Monday, December 31, 2012

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert

When a former office mate, who's also a voracious book reader, first told me about Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love; I was a little skeptical.  The story didn't appeal to me and it sounded like one of those new age, self-help books; the "it" title of the moment as it was.

But on one particular trip to the Bras Basah Complex, the mecca of all second-hand book complexes here in Singapore, I found myself needing one more title to avail of a special 3 for S$10 bargain.  Having no other choice, I settle on Eat, Pray, Love.  But it's a good thing I did, too, 'cause I take back all the inane misgivings I've had about this novel.  Guess you really can't judge a book by its cover (even if it is Julia Roberts and I don't like her much too).  J

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Friday, December 28, 2012

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours...

Just a short post to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!

Hope you and your family are happy, well, and content.  May the season bring more hope and good cheer to everyone!  J

Monday, December 24, 2012

A Singaporean Starbucks® Christmas

There's just no escaping Starbucks® even here in Singapore.  Not that I'm complaining, most especially since it's time once again for them to be offering their special annual Christmas beverages to the public.  Yey!

Starbucks® Christmas beverages

Friday, December 21, 2012

Macau Express @ Singapore EXPO


The Husband and I had our honeymoon at Hong Kong and Macau.  A first for us both to be at those 2 regions.  We were, however, so caught up with trying not to get lost and making the most of the attractions that we, unfortunately, failed to do some research on great places to dine in.

Most of our lunches and dinners in Hong Kong found us embarrassingly munching on McDonald's burgers and fries since it was the most convenient or occasionally at a food court where we'd still order our usual Chinese food favorites (breakfast was always c/o the hotel).

However, in Macau, fate seemed to have intervened and we soon found ourselves near the vicinity of an authentic local restaurant in Senado Square, right after our visit to the Ruins of St. Paul's.  I, however, had the great misfortune of ordering a dish I simply hated and thus, spent majority of my meal frowning in between bites (I hate wasting food kasi so I forced myself to finish it.)

Fast forward to the year 2012, and we, once again found ourselves within the vicinity of a restaurant specializing in Macanese cuisine.  This time located at the Singapore EXPO.

Macau Express @ Singapore EXPO

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me: Forty New Fairy Tales From Various Contemporary Writers

Aside from a healthy book diet of children's comics and stories, I also grew up devouring fairy tales.  It's usually normal for kids to do so; but aside from that, in my case, nostalgia also played a role in my fascination with these stories.

We used to live in a small compound in Pasay City where I had my immediate relatives as neighbors.  Inside my lolo's (grandfather) home was a small library of sorts housing a modest collection of hard leather-bound titles, a remnant of my mom and her sibling's childhood days.  I was around 4 or 5 years old when I discovered these books and although I still had yet to learn to read, I'd visit the room again and again, just looking at the wonderful pictures and smelling their musty old scents.

Our old home was a wooden, post-war dwelling and as expected, eventually succumbed to the wrath of termites.  Among the casualties were my beloved books.  Alice in Wonderland was actually the first to go.  The others slowly, and painfully, experienced a similar fate. 

Out of all the titles in that old room, I was only able to save one; a collection of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales that have since been in my possession ever since.

Thus, did my love for fairy tales began, which eventually led me to purchase this book -- My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me: Forty New Fairy Tales written by various contemporary fiction writers and edited by Kate Bernheimer.

My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me: Forty New Fairy Tales

Monday, December 17, 2012

Happy V: Singapore’s (Temporary) Alternative to Jollibee

It’s funny how, considering Singapore is home to thousands of working Filipinos, there is still no Jollibee branch in sight here.  We have home-grown hits such as Tapa King, Shakey’s Pizza and Gerry’s Grill (I am sure there are more); but the giant red bee?  None so far (although we’ve heard that a branch will be opening late this year.  Hoping and wishing it will come soon enough…)


So where exactly do Filipinos get their sweet Pinoy spaghetti and fried chicken joy fix?  Why at Happy V, of course.

Happy V at their Lucky Plaza branch

Friday, December 14, 2012

Cheap Dim Sum Find in Singapore: AsterPau

I love me my cheap comfort foods.  And one of those I'd usually indulge in, especially after a bad day at the office or school, is a serving of Hen Lin's Hong Kong style asado siopao.  Many a dinners have found me happily munching on my inexpensive treat while in transit on my merry way home.  It's a quick pick-me- upper and a great reward after a hard day's work.

Here in Singapore, there are the usual high-end (read: expensive) dim sum places.  But I've only recently discovered stalls that offer these tasty, delicious morsels at reasonable prices.  AsterPau is one of them.

AsterPau at AMK Hub, Singapore

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Mulach®'s World Famous Homemade Ensaymada

In Singapore, there is no ensaymada (as far as I know).  And so it was with much delight that I found out some well-meaning guests of ours brought us a box of Mulach®'s World Famous Homemade Ensaymada straight from the Philippines (cheesy... yes.  But I do so enjoy the simple things in life.  J)

Mulach®'s  World Famous Homemade Ensaymada

Monday, December 10, 2012

Kiddie Christmas Wish List: A Zillionz Savings Goal ATM Bank

Christmas is but a few days away; and while doing a little shopping over the weekend, I came across this nifty and very interesting item at POPULAR, a well-known bookstore here in Singapore.

Zillionz™ Savings Goal ATM Bank

Friday, December 7, 2012

The National Library Book Sale (2012) in Singapore

The Madir and I used to frequent the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) every year since the mid-90s.  But since I am currently based in Singapore, I, as expected, wasn’t able to attend this year’s event.  Huhuhu!   L


Good thing the National Library Board of Singapore held its annual book sale last September 15 and 16, 2012; where I happily drowned my sorrows and homesickness with a few a lot of new books to add to my collection.

The National Library Book Sale 2012

Monday, December 3, 2012

Things We Forget: Sticky Notes Left in Public Places

A Singapore-based blog whose posts I've been following for almost 2 years now, thingsweforget.blogspot.com is a simple site that shows inspirational quotes written and drawn on sticky pads which are then placed all over Singapore (and beyond).

Source: http://thingsweforget.blogspot.com/


SG | An Aerial View of Sentosa Island

Sentosa is a well-known island resort in Singapore. They're quite famous for their expensive luxury landed properties, exquisite hotel...