Singapore Love Nest

Paul dared me, so I went for it! Let’s see if he will chime in on my post heading (LOL)! Anyway, here are some pictures of our apartment in Singapore. We’re quite comfortable and have enjoyed the layout – as you can see it’s pretty much white, brown and more white. So, I went to Little India a few days ago and picked up some color (placemats, runners and FLOWERS)!

We have a docking station, so I get to groove to my favorite music (right now – Billy Joel “All About Soul”). TV is okay here in S’pore but we don’t have movie channels, etc. and the DVD player only plays Asia region DVD’s – ugh! So, all of the DVD’s I brought back here, we have to watch on our computers (to be fair – we did have a player at Pan Pacific that did play all of our discs, so I just “assumed” that they would work here. FYI – never assume anything in Asia – you will be disappointed every time!).

As my parents say, “So, it’s more like a hotel than an apartment.” Yes, I’ll admit, we’re spoiled. We’re in a “serviced apartment,” so it gets cleaned daily (if we want) and the sheets/towels are changed. But, at least we have a kitchen this time (and I’ve used it multiple times every day this week)! As you can see from the counter, I already have my staples: Kecap Manis, Dark Soya Sauce and Light (not Lite) Soya Sauce. Paul’s already enjoying the feasts and I’m taking another class on Saturday, though more Western, “Julie and Julia: Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Coriander Leaf is going to get a lot of my business these next four months!

Off for a fun night tonight – going to The Screening Room (dinner and a movie: The Wedding Date). It’s owned, I believe in part, by Samia Ahad – owner of Coriander Leaf. Looking forward to it!

Of course - there have to be some toilet pix - and yes, they are Western toilets - yeah! LOL The first is my bathroom and the second, Paul's - love it!

Not quite ready for visitors (just kiddin') - but, the second bedroom is starting to take shape...

The Master is nice but you have to scoot in between the wall and the bed - too funny! Of course, that's Paul's side of the bed!

A Birthday in the Gardens!

Paul really went above and beyond by making my birthday special yesterday. He knows how much the peace and beauty of the S’pore Botanical Gardens calm me. So, he made reservations at the Halia restaurant nestled within the Ginger Garden. What a fantastic atmosphere with the fragrance of the Gardens surrounding us.

We shared a bottle of G.H. Mumm Champagne with a strawberry at the bottom of the glasses. The food was exquisite: Chilean Sea Bass, Mango, Ginger Sorbet, Glass Noodles, I could go on and on…

We, of course, had a few trials getting to the restaurant, and back. But, that’s just another day in S’pore – you have to take it in stride, or you’ll go crazy!

Paul finished it off with a hilarious singing card and two books: Scent of the Monsoon Winds (a cookbook – can’t wait to try out the Lovers’ Oxtail Stew!) and the NEW Jodi Picoult book, House Rules. I’m so excited; I have to finish my Chris Bohjalian book!

Paul, I love you – you are truly the love of my life!

Thank you to all of my family, Facebook friends for the birthday wishes. And, thanks go out to my High School Peeps that got me a cake on the cruise! This birthday has been fantastic and has made me forget the mounting numbers…though, to Paul, I am forever 24 – bless him!!

Back in Singapore!

Hi all, thanks for waiting for the newest update. We are back in Singapore and will be here through June! We are blessed with an apartment this time and have finally started settling in. I’m enjoying the kitchen already – boiling down 2 chicken carcasses right now to make Chicken Broth. Then, I’ll be cracking Samia’s cookbook and making some yummy (yet healthy) dishes for Paul.
So, the plan is for Paul to work, get healthy and have some fun along the way. I plan to explore, cook, take more cooking classes and get back into Pilates & working out! Of course, I will also keep up the Blog daily (or almost). I’ve missed posting here so it’s great to be back! We’ve had quite a couple of months.
Paul has been traveling back and forth to Singapore. I was in AL for a time; in CO for only a few days; then on a cruise with my peeps from high school and now back in Singapore. What a crazy life! But, we did manage to make it back for my birthday – which is today! So, Paul has got something planned and I look forward to tonight – I’ll upload some pix tomorrow!

Take care everyone and please post comments as much as you can – follow our Blog, too, if you aren’t already! I’d love to get more followers!!

