A Chinese Banquet

Tea Ceremony

A Wedding Photoshoot

2011 - 2012

Hello, it has been awhile since I last posted! Also, note that this is my first attempt to post using my Christmas present, an IPad 2. A quick recapture of what has been happening during the absence from September 2011 until now, February 2012. If you look at the timeline, time sure felt like it just flew past me.

During September, I was in the process of finalising some wedding details as well as hunting down new ideas that I could incorporate. Work at that time was equally hectic as I started to work at 2 separate locations on alternate days of the week. The work is more or less the same, if not easier, but it is the travelling time that was the most challenging. For 2 days a week, I wake up 1 hour earlier to get ready for work and also arrive home 1 hour later as the project site is located at the west end of Singapore. It was rather gruelling as I felt like I am juggling jobs for 2 persons, which in actual fact, is what that is.

The following weeks went past quickly with the same schedule, with every weekend packed with activities. Towards end of October was where it began to become hectic. Our date of marriage is getting nearer and nearer. I went for a couple of fittings to get my dress perfect. We looked around for last minute items while I also tried to squeeze in some study hours to prepare for my first exam for the ACCA qualification. At the same time, we had a guest over to attend the wedding and simultaneously visit Singapore. I prefer to skip the details on this one as the outcome in the end was not so happy.

4.11.2011 - I woke up with a feeling of disbelief. It was a rather restless night for me. I had some breakfast with my parents and quickly showered. Not long after, the make up artist is at the door. That day I had my first ever professional makeup and hair styling. After 1.5 hours later, I was ready to head to the Registrar of Marriages. It was a bit of a heart attack getting there in 2 separate cabs. On one hand, Soenke wanted the time travelling to the ROM office to be our time, on the other hand, I was petrified that the cab containing my parents and the guest would not reach as when we left they were stuck in a parking queue. My parents are not really that dependent on me when they are travelling, but I could not help but worry. When we reached there, we took some pictures with friends and next thing I know I was reciting my vows with Soenke holding my hands. What a moment. Upon exchanging rings, we were led to a wedding arch for some quick photos before making arrangements to head to the the Regent Hotel for tea. It was really an unbelievable and wonderful experience. Once in a lifetime.

Upon being officially man and wife, we geared up for the next event which was the tea ceremony and the Chinese wedding banquet on 27.11.2011. It was another whirlwind affair. Of course, not feogetting the photoshoot that we have which was at the same time stressful, sunny, dirty and somehow, hilarious. Simply because my aunties decided that they want to join in the photoshoot as photographers.

And of course, how could I forget that a month later, I find myself on German soil once again, having lunch with Soenke's relatives at a lunch to celebrate our marriage. That place was decorated in such a dreamlike manner and the food was wonderful. I wish all the time I could go back there and have second helpings.

I will follow up with some pictures, although I do not have everyone of them.

A sense of belonging...

The past two weeks have been a horror to me. Last Wednesday I woke up to a churning pain in my lower abdomen which resulted in a case of diarrhea and exactly one week later I woke up to a rather high fever. I simply hate missing work. There is this horrid guilt looming over my head somehow. And above all, I abhor being ill. I have a tendency to become rather moody and upset when I get sick, which is understandable, I suppose.

This time around, as I have slept the afternoon away in a fitful sleep with a mild fever, I am feeling better. I switched on the laptop and I remembered that couple of days ago I was having a craving for a Hakka dish, mei cai kou rou (梅菜扣肉), pickled chinese mustards with pork belly. Traditionally stewed with pork belly, I prefer that it is cooked with a leaner cut. I grow up eating this dish and at this point I am missing it rather terribly. With this dish and a bowl of rice, your belly will be well nursed. 

With this I decided to search online for the recipe to make that, although I am not in a fit condition to cook, I just thought that it will sate my cravings for a bit. Thanks to Google, I found this blog Hakka Chan which comprises of a number of hakka recipes and the lives of the Chan clan in Malaysia and overseas. Needless to say, reading this blog threw me into a deep pit of homesickness. 

I have had my fair share of homesickness since I first arrived in Singapore. Of late, it has just gotten worse. I crave for a sense of belonging. I would kill for that sense of belonging. I would be ecstatic to have that, wherever it may be. In Singapore or in Malaysia or anywhere else in the world. 

For example, I am tired of cooking for Soenke and myself only. Even at times, he won't eat the food because it is too Asian/foreign to him. I would like to share joy, pieces of my life with more people. And somehow, all these things that really matter (at the very least, to me) is too much time and effort for life in Singapore... 

At this thought, I am rather glad to find "Home just got closer" in our mail, published by the National Heritage Board and in collaboration with National Integration Council and Housing & Development Board. Many will chide this effort but it is singing the tune in my heart. 

People should be taking that 5 minutes to know other people. I have been staying in various locations in Singapore and most of the time, a smile to my neighbors are unreturned. Not because they did not see it, they saw it but they decide not to reciprocate. What a great way to teach your young kids who are with you, that it is oh-so- dangerous to smile at your neighbour.

Organic Vegetables

Organic produce are the way to go many say. Due to the price factor, I hardly ever buy any so-called organically produced fresh fruits or vegetables. Unless there is a recognition by an accredited organisation, I simply do not believe the label "organic".

