Worries:
Usually the worries come mainly from the job. Many colleagues are leaving, for a whole lot of reasons. Those of us who are not expatriate wonder if we would have a similar fate even though our contract is going to be renewed, no sign of the pay or anything. Should I be thankful just to have a job with no pay increase or minimal! Too bad my stock can't earn me a living yet, only some extra 'months of bonus' which helps with my insurance premiums. Which is kinda of a bigger burden now at my reduced pay and bonus compared to MOE. But I feel less burdened by work, not that I didn't habe to work hard.
So I wondered if I should stay on? When Candle wanted to go to the Guan Yingel temple, I decided to ask about this question. I got a good qian and so accordingly I should stay on a while longer. I find I am looking at a job to settle into. Not that I don't have challenges, like having to come up with lessons and activities, but some place, where I can be comfortable with. I am not sure if currently this is the ONE. But I do feel weary of the interview, job search. Wanna focus on doing more of the things I am interested, which would mean I need a stability in my work. When it's stable, I can pursue other interests and deal with all those uncertainties. The Qian help me allay my insecurities. Of course I would still work hard at what I can do. Cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Seller's Regret:
This is a term I coin for the feelings of regret when one sold off the shares when prices rosed due to realize gains with some stupid Greek debt news, only for it to shot up even higher. So far, I didn't make an additional RM$5000 due to selling off too soon. Another
SGD$1.3k from another SG counter... Bloody irritated with myself though I realized some gains. It could be much higher but hind-sight is always 6-6.
Then I keep having the urge to buy back that runaway Msia counter. I would term this feeling and compulsion as 'Seller Regret' as one wonders if there is more upside and buys back at High price only to risk buying at too expensive a price when the market turns. So my solution to this was to buy back just 1 lot. It helps alleviate the 'buy compulsion'. I am 'participating' in the potential upside but also limiting my potential to lose in a downside. It's just a way to keep that feeling at bay. Which surprisingly works. I started a "Little Black Book" for my investment and recorded my reflections for all the buy and sell transactions. I find by recording down the good and bad decisions and my reasons then for that decision, I am learning from every trade. I made 1 better sell decision after that 3 initial not-so-good ones. I will keep it up for this year's investments as I am not intending to do tuition. I want to see if the extra time and effort can yield me better returns both financially and health-wise (more rest time, free time, time to exercise)
Calories Frustration:
I find it really amazing and frustrating how easy it is to burst the daily calorie limit, sometimes by ALOT. This month of Feb is really busting all my previous 3 months of hard work. The no of parties, sumptous meals outside meant huge surplus in calories that I am not able to work back through healthier n lower calorie meals on weekdays. A Friday or Sat out can bust an entire week or two's effort.
I left home today having eaten breakfast n lunch that is 40% of my calorie limit. With just dinner with 60% limit, one would think that it should suffice, right? Wrong! After keying in all that I have eaten, I am up to 8% over the calorie limit! That meant I ate 68%. The muffin n latte teatime didn't help, plus dinner choices is really easy to bust. That meant Sunday, first is have to go gym (keep up with routine plus this week havent gone yet), second calorie deficit forced by eating a meal of subway (usually dinner), better choice of breakfast n lunch. Sian, food nowadays is getting too easy to bust the intake. No wonder it's so difficult to lose weight n not otherwise.
Am going to shop for a week's supply of fruits for breakfast, snack and eat that wheat with low-fat milk too. Sigh... Feb is too much of an excess.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
From the privacy of a toilet...
Most of the time, in fact almost daily, I find the only place with the most privacy at my workplace is the toilet. It's quiet especially when classes are on-going. It's private because I can lock myself inside away from people. So this blog is coming while I am seated on the toilet bowl at my workplace. It's kinda sad and very restrictive n depriving.Unfortunately that's the daily situation at my workplace.
I have the freedom to go out (eat or dabao supposedly at lunchtime but I chose to go during my free periods. So that during lunch, the short break n rest time for students I am in the staff room, available. It's one of the thing I look forward to the most daily. A way to get away from everything for a while. A mood-changer. Lunchtime is a good time-out.
Been having a bit of sore throat... Trying not to fall ill and stomach today is not that great
that I get to sit on the toilet bowl thrice so far. At least I get a time to think, in relative peace n out-of-sight. Can't wait for weekend to come though I have that freaking $140 dinner this coming Fri.
Finished the biz in the toilet, now sitting on the kern in the carpark behind. Kinda just don't want to go and sit at my table... for a while. It's after exams, but lessons and cca are all resuming. Kinda hard cos some students are not in the mood to study n I am still feeling some of the normal fatigue that comes after all that marking.
Hmm... Feel like going out before this Fri. Where to and to do what... Havebt decided.
