20 May, 2013

Photo of the week - Kamakura

Kamakura is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) south-south-west of Tokyo. Although Kamakura proper is today rather small, it is often described in history books as a former de facto capital of Japan as the seat of the Shogunate and of the Regency during the Kamakura Period.



As of June 1, 2012, the modern city has an estimated population of 174,412 and a population density of 4,400 inhabitants per square kilometre (11,000 /sq mi). The total area is 39.60 square kilometres (15.29 sq mi). I visited Kamakura on a short sidetrip late Summer 2011 from Tokyo thru NEX. I took a late flight into Tokyo, stayed in a tiny hotel near Kita-Narita and then took the first NEX at 6am to Kamakura.

Kamakura is known for its Buddhist temples (unlike the Shintoism which is followed in majority of Japan) and has a number of "big" Zen temples. The famous sites are Kotoku-in and its Great Buddha, Kencho-ji, and Engaku-ji. The Zen temples and their serenity really touched my heart and soul.

12 May, 2013

Energizer Trail Run

Saturday morning! I went to get ready for the first Energizer Trail run Singapore! That I am joining. It is organized at one of the NS-men camp, at lorong Asrama, which after searching on the streetdirectory map, is normally off-limit for normal civilians. (later confirmed by the MC of the event too!).

It was a very hot and humid day. The weather was pent-up with the rain that almost drizzle (luckily it didn't for the sake of thousands of runners with kids who were looking forward for the event). I arrived at 230pm after various arguments with Mom, whom I dragged and whom is energetic enough to accompany me to the event. My mom is so adorable.

The Energizer 2013 race route and obstacles

Chocolate fascination

So I went out and borrowed a book about a beautiful potential new hobby, Chocolate and Candies.

Book cover - link to Amazon.com

And managed to fill-up my amazon cart with the following.


which I am still gathering the courage to order...

Some of the tips of melting chocolate, tempering, about how to choose essential equipment, and at-a-glance-simple recipes are so tempting.

11 May, 2013

Friday night I missed you so much

I feel asleep thinking about your email. a very short email at that... so foolish, girl.

10 May, 2013

My friday break

I was feeling overwhelmed at work so rather than losing my temper and cool, I decided to take a short 1-day break. I went to anti-stress massage at Bodywellness my usual spa place, and went for a nice stroll among the Duxton Hill. It was very nice to be walking around 130pm, the weather was beautifully blue sky and found a number of places. I was apprehensive about having lunch on my own, but what the heck - I was hungry. I finally settled on a place called Mozarella - in hindsight a beautiful Italian bar and restaurant. I ordered tomato soup, the oh-so-tender Lamb shanks, capped with affogato served with super strong Italian expresso. Beautiful

the scenic duxton hill

affogato with vanilla ice cream. I love this version,
the vanilla was beautiful with a tinge of tangerine

I then hungout at the Loft, where it was very quiet and peaceful. I'll remember to go back to the Group Therapy place next time, but I most probably would feel misplaced with a loner here. In the afternoon, I peeked at my work inbox and was cheered by a lovely message. *loved*

04 May, 2013

White Wood Oil or Minyak Kayu Putih

Since I am baby I always love the smell and fragrance of jamu Minyak Kayu Putih from Indonesia, or oil of White wood in its literal translation to English language or "Pek Cha Yiu" in Hokkien dialect. Last month, I received my shipment from Amazon for essential oil from US. I only ordered 2 types in tiny quantity as the essential oils cannot be shipped according to IATA (International Transport Authrority) as it is super inflammable. Lavender and Eucalyptus. Upon smelling the Eucalyptus, I was struck by its similarities to MKP.

So today, I am researching the differences between these oil type. According to this article from the Dept of Forestry in Indonesia, MKP comes from a variant of genus that includes Myrtle tree, and its export is governed by the strict law. While Eucalyptus originated from Australia, been used globally. Hmm since both trees are originated from very closeby location (the Austro-Indo group) and have very similar smell, I suspect more connection.

Here's pic of my favourite- the best brand of MKP - is Cap Ayam from Medan, North Sumatra! It's advertised by local online shops at 150ml for 38.000 Indo rupiah or around S$5.

