Friday, June 27, 2014
[ITE] Campus Game Fest 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Valentine's Day at Chua Chu Kang Cemetery
Its the 14th of February 2014.
Most people, well couples at least would go out together I guess. I am single so I should be moping I guess =)
Still. I wanted to visit my paternal grandfather's tombstone. My dad wanted to go too. Its been a while I guess.
So off we went!
First we were on a bit of a hunt. We actually haven't been there for a long time. We only know the tomb number. Its not something I am proud of, but I am happy that today we made the trip down and essentially commited to visting the tomb. Too many times we have planned but not gone down. We only have the tomb number unfortunately. My dad vaguely remembers the way. I am not sure I have ever been there ?!?! I only vaguely remember my granddad's portrait.
A few things I learnt.
If you are looking for Lim Chu Kang Cemetery. There is no such place. I think. Apparently my dad remembers the cemetery as Lim Chu Kang cemetery. But it is really Chua Chu Kang cemetery, but along Lim Chu Kang road. Its not exactly wrong to refer it as Lim Chu Kang (it is partially at Lim Chu Kang), but just know that the cemetery is named Chua Chu Kang cemetery and a good portion of it is along Lim Chu Kang road.
So we went to Chua Chu Kang mrt and took a bus
Most people, well couples at least would go out together I guess. I am single so I should be moping I guess =)
Still. I wanted to visit my paternal grandfather's tombstone. My dad wanted to go too. Its been a while I guess.
So off we went!
First we were on a bit of a hunt. We actually haven't been there for a long time. We only know the tomb number. Its not something I am proud of, but I am happy that today we made the trip down and essentially commited to visting the tomb. Too many times we have planned but not gone down. We only have the tomb number unfortunately. My dad vaguely remembers the way. I am not sure I have ever been there ?!?! I only vaguely remember my granddad's portrait.
A few things I learnt.
If you are looking for Lim Chu Kang Cemetery. There is no such place. I think. Apparently my dad remembers the cemetery as Lim Chu Kang cemetery. But it is really Chua Chu Kang cemetery, but along Lim Chu Kang road. Its not exactly wrong to refer it as Lim Chu Kang (it is partially at Lim Chu Kang), but just know that the cemetery is named Chua Chu Kang cemetery and a good portion of it is along Lim Chu Kang road.
So we went to Chua Chu Kang mrt and took a bus
In the end we were actually quite lost. We ended up asking the bus uncle where we should drop. We are looking for the "chinese cemetery". If you look at the pic above. Its not there =P. The bus uncle asked if we are looking for urns or graves. We said graves. He was'nt sure, but he told us where we probably should get off (before we are definitely off course). it turned out to be exactly correct, where we should stop. Which is before Lim Chu Kang road.
This was the bus stop we stopped at. We continued walking until we get to the T-junction intersecting our current road (I think its "Old Chua Chu Kang road") and Lim Chu Kang road.
After crossing diagonally, we turned right and this is the path to the cemetery (along Lim Chu Kang road).
If you take the bus, by the time you see SCDF, you are off by about 2 stops I think.
It is quite peaceful. I actually like cemeteries. It is always quiet and breezy.
A goat farm! I should visit that one day, but at that moment I was more concern about finding the grave.
We actually went to look for the main office, from the path (the goat farm signage one), turn left at the first turning and walk straight. You should see the main office. It is quite nice and there is a toilet.
Oh and it is quite nice and peaceful. There are actually alot of graves around, but I think it is somewhat inappropriate to take pictures of them, so thats why the pics are mostly skyline and trees =)
This maps were extremely important to finding the grave. We went to the main office, told them the tomb number and got the main area. Then, using the map we went to the rough whereabouts of the grave. It still took some hunting, but at least we narrowed the search space. Eventually we did find it.
Visiting granddad was nice. We offered incense, waited for the candles and joss sticks to burn out. It was rather windy, but otherwise the weather was very good.
We exited via this path. It is really called Chinese Cemetery path =) there are many paths btw (you can see from the map).
It was a long way back. We did not walk through the cemetery, as we wanted to see what were the buses available along the road.
The muslim cemetery is actually near the chinese cemetery. Some malay vendors sold flowers to visitors for prayers. It was actually quite colourful.
you see, there is actually no path... tho... closer to intersection with old chua chu kang road a path emerges.
