Qingming Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day - RT/WW

paper roast meats 

Our World Tuesday

It's the annual Qingming Festival (清明节), commonly called 'tomb-sweeping day' because people head to the cemeteries to clean tombs and give offerings.

Our family members, young and old performed the usual rituals which include pulling out weeds around the tomb, cleaning the headstone and replacing wilted or dead flowers with fresh ones. We also offered food, burnt incense and paper offerings.

 

paper sharks fin soup and abalone

The week before the tomb sweeping day, I accompanied my Dad and an uncle to buy some paper offerings for our ancestors. These would be burnt to ensure that the spirit of the deceased will have lots of wealth and good things in the afterlife.

I was amazed at the latest variety of paper-made goods available for the deceased at this speciality store.  The offerings have gone 'atas' (high-class)! Many of them are world famous luxury brands which the deceased might never afford to own when they were alive. :P

paper notebook

Dad had ordered another pair of paper dolls which would be burnt and sent to my grandparents to take care of their needs. 8 helpers!! I hope my grandparents can handle so many extra hands. Their 'double-storey house' is beginning to look cramped with so many occupants. :P

paper iPad

My uncle tried to convince us to get a bigger paper house next year. More ageing relatives might 'go down' to join my grandparents any time. It is also cheaper to buy now as prices of made-to-order paper houses are raising every year. -_-'"

I was fascinated with the paper offerings of iPads or iMacs but I did not buy any. To my horror, my uncle bought them an 'iPhone'. I told him to give his contact number to my grandparents and NOT to offer mine. Gosh, if there is afterlife, it is going to be scary.

Martell Cognac Pairing Tasting at Stellar - RT/WW

Our World Tuesday

Kobe C rib of beef smoked and slow cooked over the wood coals,

Short rib hash, tarragon baby vegetables and morel sauce

paired with

"1st and Last"

Martell Cordon Bleu, Zen Green Tea liquor,

cardamon syrup and cinnamon stick

S$95++ 
My Personal Favourite Pair. I could have "1st and Last" nightly before I sleep :)  

Martell and Stellar invited me to a tasting of a new cognac pairing menu available exclusively at Stellar for the month of March and the promotion has been extend to 14th April 2013. The fine dining restaurant on the 62nd floor was packed with diners.

Our group had a window view of the bustling city down below. Once everybody was seated, a complimentary bread basket with its pairing dips and sauces was served. My personal favourite dip was the savoury codfish brandade, the smokey eggplant puree was an interesting touch.

I have always considered the cognac as an "Uncle's drink" (for matured drinkers) and also to be consumed after a good dinner. I truly looked forward to a great dining experience.

Listed is the Pairing with Martell menu :

"Duck and its Nest" (Awesome)

Pan-fried foie gras in a semolina crust

Duck rillettes and arfait, corn pancake and quince compote

paired with

"Inside the Rocks"

Martell Cordon Bleu, Cherry Brandy,

Dry Orange, Molasses Syrup and Parsley

S$48++

Classic Lobster Bisque, leek fondue and seared scallop ravioli

paired with

"Erlinda 1942"

Martell Cordon Bleu, Star Anise, Champagne, St Germain,

Creme De Cassia, Rose water and Lemon Juice

S$40++

1-Caramel 'Dessert Experience'

Baked Alaska with strawberry ice-cream and warm chocolate brownie,

Valhona chocolate praline 'bomb' with berry compote

Vanilla creme brulee with dulce leche ice-cream (Awesome)

paired with

"El Favorito"

Martell Cordon Bleu, Vanilla ice-cream half scoop,

Mascarpone Cheese and White Cacao 

S$40++

Mid-way through lunch, Executive Chef Christopher Millar who was on leave stopped by the restaurant to say 'Hi' to us. He shared with us that planning the cognac pairing menu was a tough challenge for him and his team.

I was delighted by a dining experience with signature Stellar dishes paired with specially-created Martell cognac cocktails. Alas, in my moment of excitement meeting the famous chef, I forgot to take a photo with Chef Millar -_-

Martell Cognac Pairing Menu
14th April 2013
Stellar @ 1-Altitude
1 Raffles Place, Level 62 OUB Centre
Tel: +65 6438 0410

Chinese New Year Bazaar @Chinatown Singapore 2013 - Ruby Tuesday

It was the last weekend for Chinese New Year shopping at Chinatown Bazaar. Unfortunately, it rained for most of the day and I was unable to finish my shopping. I will have to make another trip in the next two days.