Anyway for my Groupons, next round of expiry is end-April. Definitely won't mind the redeeming. There's burger, premium sushi platter for me, Big O, Tung Lok, Lebanese food and the most recent one, Jap food at One Fullerton. Am thinking of getting the Genting trip to go with mom, that's if she could give me the convenient dates for her. Asked her yesterday. Hope she can give me an answer, it's 3D2N. Anybody? This month expense higher due to that $140... And some coupons too. Am trying to cut down but already overshot my usual expense level by a bit. Still got 8 days until the end of the month.
Stock market wise, I am re-reading the book that I gave to FH. Partly reading, translating important parts into Eng, writing it, trying to remember and also apply a bit. Just starting, will take a while. Waiting for more rise, hopefully the Greece debt won't have bad news. But as I am waiting for dividends from CapLand, would refrain from selling it. Also waiting for more upside for the more expensive lots that I've bought. Realized gains is 1 mth of nett salary. Not bad, hope for more. Hope that that stock counter which locked up half of my capital would rise and lemme sell off instead of still sitting on losses on that one counter. That's the main thing I hope to see. Also looking out for more buy or sell opportunities. Once the Jan Effect wears off, hope to buy back some counters at cheaper prices.
I have the freedom to go out (eat or dabao supposedly at lunchtime but I chose to go during my free periods. So that during lunch, the short break n rest time for students I am in the staff room, available. It's one of the thing I look forward to the most daily. A way to get away from everything for a while. A mood-changer. Lunchtime is a good time-out.
Been having a bit of sore throat... Trying not to fall ill and stomach today is not that great
that I get to sit on the toilet bowl thrice so far. At least I get a time to think, in relative peace n out-of-sight. Can't wait for weekend to come though I have that freaking $140 dinner this coming Fri.
Finished the biz in the toilet, now sitting on the kern in the carpark behind. Kinda just don't want to go and sit at my table... for a while. It's after exams, but lessons and cca are all resuming. Kinda hard cos some students are not in the mood to study n I am still feeling some of the normal fatigue that comes after all that marking.
Hmm... Feel like going out before this Fri. Where to and to do what... Havebt decided.
Anyway for my Groupons, next round of expiry is end-April. Definitely won't mind the redeeming. There's burger, premium sushi platter for me, Big O, Tung Lok, Lebanese food and the most recent one, Jap food at One Fullerton. Am thinking of getting the Genting trip to go with mom, that's if she could give me the convenient dates for her. Asked her yesterday. Hope she can give me an answer, it's 3D2N. Anybody? This month expense higher due to that $140... And some coupons too. Am trying to cut down but already overshot my usual expense level by a bit. Still got 8 days until the end of the month.
Stock market wise, I am re-reading the book that I gave to FH. Partly reading, translating important parts into Eng, writing it, trying to remember and also apply a bit. Just starting, will take a while. Waiting for more rise, hopefully the Greece debt won't have bad news. But as I am waiting for dividends from CapLand, would refrain from selling it. Also waiting for more upside for the more expensive lots that I've bought. Realized gains is 1 mth of nett salary. Not bad, hope for more. Hope that that stock counter which locked up half of my capital would rise and lemme sell off instead of still sitting on losses on that one counter. That's the main thing I hope to see. Also looking out for more buy or sell opportunities. Once the Jan Effect wears off, hope to buy back some counters at cheaper prices.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Want a Relaxed n Well-deserved Break
This week is more tiring than the usual, as the exam marking was on Mon and Tue. Then the rest, I use most if not all of the free periods to check thru 4x5 stacks of books and files. I could finish 2 classes on Wed, only 1 class yesterday and left with 1 more class by today.
Super-tiring. Every day I reach home mentally tired that I slept really early after dinner. Only to wake up in the middle of the night. So far haven't gone to gym cos tired after work. Last nite was bad, couldn't sleep from 12am until 4am, then fell asleep. This morning woke up tired instead. Good thing it's my lightest day.
Today I used 2 periods to clear up most of the books checking plus writing comment for their daily diaries. I intend to head out to redeem another coupon using my lunch hour and my free period. I don't have anymore lessons but there's an event at the last two periods. Nope to be back by then... See how if worse case, grab a cab.
Lessons resume nex week, cca too. I am feeling the fatigue of the intensive week, hope to chill and relax this weekend. Nothing hectic, nice food (a Groupon meal is due by the end of Feb) Just have a welcome and well-deserved break.
Super-tiring. Every day I reach home mentally tired that I slept really early after dinner. Only to wake up in the middle of the night. So far haven't gone to gym cos tired after work. Last nite was bad, couldn't sleep from 12am until 4am, then fell asleep. This morning woke up tired instead. Good thing it's my lightest day.
Today I used 2 periods to clear up most of the books checking plus writing comment for their daily diaries. I intend to head out to redeem another coupon using my lunch hour and my free period. I don't have anymore lessons but there's an event at the last two periods. Nope to be back by then... See how if worse case, grab a cab.