This is one of many bus stops we went by.
So this is another way to come to the cemetery! But you need to know where to stop. It is also more risky, because from Boon Lay, you will actually be on the other side of the road. Although the road is not busy. It is very wide.
A path emerges!
I think this is near the entrance or half way through. I'm not sure =) In there end i think the best bus to take from Chua Chu Kang is 975 as it makes the turn. However I think 975 does not originate from the Chua Chu Kang interchange. I need to double check that.
It was good visiting Grand Dad's grave. Dad was visibly happy too. We also informed my aunts. So maybe next round (Qing Ming?) we'll make the trip together. The main purpose of this exercise was really to ascertain the location of the grave as well as to gauge the accessibility (since my dad and my aunts are getting on in age). We actually required a few lucky breaks to not get lost. Remember we don't have a car and are completely reliant on public transport, so getting the way right was crucial. We could get a cab, but the cab would likely only take us to the entrance of the cemetery. The path to the grave itself is also important enough that we want to know prior to visits (at least if we have more elderly relatives).
All in all I think it was a fulfilling valentines =)
[20140308 22:50]
This came to mind for some reason. Someone once told me that in her culture; visiting the cemetery is a peaceful, loving period. A time to remember fondly of those that have passed. I agree. Although in my culture, there is a lot of instilled fear and superstition, but seeing my dad and being close to my grandfather whom I have never met, I felt a sense of kinship and fulfilment. Would that the dead were closer, but in Singapore we can hardly afford the space. So visitations from the living will have to do. We cannot help for those that have died. We cannot help but die ourselves eventually. But what we can do; is to live our lives fully and honourably, and do our best to ensure the same for those we care for.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Samy's Curry Restaurant
Sammy's Curry sells Indian Curry Cuisine
Its pretty good. Mag and Lucas brought us to this place. It was previously at some Civil Service building but moved to Dempsey Road. It was pretty nice. There is Long Beach (Seafood) as well as La Salon or Fondue? something like that. I think they all serve beer =)
And this is the counter. They have actually been around for quite a while. Don't be fooled by the lack of people, this was early evening, by 7 the place is actually fully seated.
Pictured here is dish Lucas and Mag wanted us to try. The curry fish head!! It was fresh and the taste was pretty good. So its not too bad really. The type of fish used could be better, but in terms of taste and cooking it is pretty good =) Actually for curry fish head the key is to use fresh fish and not to over cook it, and the fish's taste will win the bulk of the points ;)
And this is Teh Halia. Or milk tea with ginger. Its pretty nice!
Overall the place was pretty nice, i like the environment and if I drove or if I wanted to go somewhere a little different but safe, this place fits the bill =)
So there you have it Samy's Curry Restaurant
Its pretty good. Mag and Lucas brought us to this place. It was previously at some Civil Service building but moved to Dempsey Road. It was pretty nice. There is Long Beach (Seafood) as well as La Salon or Fondue? something like that. I think they all serve beer =)
So this is the entrance. I did'nt take the surrounding view but I probably should have. Its nice and deserted *cozy* ;) well its where the posh people live and hang out. So its cool. There are actually alot of customers, so for such an ulu place, it must be quite well known. But you really need a car or at least a taxi.
The chilli mutton pictured at the extreme right corner is rather fierce =) But nice. Recommended if you like spicy and enjoy a good challenge =) Its yummy too of course. I like it with rice, the rice helps to tone it down somewhat, but you still get the taste. Without rice it is quite fierce =)
The chicken is sweetish actually. So its kinda weird. Not bad, but a little weird =)
The mushy vegetables are actually quite good. Its Dhal.
And this is the counter. They have actually been around for quite a while. Don't be fooled by the lack of people, this was early evening, by 7 the place is actually fully seated.
Pictured here is dish Lucas and Mag wanted us to try. The curry fish head!! It was fresh and the taste was pretty good. So its not too bad really. The type of fish used could be better, but in terms of taste and cooking it is pretty good =) Actually for curry fish head the key is to use fresh fish and not to over cook it, and the fish's taste will win the bulk of the points ;)
And this is Teh Halia. Or milk tea with ginger. Its pretty nice!
