Two haflas and a hula dance

I made my way to the haflas on my own, knowing I'd meet up with the usual suspects. I decided not to bring my camera. I wanted to just kick back and enjoy the performances instead of peering through the lens on the lookout for photo-worthy shots.There were many videos and cameras going. One of the videos appear here.

I am truly happy for Belinda and Claribel that their haflas were very well attended. There were many many new faces, always an encouraging sign for this small community. And then there were the familiar faces - a heart warming show of support for friends who put in so much effort to bring these events to the bellydance circle.

The weekend also turned out to be rewarding in a personal way. A chance conversation with a fellow bellydancer uncovered a little known hula dance class available in a studio downtown.

I was looking to stop social dance for a while; I am not having a good time at salsa with the uncles and aunties.

The hula class will be an ideal substitute.

I don't know what to expect, but I am hoping it will be this.

Noise and more noise

Chinese restaurants are noisy. But there is noise, and there is noise.

I put up with boisterous adults celebrating too enthusiastically because I have to. If I must, I put up with wait-staff who clang and bang the crockery around when clearing tables.

But I finally had it with children running all over the place screeching and shrieking in their horse-play.

I stomped up to the offending child ring-leader and yelled at him to cease and desist. The helpless maids minding the unmindful children were embarrassed. The adults who own the noise-monsters looked up with a what's-your-problem-with-our-cute-playful-children expression, but did nothing more. I glared at them with poison darts in my eyes and venom in my heart.

But, the noise assault dropped immediately to a more acceptable level.

I know I will not hesitate to act exactly the same way the next time. And the next time.

Weekend of Haflas

click on picture for larger image

Belinda's line-up of performers for her monthly hafla in September at Blu-Jaz Space promises to be a strong cast. Read more about it here.

Claribel is holding an open house and hafla on her premises on Sunday, 14th September. More details here.

Bali and Paul Ropp

We made our short 3-day turnaround visit to Bali for the Paul Ropp sale. Like we have done faithfully twice a year for the past 3 years.

This is, sadly, too many times for too many years. There is no new exciting clothing or accessories to be had this time. We spent 2 days going through the inventory. Still, nothing.

What saved the trip was the chance meeting of new friends. I have a good feeling about this couple. Time will tell.

We decided that we will skip Paul Ropp in February next year, and think carefully about the big sale next September.

Yes, something has changed in our love affair with Bali and Paul Ropp. So so sad...

The Paul Ropp annual sale

3 - 8 September 2008

I'm so there already.

August

was the month

Styx river, NSW

that whizzed by too quickly.

So many things I did not get around to doing ...

A baby and potluck dinner

She is now a new mommy. And she is finally ready to have people over to see her new boy.

The friends got together over a simple potluck dinner. It was almost like pre-baby days. Only almost.

The baby really is a good little fella who slept through most of the evening, waking only with mild protest that he should be fed too. And once obliged, he quickly fell off asleep again.

The friends carried on catching up with each other, almost like the old pre-baby days. Almost.

Aboriginal musicians

I don't usually pay attention to "native" sounds, but this pair of aboriginal street musicians caught my attention. That they were friendly and encouraged photo-taking, even posing with tourists, added to the joyful mood.

I ended up getting their spirit of the land CD - a compilation of didgeridoo on techno phunk.

All dressed up

and I have places to go

Mirror, Mirror

He flatters me.

Blue Mountains - Jenolan Caves

I see my light come shining
from the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now,
I shall be released

Light at the end of the tunnel - oh what a wondrous sight - as we start on the homeward leg of a very long day trip by bus to Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves.

Like, beh tahan to sit bus so long you know?

We gave up the idea of a day trip by bus to Hunter Valley.

We confined our exploration to Sydney and its suburbs.

To market, to market

The thing to do on weekends in Sydney is the weekend markets.

I managed to do Paddington, the Rocks, and Paddy's.

I expected really funky, arty, creative, unique stuff. There was very little originality or cleverness for sale.

My precious find is this boho 2-layer sari silk wrap that I am able to wear 100 different ways. I have worked up my way up to No. 3.

It will keep me entertained till the next shopping spree.

Life's a beach

Bondi (top row) is brash.
Bronte (bottom row) is beautiful.

They are among the most breath-taking beaches I have been to in the world.

