New iPhone App

I totally dig this iPhone application I just downloaded recently. It's called ShakeItPhoto. It's actually a polaroid camera, so all the photos taken are polariod photos. Somehow all the photos turn out really nice; they kinda have the SLR effect. Hehe.

iPhone users, you HAVE to download this!

while Kae travels in the MRT

Kae was super friendly today. Okay maybe not super friendly, because she always lurves to mix with older kids anyway.

We were in the MRT on the way to City hall station, when this 5-7 year old boy came into the cabin with his mum. He saw Kae and started to "play" with her immediately. He kept making funny faces and playing peek a boo with her. Of course Kae grinned from ear to ear and played along to the peek a booing. Hah.

to Switch or not to Switch

I am toying with the idea of blogging on LiveJournal instead. It just seems there's more fun stuff to include in the blogs on LJ. Hah. And I have already created my LJ account! Haha. Of course, it's now bare still.

It's just a matter of when I guess. Hmm, maybe I can use LJ to blog about FOOD! Hah!

the search for The Ramen continues

And the search for the best ramen in Singapore continues.

I had my 1st bowl of ramen only like 1 year ago in my 30 years of living at Ichibantei Robertson Quay. And boy was I hooked. I lurve the way the char siew was done, i lurve how the soy egg melts in my mouth. These are the 2 main criteria for me for a good ramen. And so my quest to search for the best ramen in Singapore begins.

Correction: my dar juz pointed out to me that i had my 1st taste of ramen when we were in Tokyo Sep 2006 :P. But I only got hooked on ramen last year after my visit to Ichibantei.

So far, I've only tried the ramen at 4 shops; Ichibantei Robertson Quay, Miharu Gallery Hotel, Marutama Liang Court, and last night at Santouka The Central.

The ramen at Ichibantei was my 1st lurve. I forgot the name of the ramen I always order. But I always have the spicy version. It comes with 2 pieces of char siew and 1 soy egg. The char siew is good, the egg is super good. And it's not too pricey.

After a few times to Ichibantei, I decided we should give other ramen shops a try. So, we went to Miharu, which happens to be Edna's favourite ramen shop. I ordered the non-spicy ramen. It comes with 1 piece of char siew and 1 soy egg. I didn't dig that shop at all. I guess it's because their char siew is the lean meat type. I lurve those juicy and fatty type. Heehee. Miharu's kinda too dry for my liking. And I didn't like their soup. Bleah.

Then, I went to Marutama solo and had their Nama Karashi ramen. It comes with only 1 piece of char siew. Their char siew was good, noodles was good. I forgot to order a side of their soy egg. Both the ramen at Ichibantei and Miharu comes with a soy egg though. My only complain (if you can call that) was that the soup was a tad salty. But I like!

And we finally went to Santouka last night. We had their Kara-miso ramen. It comes with 2 pieces of char siew. We ordered the side dish of their soy egg too. Their char siew was thick and juicy, yummy! Their soy egg is good too. And the soup is not as salty as Marutama's. Their noodles is good; it tastes different from the other ramen shops! I am so going to order their char siew ramen which comes with like 4-5 pieces of char siew the next time I am there!


So my recommendation right now (if you lurve juicy char siew ramen) would be Santouka, Marutama, Ichibantei.

Dine with the Horses

We finally made our way down to Rider's Cafe for brunch.

I've always wanted to try the food here as I've heard good reviews about this place. And we nearly did not make it again, as the weather was crappy when we were on our way there. Yes, it started raining when we were just parking our car at the free carpark outside the cafe. But thankfully, the rain stopped within fifteen minutes.

Please do make reservations if you ever want to dine at Rider's Cafe on weekends. We were 5th on the waiting list for walk-ins, and this is on a bad weather day mind you. In the end, we waited for like 30 minutes before they ushered us to the terrace area where our seats were. The terrace area is actually for the Bukit Timah Saddle Club members, but I guess the place was too crowded, so they decided to open the small area up.

