Overheard

Two dating youths were behind me at the traffic junction, and they were talking about their Facebook. The guy then said his cousin saw his girlfriend's picture, and he said:

"She comment me about you...."

*Faint*

Terence says Singaporeans are just very efficient speakers. They get their point across very quickly, in the shortest possible manner, which can be a good thing!

I certainly hope these youths don't write like how they speak! I've got enough of bad copy.

Sunday breakfast with the super chilli

Chef Tan a.k.a. my husband whipped up an instant mee goreng with egg breakfast, and tossed in Joy's present, the "Extreme Hot Habanero Paste".

Please don't try this at home. (On second thoughts, try this at home. This is so that you don't have to hunt for an empty toilet and risk soiling your pants.)

When Joy first gave this to us a few months back, her instructions were: "Don't put too much. It is very hot." To put it mildly, it can reduce a grown man to tears.

A hidden gem in Perth

My Russian Babushka Dolls brooch from keith + Lottie, 276 William Street

I love whimsical accessories. I can remember when and where each piece is from, and what I was thinking when I bought it.

I can't claim this shopping gem to be mine. It's from another mother's blog--Karen Cheng's Snippets of Life. (More about her later.):

If you're ever in Perth, check out the neat boutique, boho shops scattered along William Street, Northbridge. These series of "William Street Collective" shops have their own map, which is a piece of eye candy by itself. Expect quirky, locally designed pieces displayed in equally quirky, sometimes vintage, sometimes minamalist, sometimes kirschy shops that are out-of-place in an area surrounded by Chinese shops and restaurants.

The growing explorer

Kai has been exerting his independence lately. This means sometimes we have to just stand by, let him explore, rather than haul him back everytime he attempts to do something that adults would normally turn-up their nose at.

OK, it's not like we let him put a sweet he's found on the floor into his mouth. But if he wants to stamp his feet in a puddle, we'll let him do it for a while before we divert his attention else where. Or if he wants to pick up a twig at the beach and dig his little fingers into what seemed like yucky, dirty sand.

I like bringing him to the beach every Saturday morning for breakfast followed by a stroll. It's normally just a mummy-baby/toddler thing, but daddy joins us (which he did today) if he's not working (poor thing).

Best Hokkien Prawn Noodle thus far

Where: 549 Geylang Road (off Lorong 29); Open 4.30pm - midnight; Closed on alternate Wednesday

Brave the traffic, jay-walking ladies of the night, stares of DOMs in Geylang and you will be rewarded by the yummy Hokkien Prawn Noodles served by hawker See Hock Siong.

Terence and I were sorely tempted after watching him in an episode of "Makansutra Raw". We drove around for about 15 minutes before we could find parking space, and got ourselves a nice, cool seat at the Sing Lian Eating House.

It was fantastic. Smoky, gooey, and very flavourful. Our S$6 order came with four huge prawns which were very fresh -- not the exhumed prawns we've come to associate with many of his counterparts. He would throw a towering pile of yellow noodles and beehoon into his wok, and expertly fry everything until every strand is cooked. Seeto of the Makansutra fame says that most hawkers would use the thick beehoon and using the skinny ones (which See does) takes a mountain of skills.

Terence says it is the BEST Hokkien Prawn Noodles he's ever had in his entire life. We're considering checking out See's brother's stall at 396 East Coast Road, Food R Us Coffeshop (sic). Join us anyone?

(More on) local food

Here's how much butter one order of Ya Kun toast bread yielded. (This is from the Ya Kun outlet at Parkway Parade. I think the employees of this particular franchisee must be a very dissatisfied bunch!)

Do you know that:

One stick of butter = 780 calories

One serving of Kaya = 84 calories

Craving for local food

My bowl of 328 Katong Laksa with otak

During my ignorant days as a youth, I would laugh at my parents (or Singaporeans who join tour group) who'd:
1. Ask for Chinese food when travelling overseas
2. Be forced to eat at Chinese restaurants all the time when travelling overseas

Maybe because I'm older (and wiser) now, I actually craved for Chinese food half-way through our Australia trip in October. I was sick of having:
1. Scrambled eggs, bacon, ham and tomatoes
2. Scrambled eggs, bacon, ham and tomatoes
3. Scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, tomatoes and hash brown...

...for breakfast. Where is my chee cheong fun, laksa, wanton noodles, curry puff, prata etc.

So during our last few days in Perth, I called Terence while out shopping along William Street in Northbridge--Perth's Chinatown area, and asked if he wanted roast meat noodles/rice for lunch.

"NO!"

I had laksa for lunch the first day back in the office at the 328 Katong Laksa outlet at United Square. Doesn't matter if it's not as good IMHO as the original, original Katong Laksa (reported to be the Marine Parade Katong Laksa), it was damn satisfying.

Will you ever stop loving us? Or is it a matter of when?

TV programmes are getting increasingly gory and depressing these days.

Watched a series of violence/gore/blood-filled TV series yesterday night ("Monk", followed by remnants of "House", then "Nip / Tuck".) What really got to me was the scene where one of the female leads said to a female corspe which (whom?) she thought was her mom. Monologue went something like this:

Remember when I was five... you had an argument with Dad.

You said: "Let's leave." We held hands and walked a long time, till we arrived at a park...

You held my face in between your hands and said: "I love you, my little girl."

I said: "I love you too mommy."

At that time, that moment, we both knew we meant it.

Until one day, we both don't mean it anymore.

I'm glad you're dead. I don't need to have your approval anymore.

Sob sob sob...

Don't all of us have some misgivings about our parents? The degree of bitterness and resentment varies. Mix this with our love (or what's left of it) and duty to our parents, and you get a kaleidoscope of emotions--pretty in a way, yet fundamentally distorted.

# # #

One day, I asked Kai: "I love you, Kai. Do you love mama?"

He turned up his little face and kissed me.