Lessons resume nex week, cca too. I am feeling the fatigue of the intensive week, hope to chill and relax this weekend. Nothing hectic, nice food (a Groupon meal is due by the end of Feb) Just have a welcome and well-deserved break.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Toasted dinner @ workplace
For the past few exams, I've had to OT until 10+ pm cos I helped to mark most of the paper and it's complicated and slow to do so with 2 diff color pens. So usually I didn't manage to have dinner until I reached home. It's dinner and then concussed in bed cos mentally exhausted.
This time I didn't have to mark as many questions and the 2m and 1m questions were clearly separated into diff sections instead of being littered all over the paper, plus I started earlier, 11am plus instead of having to wait until dismissal. All these helped me finish by 6.45pm. I had brought 3 slices of bread and a container of leftover sliced duck breast meat (3/4) which I haven't been eating for breakfast as planned cos I'm having fruits.
So I had the choice to go home to toast and eat or potentially eat other stuff, I did tell my mom I won't be back for dinner... Or I could toast my dinner, eat and go home. I chose to do the latter. So excusing myself coa there were some colleagues seated near the bread toaster, I proceeded to first toast my bread for 5 mins. The aroma must have been distracting cos the place is air-conditioned. But Bo bian, just apologized to those seated at the table and continued. Quickly put the toasted bread at my table so the toasted bread aroma isn't too over-powering for them. Then using the aluminium foil I brought from home too, I made 2 small foil trays to toast the chilled sliced duck breast meat. I had done this once for lunch before. So toasting makes the chilled meat warm and part of the oil is drawn out, which I poured away after using a pair of chopsticks to fish out the pieces onto paper plates. Had toast in 3 batches cos quite a bit of meat. I did it quickly, 5mins per batch. I realized that there's too much for me, but not sure if there was enough to offer to the remaining teachers, about a piece each. So I decided to put the extra on a plate, put on the long table to offer to the 4 colleagues who had to endure my toasting of the bread n meat. Put 4 pairs of chopsticks for them too. Then I went to my table, ate my toasted bread n duck breast meat hungrily and quickly. Washed it down with a can of Milo. Then chucked the disposables and headed home.
Was still a bit not satisfied but I guessed correctly that it was thirst instead of hunger. So bought a chilled cooling water for heatiness and a chilled mineral water. Full and satisfied after drinking those. I keyed the calories, happy to say today is 13% deficit. Not bad, will try to 'make back' all the surpluses and keep them. Also make better food choice again. Besides monitoring the calories, the app computes the fat intake, which I also monitor to control cholesterol as I had borderline high cholesterol from the previous health check. Hope to clear that by the next check, I guess in 2013.
Did concuss early around ten plus and woke up around 2.30am. Going back to sleep soon.
This time I didn't have to mark as many questions and the 2m and 1m questions were clearly separated into diff sections instead of being littered all over the paper, plus I started earlier, 11am plus instead of having to wait until dismissal. All these helped me finish by 6.45pm. I had brought 3 slices of bread and a container of leftover sliced duck breast meat (3/4) which I haven't been eating for breakfast as planned cos I'm having fruits.
So I had the choice to go home to toast and eat or potentially eat other stuff, I did tell my mom I won't be back for dinner... Or I could toast my dinner, eat and go home. I chose to do the latter. So excusing myself coa there were some colleagues seated near the bread toaster, I proceeded to first toast my bread for 5 mins. The aroma must have been distracting cos the place is air-conditioned. But Bo bian, just apologized to those seated at the table and continued. Quickly put the toasted bread at my table so the toasted bread aroma isn't too over-powering for them. Then using the aluminium foil I brought from home too, I made 2 small foil trays to toast the chilled sliced duck breast meat. I had done this once for lunch before. So toasting makes the chilled meat warm and part of the oil is drawn out, which I poured away after using a pair of chopsticks to fish out the pieces onto paper plates. Had toast in 3 batches cos quite a bit of meat. I did it quickly, 5mins per batch. I realized that there's too much for me, but not sure if there was enough to offer to the remaining teachers, about a piece each. So I decided to put the extra on a plate, put on the long table to offer to the 4 colleagues who had to endure my toasting of the bread n meat. Put 4 pairs of chopsticks for them too. Then I went to my table, ate my toasted bread n duck breast meat hungrily and quickly. Washed it down with a can of Milo. Then chucked the disposables and headed home.
Was still a bit not satisfied but I guessed correctly that it was thirst instead of hunger. So bought a chilled cooling water for heatiness and a chilled mineral water. Full and satisfied after drinking those. I keyed the calories, happy to say today is 13% deficit. Not bad, will try to 'make back' all the surpluses and keep them. Also make better food choice again. Besides monitoring the calories, the app computes the fat intake, which I also monitor to control cholesterol as I had borderline high cholesterol from the previous health check. Hope to clear that by the next check, I guess in 2013.