Gong Xi Fa Cai & Happy Valentine’s Day!

Well, it’s been almost a month that we have been back in the States! But, to celebrate the plans to return to Singapore (beginning of March!!), I am posting the pictures I took of how the Singaporeans decorate for Chinese New Year. This year the lunar year fell on Valentine’s Days, so everyone was blessed with two fantastic celebrations on February 14^th.

We left Singapore on January 21^st so we did not get the full celebration though Paul was in for a quick trip and did see some fireworks from his hotel room. He said that to celebrate they set off fireworks everyday leading up to the New Year!

In Singapore, the celebration is on “the first two days. If one of the days falls on a Sunday, the holiday is extended to three days. In 2010, the first day (February 14) is on a Sunday so celebration of the holiday is extended through Tuesday (February 16)” (Wikipedia).

Gong Xi Fa Cai or Gong Hay Fat Choy!

So, it was also Valentine’s Day – Paul was able to join me for the special day – it’s also our Engagement Anniversary! He was wonderful and sent me these flowers!

Have You Ever Seen These Noodles?

Okay – yes, my postings have been getting increasingly sporadic! There are many forces pulling at us right now and I still have at least 9 postings more to go. We leave shortly and it’s all too much! I’m glad to be heading back to the States but sad to leave this experience. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I went to Chinatown today (for the third time?) to get last minute gifts. I can’t wait to post about what I have learned about Singapore’s Chinatown or better known as “Water Cart.” Another posting for later!

One of the things I thoroughly enjoy about Singapore is the access to different arts that have been maintained for, sometimes, centuries! One tradition is the art of “pulling noodles.” Today, I took advantage of going to Lan Zhou La Mian for the second time. The tradition lives on with Mr. Wong – see the video below!

Paul and I saw a documentary about the ancient art of pulling and throwing noodles on NewAsia and were excited to see that there was a Chinese man here practicing the art. As you can see from the photos below, Mr. Wong is quite the celebrity and all of the photos on the wall are of him and his customers together holding the Lamian Noodles.
I researched the Lamian Noodles further and found out that the recipe has Gaoxiaolamianji powder to give elasticity to the noodles thus creating the strands. Wu Zhang Qiu, a master at noodle pulling related this story: “….The recipe was forgotten until 600 years ago when several regions in the north-west of China were struck by poverty, and the natives could no longer afford to buy readymade noodles. Today, the people of the north-western province of Xinjiang still make their noodles at home” (Business Today, Oct. 18, 2008).

The Merchants of Bollywood

Paul and I had another great outing on Saturday night to the Esplanade. The Merchants of Bollywood was full of vibrant color, bright lights and fantastic dancing. What a production! We became interested in this show because of the numerous articles in the newspaper and how it told a story of a family in the Indian Film business: Bollywood. Did you know that more films (800/year) are released out of “Bollywood” than the Hollywood each year?

I don’t have any pictures because photography is now allowed during the show but I had to share this experience. There are some great photos at the show’s website – take a look: http://merchantsofbollywood.com.au/aus/Media_gallery.html

This musical originated in Mumbai (or Bombay) – the Indian Film Capital and now has traveled to globe. The show’s inspiration is the real life story of the Merchant family. Vaibhavi Merchant (now a top choreographer in India) wanted to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and work in Bollywood. But, he felt “films were no place for decent women.”

The show is “homage to one of the world’s great film industries, but beneath the glitter and glamour, the bangles and the beads is a true story of a granddaughter’s search for her destiny and for the love and approval of her grandfather. A tale of sacrifice and rebellion, a conflict of generations, and a journey to the sacred heart of dance. The music and dance comes from India, but the message…is universal. Make peace with each other while we have the chance. Om Shanti Om.” – Toby Gough (Director)

We were taken with the music and dance – each cast member was phenomenal. There were so many group dances and everyone had to be in sync. We could tell the cast REALLY enjoyed performing; they were flawless! To add to the magic of the evening, some of the Indian women that attended the show wore spectacular Saris & Salwar Kameez suits (Tunic top with flowy pants and sash; Paul brought me back one of these outfits when he came back from a trip to Bangalore).