that is. Take it as a family break, a retreat, away from stress and economy downturn, gossips and bitchy work matters whatever you call it...........(the parents had to keep their handphones on though......due to their work nature - yucks!!!)

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Rasa Sentosa Resort by Shangri-La claims that they are a favourite destination for fun and relaxation, offering garden or sea views through their individual balconies. In fact when we first step into the resort premise, we indeed felt our muscles relaxed. However, the knocking sounds we hear in our room immediately after checking in is NO FUN!

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Lasting for almost an hour, the knocking on our roof, although gentle but frequent made us go on our nerves after 10 minutes listening to that interupting sound. Of course, the parents made an effort and confirmed with the hotel that they were indeed fixing the carpet of the room above ours that afternoon. OH YEAH, thanks - We didn't come all the way into the resort for that and unfortunately for us, the hotel didn't seem to express regret for that too! So much so for a Shangri-La, points deducted!

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By late afternoon, we managed to seek peace and quiet while waiting for dear son to wake from his nap. Not long, we took our haversack with us and hopped out of our room, ready to check out the nearby attractions, take a few pictures and settle for dinner as well.

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The next highlight upon return to our resort after dinner is definitely to check out the pool. The 3 of us spent at least an hour soaking up the ambient and enjoying the dip in the water. At night, after Kiet fell asleep, we sat chatting while sipping our aroma coffee; discussing over some plans or sorts.

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The morning breakfast at Silver Shell Cafe for 3 of us was very enjoyable. Dear son ate a lot of food while also keeping himself busy doodling on a piece of paper. After breakfast programme entails another dip in the pool followed by table tennis game before packing to check out the resort by 1pm.

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Our staycation, although not that perfect but has met 2 key objectives 1) is beneficial enough, to wind up the body cells and gear us for further challenges ahead; 2) we contributed to the nation by spending haven't we.....hehehe....

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I am pondering

about a few matters.

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Probably take a couple of days to sort it out I hope. It feels empty like an empty vessel but one still has got to take a grip over it.

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This Weekend

is pure hiding away from the intense heat and humidity!

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The sun was already shinning so fiercely since 10am daily on both Saturday and Sunday that our family took hiatus most of the time at home in the comfort of an air-conditioned room.........oppssss..........yes, although not very friendly to the environment but the heat is simply unbearable.

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We still managed to fit an early picnic on Saturday morning in the park. By late morning, we left for home and got some household chores done, then headed down to IKEA at Alexandra with Aunty Christina for lunch as she needed to get something there.

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In the same afternoon, caught the regular afternoon nap and woke up to nearing dinner-time. Changed and went to Bukit Batok to try the Teochew Fish Porridge recommended by Aunty Christina. Then some grocery buying at our neighbourhood's FairPrice and called the day off shortly.

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Sunday morning is a little bit more interesting. Still getting used to the unbearable heat at home, both Mum and son got the bread materials prepared and pushed the "START" button for the bread maker to do it's job. About 3plus hours later nearing lunch time, the loaf is all ready and piping hot from the oven!

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Another successful bake.....hmmm.......seems like this is the 3rd trial? Got to keep up the bread making momentum though.......otherwise it's another few months of white elephant.........hehehehe

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The usual routine followed, ate lunch at home, freshen up and both mum & son got cosy for nap time. Evening hour arrives quite shortly and dinner was served to the family when Daddy got home from work.

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Here's how a typical weekend passed, as for our case...haha.....while we prepare for a brand new exciting week to come!

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6 more days

to the annual Free Cone tradition brought to us by the lovely Ben & Jerry's team.
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starting from 12pm lasting till 7pm at the following participating outlets:
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United Square
#02-K1,
101 Thomson Rd
Singapore 307951
Tel: 62555957
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The Cathay
#02-12,
2 Handy Rd
Singapore 229233
Tel: 62352467
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Singapore Zoo
80 Mandai Lake Rd
Singapore 729826
Tel: 62693411
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Jurong Bird Park
2 Jurong Hill
Singapore 628925
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Great World City
#02-40A,
1 Kim Seng Promenade
Singapore 237994
Tel: 68360814
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Raffles City
#B1-80,
252 North Bridge Rd
Raffles City Shopping Centre
Singapore 179103
Tel: 63362143
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VivoCity
1 HarbourFront Walk,
#02-135/136
VivoCity
Singapore 098585
Tel: 63679917
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Gear up and prepare to get your FREE CONE on 21 April 2009!
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We spent

our recent family weekend washing our "L" in the morning after the parents received a quickie 30 minutes sensory massage done at The Ultimate spa but was also quickly disappointed by the packages they are offering in the midst of a financial slowdown.