Did concuss early around ten plus and woke up around 2.30am. Going back to sleep soon.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Time for exercise and plainer food
I think for this entire week, up until Fri lunch, I shall try to eat more plain n simple food. After all the indulgences on Fri n Sat, I feel so fat... Burst through the calorie deficit roof, meaning I have to try hard again to make back the lost deficit. It's always easier to eat back calories than to eat less calories. I'll try to do it thru the weekdays. Today is just managed 100% calories, zero deficit. I did drag myself to the gym on Sunday to keep the routine alive though felt a bit less fit, think my stomach more flabby... Bleah
Bought a week's supply of grapes, packed my lunchbox with the breakfast portion and a snack portion. Also bought this wheat cereal and got a pack of low fat milk to put at workplace, as potential more breakfast, semi-lunch or even as a snack. Tom it might be my dinner cos got to mark the exam paper... The last time i left was 10pm plus...
Think I'm getting old. After reaching home last night, bathed and slept deeply. In the afternoon, I dozed off. Later woke for lunch, just lay around, staring at nothing in particular while waiting for the 2hrs before I could exercise.
Bought a week's supply of grapes, packed my lunchbox with the breakfast portion and a snack portion. Also bought this wheat cereal and got a pack of low fat milk to put at workplace, as potential more breakfast, semi-lunch or even as a snack. Tom it might be my dinner cos got to mark the exam paper... The last time i left was 10pm plus...
Think I'm getting old. After reaching home last night, bathed and slept deeply. In the afternoon, I dozed off. Later woke for lunch, just lay around, staring at nothing in particular while waiting for the 2hrs before I could exercise.
Monday, January 30, 2012
The usual complaints, more coupons, stock
Hmm... feeling the usual; tired and sleepy. Really the usual cos its mainly from sleeping late. Partly lack of caffine. Work etc etc. Toto Ang Bao draw, am going to buy it tomorrow on behalf of friends. Huat huat... Some fortune that can fall out of the blue sky, into my lap, then dont have to work so hard.
Worth mentioning is that from this Wed til Fri, cos I am not involved in the work level trip to Thailand, hence I am left in sg with no lessons except for cca on thur and the bus duties. A welcome change but given that I can only sit in the staffroom all day, will drive me crazy. I am thinking of sneaking out and only going back before dismissal. Since there's only so much work I can do. Which I will do some and disappear some also. But actually its more tiring to have to sneak about. Why cant I have own room? Like can sleep, can hide away from people. Most of the non-jap colleagues have their own subject room. Hmm I can go hide in one of those unoccupied classrooms.
Bought a few more coupons for burgers at 2 different restaurants and also a premium sushi platter that includes Sea Urchin etc. Cos those 2 burger chains, I've seen before but havent eaten before. And eating Sea Urchin is on my list of 100 things to do, plus I havent eaten a premium platter before. Though there's some raw fish involved. As long as its fresh, I am fine. What I dont like is raw fish that is not fresh cos I can taste and smell it.
I was thinking of going to redeem 1-2 of these coupons during the 3 freer days. My expenses this month is higher than the usual because of these coupons. Going to redeem some first before I get more. Dont want it out of control. I have already printed out all the ones I have, in a plastic folder in my workbag, so anytime I need to redeem, can. Though mostly need reservation. Got one I can do take-away. Think I will head and redeem, bring home and then slowly make my way back to work before dismissal. Something like that. That's more interesting than just sitting there infront of the lousy slow laptop (my I-phone is way faster and more reliable) all day from start until dismissal
The SG stock market started today a bit down, again Euro news. I was actually aiming for higher gains before selling off 2 lots from my sg portfolio. But in the early morning, the price fell a bit and stayed there, I cancelled the order to lower the selling price. The transaction went through and I netted several hundred dollars. Though its not my target gains, but decent 15% returns nett. The actual sum is not a lot but I remind myself that I am getting back my capital (can put back to my drawn-down reserve) plus nett gains. The gains so far from my stocks is equivalent to 5 months of tuition income (for once a week, 2 hrs) I use these numbers to put the amount in perspective. I am not earning as much as when I first dived into stocks, during the height of the American stock crisis, but decent enough, without having to work extra hours. Though I am kinda sian that I sold off my Msian counter too early that I miss out on an extra $800 SGD equivalent of gains.. Grrrr I also remind myself that I shouldnt regret my decisions, otherwise I keep second-guessing myself each time I decide something. Just accept and wait for opportunities with the capital money freed up in my pocket.
Dunno when will this Capricon effect aka January effect end but I'll be waiting with mixed feelings. On one hand, I want those in my portfolio to rise more (most are not even at break-even yet) so that I can sell off, nett some gains and get back capital. On the other hand, I want certain counters eg that Msian counter to fall, so that I can buy back at lowered prices really soon. Very mixed feelings. It will be completely different if I am holding onto all cash or when I am fully invested. Now is Sg is still mostly invested, Msia is mostly out of the market.
Keep reminding myself to be patient, to be brave to buy, also to be braver to sell n not regret, I mean among my selected list of stocks. Not just dive into something I am not familiar with.