I am not usually given to wanting a home by the sea, but either of these two beach towns could change my mind.

Go on - Bite Me

It's got taste. It's got style. It's got attitude. It's got funk.

The Bite Me burger is definitely not your ordinary quarter pound beef patty hurriedly slapped onto a hamburger bun .

I am amazed at how the lowly burger can be elevated to cult gourmet status.

Bite Me Burger Co is located at
340 Oxford St, NSW 2021
tel: 61 2 93311916
and
108 Campbell Parade
Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Tel: 61 2 93006566

Go on - It's Lebanese again

Dinner at a middle-eastern restaurant is still what I look forward to on the weekends.

For the food. For the ambience. For the bellydancing.

Even if it is for all of 15 minutes.

We made it to Abdul's and Hannibal's this trip. Yes, they are next door to each other. And yes, we went to one on Friday and the other on Saturday.

Abdul's Exotic Lebanese Restaurant is located at
563 Elizabeth St
Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Tel: 61 2 96981275

Hannibal Lebanese Restaurant is located at
557 Elizabeth St Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Tel: 61 2 96988288

Go on - what's for dinner?

I love the pulse of Sydney. Especially within the CBD where we stayed. Many places of interest, eateries, shops are within walking distance. Public transport is easily available for access to places that are not within walking distance.

The problem is that the pulse stops too early for visitors like us who are used to the Asian city lifestyle, where the action never stops. In Sydney, they roll up the sidewalks by 7.

We are on holiday. We move late in the day. We wake about 9 in the morning. We do a self-catered big breakfast of eggs and bacon. It is only at noon that we are finally ready to step out of our room.

We next feel like eating about 3 in the afternoon. No way we want dinner till well after 8.

In Sydney, the shopping stops at 6. The food courts prepare to shut down at 5. Restaurant staff are twitching to throw you out at 9. We refuse to change our holiday timetable, and we refuse to be rushed at dinner time. So, we never made it to any of the fine dining establishments.

We made it to many Chinese eating places though - the food at some more forgettable than others - because they stay open much later. We even stumbled upon a Sichuan restaurant that served up the real thing, as oily and unpalatable as what we had in Chengdu!

This post is dedicated to the food experience that I'd like to delete from my memory bank.

The Bellydance Expo 2008, Sydney

The highlight of my Sydney trip this time is the Bellydance Expo 2008.

It was a full day of performances and workshops. In the short breaks between showtime and jamming, I was busy being tempted at the booths offering bellydance costumes, accessories, henna tattooing, coffee cup readings.

Dozens of lovely ladies and one fun-loving man gave their best performance to an appreciative audience of fans, friends and family - they were just awesome in their passion and love of the music and dance. Styles ranged from folkloric to cabaret to tribal and fusion - the diversity makes for an unforgettable show of creativity and originality.

The darling of the day has to be 10 year old Janelle (below) with her wings of Isis dance. She has incredible control and maturity of any child dancer I have seen in a long time.

I have to mention a very special lady I met: Ileana was dancing to a sound track that I love, but the CD was not available at the expo. I am extremely touched by her generosity and kindness when she insisted that I take her copy instead. I gratefully accepted, and hope that our paths will cross again soon.

Maybe at the Farha Tour in Sydney in early November?

Gone Shopping

and eating
and clubbing
and more shopping!

Will be back on the 18th. Blogging will resume shortly thereafter.

Still the king

My favourite of the designer durians is the 101 for it's creamy melty texture.

But it's still the small unbranded durians selling at give-away prices like 5 for $10 that I really love. They are less predictable, but what a gem when you chance upon that one that has the perfect balance of bitter-sweet soft creaminess and fragrance.

A big part of enjoying the durian is in the range of taste and texture of the fruit.

Gunther's on Purvis

When it comes to French cuisine, I am at a total loss as to what to expect. Unlike other great cuisines of the world, French defies description. The French pride themselves as totally adventurous when it comes to food. They are ever creative, still evolving. Which means you may be in for the most impressive gastronomical experience of a lifetime, or you may be eating someone's failed cooking experiments.

So, when the girlfriend suggested a double date at Gunther's, I was hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. There are many reviews of the place. Two statements stood out in every review.