We waited for another 20 minutes for our food to arrive. I am just glad the food did not disappoint! Dar had the Rider's Burger (as usual), and I ordered the Eggs Florentine (I lurve eggyyy breakfast!) and we had the pancakes to share. I lurve lurve their pancakes! It just taste divine with their blueberries and cream and butter! My Eggs Florentine is good too, and the burger is not too bad according to dar. And their cafe latte is good too. Well, this is a brunch place I would definitely return to for more! And this eatery wins hands down if you want to compare them with their neighbour, seriously! Ah yes, must call to make reservations!

Kae's 1st words

Kae has finally been talking. She is a fast walker; she could take steps in her 10 month, and walk steadily by the time she's 1 year old. But vocally, she is slow compared to some other toddlers. Anyhow, she's been learning words these few weeks, and boy are we glad that she's starting to talk and is able to say more words. She can articulate after us now, and sprouts sounds very often, even when mummy is still lazing on the bed. Hah! But the bad thing is, she only says the words to us and to my parents. Others, she just keep quiet. Even during her JG classes, she wouldn't even move her mouth a tad bit when the teachers try to coax her into speaking 1 word. Sigh.

This video shows Kae speaking her first few words. These are the ones which sounds like words we understand.

Kae's routine dance at Isetan PP

This is Kae's routine dance session at Isetan Parkway Parade. She is dancing to this chinese educational video of songs and rhymes.

Daddy's 1st class at JGLC

It is Daddys' week at Julia Gabriel. All dads are encouraged to join in the classes anytime this week. It so happens that dar is on reservist this week, and as luck will have it, had an early day off on Tuesday when Kae is having her class, and managed to join us in class for a short while.

This is only daddy's 2nd time with Kae in ANY class. He sat in with Kae for one of her neuro tree classes. That's it. Even when Kae was at music class in Gymboree, it was all me. And the trial class at Little Gym doesn't count. Haha!

Maybe because of this, Kae doesn't really "behave" when daddy was in the class. She refused to participate in the activities, and kept wanting to sit and jump in daddy's lap. Pengs! I think dar will be using this "fact" to stop going to class with Kae anymore, when he's got the time, which is erm rarely. Hah!

an evening with Miki & Kae

We were at Clarice's for a BBQ dinner, and who else, but Miki and Kae, were the stars of the evening. Hah! And let the photos do the talking :)

Flat evening

We had a mini adventure saturday evening.

We were on the way out to Clarice's place for a nice dinner when we realised right at our estate's carpark that our right back tyre was busted! Hah! Apparently, the tyre was busted by a screw. Ouch! I guess we were considered lucky! Why? Because it didn't happen when we are travelling on tne roads with Kae in tow! Heehee. And a fellow resident saw and offered to help dar change to a spare tyre when he happened to park directly opposite us. Kind souls do exist!

When we reached the already closed Kah Motors at Ubi, we were lucky too that there were still 2 staff around, as they informed us that the spare tyre was out of air too! No wonder the car felt funny running on the already air-less spare tyre. Apparently, the mechanics should have check and pump air into the spare tyre at every "car check-up". But ours was not. Hmmm. No matter. At least we knew then. So off we went to pump air.

Then, on our way to Balestier, where apparently, there is a shop that opens 24 hourly, we stopped at Shell MacPherson, as there was a car shop was still opened. Finally, we managed to get our tyre "fixed"! Air was pumped, and the hole was repaired. $10 only! Hah!

I really think we were damn lucky in an unlucky situation. We could have been stuck in the middle of nowhere with a flat tyre, while rain was pouring down, and no help from anyone, and dar had to change the tyre on his own, with Kae crying and whining for food which we did not pack :)

Hiak. This markes the end of the FLAT evening. As after which, me and Kae went to Clarice's, and dar went to VJC for his ODAC reunion. And that should be in another post :)

Recent videos of Kae

This is Kae at Marina Square. She was walking around happily, and dancing even when sitting down!


I forgot the name of the Japanese doll, but Kae always dances to this "music video" whenever we pass by "her" at the toy section, Robinsons Raffles City.