Overall the place was pretty nice, i like the environment and if I drove or if I wanted to go somewhere a little different but safe, this place fits the bill =)
So there you have it Samy's Curry Restaurant
Labels: curry, food, Samy's Curry Resstaurant, singapore
Monday, July 30, 2012
Curry Chicken in AMK
Okay I think the name of the stall is Tisu or Tisa. I'm not really sure. It is a malay stall and the food variety is alright (not great but alright).
The fried chicken wings are okay. So everything is really generic, so what's the point you might think? =P
This.
Okay...
it don't look like much.
The picture is arguably badly taken. Angle's bad, lighting is so so , state of the chicken is terrible and the rice looks mauled... (por por rice, I ended its misery real quick).
BUT.
The taste
is
heavenly.
...
Alright my sis would say its a little thin. But it is pretty close to the same dish at Rendevous at Clark Quay (it is really Loy Fatt or something like that but my dad keeps calling it Rendevous as it was at Rendevous Hotel for the longest time). So I can get my kicks here... Hooray.
There goes the diet.
Some other stuff. This is found in one of the foodpark coffeeshops. The previous owner, from parental lore, is someone called Ah Huang. The Hair Bee Hiang is pretty good, but has gotten a little worse over the years... Have fun looking for this stall =) Oh and the auntie does not call it curry chicken (and rightly so, it has a name y'know).
But! If you are as ignorant as me, just point. Else she will say they don't have curry chicken =)
True Story.
The fried chicken wings are okay. So everything is really generic, so what's the point you might think? =P
This.
Okay...
it don't look like much.
The picture is arguably badly taken. Angle's bad, lighting is so so , state of the chicken is terrible and the rice looks mauled... (por por rice, I ended its misery real quick).
BUT.
The taste
is
heavenly.
...
Alright my sis would say its a little thin. But it is pretty close to the same dish at Rendevous at Clark Quay (it is really Loy Fatt or something like that but my dad keeps calling it Rendevous as it was at Rendevous Hotel for the longest time). So I can get my kicks here... Hooray.
There goes the diet.
Some other stuff. This is found in one of the foodpark coffeeshops. The previous owner, from parental lore, is someone called Ah Huang. The Hair Bee Hiang is pretty good, but has gotten a little worse over the years... Have fun looking for this stall =) Oh and the auntie does not call it curry chicken (and rightly so, it has a name y'know).
But! If you are as ignorant as me, just point. Else she will say they don't have curry chicken =)
True Story.
Labels: AMK, food.curry chicken
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Roast Duck ... and National Day !
So the picture you see below is where I consider the BEST roast duck to be sold =)
Its at Sin Ming Drive Blk 22.
Oh you see lots of flags? its near to National Day for Singapore, thats why. 9th August . =)
Oh yah the duck. The Roast Duck was originally from Ang Mo Kio , somewhere near the swimming complex (tho it was originally from somewhere else)
The Duck seller tried to sell at Ang Mo Kio, but the coffeeshop eventually closed. (and then reopened and then closed and then reopened... now foodpark =) )
During the coffeeshop days my family would eat from him almost every week. We'd order half a duck. He would have salted vegetables stewed with duck wings, it was pretty cool. The meat from the soup was very light, which is strange for meats =) The duck itself was roasted with charcoal and was stuffed with garlic. His roasting was impeccable. the meat is oozing and the oil had the taste imbued within it. the skin of the duck was similar to that of a roasted suckling pig. It was that good. at that time at least. He had two batches only. 2 pm and 4pm. Those were good times. The duck seller was familar with my family and he even offered to apprentice me or sell me the recipe, I'm not sure which. I think his son is'nt too interested which is a pity.
During the second closing (the period when it was "Shop and Save" briefly), the duck seller tried to open his own small shop. Alas he did not do his homework enough. The problem was his shop was converted from a provision shop, so it required licensing from the NEA (I think thats the department), and that took about 6 mths (bearing in mind that during this time he had taken over tenancy and is paying rent). And after he got his shop up and running, the bird flu hit. It was a bad time to sell duck. So his duck had to go for cheap and eventually he closed down.
I met him sometime before he open the stall in Blk 22. it was on a double decker and I asked him how he was. he looked terrible at that time, he told me he had lost about 70K during that time and is still looking for a place to sell his duck.
I got his number and so on. Eventually he opened for business in Blk 22 and never looked back. Blk 22 is a food paradise of sorts. The funny thing is the place is actually a poor area with alot of studio flats.