1. The cold angel hair pasta, Oscietra caviar is a must-try;

2. Expect to pay a lot.

The conscientious reviewers were right on both counts.

But, it is the perfect place to bring your date if you are out to impress with a good expensive dinner.

Gunther's is located at
36 Purvis Street #01-03
S. 188613
Tel: 6338 8955

Kashmir Restaurant @ Race Course Road

The girlfriend and her husband thought we'd like the food at Kashmir Restaurant, and made the necessary arrangements for dinner over the weekend. Oh, we more than like; we love!

The restaurant is tiny compared to the big boys along Race Course Road. But the small touches they provide makes the experience more than just stuffing one's face.

It begins with the ceremonial washing of hands in a tashtri. The food that is presented to the table is both a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Serving portions may be smaller than expected, but every mouthful is a delightful awakening of the senses.

We certainly look forward our next time there. There is a long list of dishes we look forward to trying.

Kashmir Restaurant is located at
52 Race Course Road
Singapore 218563
Tel: 62936003

July

was the month


- I got re-acquainted with a very special woman, someone I knew as a colleague for a short while some 25 years ago. We did not know much of each other outside of work; then we left the organisation at about the same time. Shortly thereafter, I left for the US and she for Sydney. For no particular reason, we stayed in touch first by snail mail, then by email, through the years.

- that, on a whim, I decided I should look her up while I was in Sydney. It turned out to be one of those serendipitous decisions. I felt like I had reunited with a very good friend who has been away for much too long. I believe she feels the same.

- I emailed my friends in the ulus with my favourite picture of myself. They all replied, dutifully telling me how wonderful I look and updated me about themselves. Now that we are all caught up with the news, we can all be quiet until, oh, around Christmas.

- our other kitchen closed until further notice, so in desperation to find a replacement, I tried a zhi char place recommended by one of this country's most respected food reviewers. I came away determined never to believe that has-been journalist-whore of the puerile palate again.

- I am shaken to know that a dancer friend sustained a medial meniscus tear in her left knee while attempting the rock-and-roll with her husband. Surgery is the only course of treatment, followed by a 3-month period of rehabilitation. I am now even more wary of my dance auntie partners in high heels.

- that felt like it was a very short month.

August hafla by Belinda

click on picture for bigger image

Belinda's hafla series for August will be held on the 9th.

The theme for the evening is "Fire". Her special guest performer is Angelina, resident dancer at Shiraz.

Bellydance fans and friends can expect another spectacular fun-filled evening presented by Sahara Sundance.

In them ulus back home

I have been many places. I have met many people. I have said many goodbyes. I have heard so many we-must-keep-in-touch promises.

We would write the occasional letters. That rapidly deteriorated to once a year at Christmas-New Year. When international calls became more affordable, there were the occasional phone calls (always at an inconvenient time because of time difference). When email was all the rage - we happily wrote short notes with some frequency.

But, the reality is this: when one moved away physically, one gradually moves away emotionally. There is no longer the shared lives, only shared memories. Yet there is a lingering desire to hear from one another, to know that everyone is doing alright.

So I started to blog. I thought it would be an easy way to check on me occasionally and find out what I have been up to. No pressure to read emails and feel the need to reply.

But my original target reader group is a strange lot. They would not even keep an open mind about what blogs are all about. They never visited my blog. Reasons ranged from the blog not being personal enough, to they cannot access the site, to the husband/children monopolizing the comp.

But I treasure the friendship forged from all those years ago. So I give in to their irrational reluctance about blogs. About three times a year, I'd email them with recent pictures and give a brief run-down of what's happening here. And they'd write back to tell me what's happening back there, and how they miss me, and invariably ends the mail with "got to run now. Dinner is about ready/the husband just came home/I hear the doorbell."

I cannot help but wonder if I'd be ulu just like that had I stayed...

Kiki koo kiki

In the confined space of a dance studio, one of the most dangerous moments is when the choreography calls for a spin-turn-forward travelling manoeuver. Timing, direction and distance have to be just so, or there will be serious injury from collision of bodies in mid-air.

The dance instructor, after calling out the instructions and making the class walk through the move, would then yell, "Okay, you ready? We try now. Kiki koo kiki." And the class would collapse in laughter.

What is kiki koo kiki?