Kae helping to clean up at her Julia Gabriel PlayClub class :)

the 8th lesson

Today Kae attended her 8th lesson at Julia Gabriel. For those who are not in the know, each term consists of 10 weeks, and her lessons are twice 2 hourly weekly. We just survived the 4th week which is actually week 7 of the term (we started in week 4 of this term actually).

This is Kae just waiting for the class to start.


And this is her in her new Crayola art apron with her signature "diao" look! Hah!


Oh this is her holding up her "binoculars" :)


Erm, think she was doing her peek a boo face :)


Mummy and Kae!


Kae and her playmate Claire! They were running all over Island Cafe after Claire woke from her 1 hour nap! Haha.

Meat Lovers, take note!

We went to Aburiya for a Japanese BBQ dinner to celebrate our 78th month dating anniversary which was on 10th August. We usually go to Gyu-Kaku, but thought that we would give Aburiya a try since the branch at Robertson Quay is always crowded.

Erm, I can safely say that we would most probably not return to Aburiya. The whole ambience, the utensils used, the presentation, the food, and even the way that the charcoal was put, I thought that Gyu-Kaku has done a much much better job. The latter wins hands down. Seriously. The wagyu ribeye was not fantastic. The pork cheeks were too salty. The wagyu sushi was not broiled warm and crispy enough. The prawns were not big enough. And I thought their normal beef was about the same taste as the wagyu. Their garlic fried rice is not too big though. Sorry people, if you prefer Aburiya. I still lurve Gyu-Kaku! Hah. Hence the smaller pictures of the food. Bleah!


Oh, and just like 5 minutes ago, I just realised that Gyu-Kaku is having this buffet promotion at their newly opened branch at Holland Village! ARGH ARGH ARGH! Meat lovers, you know where to go for dinner soon! Oh, please call and ask if the promoti0n is still on yah?

Happy 19th Month Day Kaelyn!

Happy 19th month day Kae! Kiss kiss!


By the way, this photo was taken by cousin Kieron who was behind the camera, and cousin Kevyn whose hands are holding on to Kae. Hah!

Kae's love & hate relationship with the ride

Kae lurves to look at and touch the toy rides. She doesn't like to sit in them though. This was after I put the money in for the toy ride to start moving. She was absolutely freaked out by the moving vehicle! Since then, she don't even wanna sit in the stationery vehicle. Yes, she's that stubborn. She would protest, kick and whine whenever we try to carry her and place her in one.

However, on wednesday, she allowed us to place her on 2 rides, banana in pyjamas, and elmo with big bird. Hah. So, we reckon her fear of the rides may have disappeared! Or so we thought. Because she refused to sit on anymore rides, even her beloved Thomas the Train! Argh.

National Day week at Julia Gabriel

It is national day celebration week at Julia Gabriel. Well sorta. The kids and adults have been asked to wear clothes in the red and white family.

Kae wore her Chateau de Sable dress on Tuesday. I was half expecting that some other girl will be wearing the same dress, as I've seen lots of girls wearing it. But lucky lucky, Kae was the only girl in that dress that day. And here is Kae on the slide, as usual.


I took more photos on Thursday. Hah. Kae wore her red polo ralph (again), and white three quarters. Mummy also wore a red top and white bermudas. Hah. Kae, as usual, whined when we reached school. She always need time to warm up to the teachers, and would always whine when they want to help take off her shoes and check her hands and feet for signs of hand foot mouth disease. Sigh. But when the class starts, she is all better. She really is getting better. She would gather round the table with the rest of the class and even tried to wriggle her way in when she's being edged out. She used to want me to carry her! So, this is a big improvement. She really is not as shy as before. I am so proud of her!








And we took our 1st class photo! Heehee. Pity Claire couldn't be here today.

Tis the start of Aug

I started the month of August with my favourite food, sashimi, at Fish Mart Sakuraya! Hah, I thought I should give myself a treat after bringing Kae to her Neuro Tree class at Parkway Parade alone on saturday, as dar had a golf game. Yummy yummy! Hmmm, I think it's time to go to Ikoi Japanese Restaurant at Hotel Miramar to have their dinner buffet soon!