I once sat on a taxi and the uncle asked me what his form wanted. The uncle is a single and had to live with a room mate. But he still has to apply for the flat. It is a studio flat. He was driving to earn his keep. To pay rent for this studio flat. He is lucky to get this flat. He is "chosen" (by HDB I presume) to have the chance to rent. I wonder what happen when he is too old to work. I also wonder why the form was in english. Ah! The marvels of this land eh? So that was how I learnt of poor uncles (and later more uncles and aunties who are... not so well known and not so well to do) and studio flats.
Anyways back to the hedonism of ducks and the love of its meat no?
So any ways the food in blk 22? The place is already famous for its Bak Kut Teh and Braised Duck. And mind you the Braised duck is pretty strong. It is a herbal kind of braised duck with the taste permeating through the meat throughly. Not the sweetish kind (which I am more accustomed to). So the competition is pretty strong. Luckily, we are talking about the BEST roast duck in Singapore here ;) (well to me anyways and I have NEVER tasted better yet, true story.) So he is doing pretty well.
When is the place open? For the roast duck its weekdays only. Try to go early (like 11 am to avoid disappointment, 1-2pm is the main crowd). Whatever you find from 2pm onwards is what you have, there is no second batch. The crowd is mainly the workers I guess, and people who drive to get their cars serviced. Taxi drivers, Bus drivers, and people who know the place.
I sincerely hope he does well, and if he does offer me an apprenticeship again? I think I might take it up. I hope his son would take up the mantle though. Cooking is an art form and is something that can/must/should be passed on to the next generation. And more and more importantly, our local foods are what defines us. You ask me what is Singapore? I'm not sure. Its a loaded question. But I can tell you this: This duck, this dish, our local foods are a friggin' part of Singapore. Don't believe me? Our local foods are already changing to suit the newcomers taste. We are losing our culture in our backyards. Don't get me wrong. I am all for integration. But I repeat. INTEGRATION. Not EROSION. Not embracing economy at the EXPENSE of what we are, what we have. Who are we Singapore? What are we Singapore? These are the questions that will make or break us in the coming years. For the duck seller, I wish him well, and hope I will be able to eat from him for years to come.
Its at Sin Ming Drive Blk 22.
Oh you see lots of flags? its near to National Day for Singapore, thats why. 9th August . =)
Oh yah the duck. The Roast Duck was originally from Ang Mo Kio , somewhere near the swimming complex (tho it was originally from somewhere else)
The Duck seller tried to sell at Ang Mo Kio, but the coffeeshop eventually closed. (and then reopened and then closed and then reopened... now foodpark =) )
During the coffeeshop days my family would eat from him almost every week. We'd order half a duck. He would have salted vegetables stewed with duck wings, it was pretty cool. The meat from the soup was very light, which is strange for meats =) The duck itself was roasted with charcoal and was stuffed with garlic. His roasting was impeccable. the meat is oozing and the oil had the taste imbued within it. the skin of the duck was similar to that of a roasted suckling pig. It was that good. at that time at least. He had two batches only. 2 pm and 4pm. Those were good times. The duck seller was familar with my family and he even offered to apprentice me or sell me the recipe, I'm not sure which. I think his son is'nt too interested which is a pity.
During the second closing (the period when it was "Shop and Save" briefly), the duck seller tried to open his own small shop. Alas he did not do his homework enough. The problem was his shop was converted from a provision shop, so it required licensing from the NEA (I think thats the department), and that took about 6 mths (bearing in mind that during this time he had taken over tenancy and is paying rent). And after he got his shop up and running, the bird flu hit. It was a bad time to sell duck. So his duck had to go for cheap and eventually he closed down.
I met him sometime before he open the stall in Blk 22. it was on a double decker and I asked him how he was. he looked terrible at that time, he told me he had lost about 70K during that time and is still looking for a place to sell his duck.
I got his number and so on. Eventually he opened for business in Blk 22 and never looked back. Blk 22 is a food paradise of sorts. The funny thing is the place is actually a poor area with alot of studio flats.
I once sat on a taxi and the uncle asked me what his form wanted. The uncle is a single and had to live with a room mate. But he still has to apply for the flat. It is a studio flat. He was driving to earn his keep. To pay rent for this studio flat. He is lucky to get this flat. He is "chosen" (by HDB I presume) to have the chance to rent. I wonder what happen when he is too old to work. I also wonder why the form was in english. Ah! The marvels of this land eh? So that was how I learnt of poor uncles (and later more uncles and aunties who are... not so well known and not so well to do) and studio flats.