Worth mentioning is that from this Wed til Fri, cos I am not involved in the work level trip to Thailand, hence I am left in sg with no lessons except for cca on thur and the bus duties. A welcome change but given that I can only sit in the staffroom all day, will drive me crazy. I am thinking of sneaking out and only going back before dismissal. Since there's only so much work I can do. Which I will do some and disappear some also. But actually its more tiring to have to sneak about. Why cant I have own room? Like can sleep, can hide away from people. Most of the non-jap colleagues have their own subject room. Hmm I can go hide in one of those unoccupied classrooms.
Bought a few more coupons for burgers at 2 different restaurants and also a premium sushi platter that includes Sea Urchin etc. Cos those 2 burger chains, I've seen before but havent eaten before. And eating Sea Urchin is on my list of 100 things to do, plus I havent eaten a premium platter before. Though there's some raw fish involved. As long as its fresh, I am fine. What I dont like is raw fish that is not fresh cos I can taste and smell it.
I was thinking of going to redeem 1-2 of these coupons during the 3 freer days. My expenses this month is higher than the usual because of these coupons. Going to redeem some first before I get more. Dont want it out of control. I have already printed out all the ones I have, in a plastic folder in my workbag, so anytime I need to redeem, can. Though mostly need reservation. Got one I can do take-away. Think I will head and redeem, bring home and then slowly make my way back to work before dismissal. Something like that. That's more interesting than just sitting there infront of the lousy slow laptop (my I-phone is way faster and more reliable) all day from start until dismissal
The SG stock market started today a bit down, again Euro news. I was actually aiming for higher gains before selling off 2 lots from my sg portfolio. But in the early morning, the price fell a bit and stayed there, I cancelled the order to lower the selling price. The transaction went through and I netted several hundred dollars. Though its not my target gains, but decent 15% returns nett. The actual sum is not a lot but I remind myself that I am getting back my capital (can put back to my drawn-down reserve) plus nett gains. The gains so far from my stocks is equivalent to 5 months of tuition income (for once a week, 2 hrs) I use these numbers to put the amount in perspective. I am not earning as much as when I first dived into stocks, during the height of the American stock crisis, but decent enough, without having to work extra hours. Though I am kinda sian that I sold off my Msian counter too early that I miss out on an extra $800 SGD equivalent of gains.. Grrrr I also remind myself that I shouldnt regret my decisions, otherwise I keep second-guessing myself each time I decide something. Just accept and wait for opportunities with the capital money freed up in my pocket.
Dunno when will this Capricon effect aka January effect end but I'll be waiting with mixed feelings. On one hand, I want those in my portfolio to rise more (most are not even at break-even yet) so that I can sell off, nett some gains and get back capital. On the other hand, I want certain counters eg that Msian counter to fall, so that I can buy back at lowered prices really soon. Very mixed feelings. It will be completely different if I am holding onto all cash or when I am fully invested. Now is Sg is still mostly invested, Msia is mostly out of the market.
Keep reminding myself to be patient, to be brave to buy, also to be braver to sell n not regret, I mean among my selected list of stocks. Not just dive into something I am not familiar with.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Birthday, CNY, Coupons
Birthday Dinner
This year I celebrated my bdae a bit earlier as the actual falls on the 2nd day of the CNY, hence being inconvenient for everybody. But since this only happens once every 4 years, its okay.
I really like the Ohsumi shabu shabu that I had for a local colleague's farewell but it only offers pork all-you-can-eat shabu. That meant if one prefers beef, got to order extra ala-carte and the place is not that well-known for the beef, though the wagyu beef is another matter. But only seasonally there's the wagyu beef shabu but that is so much more expensive per pax. Hence to cater to all preferences, I decided to do some research of restaurants that offers good food, reasonable pricing (mid-range) and found some. I read through lots of online reviews of their food, service and pricing. Did a short selection and decided on 5 of them.
Came upon 2 steak frites restaurants that are apparently very popular and very well-reviewed, mid range pricing . The steak frites is a French concept is that they serve a limited number of the same mains, entrees everyday, but they make sure its good. Dining is in a small cosy restaurant on cloth-covered tables with wine glasses. They have a selection of wine that are chosen to match their food. They offer good steaks with very good fries (double-fried) at reasonable pricing, which I didnt mind exploring after having tried Mortons and Lawry's which were at exorbitant prices. So in my mind, there's cheap steak offered at coffeeshop on one end, and very expensive steak at these restaurants on the other. I wanted to see what are the offerings in the middle range.
L'Entrecote doesnt accept reservations at all, so its walk-in, so that's for another time. The other is Les Bouchons (Ann Siang). Les Bouchons, which has 5 condiments you add to your own steak. L'Entrecote which serves just one main, their steak in their special sauce plus fries. I would like to give it a try one of these days. Hence I called up Les Bouchons to make a reservation and they do open on the Sat just before CNY. They open at 7pm for dinner on Sat.