 Memory of childhood: minyak kayu putih cap ayam, bikinan Pt Jamu Sari

More research to come.

About pitbull

Listening to songs, and International Love by Chris Brown ft. Pitbull - made me check on Wikipedia entry on Pitbull. Found this sad story - http://www.sfweekly.com/1997-06-11/news/shouldn-t-we-just-kill-this-dog/.

The story of Fred made me want to hug my puppy: *hugs*



Annual Health Screening package

Parents safely in journey to MBS, tonight I am focusing on research of the best annual health screening package that utilizes my perk accounts from my company. The due date is end of June which is the fiscal here. I've been going to Raffles Medical for my GP so I thought this year I would consider package here instead of the one at the Executive Screening centre.

Step 1: Comparing the Executive General package at S$802.50 and the Elite General $1,588.95.

Step 2: Research what each tests mean and whether they are necessary or not.

Step 3: The Singapore Health Promotion Board has a guidelines about age and tests. After carefully reviewing them corresponding to my age and my family medical history including other risks, I have determine that the executive Ladies package is the best for me (an early 30's lady). Even though I can afford any packages, I avoid excessive waste and false positives. The most important is to live healthily.

Livejournal

Today receive message from livejournal about my super old account (that I had  totally forgotten too).  First post at livejournal @ http://starell3.livejournal.com/



03 May, 2013

Singapore Household survey 2012

Singapore govt is carrying out the survey for 2013 latest. This is a document from the last one in 2012 - useful and informative for my weekend reading. Local file and website of http://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/population.html#household_income_and_expenditure.

28 April, 2013

My trip to India 2013

I flew to India, Mumbai on Monday morning Apr 22, 2013. Stayed 2 full nights - including conf calls on the first day, concluded with a brief lunch at 2pm where the lobby lounge is with some mimosa and cordon bleu chicken and steak sandwich. Lunch is brief at Celini, the hotel's Italian restaurant.

2nd day we rode the car to the office, I was eager arriving at a little over 8am. The office is located at Windsor tower, with no road sign, other than designation "off CST Road" at Santacruz Area, Mumbai. Finished with a nice local India dinner, at the Grand Hyatt Soma. The tandoori platter, esp the mutton and chicken were excellent. The warm roti with garlic was very nice. The crowd was upmarket and pleasant.

14 April, 2013

Sakura Season 2013

I love spring.

The cool weather with sky starts to open up to blue-ness and plants everywhere start to groom, and bear new flowers.

This year, the cherry blossom season arrives in Tokyo early. During my last business trip there, I took a path down to Shinjuku Gyoen to checkout the last bloom of the year the week of 8th Apr.

31 March, 2013

I did it!

I completed my first half-marathon. Timing 3 hours 3 mins - is okay average considering my lack of training. I am so elated and am donning my nice finisher's tee.


25 March, 2013

Final week to 21KM

I'm in kind of trouble because of my lack of training for my first marathon.

My original plan heading to the week of March 18th is 5KM (Tue) + 7KM (Thurs) + 12KM (weekend). What I did was 2KM (tues night) + 5.5KM (Friday night) + 7KM (Sunday night).

24 February, 2013

Song Fa Bakut Teh

A nice simple meal with my parents - at Song Fa. They liked the casual environment and the relatively inexpensive price tag. We had a nice table outdoor with cooling sunset air, thanks to my swift action. They now had a novel idea of serving tea with traditional small clay teapot and tiny cups with boiling water self-served from the gas stove next to the wall. We ordered Tien-Lo-Han and the bunch of the half-tea leaves went mysteriously missing in the middle of the dinner.

I had 10km refreshing run thru Garden by the Bay East this morning, then Chinese New Year lunch at Eco Sanctuary showroom @ Chestnut (dissapointing food but fabulous Dragon and Lion dance) and followed by Hi-Tea with choco fudge cake and Long black at the Marmalade Pantry Ion.




07 January, 2013

Kinabalu


After 2 years of talking, finally due to a sudden incident, I went to Kinabalu, and climbed that mountain. My fully body is now sore beyond belief. Sitting upright and especially standing up, becomes painful. And stairs... oh don't mention it. I cringe at the sight of stairs now.