Well, it's bad Cantonese enunciation for kah kee kor kah kee,

which is bad Hokkien enunciation for "ownself look after ownself",

which is Singlish for "every man for himself".

I love multi-lingual Singapore.

A Saturday with friends

We were finally ready to gather friends for dinner over the weekend. But not quite ready to actually cook the entire meal ourselves. So we compromised.

We met up at our other kitchen, and introduced the friends to what has to be the finest in zhi char cuisine. Then we headed back home for drinks and desserts.

The arrangement worked well. We were not exhausted from trying to do too much, and so were able to enjoy the companionship that much more.

On a different but related note, eatdrinkplayjunkie did not make it to dinner with us. Baby Tyler arrived two weeks earlier than expected. Mother and son are doing well; I presume Daddy is exhausted :)

Congratulations Claribel

Friday 18 July was a special day for a special lady - Claribel held her grand official opening of her new dance studio. The day was made all the more memorable by the presence of friends and colleagues who mean a lot to her.

1. Ribbon cutting ceremony - Claribel (centre in pink), Dr. Mo Geddawi (L) and Madam Raqia Hassan (R).
2. Hsiao Ming (L) and Serene (R)
3. Student performer
4. Susanna Lawren
5. Angelina Tay
6. Kyoko
7. Audience and workshop participants

The day's festivities carried well into the night when the partying continued at Shiraz. For details, read 3A's post here.

Sydney walkabout

1. Opera House Promenade
2. Sydney Harbour Bridge (the Coat Hanger)
3. Circular Quay
4. Strand Arcade
5. Central Station
6. Manly Beach

I know I must have covered most of the CBD on foot!

Sydney street scene

all we need is music, sweet music

there'll be music everywhere
there'll be swinging, swaying and records playing

and dancing in the streets

The street musicians and entertainment at street fairs are surprisingly good. Most of them have quality CD recordings of their music for sale. They add a lot to the street scene in the city.

Being my hippie self

I loved that I could dress like a urban hippie again and not feel out of place ...










My violet-streaked hair showed up brilliantly in the soft wintery sun. I love being funky :)

Raqs Sharqi in Sydney

There are many, many middle eastern restaurants in Sydney. But bellydance entertainment is limited to only Friday and Saturday. I had only one evening free for this, so after much asking around, I settled on Almustafa.

It turned out to be a very good choice.

The decor is all textile and texture; low-lit lamps and an eclectic display of bric-a-brac make the place feel more like a home than just another restaurant.

The menu offers just about everything anyone can want in a middle eastern restaurant. Every item is better than good. I know - I find that hard to believe too.

The bellydancer started her show sometime between the end of dinner and the beginning of desserts and coffee. How more perfect can the timing get?

I have to hand it to this bellydancer - her interaction with the audience was superb. She managed to allocate just enough time for the obligatory picture posing, jammed with the crowd and delivered a drum solo that was exhilarating as it was mesmerizing. I wish they do more than one set for the evening, but on the other hand, maybe one set of really superior performance is what makes it so special for everyone there that night.

Almustafa Lebanese Restaurant is located at
23 Glebe Point Road,
Glebe, NSW 2037
Tel: 61 2 96609006

Sydney Opera House

still beautiful
after all these years

June

was the month
- I made my first ever trip to the continent of Australia.

- I was in downtown Sydney, within the CBD to be exact, the entire 8 days. I was totally happy just being in an urban environment where I am most at home.

- And realised how much I miss being in a Western city.

- The days were glorious blue skies, the nights were crisp chilly. Perfect for ducking in and out of shopping malls.

- And so starts that chapter of my life when my time is mine, my life is mine.

- I am happy.

Away in Sydney

I will be back 12 July.

Meantime, I leave you with these exciting news from my friends:

Here's Suzie Wong
and here is Claribel

Here's Suzie Wong

Since her grand opening earlier this month, the dynamite polefessional Suzie Wong has been very busy.

Her brand new studio, outfitted with many unique features, is now open for pole/dance classes, rehearsals and rent.

Suzie Wong has also started a forum for pole and belly dancers. Do join to make this a lively platform for dancers interested in discussing costumes, events, "how-to's" etc.

