Backdated to 16/8/07 – Gave a ZEN to a friend

I have a good friend whose iPod died after a year of use. She was feeling low that she doesn’t have the means yet to get another MP3 player so she can listen to music while she commutes fro and back from work. I decided to get some friends we know to chip in some cash so we can get her one. She was delighted and was very pleased when I presented her the new MP3 player. I had downloaded her favourite songs into it before giving it to her. FYI: The first new ZEN I got for her malfunctioned after one day of downloading of .wma files. Earlier on I had even downloaded the latest ZEN’s firmware into it but do didn’t do much good either. Creative Service Centre at IBP replaced it promptly with a new one.

Backdated to 15/8/07 – Tai Wah Mee Pok

I have been eating this gentleman’s mee pok since secondary school in the early 1980s. My friend, who became a movie star, introduced it to me. I remembered eating it in the pre-WWII shop house along Singapore River back then – still has a pong to it. (Maybe that’s why tai wah mee pok tastes slightly different nowadays…kidding) Their quality is consistently excellent. I understand many enjoy eating it fresh. I enjoy it best by packing it and eating it a few hours later. Reheat it in microwave at high heat for 3mins and eat it. Add some black vinegar also to enhance the flavour. Sinfully good.

Backdated to 11/8/07 – 9th Street Band, Ph. 9425 5823

Met these two musicians in Wheel Lock Place underpass. First time I had seen a busker (named Amran) playing on a double bass here! They sounded good because Idrus can sing besides playing the guitar. The tunnel gave them the necessary acoustics to make them sound good. Their aim is to sound good acoustically without any electronic amplification. They told me a European embassy had hired them to perform for them before too. Listen to them from Mon to Fri, 4pm-6pm at Wheel Lock Place underpass. Fri to Sat, 8.30 – 10.30pm at UOB’s promenade (where the fat pigeon statue perched) next to Singapore River.

Backdated to 10/8/07 – Provence, San Moulin, St. Leaven Bakeries

The pic is of my favourite chocolate rolls from Provence at Holland Village. They taste even better then it look – beware of imitations! I also love the donuts from this Japanese bakery San Moulin, situated at the basement of Isetan. The St. Leaven bakery’s donuts at Takashimaya basement are just as good too. I understand the San Moulin uses Yamazaki bakery’s dough. Yamazaki bakery, a Japanese co., is big in Taiwan. Their bread tastes really good without any need to hype it up – in order to attract customers to buy them.

Backdated to 09/8/07 – Char siew and siew yok rice

I had Toh Kee char siew rice at #01-1061A People Park Food Centre. Makansutra gave them a 2.5 bowls award this year, down from 3 bowls previously. I had also eaten Lau Phua Chay Roasted Duck char siew rice at #01-20 Alexandra village food centre a few days back. Makansutra also gave them a 2.5 bowls award. I think their char siew is juicier and their siew yok is just as good as Toh Kee. I prefer the latter because they give a bigger serving for the same price.

Backdated to 08/8/07 – Laughter is the best medicine

I suddenly remembered this joke that a platoon mate told me while we were doing reservist training. He got a good sense of humour after coming back from down under.

Humor: Did you know Mao had a Christian name? But he didn’t use because it won’t go well with his dictatorship image. His Christian name: Mickey.

Backdated to 03/8/07 – The Queen & Cotton Mary Videos

Finally I had the chance to watch the video. Helen Mirren gave a sterling performance indeed as Queen Elizabeth. Her acting defines the English’s “stiff upper lip” mannerism extremely well. I find the behind the scene going-on to save the monarchy from becoming “unpopular” in the eyes of the English masses prior to Diana’s funeral fascinating. The people’s princess’s sudden death really impacted the English Monarchy if the screenplay is right. Another highly recommended video to watch is “Cotton Mary” by Ivory Merchant Production. It is a story about an Indian woman, during English rule, and her fantasy of being “English”. Caution: Have an airsick bag by you when you are watching it.