01 January, 2013

Archive: 2012 Accomplishments


  • Buy a property
  • Love myself
  • Travel to Taiwan
  • Reach Nordkapp
  • Try something new (camping)
  • R'ship exploration
  • Scandinavia travel

17 December, 2012

Purpose

It is a bit intimidating.. in a good way, facing with someone who knows exactly what his priorities in life. I feel clueless.

Decisions are all making sense. The choices. Speed. Career choices. Relocation. The travel.

I suppose a wanderer warrior one day must go home with his identity. I can understand that, I felt the same and lost as well sometimes. Unfulfilled and empty. Having a sense of purpose and dedication is important. It's almost vital. what's the use of lifeless paperwork.



16 December, 2012

The Taurus Woman

I like the description of the Taurus Woman here:


The Taurus woman

As the bull is a supremely masculine creature, the cow is supremely feminine. The female Taurus is often the epitome of the instinctual feminine archetype, with all the gentleness, strength, wisdom, patience and sensual passion of her goddess-antecedents. There seem to be two distinct types of Taurus woman.

The first is the real Venusian Taurus, with a perfectly made up face, surrounded by beautiful scent, dressed in sensuous, expensive designer clothes. Pampered, indolent, and preoccupied with her own attractiveness, you may accuse her of vanity and self-indulgence, but she knows that self- confidence and pride in herself are the best guarantee of being treated with real respect.

Then there's the Taurus woman who reflects the purity and harmony of nature. Organically grown food, natural fibres, a ban on smoking, a refusal to use chemicals in the garden or artificial colouring on her hair, this woman harks back to the old temple priestesses in the days when the power of the Earth-goddess represented the power of life itself.

Either way, the Taurus woman is wise in the ways of love, and is devoted and usually loyal -provided she has security and knows she's valued.  Her tenacity and faithfulness are admirable. Sometimes they're too admirable. Try to release yourself from this kind of Taurean woman and she will hang on with that incredible Taurean tenacity until you give up and come back out of sheer exhaustion. Taurus women can wait, and they often do wait, and wait, for the promise you made ten years ago to be fulfilled.

Flirtatious at the beginning of a relationship, Taurus settles into stable routines very easily and quickly. If you enjoy spontaneous trips and unplanned holidays, give this woman at least three months' notice. And don't, for heaven's sake, change plans at the last minute.

Taurean women can be very literal, believing what you say and holding you to it the next day. Or the next year. Or the next decade.  If she promises something, she'll endure all kinds of hardships to keep her promise, and her sense of responsibility is very highly developed. She doesn't like letting people down, in personal life or at work. If you promise something to a Taurean woman, mean it. Otherwise, learn to think before you speak, or choose another sign.

There is an innate simplicity in the Taurus woman, even in those whose practical abilities and business acumen have led them to build a solid career in the world. "Simple" doesn't mean "stupid", so don't make the mistake of thinking, because she didn't win any prizes on the school debating team, that she isn't grasping exactly what you're trying to say, even when you thought you meant something else.

Although some Taurean women are gifted at verbal gymnastics, most prefer clear, plain, no-nonsense communication where nothing is concealed or ambiguous - and because they're usually straight and direct, they know when you aren't.  Despite her strangely childlike quality, the Taurus woman can be terrifyingly shrewd when it comes to seeing through shams and pretences. She isn't innately suspicious or mistrustful, but she can spot a fake from a long way away. That applies to fake antiques, fake flowers and fake people.

Taurus' eye for the realistic, the stable, the reliable, is unerringly accurate. Her common sense is a wonderful elixir for the jaded visionary, and her capacity to get to the basic core of a problem allows her to find simple solutions while you're still pacing up and down tearing your hair and wondering how you'll ever even begin to sort out the mess. The Taurus woman brings everything - including her partner - down to earth. And because it's a gentle sign, it's likely to be a soft landing.

09 December, 2012

Lunch today

Grilled ribeye steak
Asparagus and carrot - boiled/steamed
Grilled potatoes with tomatoes
Fruit appetizers - starfruit, granny smith apple, plum

Result: colorful delight for lunch with camomile tea. While jamming with Dj Earworms 2009 mix.




Seeing experiences with fresh eyes

Given my propensity to seek new experiences, I wanted to start a new series of article that explores experiences that are new, new to me, or...