We look forward to hearing a lot more from Suzie Wong in the days ahead.

and here is Claribel

Official Opening of Claribel's Raks Sharki Studio
at her new location:
31-A New Bridge Road (opp. Central)

Date: 18 July (Friday)

Time: 1.30 - 5.oo pm

Guests of Honour :
Madam Raqia Hassan
Dr Mo Geddawi

It's party time with light refreshment
+ free belly dance trial sessions
+ belly dance demo
+ belly dance jam

Fee: Free for all

Dress code: casual or middle eastern

Intensive bellydance course for
instructors, performers and choreographers
starts Staurday July 19.

Enquiries: tel 65368394 (Claribel)

email info@bellydanceinsingapore.com

We have Lights!

We've had the mosque lights for a long time. We did not have them up because we couldn't figure out how to.

Until - a flash of brilliance hit us recently. We needed to build a box trellis overhead!

The design, construction, installation and wiring of the project was a lot more involved than we imagined.

But, finally, it got done. With the help of a very good crew of carpenters and electricians.

The home is looking more and more middle-eastern. I like.

Belinda's Hafla@Blu Jaz Space

Click on image for larger picture

Contact Belinda (96258385) if you are interested to perform at her very popular hafla.

About food and restaurants

In Garlic and Sapphires, restaurant critic Ruth Reichl asserts that while food is important, nobody goes to a great restaurant just to eat :

"People go for the experience of being in a great restaurant. Sometimes they get it; sometimes they don't. It all depends on who they are."

To avoid being recognised by the restaurants she was reviewing, she used various disguises. And comes away confirming that restaurants do indeed treat customers very differently, depending on impression and perception.

Garlic and Sapphires gives insight to what different ordinary folks experience in the world of fine dining.

Apparently, it is de rigueur that serious and responsible restaurant critics in New York city be incognito in their work.

It makes me wonder about the modus operandi of our food critics.

It's not just hae mee

A bowl of hae mee at the end of a trying week can mean so much more than just dinner.

Especially when it is home made.

The very thoughtful girlfriend asked us over for this one-dish dinner because she knew we had been stuck at home for the past few days with carpenters and electricians working on a small home improvement project.

Generous friendship and comfort food goes a long way in restoring the spirit. I am almost ready to face the next couple more days of noise and mess starting tomorrow.

Thank you friend.

One coffee one afternoon

She has been trying to get me to do coffee with her for months. And for months, I've had one excuse after another to not meet up with her. Until one afternoon this week when I really was free for a couple of hours and thought what the heck, I was going to get myself a cuppa anyway, so why not with her?

I was all settled at a Starbucks with my favourite latte when she came flying through the door, late and flustered as usual. She plonked herself across from me and, to my horror, immediately announced that she will NOT be having anything to drink because she just came from lunch and she already had too much to eat and drink.

Nothing? Not even an iced tea? In a near-empty Starbucks in the middle of the afternoon?

Nothing. And she proceeded to drone on and on about her famous husband, all the work coming their way, her itinerant tenant, her previous son...

My mind split into two. One half half-listened to her endless yammering, the other half recalled all the miserly ways this woman inflicts herself on "friends".

She goes to people's home for dinner, and eats only the "good stuff". Then asks to take home all left-overs in quantities enough to feed her and her family for the next one week. She goes out to dinner with people and then announces at the end of the evening she does not have cash or credit card on her. She asks 20 people to her home and feeds them 2 fried fish (what happened to the seven loaves?)

I have tried to overlook all her faults - and they are too many to even begin to list - and tried instead to look for redeeming qualities.

But that afternoon, it all crystalised in my mind that I am pursuing a lost cause.

So, just like that, I know that is the last time I see this woman of my own volition.

Arabian Nights@Blu Jaz

Starting June 20, Kyoko performs every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. Showtime is 9:30pm.

Belinda hosts her very popular and successful hafla every 2nd Saturday of the month. Performance time at 9:30pm and 10:45pm. The next hafla will be on July 12.

Contact Belinda (96258385) if you are interested to perform at her hafla.

Bellydance fans - do bring hip scarves, zills, veils, canes and shimmy the night away.

Blu Jaz Cafe is located at
11 Bali Lane
S. 189848
Tel: 62923800

Italian by Pasta Brava

The place is tucked among a row of restored shophouses on the very quiet Craig Road.

The food is Italian from start to finish - good old traditional Italian fare that is both home cooked comfort food and gourmet dining at the same time.