However, today, I have a rather organic experience. I have purchased a couple packets of baby kailan. I found a picture on the internet:

 I love them. Stir fried with garlic, they are really crunchy, guaranteeing a good bite. Therefore, I already had the image of a plate of stir-fried greens for dinner. As I started to wash them up for cooking, I noticed a really fat worm trying to escape from being submerged into the basin of water. 

Before I go any further, I need to clarify the fact that I am petrified of these wriggly creatures. They are total yuck to me and gives me the creeps. With the worm on one of the leaves, I screamed for help. Soenke came to my rescue and pluck the worm off the leave. Thinking that was the last of it, I continue poking the vegetables to make sure they are completely in the water. I was using chopsticks to do that already, as I do not want to touch them. Then there were a couple more. Floating in the water. I freaked out again and screamed my way to Soenke, who kindly promised that he would wash the vegetables for me, leave by leave. He found some again.

Once he was done, I remembered someone told me that if I add some salt into the water, it will get rid of the worms very effectively. Wanting to ensure I have a worm-free meal, I did just that. Poking at the leaves, I found some more! 

By this time, I gave up. Yes, although I did not buy organic vegetables, I ended up with extremely organic vegetables. No pesticides were used it seemed. The damage was done. I could not imagine eating those vegetables at all. I gave them instead to the rubbish bin and settled for a sesame cheese bun.

27 - 07 - 2011

A lot has happened between my last post and this post. From being focused and totally stressed out about my job, I vary between the occasional gym session, holidays, shopping and city outing weekends, baking weekends, and lately, sewing classes and school!

Yes I have also been very good at falling sick. I am still working on that part. Now, coming back to my post today, I want to start off that we are now past the mid-mark of 2011, and it is around 4 months to me marrying Soenke. Hee.....

It has been a pretty wonderful "birthday week", in the days leading to my birthday tomorrow. On an honest note, I really, truly dread turning 26 years old. To me, it's really downhill from there agewise. Nothing else to look forward to. I even just bought a facial cream that says "From 25, imperfection skin needs a skincare that both treats its imperfections and preserves its youth". Need I say more? The cosmetics industry have a cut off point for women aged 25 years and above!

On the other hand apart from avoiding and silently worrying about turning 25 (26), Soenke brought me to a very nice restaurant for lunch. See it as a trigger that starts off my birthday celebration. I would like to see it that way anyway. A wonderful lunch courtesy of my future "parent-in-laws", Erika and Jörg. THANK YOU! VIELEN, VIELEN DANK FÜR DAS LECKERE MITTAGESSEN UND DIE KARTE! :)

The restaurant is called Les Amis, voted by the Miele Guide 2010/2011 to be the Asia #11 restaurant. I was truly looking forward to go there. We got a bit lost looking for it as it was at a location that we passed by 100 times but never thought that it is there!  (Sorry for the highlight, I could not manipulate my font properly to suit the background)

For the first appetizer which is not included in our course meal, it was a very crispy biscuit topped with thin sliced, truffle oil infused ham. The "biscuit" tastes like pizza dough to me, just more brown and a lot more crispier and the ham was aromatic and very salty. 

Moving on, we were served with bread. And then followed by our real appetizer. I chose a ciabatta egg, wild mushroom, spinach and Australian truffles. Soenke had a garden salad. Although we shared, I didn't enjoyed the garden salad but I loved every mouthful of my truffle-y spinach with crispy ciabatta slice and poached egg. Oooo....I can have that everyday for dinner. 

For mains, I chose pan fried danish halibut on artichoke heart and cheesy risotto. Soenke had a leg of a suckling pig! Oh gosh, I will always remember the waiter bringing out half a suckling pig and asking Soenke which part of the pig he wants to have. I really enjoyed my fish but the cheesy risotto was too much for me. 

With a full belly, we waited for our dessert. Rhubarb cream, rhubarb served with elderflower ice cream and dark chocolate was mine and Soenke had a crispy apple with yoghurt ice cream. I love the combination of rhubarb with elderflower ice cream and bits of dark chocolate and also the crispy pastry skin with apple sauce. Soenke thoroughly enjoyed both dessert as well, especially when he got the whole of the rhubarb cream :)

Too full for tea/coffee, we were surprised that we were still served with cakes and cookies for that. This is for me the highlight of the day. The lemon flavored Madeleine was mind-blowing. So simple yet so perfect. WOW. The rest of the platter, chocolate mini cake and nougat was to me negligible. Nonetheless, amazing meal. 

For dinner, we had a simple meal of roast chicken and salad with Rui Chin who came and visited!

On Sunday, I made Luftkuchen. Lovely layers and very light cake. Very apprehensive at first. But it turned out to be successful. I just need to work on my food presentation skills. Soenke said it was good and so did my colleagues! Happy happy happy.. (Also, thanks to Erika for giving me the recipe!)

I also received birthday cards from my parents and Soenke's parents. :) 

So in half an hour, the dreaded time of turning 26 years old has come. Urgh. Undeniably, it was a great build up of events.

My thanks and gratitude to my parents for bringing me to Earth, kisses and hugs to Soenke for promises of a birthday waffle breakfast and for celebrating the whole week with me, and of course many thanks, appreciation and best wishes to my "parents-in-laws"!

30 mins to go....