Anyways back to the hedonism of ducks and the love of its meat no?
So any ways the food in blk 22? The place is already famous for its Bak Kut Teh and Braised Duck. And mind you the Braised duck is pretty strong. It is a herbal kind of braised duck with the taste permeating through the meat throughly. Not the sweetish kind (which I am more accustomed to). So the competition is pretty strong. Luckily, we are talking about the BEST roast duck in Singapore here ;) (well to me anyways and I have NEVER tasted better yet, true story.) So he is doing pretty well.
When is the place open? For the roast duck its weekdays only. Try to go early (like 11 am to avoid disappointment, 1-2pm is the main crowd). Whatever you find from 2pm onwards is what you have, there is no second batch. The crowd is mainly the workers I guess, and people who drive to get their cars serviced. Taxi drivers, Bus drivers, and people who know the place.
I sincerely hope he does well, and if he does offer me an apprenticeship again? I think I might take it up. I hope his son would take up the mantle though. Cooking is an art form and is something that can/must/should be passed on to the next generation. And more and more importantly, our local foods are what defines us. You ask me what is Singapore? I'm not sure. Its a loaded question. But I can tell you this: This duck, this dish, our local foods are a friggin' part of Singapore. Don't believe me? Our local foods are already changing to suit the newcomers taste. We are losing our culture in our backyards. Don't get me wrong. I am all for integration. But I repeat. INTEGRATION. Not EROSION. Not embracing economy at the EXPENSE of what we are, what we have. Who are we Singapore? What are we Singapore? These are the questions that will make or break us in the coming years. For the duck seller, I wish him well, and hope I will be able to eat from him for years to come.
AMK Hub Balloon Fiesta !
Ang Mo Kio HUB usually has a few things going on (actually most malls in Singapore do... come to think of it =))
Anyways today it was some balloon thing...
Anyways today it was some balloon thing...
AMK-Bishan Park
So today me and my sis decided to see what up at Ang Mo Kio - Bishan park and some water thing was built recently (also the "part II" of the bishan park renovations had not been completed for some time). In fact. Many times when a friend gave me a ride home, one of the questions was whether the park renovations had completed.... So it was something of some amount of interest to me ... and I guess a few other people =P
Below you see.... *drum roll* the sign board
Well to be honest it was'nt all that exciting. (Well now, is a park supposed to be exciting... ah well... we got spoilt by the part I of the park renovations I think). They essentially shifted the soccer fields from the first half to the second half. The second half looked somewhat levelled, which was a pity since part of its charm in the past was that it sported a quiet path which you could walk through to a pavilllion. Now it is just leveled ground until you reach the water playground (pictured below) and something of a pavillion. Its not as pretty as the old one I feel. But I am a sucker for old stuff so I am biased =P
The skies were pretty. Speaking of which thee was a cold breeze today. So it was strange. I hope its not due to the recent breakaway glaciers.
And here we have the water playground. Which does'nt really look like much here (we did'nt think it looks like much either but on closer look, it was'nt too bad). The water playground actually sports a few mini water slides and a bath thingy. The only gross thing was that one kid was on a higher level playing in a small pool thing. But the water cascades down and.... you know what, two kids were drinking the water. *sighz* other than that i thnk it looked like great fun for the kids. The slides and pools are too small for adults. So its really a place for parent to meet, chat and let the kids have fun. The water only runs on weekends. Week days, the water runneth dry baby doll. Have fun =)
With that we headed back. But I'm pretty sure there is a park connector some where =) So stay tuned!
Labels: Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Park, singapore
Monday, December 12, 2011
Because the King says you can.....
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Fireworks in Singapore!!! Vivo City
By some stroke of luck me and my fren Kevin got a centre stage kinda view...
Lucky because it was actually rather crowed and we were lucky just to have standing space =P (that would be my fault)
The whole thing lasted 9 mins +
location vivo city !! Apparently it is yearly!
Lucky because it was actually rather crowed and we were lucky just to have standing space =P (that would be my fault)
The whole thing lasted 9 mins +
location vivo city !! Apparently it is yearly!
Labels: vivocity