The decor is an eclectic mix of old world Italian and Straits Chinese - antique display cabinets filled with interesting copper and china knick knacks, colourful paintings provide contrast on walls painted a deep burgundy. Low lighting from colonial Dutch chandeliers finish the place with a sense of dignified tranquility making it the perfect getaway for a quiet dinner at the end of a busy workday in the city.

And on the weeknight that we were there, the place was surprisingly busy. Happily, we noted that the clientele was mostly young courting couples sharing an intimate dinner in a peaceful and pleasant environment to end a long workday.

And so, we had our evening of nostalgia and sentimentality as we ate our excellent dinner in a roomful of young hopefuls in hopeless love.

Pasta Brava is located at
11 Craig Road
Singapore 089671
tel: 6227 7550
(closed on Sundays)

A night with Belinda

It never fails.

Wherever bellydancers gather, there will be dance throughout the night.

So it was at Belinda's hafla last weekend. Where bellydancers in turn perform for each other, dance with each other. Where everyone had come together for a night of celebration - of joy, friendship, music and dance.

I love Yangchow fried rice

I do not like plain steamed white rice. I like dressed-up rice - bryani, Hainan chicken rice-rice, lor mei fan, nasi lemak, nasi kunyit. And fried rice. Especially yangchow fried rice.

A pig-out friend was so thoughtful to buy us dinner at this elegant Chinese Restaurant that also happens to serve up the perfect yangchow fried rice.

Where the rice is still el dente and particulate to the bite,

where the wok is so hot that the fried rice has wok hei in its aroma,

where the mix of garnishes - prawns, char siu, scrambled eggs, chopped scallions - are in perfect proportion so that every mouthful is a harmonious medley of taste and texture,

where the colours of seductive red, fresh yellow, and brilliant green on shiny white are in good balance so that the dish is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach.

The friend is right. The yangchow fried rice here is exactly like that.

The restaurant is in a members-only club. So make friends with somebody who is a member already!

Popiah with friends

We planned the weekend popiah dinner early - like two and a half weeks ago. We wanted certain people for this dinner, and it was the first weekend that we were all free.

The long anticipated dinner date finally arrived. Everybody had a grand time with building their popiah, adding the type and amount of condiment to individual liking and chomping down on their masterpiece with gusto even as they think what else different they were going to do with their next popiah. What I found amusing was how everyone wrap their popiahs differently - from layering the ingredients to where to smear the sweet sauce and chili sauce down to the style of wrapping! Wish I had the time to take pictures of the popiah construction process.

The friends' contribution were desserts - home made ice-cream, apple crumble pie, chocolate fudge cake, banana-walnut bread. We managed to work our way through most of the sweets.

The night was one of those rare occasions where different groups of friends were meeting for the first time, and everyone got along famously and even exchanged phone numbers.

That is always an encouraging sign and it makes all our efforts worthwhile.

Last of the work place

Because I worked only 3 afternoons a week for the past 3 years.

Because I have never lunched with any of the staff at work.

Because I never socialised with the staff.

Because I have always kept my private life separate from work.

Because of the independent nature of my work.

Because I have had minimal contact with any staff in the organisation.

So it came to pass that as I packed ourselves out of the office early this week, I found that I am actually more sad to leave my machines than the people.

Hafla@BluJaz by Belinda

Click on picture for larger image

Come join the party!

Bellydance on a Sunday afternoon

I am happy to see so many participants at Claribel's one-day all-free trial sessions last weekend. I know everyone who was there had a great time.

The pictures speak for themselves.

May

was the month

- we made public our decision to exit from our work
- and found out who really cared that we should be happy rather than convenient and useful
- but then we knew exactly who these wonderful people were all along anyway
- which makes our years of association a truly meaning one

- we ate at our other kitchen 6 times, with friends, out-of-towners, and by ourselves
- and still think the food is great

- I had my hair bleached and coloured a brilliant violet
- which is something I wanted to do for a long time
- but had held back because I did not think it would inspire confidence to show up for work looking like a striped Barney

- mother and I are further estranged from each other because of the woman whom mother protects with fierce maternal love but whom I view with open disdain
- and I find I have no regrets about the unbridgeable gulf between mother and me

- we worked 12 afternoons this month
- which made May the most number of work afternoons in the past several months
- which made May the highest billing month in the past several months
- which made us feel good that we will exit on a high note

Painful People

Our last day to vacate the office is Monday June 2. As expected, we had a fairly busy week clearing our work cases. At the same time, we were also packing ourselves out of the office in stages. It should have been smooth sailing, allowing us to come in on Monday for a final clear-out.