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We then idled around in Holland Village on the Saturday evening after our dinner there. Mum and Dad caught a movie in the comfort of our home till late after dear son went to bed.

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On Sunday, we visited The Singapore Zoological Garden early in the morning but left the premise before noon due to a constant drizzle that was seemingly going to last the entire day. True enough it did. Hence drop the Zoo outing, ran some errands after that and returned home to meet the afternoon zzzzzzz monster......

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Finally, after rested our souls, we lazed the sunday evening away waiting for Monday blues monster to arrive.....kekekeke.

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Our first visit to

a "Saraca Palace"

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No, no, no.....it's not a palace per se but the house is so nicely done up that it resembles a little sanctuary, a palace in the eyes of its owner and us, the visitors.......hehehe.

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It's located at the Saraca terrace district - it's a house-warming party of Mummy's superior.

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The place is fantastic. Huge enough to incorporate a garden, a huge KOI pond, a swimming pool, an outdoor pavilion and outdoor toilet........blah blah blah....you name it all. However, expensive to maintain and upkeep for us......but oh well, we do want to congratulate the new Owner for the beautiful place he has got for himself and his family! Good job for buying such a beautiful place!

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Oh by the way, we also hoped everyone had a Happy Easter Day too!

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Our first Theatre date

for the year starts right today, and it happens to be a Good Friday public holiday!

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Luckily for us, little one recovered well in time from his fever hence both mum & son are all set for a morning theatre date.

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Armed with a packet of fresh milk and his favourite cream wassant, both of us finished our morning bite and strolled to the DBS Arts Centre enjoying the mum and son date, while chatting away about the play that we're watching later. It's pre-theatre briefing......hahahahaha.

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Brought to us by the folks from The Little Company of Singapore Repertory Theatre, "Bear and Chicken Go Camping" goes about 2 little best friends - the bear and the chicken - both going on a camping trip for the 1st time in the wild. They searched, settled down on a spot and throughout the camping experience, they make a lot of small discoveries about the environment around them.

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Little one was mostly amused throughout the play, occasionally laughing loudly like the other children in the theatre. It's so unlike him earlier, when he looked rather stern looking (as per his usual character) upon entering the theatre but relaxed soon after the performance starts.

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After the play ended, the audiences were all beginning to make their exit but little one wandered away the opposite direction instead - towards the stage to get nearer and closer look at the props onstage - it's interesting to see how intrigued he was and that shows he loved the theatre experience.

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When asked, little one expresses interest and requests for another theatre experience again - and that's Hooray......cos the efforts to instill arts and creativity is slowly starting to reward! Well done boy!

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I'm shocked and

to be offended by a young man, who was at the time of the incident yesterday evening, wearing his SAF Uniform bearing his name.
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Whoever you are, I have noted down your name and I'm not going to let you get off easily, for passing that offensive and insulting "word" deliberately at me - a woman, moreover in your SAF uniform, disgracing your family, your country and the society.
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Remember, you may be young and being impulsive brings you nothing but trouble. You are nothing but a waste to me and something ought to happen in order to teach you to behave. After all, you forgot that there's a code available, intended to protect the modesty of a woman.
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I'll be looking forward for justice to be done to claim a woman's modesty, correct & teach wasted person like you a valuable lesson.
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Good luck to you, young man.
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We have been trying to nurse

our little one back to health since last Saturday evening, when we discovered he is running a temperature and complaining of pain on the right side of his throat.

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After medical consultation, so it's tonsillitis that's causing him to run a temperature. Poor child. Viruses and bacterias these days are so lethal!

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Just got to get enough rest and serve up the regular meds to little one for now. Fingers Crossed.

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Weekend is

a bliss!

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When you simply get to watch the child idle his day away with you.......his smile, his laughter, each gesture is a brand new growth.....

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For a FTWM like me, weekend is the only precious time I get to spend more time bringing up my little wee-bee......while I enjoy my child's presence and closeness to me, I hope every mummy had their great weekend too.........in fact on every weekend!