A busy morning and early afternooon of last minute spring cleaning, and helping Dad carry all the heavy CNY goods. Then it rained, so I had to take a cab and actually arrived half an hour earlier. It wasnt open yet so explore around Ann Siang Hill area and also found a toilet in a nearby small mall. Then when it's almost 7pm, I walked back to wait just beside the restaurant. There are many small restaurants in the vicinity, really an unexplored area for me. Then FH, Candle and Tab arrived together and just nice, they opened and we went in. Quetzal arrived a bit later. The restaurant is really small, 4 sets of tables for about 4-6 pax, plus 2 sets outside the restaurant, so reservation is a Must.
We ordered the 2 entrees - the escargot and terraine (which is like 2 slices of meat loaf made with pork and chicken liver) The escargot butter sauce went very well with the bread and the terraine was nice with the bread and butter. We had like 2 baskets of bread. Then when we were done, they set about cooking the steak orders and I didnt mind waiting a bit so the entrees can be digested before the mains arrive. Its the usual dining where you finish the entrees, then the main course comes. Not like everything comes together. I had a glass of house red wine. They offered 2 types of red wine, so we ordered both, I preferred one, Candle preferred the other. So we swopped around. I found the Sirloin steak pretty nice but the Rib-eye was more tender. FH's extra tender fillet was well-received. FH said that he found his beef fillet to be nicer than Mortons. Candle had the Rib-eye, she like the extra tender fillet more. Quetzal had Rib-eye too but was a bit full to finish. Tab totally enjoyed her Rib-eye steak with the delicious fries.
For a generally non-beef eater, I hardly eat much steak, so my Sirloin (medium-well) I found it tasty, not tough though the Rib-eye was much more tender, and also the fat part does melt in the mouth. The serving size is generous and the fries were savory enough without me going for the usual ketchup. I enjoyed the meal alot, definitely filling and nice and the red wine tasted better with the steak. Its really cosy, not noisy so can have conversation. Good service too, the 2 servers were attentive to your food, often observing when you are done with the entrees, refilling water etc. We didnt stay for dessert though and went elsewhere to have dessert. Next time if there's an opportunity, I would like to come back for other mains plus dessert. For a mains set, it should set you back a max of $40 unless you ordered entree and wine and dessert. Also want to try out the other steak frites restaurant.
CNY
Another year of staying in Singapore. Its really like if the malaysian home was more inhabitable and not such a pig-style of dirt and filth that I would have to clean if I wanted to stay, then I might still go back. Unfortunately its not, hence I am not going back unless its of utmost urgency. We had our usual Reunion dinner, which my mom slaved to make. Dad was kinda grumpy cos nobody wanted to go back. On the first day, he drove back. We had a quiet first day, lots of cable tv to watch. All channels were available during the public holidays so we were glued to the screen.
Then on the second day, my actual birthday, my sis asked me if there's anything I wanted to eat, their treat. Actually there wasnt, cos after Sat, Sun and Monday of indulgences and over-shooting the calorie limit, I wanted more plain food. But since didnt want to spoil their anticipation of going out for good food, I chose Clementi Mall, Jap food Ootoya, which they havent tried before. My back-up was the Soup Restaurant in Clementi Mall. Since Ootoya was open, we headed in. Its their first time there. I ate the stir-fry veg with chicken set. Ate 2 bowls of rice. Luckily didnt order that Kaasan set which I can eat up to 3 bowls of rice. Phew. My mom and sisters enjoyed the food too. But after that sumptuous lunch, I was in danger of busting my daily calories again. So I dabaoed a subway oven roasted chicken breast wrap for my dinner. Managed to hit 99% of calorie limit. We headed home and ate simple left-overs from CNY reunion. I munched my wrap.
Then when Wed came and it was time for work, I dabao a subway wrap daily for dinner. I do eat with the dishes my mom cooks just that I dont eat rice. I am starting to miss the Baguette again. Tempted to go eat it over the weekend.
Coupons
I had the Groupon and Deals app on my I-phone for some time already but just didnt see much deals that interest me. Then my ex-colleague was recommending this Tasting Room which she says serves good portions, great truffle fries and how the Deal she got was a good one. So when a similar deal appeared on the Groupon, I bought 1 for myself. Intend to just go and give it a try. That was my first coupon. At the same time, there was a Long John Silver deal which is for 4 pax but really for lots of food for it. I bought it with the intention to treat my family. Later on, I printed them out and put in a file in my workbag.
When I met up with Tab in Vivo, we redeemed the Long John Silver one and shared with Turtle and wifey. So it was a very good deal. Just $5 for alot of food. I was kinda hooked. So I looked through both and when I see a good deal for food especially, I'll buy it. My first Deals coupon was for the CNY nian gao from Marina Mandarin and then the Tempura set meal. The Nian gao is really refined with lots of chest nuts. At first we werent used to the taste but after a couple of tries, I got used to the taste and have been munching it. My mom agreed that it was too atas for our taste but on subsequent tries, we found the taste good.
