Sunday, January 25, 2009

Reunion of the CNY

I have always enjoy the Lunar New Year. A time for togetherness with people that matters. A reunion.

Eons ago, it was seriously about the red packets that got me excited.. but as one aged (dirty word).. its really about family being healthy and happy together. Speaking of which, being able to even get together is no easy task too, being the globe trotting generation that we are in now. Loved ones are probably all over the world.

As the Year of the Ox slowly creeps in, i'll like to wish all my friends a very Happy Lunar New Year, and especially to my cousin in London - let's make our dreams come true AGAIN!! =D


Monday, January 19, 2009

Juju

The other day at Alison's.

Her pet kitty, Juju The Meow-Right-Back-Atcha.






Juju: Mmm....



Juju: Mmaaah............



Juju: Mmaaaahhaaooooooooo..............


Wasnt too pleased with me snapping pictures of her non-stop.



Cats can be so cute. I bumped into one the other day at my grandma's place, it was a Norwegian LongHair Forest Cat. It was so gorgeous. If i were to ever get one, this will probably be it. White colour!

This is how it looks like. So dignified!


Unbelievably Chio rigght?! =D

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Failed Bake

My first attempt at making the Chocolate Fondant cake. U know.. you cut the cake open and chocolate lava oozes out nicely from the fluffy sponge cake. Sigh, my tastebuds tingle just the mention of it.

But goddamn it, i had all the ingredients measured to a gram. I bought strawberries. I had hersheys' chocolate. I bought good flour. Fresh eggs! But nabe, still didnt worked out well. Apparently, dumb me had the temperature set too low.. causing the cake unable to rise spectacularly.

Well, its my first try, so have a look at the HKBHJ cake:



Whisk egg & sugar till fluffy consistency. Checked!


Melt butter & chocolate. Checked!

Then mix flour into chocolate mixture. Checked!

Pour chocolate mixture into egg. Checked what!

Then i put it into these frikking aluminium cups liao lor. Then still must do what!!??!! I even talked to them while baking!



(Rise you little muthaf******, rise! %#$&^@)



Ok, this is better! ^_^



See, everything looks good and fine! But it doesnt taste good and the texture is just not good! =(



Whatever! Bleh!

Monday, January 12, 2009

A new year moment

I am overwhelmed with new year's resolutions.

Not that i fulfilled all of my last year ones (wat was it again?). But always, as this time of the year comes, i cant help but to feel alittle bit more motivated, fresh and hopeful (almost to the point of naive)... of all the nice good things that is going to happen.


P.S: Top of the list, i plan to lose 3kg. Effortlessly. Period.

GOD BLESS! ^_^

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Tokyo Raiders - Final Part

Headed to the Tsukiji Market early in the morning hoping to catch some tuna auction, to no valid. Sianz to the max. Apparently, winter is the busiest time for the fishermen and they no want no pesky tourists to be lurking around while they're doing their business. Usually its closed between Mid-Dec to Mid January.

No such luck for me this time! Bleh. We decided to head out to look for some fresh sushi at one of the world's biggest fish market. FILL THE BELLY! =D








Wah lau... every restaurant have to queue, siao one leh. Japanese are actually just like Singaporeans. They queue even when they're not sure which one is the better one too. Anyway, being super kiasu, i just joined in the queue that have the most japanese in it. You'll be surprised to find how many singaporeans/hongkongers/taiwanese in this area.




Almost our turn.. WE EAT!













My verdict is: its actually no big deal. I thought i could have the freshest and bestest deal for sashimis at Tsukiji, but later realised i have had some better sushi/sashimi elsewhere in Tokyo. This place is just too hyped up already.

And its not cheap hor! Nabe.




After a long day of shopping at Ikebukuro, my tummy starts to hurt.. which explains my pale as paper face. =( I wanted to head back and rest before we go over to Shiodome for dinner, the 2some decided to follow as well.

Some train fun as we're heading back:

A regular sight at Tokyo, we're talking about 10 degrees and we have girls dressed up like these. She makes me feel like a nun all wrapped up. =(




Calvin: .... oh... my... god... (takes deep breeeath...)



Orrrrhhhhh....





Heheheheeee, now i can sleep happily tonight..!




After finishing my desserts below, i snooze alittle before we go out for dinner at Shiodome.




The sky-restaurants located at the Caretta Shiodome.

Easily the place of restaurants that offers the best views of Tokyo. You definitely have to come here. They offer a variety of cuisine at this place, from Chugoku (Chinese) to French, Italian, Korean and of course japanese.

But remember to ask your friendly concierge at the hotel to make bookings for you. If not, you will have to wait till 9pm for your dinner to start, that is, if you're lucky.




Two storey ceiling high restaurants







The japanese makes meat looks soooo beautiful even when its raw that i almost had it sashimi-style. But decided not to be so adventurous as i didnt want any upset tummy on a vacation.





The biggest and juciest pieces of scallops i have ever had, grilled with special sukiyaki-broth and butter.




Big fat lazy strips of crabmeat awaiting their turn to be grilled into succulent perfection.*

(Smiles and sigggh....)







We ate till we wanted to throw up. And it sets our pocket lighter by about $400sgd. For 3 person of course! So i reckon, for 2 person.. should easily hit 300. But with such nice food and view, coupled with the legendary service of the japanese, dont think you will compain lah.

On holiday leh! =D Below are some of the Xmas illuminations, kind of nice.






The next day, Calvin & May decided to head over to DisneySea. Not a big fan of them. I decided to head over to the ever quirky Harajuku to soak in the festive moods.









Japanese Engrish... ^_^




"I walk my monkey like you walk your dog."









Throngs of people waiting to go into H & M. Why is it like this worldwide?! Its sooo insane. The tempura restaurant that we ate is just opposite H & M at Harajuku, its pretty good.

Try it!





My last munch of crepes before we took the train and head back to our hotel at Shinagawa, back to Singapore now! Sayonara Tokyo!