The Apple's Diary!

A new contemporary Japanese restaurant opened at Jurong Point recently. Went there today to have a try. Located at 3rd Level, Benten Café is an open concept eatery, with high stools and tables and open concept kitchen. At the side of its corridor, there are sofa chairs with tables for dining. Since it is an open concept outlet, be prepared to have many people staring at you and your food. We were there around 6.45pm and it was already quite crowded. But we didn't have to wait for long before we were ushered to the side table. Generally, the food served were what I called contemporary Japanese food. Think others than sushi and sashimi. Afterall, with the Basement Osaka Street, there's no point in competing. Benten Café is better off serving Teppan Yakisoba, Pasta in Soup, Cream Soup or their special broth (cannot remember the words they used). Varieties are okay for a start. I decided to try their Hamburger Teppan Yakisoba while Darren went for their Deep Fried Chicken Pasta in ...

These few weeks were rather busy and stressful and it all showed on my face. Pimples, clogs, blackheads, whiteheads etc. So what do a woman do when it comes to time like this? Facial lor ... Having said that, I have 2 regular beauticians and I alternate them. Yesterday, I didn't go any of them. Instead, I tried out a new beauty regime from Subtle Senses. Subtle Senses First impression when I stepped in, was hardly subtle and hardly rejuvenating in any senses. The staff at the reception desk were like working in telecom, always on the phone. If I bumped into a staff along the corridor, she would be walking so busily and so hurriedly. Making me feel that I must walk faster in lest of obstructing traffic. Led to a room to change out and locker provided to keep personal stuff. It was the usual as in any beauty parlour. My facial was done by Lee Yee. Okay, when she first started, I thought she was rather rough. She cleansed my face quickly and her fingers worked through my face like th...

I flipped through the life section of today's Straits Times and got captivated by the SSO advertisement. So I went online to check out the Sistic's webpage and I went crazy! I am so excited! Very ExciteD! There are so many good concerts and play and musical upcoming. I am torn... oh so torn between them! 1. Christmas Concerts (SSO) CIMB-SSO Christmas Concert f rom 10 to 12 Dec only. I haven't been to a SSO concert for a long time. The last time I went was " Angela Hewitt Plays Bach : The Well-Tempered Clavier Books I & II ". That was in April this year. I thought it was fantastic that someone actually played the "whole Bach book". Anyway, can I miss this SSO's Xmas Concert? 2. Singapore Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker from 12-20 Dec. The 1st time I watched the Nutcracker suite, I was still a student, probably just completed my O levels. Then my piano teacher brought me and another student to experience Tchaikovsky. Do I have the chance to...

I just want to quickly write this down. I am deeply humbled by God's hands working in my life. When Wing Keen came to Agape sometime in October to promote "My Hope Singapore", I thought it was a good idea. A brief introduction on "My Hope Singapore" - This program was initiated by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It is run using the concept of Matthew, who invited a few friends home, so that they could meet Jesus. Similiarly, MHS hopes by using this home party invitation, the Gospel of Christ can reach far and fast. But I have a problem, I don't have my own home to open to my friends, so I thought I would invite my friends over to my cell group leader Li Peng's place. So I went for the training in early Nov and then got pull in to make a promotional video clip for BGEA. After that, I really got worried. I mean, why would my friends come to a party which is at someone else's home? And how would they react when they watch the video (local product...

A person's personality will not change but a person's behaviour will change as time passes by. What do you think? When a person's behaviour change, does it not reflect the person's personality?

Next month today is Xmas! Usually I am very excited about Xmas. Embracing in the festive mood, going for Xmas shopping, looking forward to clearing leaves. But this year, what a total different story. Firstly, I have annual leaves to clear but I don't know when will be the good time to clear. I don't have a fixed plan for my leaves, making this leave thingy very fuzzy. Secondly, the Xmas lightup in Orchard is really disappointing. Can tell that this year lightup is a victim of the financial crisis. Hardly mood lifting. Thirdly, work is going on full force. Instead of the usual slow down for year end, this time round, is a mad rush to try to stay in schedule. Fourthly, I have more Church activities compared to the past. Top on my list is the "My Hope Singapore" program. An outreach program at home setting. In fact, at the top of my prayer list. After that, I have to commit my weekends for the choir practices. This year Xmas carol is going for the musical effect. A gran...

I remember how last Sunday I was lamenting about how short the weekend seemed to be. Now is Friday again, weekend is here. Feeling quite tired and sleepy. I didn't had my full 7 hours of sleep. Went to have a small gathering with my Primary School friends at TCC. Did some catch up with each other but didn't managed to stay for long since the 2 mummies had to rush home to be with their babies. Realised that one mummy friend is getting more pessimistic and cynical than ever. Example 1: Me : I have communication problem with him.... Her : Have you bought a house yet? Me : Nope... Her : You lucky! Otherwise, if you 2 cannot work out your relationship, the house is going to burden you down. Me : ..... Example 2 : Me : Hey, i am going to throw a small xmas gathering. if you gals are bringing your kids, someone can help babysit for you so you can enjoy yourselves. Her : Wah... the kids sure fight one. Me : No lah... Tze's son quite good boy, won't bully your girl. Her : No no ...