In case, you are worried that I am going out-of-control buying coupons, dont worry. I only buy those within the areas that my friends and I hang at, those that are really worth buying, and with a long expiry period. My next holiday is in mid-March so for those that can last into April, I can definitely go eat during the hols. Most I buy in pairs, the only pax I bought which is solo is my first groupon - 4 course meal at the Tasting Room. I intend to just call to make a reservation for one and just go and enjoy the food.
Had redeemed the Tempura don set with Quetzal yesterday for dinner. It was the most luxurious tempura don I had so far in my life. Cos the usual tempura don is 2 shrimps plus 3 tempura veg but this one had 2 tempura eel (first time having, really nice), 1 tempura kisu fish (taste fresh), 2 tempura shrimp and the usual three tempura vegetables. That's for $10 nett. I saw that the normal retail is $17.90++. We ordered an entree of Adegashi tofu and green tea. So it comes to $13 per pax. For me, its a good chance to try different food that I might not end up eating otherwise, at different restaurants beside the usual.
So far on hand, I still have 4 food coupons with validity up to April that I intend to use over time. I will find time to do the 4 course meal at Tasting Room in Feb by myself or with my ex-colleague who doesnt mind eating the truffle fries ala-carte. So far, it's been a positive experience with the coupons. I will avoid the pitfalls of over-buying excessively. Plus not all food I like also. So I do consider my own taste eg not into Korean food or beef so didnt get those. I do only look out for those that fits my criteria.
This year I celebrated my bdae a bit earlier as the actual falls on the 2nd day of the CNY, hence being inconvenient for everybody. But since this only happens once every 4 years, its okay.
I really like the Ohsumi shabu shabu that I had for a local colleague's farewell but it only offers pork all-you-can-eat shabu. That meant if one prefers beef, got to order extra ala-carte and the place is not that well-known for the beef, though the wagyu beef is another matter. But only seasonally there's the wagyu beef shabu but that is so much more expensive per pax. Hence to cater to all preferences, I decided to do some research of restaurants that offers good food, reasonable pricing (mid-range) and found some. I read through lots of online reviews of their food, service and pricing. Did a short selection and decided on 5 of them.
Came upon 2 steak frites restaurants that are apparently very popular and very well-reviewed, mid range pricing . The steak frites is a French concept is that they serve a limited number of the same mains, entrees everyday, but they make sure its good. Dining is in a small cosy restaurant on cloth-covered tables with wine glasses. They have a selection of wine that are chosen to match their food. They offer good steaks with very good fries (double-fried) at reasonable pricing, which I didnt mind exploring after having tried Mortons and Lawry's which were at exorbitant prices. So in my mind, there's cheap steak offered at coffeeshop on one end, and very expensive steak at these restaurants on the other. I wanted to see what are the offerings in the middle range.
L'Entrecote doesnt accept reservations at all, so its walk-in, so that's for another time. The other is Les Bouchons (Ann Siang). Les Bouchons, which has 5 condiments you add to your own steak. L'Entrecote which serves just one main, their steak in their special sauce plus fries. I would like to give it a try one of these days. Hence I called up Les Bouchons to make a reservation and they do open on the Sat just before CNY. They open at 7pm for dinner on Sat.
A busy morning and early afternooon of last minute spring cleaning, and helping Dad carry all the heavy CNY goods. Then it rained, so I had to take a cab and actually arrived half an hour earlier. It wasnt open yet so explore around Ann Siang Hill area and also found a toilet in a nearby small mall. Then when it's almost 7pm, I walked back to wait just beside the restaurant. There are many small restaurants in the vicinity, really an unexplored area for me. Then FH, Candle and Tab arrived together and just nice, they opened and we went in. Quetzal arrived a bit later. The restaurant is really small, 4 sets of tables for about 4-6 pax, plus 2 sets outside the restaurant, so reservation is a Must.
We ordered the 2 entrees - the escargot and terraine (which is like 2 slices of meat loaf made with pork and chicken liver) The escargot butter sauce went very well with the bread and the terraine was nice with the bread and butter. We had like 2 baskets of bread. Then when we were done, they set about cooking the steak orders and I didnt mind waiting a bit so the entrees can be digested before the mains arrive. Its the usual dining where you finish the entrees, then the main course comes. Not like everything comes together. I had a glass of house red wine. They offered 2 types of red wine, so we ordered both, I preferred one, Candle preferred the other. So we swopped around. I found the Sirloin steak pretty nice but the Rib-eye was more tender. FH's extra tender fillet was well-received. FH said that he found his beef fillet to be nicer than Mortons. Candle had the Rib-eye, she like the extra tender fillet more. Quetzal had Rib-eye too but was a bit full to finish. Tab totally enjoyed her Rib-eye steak with the delicious fries.