Until a particularly unwelcome phone number showed up on my mobile early this week. I groaned inwardly even as I put on my most professional voice to take the call.

she: My husband and I would like an appointment for Monday next week.

me: Is there any way at all that you could come in any day this week rather than Monday next week.

she: Isn't Monday your last day in this office?

me: Yes it is. It's just that we will also be packing up the office.

she: But no we cannot come in this week. We would like to come in on Monday for our appointment. And then we leave Singapore for good on Tuesday.

me: We will see you Monday 2 June at 3pm.

They are not among my favourite work cases (is it any wonder?) And true to form, they are a pain to deal with up to the very end.

We will see them come Monday afternoon, provide the work that they seek from us and be damn proud that we have been diligently professional down to the last working hours.

Pietrasanta -a slice of Tuscany

These days I harbour no preconceived notions when trying out a new restaurant. Especially the newly opened and recently reviewed ones. I use the review only for pertinent information like address, business hours and days open.

There have been too many times when an entire glowing review is a work of fiction. And when you stop to think about it, why would a professional food critic write an awful review. It serves no useful purpose to the reader while it incurs the wrath of the industry players.

So with this newly acquired mindset, we set about exploring the month-old Pietrasanta (named after a town in Tuscany). And I was totally happy with everything about the place.

I was particularly tickled that they do a lovely baked eggplant starter smothered in cheese that's done to just the right soft (not mushy) consistency. I love their pizzas (any topping) and meat-and-cheese-stuffed ravioli. And, the sweet finish - Melthing Chocolate Cake that melted so sensually in my still greedy mouth. I have a feeling I'll love just about everything they serve up as I eat my way through their menu.

A noteworthy point - go on a week night when it will not be overly crowded. Then settle in for an evening of personable service and unpretentious home-style food in an atmosphere of rustic old world charm that is Tuscany.

Pietrasanta Restaurant is located at
5B Portsdown road
#01-03 Wessex Estate
S. 139311
Tel: 6479 9521
(Closed on Tuesdays)

Saiidi on a Saturday afternoon

I've been looking forward to this workshop for weeks. And inevitably, work threatened to get in the way. It never fails to amaze and annoy me how appointment times mean so little to so many people. They seem to hold the view that if they are paying for your services, they own you and all of your time.

In spite of these inconsiderate people's best efforts to derail my plans, I managed to finish work and made it to Claribel's studio on time.

The Saiidi cane dance workshop was in equal parts enjoyable and educational. Claribel provided just enough historical and cultural background to the use of the cane in bellydance to make it interesting and give a sense of the mood/feel of the dance style.

Her new studio is big enough to easily accommodate the 12 participants without us hitting each other with our canes.Oh, and the most important accommodation of all for me - the studio has high ceilings so I am not hitting the ceiling when I need to hold the cane upright and high!

I also always look forward to seeing familiar faces. And am excited to meet the new ones.

I now look forward to another exciting date at Claribel's on June 1. All you ladies who have always wondered what bellydance is all about must drop in that Sunday. It may just be the day that will change your life forever.

See you there!

It's official

And the word is out.

The man and I will exit from our work at the end of the month.

The reaction from friends is one of genuine congratulatory incredulity. The reaction from foes is that of accusatory betrayal. Both camps are curious about what we will do after our retirement - one with understandable concern, the other with envious grudge.

I detest the word "retirement". It carries the connotation of dotage, redundancy, irrelevance. It implies a life of gloomy emptiness.

I see it as moving on. No different from having moved on from all the other stages of our lives. There is a lot of living to do, and we now have the freedom to live it.

I relish the fact that we were able to plan our exit. We consciously chose to reduce our work load over the last three years. We filled our free time with enjoyable activities. We treasure our private life. We are now ready to relinquish the professional recognition and prestige accorded us in our work.

And move on to the next stage of our life.