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Happy Fools Day!

Yo folks,
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My, it's Fools' Day on 1 April 2009.
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Have a good day fooling around!
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Instilling a love of learning and creativity

through introducing reading, music, discovery science, art & crafts and the growing popular language & performance arts, is what the ANG Mistress firmly believes in; an art of expressing each's individuality.

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Not only it's part of preparing her child for his future social or curriculum challenges & development, it'll also inspire the child to become healthy, confident, productive and creative citizens.

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Since Kiet's nursery years, the ANG Mistress has always made an effort to tag along all the theatres that her dear son attends with his school. Her objective: To be able to apprehend and explain the art to the child after each attendance.

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Just like while watching a documentary, an adult needs stay beside to explain or elaborate more details to the child. Do not expect the child to understand on his own. After all, each individuals are the fruit of their parents' craft - of course all parents are not so perfect to start with themselves!

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With more theatres and art performances catered to our young children in the local arts scene, it's a breeze for most parents now as the means to lean towards art becomes readily available.

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ACT 3 International is one such leading arts company that is known to be active in promoting Arts to children. The company also conducts drama classes through their drama academy. According to hearsay, their recent "The Prudential Children First! Singapore International Festival" performances during 7-17 March 2009 had received overwhelming responses.

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Up next is the inaugural ACE! Festival 2009 during May 18 – June 14 2009 brought to the audiences led by I Theatre - a platform aimed at promoting local and regional arts. For some who might not know, I theatre is also behind the successful run of "The Little Red Hen" last year!

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This year ACE! festival sets to bring a thrilling collection of the best local and regional performing groups across five genres, as well as a collection of wonderfully creative workshops.

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As expected, this mummy has already made arrangements to reserve tickets for her child to watch the show - HOW THE GIRAFFE GOT ITS NECK by Tall Stories (UK). You bet by now this mummy is more excited than her child!

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The Little Company is part of the Singapore Repertory Theatre group, staging plays for children aged under 5’s and from 6-12 year-olds. Already armed with tickets for their ongoing production called "Bear and Chicken Go Camping", this mummy is all set to bring her boy next month for a good day out!

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Another production starting in Aug 09, another worthy play to look out for is "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" - Based on the classic fairy tale by Aesop, this play is a heart-warming and serves as a very good illustration to the children of why it’s important to tell the truth, and how one lie can make a world of difference.

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So parents, embrace arts - start browsing and reserve your tickets to bring your child to a performance. Bet you won't be disappointed at all and monies well spent!

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Thank Heavens........

we're welcoming the weekend again. I wonder what we'll do as a family this weekend though.

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Here, IT Show 2009 is now hosted at the Suntec City Convention until Sunday, then there also lies an opportunity to check out the Supreme Court as it open its doors to the public on March 14 and 15 for the first time in its new premises.

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Otherwise perhaps arrange an impromptu outdoor BBQ with our bunch of gang friends and let the boys run wild while we cook our food, or set up a camping tent at East Coast Park.

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All these seemed so ideal yeah!

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Spend

Yes. That's exactly advocated by ministers all around the world, to "SPEND" - keep the economy going.

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Without hesitation, I did just "that" - SPEND; this afternoon during lunch break. Headed to the Suntec Convention Halls after chomping down a "not-so-hot" Wonton Noodle Dry at the Food Republic foodcourt downstairs.

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Flouded with streams and streams of people at the convention centre - mainly due to the 1st day launch of the IT Show 2009, accompanied by another colleague, we slipped pass the crowd easily and landed ourselves at the Body Shop Sale gallery.

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Needless to say, the gallery is filled with ladies on one side all laying their hands on the products, while at the another side, obedient crowd form queues in a Zic-zac manner waiting to make their payment of the loots.
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and Me? Well, now beaming at my loot from today's purchase too - of course.

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Random

Alright, ever since Master ANG departed Singapore yesterday for his task, both mum & son were left with themselves, for each other.

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Dear son has been amazing. He was easy to take care and handle as the day goes (unlike in the past when he was still a baby, the family had to be waken every other hour!!). He has really grown more sensible and obedient, except at times still cheeky and mostly mischievious. Let's just give him the benefit of being a child, after all, a boy.