For a generally non-beef eater, I hardly eat much steak, so my Sirloin (medium-well) I found it tasty, not tough though the Rib-eye was much more tender, and also the fat part does melt in the mouth. The serving size is generous and the fries were savory enough without me going for the usual ketchup. I enjoyed the meal alot, definitely filling and nice and the red wine tasted better with the steak. Its really cosy, not noisy so can have conversation. Good service too, the 2 servers were attentive to your food, often observing when you are done with the entrees, refilling water etc. We didnt stay for dessert though and went elsewhere to have dessert. Next time if there's an opportunity, I would like to come back for other mains plus dessert. For a mains set, it should set you back a max of $40 unless you ordered entree and wine and dessert. Also want to try out the other steak frites restaurant.
CNY
Another year of staying in Singapore. Its really like if the malaysian home was more inhabitable and not such a pig-style of dirt and filth that I would have to clean if I wanted to stay, then I might still go back. Unfortunately its not, hence I am not going back unless its of utmost urgency. We had our usual Reunion dinner, which my mom slaved to make. Dad was kinda grumpy cos nobody wanted to go back. On the first day, he drove back. We had a quiet first day, lots of cable tv to watch. All channels were available during the public holidays so we were glued to the screen.
Then on the second day, my actual birthday, my sis asked me if there's anything I wanted to eat, their treat. Actually there wasnt, cos after Sat, Sun and Monday of indulgences and over-shooting the calorie limit, I wanted more plain food. But since didnt want to spoil their anticipation of going out for good food, I chose Clementi Mall, Jap food Ootoya, which they havent tried before. My back-up was the Soup Restaurant in Clementi Mall. Since Ootoya was open, we headed in. Its their first time there. I ate the stir-fry veg with chicken set. Ate 2 bowls of rice. Luckily didnt order that Kaasan set which I can eat up to 3 bowls of rice. Phew. My mom and sisters enjoyed the food too. But after that sumptuous lunch, I was in danger of busting my daily calories again. So I dabaoed a subway oven roasted chicken breast wrap for my dinner. Managed to hit 99% of calorie limit. We headed home and ate simple left-overs from CNY reunion. I munched my wrap.
Then when Wed came and it was time for work, I dabao a subway wrap daily for dinner. I do eat with the dishes my mom cooks just that I dont eat rice. I am starting to miss the Baguette again. Tempted to go eat it over the weekend.
Coupons
I had the Groupon and Deals app on my I-phone for some time already but just didnt see much deals that interest me. Then my ex-colleague was recommending this Tasting Room which she says serves good portions, great truffle fries and how the Deal she got was a good one. So when a similar deal appeared on the Groupon, I bought 1 for myself. Intend to just go and give it a try. That was my first coupon. At the same time, there was a Long John Silver deal which is for 4 pax but really for lots of food for it. I bought it with the intention to treat my family. Later on, I printed them out and put in a file in my workbag.
When I met up with Tab in Vivo, we redeemed the Long John Silver one and shared with Turtle and wifey. So it was a very good deal. Just $5 for alot of food. I was kinda hooked. So I looked through both and when I see a good deal for food especially, I'll buy it. My first Deals coupon was for the CNY nian gao from Marina Mandarin and then the Tempura set meal. The Nian gao is really refined with lots of chest nuts. At first we werent used to the taste but after a couple of tries, I got used to the taste and have been munching it. My mom agreed that it was too atas for our taste but on subsequent tries, we found the taste good.
In case, you are worried that I am going out-of-control buying coupons, dont worry. I only buy those within the areas that my friends and I hang at, those that are really worth buying, and with a long expiry period. My next holiday is in mid-March so for those that can last into April, I can definitely go eat during the hols. Most I buy in pairs, the only pax I bought which is solo is my first groupon - 4 course meal at the Tasting Room. I intend to just call to make a reservation for one and just go and enjoy the food.
Had redeemed the Tempura don set with Quetzal yesterday for dinner. It was the most luxurious tempura don I had so far in my life. Cos the usual tempura don is 2 shrimps plus 3 tempura veg but this one had 2 tempura eel (first time having, really nice), 1 tempura kisu fish (taste fresh), 2 tempura shrimp and the usual three tempura vegetables. That's for $10 nett. I saw that the normal retail is $17.90++. We ordered an entree of Adegashi tofu and green tea. So it comes to $13 per pax. For me, its a good chance to try different food that I might not end up eating otherwise, at different restaurants beside the usual.
So far on hand, I still have 4 food coupons with validity up to April that I intend to use over time. I will find time to do the 4 course meal at Tasting Room in Feb by myself or with my ex-colleague who doesnt mind eating the truffle fries ala-carte. So far, it's been a positive experience with the coupons. I will avoid the pitfalls of over-buying excessively. Plus not all food I like also. So I do consider my own taste eg not into Korean food or beef so didnt get those. I do only look out for those that fits my criteria.
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