Working day, Every day

Being a stay at home mum (SAHM) is no laughing matter.

I have to work everyday. There's no off days. Except when my parents come relive of my duties a few hours, once a week usually. Or when we put Kae at my in-laws' for a few hours. Even on weekends, I have to work, when my dar goes off for his golf games. Or on weekday nights, when he sometimes meet up with his friends or have work dinner and drinks.

I may sound like I am complaining. Okay, I am not exactly not complaining. Just that sometimes it helps to vent my frustrations by writing. I still do not know if I am cut out to be a SAHM. I get impatient with Kae sometimes, but I am trying to curb this feeling by taking a deep breath and telling myself that Kae is still young and she doesn't know any better. I tell myself that I am very very lucky to have a happy and healthy girl. But she does get on my nerves at times.

Another con is that I am not financially independent. Well, I am not working mah! So I do not have the freedom of buying what I want as and when, the big ticket items usually. Don't get me wrong, I get an allowance from my dar of course. But it's not my money I am spending. I do not have any bonuses at the end of the year. I do not get any increment every year. I have to watch what I spend more diligently. Not that I earn loads much from my previous job. Hah! I guess at the end of the day, I just feel like a leech, just keep sucking money off him.

Also, I have no more me time. Yes, my parents do come alternate weekdays and alternate sundays to help. But what I miss about having my own time is going off any time I want, to wherever I want, and till whenever I want.

Blah blah blah, just find a job lah! Once I go to work, I won't have all these misgivings. Easier said than done. The job market is not good now. Moreover, my last job was 3 years ago. And it was in a stat board. And I actually did try to scout for jobs just before we decided to get pregnant. Man, I don't wanna reveal how many resumes I did send out, but the percentage of call up was really seriously pathetic. I don't know. Maybe it's because I don't have much market value. Hah. Which means I have NO market value NOW.

Also, I want to bring up Kae myself for now. Yes yes, I know I complain a lot about how difficult and taxing it is, but I just can't bring myself to let others take care of her. Putting her in a child care for 10-12 hours a day just breaks my heart. Will she feel abandoned by her parents? My mum is working, and I don't think it's a good idea to ask her to quit her job to take care of Kae. How then to decide what her "monthly compensation" should be? Also, conflicts will arise due to our differences in opinion about caring for Kae. Ditto with the in-laws. Plus I've seen how Kae's cousins have been brought up, and there are certain areas which I don't see eye to eye with them on. So it's just me in the end.

Sometimes I do envy those who make the decision to leave their babies with their parents. They go to work without worrying, and come home to the babies after work. After dinner, they will leave the babies to sleep at their parents' and go back to their own homes and have a good night's sleep every night, until the weekends, when they bring their babies back to their own homes. They do not need to deal with the babies' late night crying, their constant wailing. They still have their me time on weekdays. Which means they can still meet up with their friends whichever day they want, as their babies are taken care of.

But then again, they will miss their babies' 1st step, 1st smile, 1st laugh, 1st word, 1st walk, 1st crawl, 1st hug, 1st kiss, etc.

Seriously, it may seem easy being a SAHM to some, especially to the working mums and working dads. But believe me, the constant whining and attention seeking kids can make you feel like jumping off your building more than once a day.

That is why I really admire those working mums who still take care of their own babies, be it full time job they engage in or part time work they do from home. They have to juggle their time to giving their best at work and then their full attention to their babies when they are back from the childcare centres or after the few grilling hours of work from home. I dunno if I am able to do that.

At the end of the day, I just have to be comfortable with my decision and be content with what I have. I am in the midst of trying to achieve that. Which is why I am putting off the 2nd baby, if any, for as long as possible.

All being said, there is no better thing than being hugged and kissed by your baby, looking at her growing up happy and healthy, achieving new "skills" everyday, looking at her sleeping oh so peacefully everyday. The list goes on.