There was a long snaking queue at Singapore's famous BBQ pork jerky, Lim Chee Guan's Bak Kwa (肉干). Expect to queue for long hours and price will increase progressively as it nears Chinese New Year. The heavy downpour did not stop customers from joining the queue. I passed, not wanting to waste my time standing in the queue.


I bought a couple of traditional Chinese decorative cuttings. It was fascinating watching the skilful young stall owner cut out a beautiful design with only a pair of scissors and from memory.

During Chinese New Year, it is inevitable to shop for foods that symbolize abundance, wealth, longevity and good fortune. :D

I discovered several speciality stalls that sell melon seeds and groundnuts. Unbelievable they are selling Taiwan's top-grade groundnuts here. We can find practically everything on this little island.

Traditional preserved fruits with auspicious names to 'sweeten' the new year. In the olden days, there was no sophisticated range of titbits like the chocolate, candies, nuts and crispies we see today, so these sugar coated fruits (Cantonese style sugar winter melon, sugar coconut stripes, lotus seeds etc) were our favourites during childhood days.

Bought some waxed meats for my elders. The children and elders in the family love to eat these waxed meats on hot steamed rice. They make quick and easy meals.

年糕 (年年高) 象征收入、职位或小孩子都一年比一年高.

This sticky glutinous rice cake (Nian Gao) is our traditional Chinese new year cake. It is considered good luck to eat Nian Gao because it symbolises increasing prosperity every year. The New Year greeting 'Nian Nian Gao Sheng' (年年高升) means "advance towards higher positions and prosperity annually."

Marine Parade New Year Countdown 2013 - Ruby Tuesday

Marina Bay Singapore

To all my readers and friends,

Have a terrific 2013!

ESM Goh Chok Tong was the guest of honour at our Marine Parade New Year Countdown Party 2013. MP Lim Biow Chuan made a special appearance at our party of around 2000 residents. Both guests mingled with the residents who came up to shake their hands or request for a photo taken with them.

Hot Samba dancers

From 8.30 pm onwards, residents both young and old enjoyed watching a variety of performances including a magic show, fire-eating dance, singing and musical performances. The hottest item was the hot Samba dancers. Many of the men rushed forward to have a closer look of the sexy dancers and took videos and photos of them. :P

The Countdown Party was organised by Marine Parade GROs and Marine Parade Merchants' Association. Tickets were sold at S$3 each and we received a goodie bag filled with party treats. I was delighted to find two cute limited-edition Panda bear key chains.

The residents had fun singing and dancing with the guests after the Countdown. ESM Goh Chok Tong and MP Lim Biow Chuan then went round shaking hands and wishing everyone they met a Happy New Year.

Whimsical Log Cake Decorating Competition 2012 - Ruby Tuesday

Winner Jessie Hoo and Chef Alex Yen

27 participants took part in a log cake decorating contest at Marina Square Shopping Mall on 23 December 2012. I noticed several senior citizens, young children and young teens participating in the contest.

All participants were given a time limit of 60 minutes to decorate a log cake. Decorating cream (white) weighing 1kg was provided with spatula. The contestants had to supply their own decoration and piping materials, eg candies, lollipops, paper, adhesive, styrofoam and other support materials.

Mother and son team

Contestants are judged for their Creativity, Presentation, Originality and Decorative Details. The panel of judges included Pastry Chef Alex Yen who won the Food and Hotel Silver Medal for plated dessert in 1992.

First Prize : Winter Dream

Champion Jessie Hoo won a Samsung Galaxy S3 worth $998, $300 worth of shopping vouchers and a O’Coffee Club Log cake. Congratulations!

Second Prize : Christmas Dream 

Angry Bird Log Cake by a young teen

Have a Rocking Christmas!

Fire-eating and Head Chopping Magic Show - RT

Residents in Amber Neighbourhood Constituency celebrated a fun-filled Family Day with lots of activities. We were fascinated and awed by D' Amazing Bosco's fire eating skills and ....

.... head chopping. :D

The volunteer was hypnotized and placed in a specially made chopper with two cucumbers. He even had to stretch out his hands to catch his head.:)

Luckily his head didn't fall off but the two cucumbers were cut into two. Ooooo....