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Other than his usual "up to some tricks", the rest of him is truly enjoyable as he's still mostly a naive child at heart and is charming because of that guilelessness.

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Just this evening, we enjoyed an interesting conversation over our subway sandwich dinner while watching the Channel 5 MediaCorp TV production "Don't Ignore Diabetes" and the exchanges goes:

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"Mummy, why is that Uncle's eye liddat?" while he looked seriously at the TV screen

So this mummy tried to make use of the opportunity to advocate healthy eating "Oh, that's because that Uncle didn't listen to his doctor, ate a lot of sweets, ice-cream, drank cold drinks....too much sweets, so he had diabetes. Quick listen to what Uncle is saying....." - at that time, the patient was talking about listening to the doctor....lalalalala.....

"So Kiet, what must you do? Can you eat so much sweets and ice-cream?" this mummy tried to challenge her son's understanding after some time of watching the programme.

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My dear son innocently responded with "Mummy, I cannot eat so much sweets, later my teeth drop.......then my eyes will not be like Uncle" (Mummy can't help but laugh in silence while nodding her head in agreement)

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Gosh, he does make sense don't you think? Too much sweets means his teeth will also decay...yeah! Mummy didn't think of that at that moment.....haha.

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Alright, before ending this post, here's a picture of my Master ANG's cheeky boy doing a Macarena like dance pose just this evening.

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In fact, the now sound asleep boy didn't know that his Dad will return home by tomorrow night. Good night!

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Sunday

thoughts shall be posted.

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Just on Friday, I was so much looking forth to the weekend. Several plans had ran through my mind; like steam some muffins, go for a walk at the Southern Ridges or at the Hort Park with the family etc.

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Then, things turn out beyond my expectation. This Sunday, which also happens to be a 三八妇女节日, I have to be down with mild food poisoning from the earlyyyyyy morning. Gosh! I really wonder what I ate the evening before and now have to suffer from the aftermath.

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This tummy discomfort haunted me the entire day until the evening. Barely leaving any more energy to think of going anywhere except lying on the bed. Randomly waking up to talk to my boys at home.

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Take it as a 三八妇女节 reward - THANK YOU!!!

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I must THANK my dear hubby, who took care of matters at home including entertaining our energetic son for the day and cooking our meals (lovely porridge) while I can konk out and recuperate.

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While I bade goodbye to my deserved Sunday and tummy ache, here's and not forgetting, to wish all the wonderful womenfolks out there a Happy Woman's Day too!

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We purposely arranged

a dinner today to gather (Phil's family and the gang friends) & celebrate in advance, Phil's 47th birthday.

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After getting off work, all of us met at West Coast Plaza's basement level Chinese restaurant named "Paradise Inn" for a sumptuous dinner. It's our first time eating in this restaurant and fortunately, the food did not fail us. It tasted yummy and all of us especially the birthday 'boy' enjoyed the sumptuous treat!

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Led by tradition, all of us would look forward to be served a cup of coffee after dinner and complement with the birthday cake. Without hesitation, all of us young and old moved on from the basement to the 2nd level for a cup of traditional brew (except the 2 young boys of course).

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We got our drinks ordered, lit up the candles and sang Phil the "birthday song". Gosh, the 1/4 sized cake tasted yummy too.......it must be mainly due to the size of our cake......the smaller it is, the yummier it tastes! Haa.....

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Mr Philip (Tau Kay), we hope our company this evening have made your day!

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February free entry weekend

Through some email circulation, I came to know of the 2009 Reasons promotion launched by the Singapore Tourism Board only recently.

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It's a very great idea as not only people get delighted with the 'freebies' & 'cheapies', it will excite and inject spending activities in Singapore.

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Well, for those with the extra bucks to spare, why not support and give this STB's promo a go? Say.......check yourselves into a hotel and chill out? Inject some dollar flow in the economy man....

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I heart caricature!!!

Especially the following caricatures are so cute!
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The one drawn for Bruce Lee,

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of Jacky Chan,

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of Ah Bian,

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presenting President of the People's Republic of China ....Mr Hu Jin Tao......

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While taking a little "eye break" off the documents in the office, I'm admiring caricatures.........hahahaha.......supposed to be an 'eye break'!