I know it is very bad for me to even write something like this now, considered now, we are in a financial turmoils. People are sensitive to money and retrenchments are real. But I really detest going back to work on weekends. Once in a while, is acceptable. But make it a regular, you see me jumping up and down. Time is very precious to me. And because I do not know how much time I have left before I am called home to be with my Heavenly Father, it makes me even more wanting to grasp my time properly. In my workplace, there used to be this slogan "Work-Life balance" ... at some point in my stay, the CEO had even couraged his staff to have work-life balance. But balance doesn't stay long.. now, i'm imbalanced...... Consider this, I spend 7 hours of my 24 hours sleeping 8.5 hours of my 24 hours working I am left with 8.5 hours to pursue my own interests. Out of this daily 8.5 hours (mon-fri), i have to spend 2 hours on transport, 1 hour on meals (3 meals a day), plus my ...

Booked myself a makeup session at Face Bistro. Purpose was for the family portrait photo shoot. At first glance, I was not used to myself having such makeup on my face. The makeup artist, Nicole could sense that, because half way into the makeup, I was fidgeting on my chair, wondering why she took so long. But slowly I realized that actually my eyes could be done up nicely, creating a bigger and brighter eyes. And for the very first time, the makeup on my face lasted for as long as 6 hours, without any touch up. Amazing! considered how oily is my face. Thanks to Nicole! For creating such a different look for me and letting me enjoyed myself the whole day without worrying about smudging eyeliners or mascara. That's my AFTER photo... after the make up and after cutting 5 inches off my hair....

There's a saying that a girl would have a drastic change in the hairstyle if there is a drastic change in her life. Well, I partially agreed because I remember a couple of times when I had a drastic change, it signified a desire of complete change in my life. But sometimes is just for practicality sake. When I went to Oliver on Thursday, I only had in mind for him to chop off some length and rectify my fringe problem, which I nicknamed my horribily fringe "the cabbage head". That's a long story for my cabbage head.... in short, to save on money and time, I went for the $10 QB house to cut my fringe short and now I had to spend much more to get it fixed. I was prepared to spend a $120 for Oliver's magical touch on my hair but what came next was still baffling to me. Me : Can you do something for my fringe and trim off my back? Oliver : No problem, i just pull from the back to cover the fringe. And i cut 2 inches for the back Me : actually you can cut even shorter.....

What's the most talked about topic in a Singaporean's daily life? No prize for guessing correct. Food! The usual beginning of a casual conversation with each other often starts with "eat already?" and then finishes with "wah the food good?! wah like that next time can go there lor" So food surrounds our tiny island like the sun shinning brightly over us. Remember Bon Bon Tea from my previous blog, how I raved about their Happy Blossom Tea and their round green teapot. Well, I went back last Saturday. Since I just stepped out from a movie, I decided to get something light. Decided to try their Chocolicious Red Tea and their Bon Bon Tea Salad. Serving was slow so I had plenty of time to study their menu. Upon closer look, I realised that Bon Bon Tea is more a tea joint than a meal place. Hot meals are limited and actually, varieties of their finger food as well as desserts seem not as widespread as my first impression. My chocolicious red tea was served first ...

Salon de thè basically means the tea room. Located along the same side as Pacific Coffee Company in Vivocity, Salon de thé (Bon Bon Tea) is giving coffee joints a run of their money. Tried their Happy Blossom Tea. Sweet, slightly fruity and florally. Came with a big green fat and round teapot and a small little cup, priced @ $7.50. It was definitely value for money as one teapot could fill 6-7 cups. They also served hot meals as well as finger food. Dessert with coffee or tea to go along is available. Great place to come for the initimate and cosy get-together with friends. Definitely will see me there again, soon! À bientôt!

This is long overdue. Crazy outing had been done and completed on 31 Oct, yet it is only now that I have the chance to "talk" about it. Was a good thing I brought along my camera and had some great shots. I think this shot is really funny. She looked like a mannequin to me against the backdrop. Wow.... the sky was really beautiful on that evening. This photo was not taken on a tripod, nor a passer-by helped us. I balanced the camera on my trusthworthy crumpler bag and there... the shot was good! Another shot by balancing the camera on my bag. Looked how coordinated we are. Everyone had the fabulous smile on the face! Très bien ! After all the phototaking, we adjourned to this steamboat buffet placed, tucked away in a corner of level 3. The Ma La stock is really powerful. Basically you can choose 2 stocks out of 3 options. Ma La "spicy", chicken and seafood stock. Since we had 2 pots, we had these 3 combinations. Go for Ma La if you are really good at spicy stuff. Ot...

When do you think is the best time to get married? Some said 2 years of courtship is sufficient, don't drag too long, otherwise there's no goal. Apple's thought : a marriage is for life. if you cannot find the meaning beyond a 2 year courtship, do you still think you are qualified to get married? Some said 26-28 year old is the good time to get married. Apple's thought : you mean you get married for the sake of getting married at the prime age? Then your partner is secondary to your decision? Some said when you get sick of dating, then it is time to settle down. Apple's thought : Hello? You don't stop dating just because you are married to each other. You still need to work hard to keep the flame alive. Love doesn't generate itself without contribution. Some said you must do everything you want to do when you are still single, otherwise you will be burdened down with married life. Apple's thought : At different phrases of life, your priorities will shift...