Do not do this at home!

The kids were so engrossed with the magic show. Many raised their hands to volunteer as the magician's temporary apprentice. Hope no one runs away to join the magician after the show ... hehe....

Mountbatten Celebrates National Day 2012 - RT

Residents and grassroots members breaking into impromptu dancing

About 1000 residents and grassroots members in Mountbatten Constituency had an early celebration of our 47th National Day.

There were some cool performances from all races which won the hearts of the audience.

The performers put up a great show and there was audience participation. Some of the audience broke into impromptu dancing.

MP Lim Biow Chuan (Advisor to Mounbatten Constituency) gave his National Day speech and won lots of applause for announcing that there will be no increase of conservancy charges in Marine Parade GRC for this year. YEAH!!!

3 toasts to the Nation, the President and the people of Singapore!

Great atmospehere, everyone had a wonderful time.

Happy birthday to Singapore!!

Mountbatten Active Ageing Community Presents Japanese Cultural Month - RT

Mountbatten Active Ageing Community presents Japanese Cultural Month on every Monday afternoon in April for its residents.

I attended the 2nd activity which is making Japanese dessert at Katong Community Centre today.

39 participants, mostly senior citizens, attended the cooking class. These senior residents above the age of 50 pays S$2 each while the rest pay S$10 each.

We learnt to cook two dishes : Daigaku Imo Biscuits and American Ginseng with Gingko Nuts in Yam Puree.

Daigaku Imo is a Japanese dessert of candied sweet potatoes with black sesame seeds. Daigaku Imo means "University Potato" because this dessert was traditionally sold at university festivals. These days, the Japanese eat it at all times, anywhere.

The Daigaku Imo Biscuits we learnt today were very different from what I saw on Japanese food websites. I am going to ask a Japanese friend for her recipe. 

The instructor answering queries from the enthusiastic participants. 

American ginseng

I have signed up for the Japanese Tea Ceremony. I hope

Japanese Flower Arrangement
23rd April 2012

Japanese Tea Ceremony
30th April 2012

Time : 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm
Venue : Katong Community Centre
Fees :  S$ 2 (Mountbatten residents who are Singapore citizens/PRs who are above 50 yrs old)
           S$10 ( Mountbatten residents who are below 50 yrs old, non-Mountbatten residents,
                      non-Singapore citizens/PRs)

Singapore's Integration Community Learning Journey - RT/WW

On Sunday evening, I went on an Integration Community Learning Journey with a group of 40 residents comprising locals and several new immigrants.

From Mountbatten Community Centre, a coach sent us to Clarke Quay where we took a water taxi and cruised along the scenic Singapore River. Tour guide Joseph provided information and explained the historical heritage of the river to the group.

Although it was drizzling, the wet weather could not dampen the excitement of our group. Besides young parents who brought along their kids, there were two 3-generation families and several elderly couples.

This tour provided opportunities for new immigrants and locals to interact and communicate with one another, and improve their understanding of each other's culture, values and norms.

I was warmed several instances by the sweet gestures of these people who shared their snacks with me and  sheltered me with their umbrellas as I clicked away with my camera in the rain. 

The cruise along the Singapore River was an absolutely enjoyable journey. The scenic sights on both sides of the river yielded many beautiful pictures.

We had a quick stop at the Marina Bay City Gallery where interactive exhibits tell the story of Marina Bay's transformation from a busy trading port to the dazzling Singapore centrepiece it is today.

We have a bird's eye view of Marina Bay's intricate architecture and lush gardens over a digital state-of-the-art model.

A bento dinner was given to each of us and we had a picnic on the event plaza overlooking the beautiful Marina Bay.

View of our financial district at night from Marina promenade

There was a 45-minutte break for members to window shop in Marina Bay Sands Shopping Mall before the laser show started at 8pm. Unfortunately it started to rain and we had to watch the laser show from inside the mall. I will go back for this light and water outdoor spectacle another day.    

Through this integration programme which lasted 4 hours and cost a mere S$2, the new Singapore citizens have an opportunity to mingle and interact with grassroots leaders and volunteers from their local community who share their experiences of living in a multi-racial and multi-religious society. They also learn how they can participate or volunteer in the community. Family members are encouraged to participate in the programmes offered to the new Singapore citizens, to make this learning journey meaningful for the entire family.

Wordless Wednesday

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