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A healthy simple snack

Haaa........Steamed Muffin for us that is.........for now.............not until the ANG Mistress discover more healthy recipes from other web sources or through other home baking bloggers.

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Ahhhh....the power of the www (world wide web)! There are just too many information available and without internet, sorry........just won't be able to find 'ready' information huh?

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So about this Steamed Muffin, here's sharing its simple ingredients:

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Ingredients:
4 Eggs

1 cup Sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
6 Riped Bananas - mashed (optional if desired)

A pinch of Salt
Chopped walnuts (optional if desired)

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Method:
Sieve the flour together with baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Separate the egg whites and egg yolks.
Beat egg whites until the liquid turns foamy, gradually add in sugar and egg yolks, continue to whisk until mixture turns thick & fluffy.
Fold in the flour and mashed banana, beat/whisk until the mixture is well blended.
Pour batter into paper cup lined muffin tins/mould
Top with chopped walnuts (if desired)

Steam for 20 - 25 minutes

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and later.....................Viola, ready to serve piping hot, soft and non-fat!!

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Steamed Muffins

Somehow and somewhere, the mood hit the correct note today and it got the ANG Mistress right into trying out some steamed muffins recipes she had referenced from the website and recipes from other baker bloggers.

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The product - Little mini bite-sized steamed muffins, lovingly hand-beaten batter put into the steamer for 10-15 mins. Garnished by mini chocolate rice as toppings, some stuffed with little chocolates as fillings.

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Will post up and share the recipe after another successful trial this Friday!

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LO HEI (捞起) that gloomy economy!

Yup, that's exactly what we wished for......to LO HEI (捞起) that gloomy atmosphere circulating in the economy during this Lunar New Year.

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Hence we brought the LO HEI package from a coffee-shop stall, hopped over to Mr Chua's place, prepared all the ingredients and we did the 捞起!

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Next up, lunch is served after we ate up the LO HEI goodies. Indeed, all of us felt very 'spiritually lifted' at the end of the LO HEI session. It works after all!

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We welcomed a NEW 家庭成员

early this morning...............

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Although we spent a long and eventful wee morning at the hospital fussing around with the hospital staffs, sharing the 'stress' with the new parent, both Master & Mistress ANG are so tired out but overjoyed with this promotion!

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Let us all welcome our newborn nephew (外甥仔).............born on 3 February 2009 at nearly 2.15am, NUH hospital delivery Suite 8.

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Nope, the above pair of feet does not belong to our little 外甥仔's. He's a premature little strong chap at approximately 30 weeks weighing at about less than 1Kg. As his only Uncle and Aunty, we'll be looking forward to take great shots of his strong little feet real soon.

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God bless and watch over this child.

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天公聖誕_拜天公

The day is 02 Feb 2009 (8 Day of Lunar 1 Month 農曆正月初八); All Hokkiens will prepare to Celebrate the Manifestation Anniversary of Jade Emperor of Heaven 玉皇大帝.
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At about starting (11.00Pm), preparations at home intensifies. The woman folk will line their prayer tables nicely with food offerings, joss and incense, red cloth, candles and decorations before the clock strikes 12 am where 天公聖誕 kicks in.

Our annual 天公聖誕 prayers will be conducted at the in-laws place without fail. Just like every year, the ANG family hoped for prosperity and family bliss, the younger generation will bring honor and family proud.

It's Everyone's Birth Day

earlier........and we spent most of our 初七 人日 (Ren Ri) Sunday at Mr Chua's place.

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Mr Chua and Ms Wong were hosting all of us (gang-friends) on this 7th day of the Lunar New Year with a lot of sumptuous food and snacks.

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Of course, what's a good gathering without poker card games on the top entertainment list that kept the guys awake & noisy throughout the whole day!

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Then, for the children, they were mostly entertained by the Playhouse Disney channel switched on the entire day while chasing each other around the house throwing toys all over the corner.

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Well, on 初七 人日, found an interesting read extracted from Wikipedia that according to Chinese legend, earth was created by a goddess named 女媧 (Nu Wa).

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She created different animals on the 1st six different days of zhengyue and human beings were created on the 7th day after the creation of the world. Interestingly, Chicken was created on the First of zhengyue!

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Errr.........hopefully this is just a myth - can you imagine we ate chicken already on the first day of Lunar New Year!?!..................Haa....

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