An old familiar place

For Hong Kong style dim sum and very palatable Cantonese cuisine, this place has been a favourite with us for a long time. But as with so many restaurants, we forgot about the place for a few years, and only got around to visiting it again recently.

Although the restaurant has expanded to double its original capacity, they have kept the decor as it was - that of an old fashioned Chinese tea house. The cashier's counter is still this cage of a room with wooden bars for a window. I love that the familiar cheena features that I remembered so well have been retained.

The food while not exciting is likewise comforting in a familiar way.

I still love the place, and am gladdened that precious little about the place have changed. But I really wouldn't mind if they re-named the restaurant. Really, I would even like that.

Mouth Restaurant is located at :
Chinatown Point
133 New Bridge Road #02-01
S. 059413
Tel: 65344233

On a little street in Singapore

we'd meet beside a lotus covered door
a veil of moonlight on her lovely face
how pale the hands that held me in embrace

Peter de Rose & Billy Hill

Back alley

of an air-conditioned nation

so cool we're hot

Eating vegetarian (almost)

the filling (vegetarian):
jicama (bangkuang)
carrot
french beans

condiments (optional):
tau kwa, fried, then cut into small pieces
hard boiled eggs, finely chopped
chinese sausage (lap cheong), steamed, then thinly sliced
bean sprouts, lightly blanched
cucumber, finely julienned
coarsely ground peanut

sauces:
sweet popiah sauce
freshly pounded chili paste

I am trying to eat more vegetarian meals. It's not an easy thing to do because I really do enjoy my meats. And I will not have just a green salad for a meal. I'd rather just skip that meal entirely.

So of late, the man and I have taken to doing popiah for ourselves. We find that we can do one batch of the vegetarian filling and have 3 dinner meals out of it. We collect our small 300-gm order of popiah skin fresh for each meal.

Home made popiah, fresh popiah skin, whenever we want it. That's really living ...

Saiidi Cane Dance Workshop by Claribel

Date : 24 May, 2008 (Saturday)

Time : 3:30pm - 5:30pm

Venue: Claribel's Raks Sharki Studio
31A & 33A, New Bridge Road (opposite Central)

Fee: $50 per person

Participants please bring own cane or buy one from the Studio at $12 each.

For registration and enquiries, please contact Claribel at:

tel: 65368394, 97972261

email: info@bellydanceinsingapore.com

Limited to 16 places only, so please make early payment to reserve place.

I will see you there :)

Our other kitchen

Remember the zhi char place at block 57, Eng Hoon St at Tiong Bahru? The one where the pig-out friends raved about the food, but I did not know the name of the stall? Even when there were several signs on the door? Then I added to the confusion by showing a picture of block 55 which is the famous Sin Hoi San?

Well, these are the 3 signs that are up on their front door. By process of elimination, I think the current zhi char business is the one on the right.

By the way, it is our current favourite dinner place on nights when we do not feel like cooking nor dressing up to go out to eat. In short, it has become our other kitchen.

Their food is really truly indescribably good.

Dancing shoes

These women don't even normally wear heels. Which means on the rare dressy occasion, they are teetering in their high heeled shoes.

They also have absolutely no dance experience. So why would they show up for their first-ever social dance lesson in strappy high heels when they cannot even walk properly in them?

I hope they don't injure me too badly in the weeks ahead.

April

was the month

- the man and I made a life-changing decision regarding our work, a decision that I have been so ready for for the past 3 years, but I suspect there is still some residual resistence in the man about making it absolute

- a longtime girlfriend whom I always saw as my young-younger friend turned 50 and

- I realized so many of the people I always thought of as my younger friends are fast turning 50 and it's not fun to be a few years ahead of the pack anymore

- I decided to make blooming flower tea part of the after dinner-experience at our home after getting very surprised and delighted response from friends who swear they are not tea drinkers

- we went to Xiamen for 5 days
- where the highpoint of the trip was my discovery of Chinese fashion label MixMind
- when I promptly proceeded to make such a huge single purchase that I qualified for a VIP discount card
- which tells me boredom makes me act compulsively, because, you see, I swore off urban postmodern fashion 10 years ago and MixMind is unmistakably, unapologetically, strictly, urban postmodern

- I was just glad to get back to Singapore and go about my sane and ordered life

We went to work 6 afternoons this month. Something tells me something's gotta give. And it will be soon.