How much bigger?

Singapore’s population has hit 4.84 million, marking a 5.5% increase from the year before. -- Yahoo Singapore

The last I heard was 4.5 million... and it has grew again, rapidly. I wonder how this island is able to accomodate the growing population... it'll hit 10 million one day??! Can you imagine? Why is Singapore still so selfish not enabling us to have dual citizenship while Singapore has been granting more and more people our citizenship and PR?? So what if the economy is booming because of foreign talent, we can't even do anything to help our declining birth date and aging population, and again are there enough jobs for us all??

When can I get outta here!!

My Jamie book #2

Another addition to my Jamie Oliver's collection...

JAMIE AT HOME.
It's selling over S$80 in Singapore, thanks to my nectar points in UK, I managed to exchange for it free and again credits also has to go to Pea for bringing it back!

I have taken a browse, I still think Jamie's dinners is the best one. But this has a slightly different touch, in it Jamie has his home-grown garden. The recipes are based on the 4 seasons and his seasonal harvests. There, he also gives some tips on growing them in your garden, how nice! From asparagus, strawberries, leeks, mushrooms...

Friends always tell me, Gordon Ramsay is a much better chef and I should get his books instead. I like Jamie's books mainly because he has always done it in a very personal way, close to his life... unlike a lot of other cookbooks which are all about making it look nice, clean and professional. So... I'll still be a regular fan of his books as long as they always have this special touch ;)

Friends, there's never enough!

Just in the short 2 weeks, I have myself a couple of visitors. One of the most important people is Ms. Pea, since I don't know when I will see her next after this time. I saw Pea a couple of times in her 9 days in Singapore, which I thought is already pretty good since she has errands to do, friends to meet, weddings to attend, lots of SHOPPING to do, and spending her precious time with the parents. She will be leaving on Sunday... boohoo... I hope I get to visit her before the London Olympics!!

Then I was also informed that my pretty italian ex-housemate, Jessie, from London would be stopping in Singapore on her 8 months travel around the world, lucky her... It was fun to catch up with her after more than 2 years and also the fact that when we lived together, we didn't talk that much due to our different working hours. We went to Golden Mile for a hawker lunch, walked to Little India (and I'm also a tourist that day, asking around for directions... lol), and then showed them (Jessie and her friend) a little of Bugis.

Trung, my Vietnamese friend whom I got acquainted during my holiday last year, sent me a Facebook message about 2 of his English friends whom would be passing by Singapore on their way to NZ, so there again, my chance of being a nice host. LOL. To be honest, this can all get a bit tiring, but they were only here for about 12 hours really and I didn't want to say "NO" to these poor lads. So I went, well they were very gentlemen indeed to come around the area where I stay. I took them to foodcourt for their lunch and went to the coffeeshop for the local kopi (coffee), I also brought a mooncake for them to try since the festival was around the corner. Maybe someday I will see them in NZ, who knows ;)

遇见怪脾的人 （02）- Next time I'll poke him

低头 ah pek, ti ko pek?

Boarded the super crowded train at City Hall (even 430pm the train is packed, christ's sake!!), I was surprised to see an empty seat besides an old man. No one dared to take the seat, so I sat on the edge and was folding my paper planes... Then everyone was eyeing this "sleeping" old man, who was always "dropping" his head towards my direction. I knew this would happen, because I have suspected he was pretending to sleep (seen many of these). Once in a while, he would open his eyes... Fortunately I had my big bag to keep him out, but at one point, out of frustration I just leaned back on my seat and put my bag where his head would be leaning over... He kinda stopped. When someone besides me finally left, I moved over, and this time I was just eyeing on him all the time. He did not even drop his head anymore and just pretended to sleep with his eyes closed. I wanted to take a video (maybe send to STOMP ahahaa) but I reckon he must have realised it because he STOPPED doing it anymore. Wonder if he has molested a few women with his "dropping head"??

I usually would give the person an elbow or a poke but today I couldn't be bothered... wanted to poke him with my paper planes though, just wondered if others would say I'm bullying an old man??

12 Lotus

After a very impressive 881, I expected more from Royston Tan's 12 Lotus.

In 12 Lotus, they have some of the same cast as 881, this time round Qi Yu Wu has a more involved role than his last. It's another musical (Getai singing) film, but I really prefer the previous film which has already set a much higher standard. The lipsync was quite bad too... due to the songs being sang in dialects. Some great songs though.

The show depicts the life of a girl, Lian Hua (Lotus in English), and I reckon 12 refers to the 12 chapters of her life which she sang in the film. From young, Lian Hua hoped to sing and perform on the stage (Getai - please refer to my previous 881 post if you're not sure of the Chinese cultures). Her dad was a compulsive gambler, and every bit of her earnings unfortunately was feeding his bad habit. Till the day, he actually gambled her daughter's life away by signing a paper that has then changed her daughter's destiny. Selfish bastard. On his death bed, he gave Lian Hua a last word of advice but unfortunately he himself was the cause of her misfortune. Her daughter fell in love with another fellow Getai singer who secretly manipulated her and plotted her sexual assualt with his "friends". All these because of one thing, money. Evil. Money is the evil of all sins.

Anyway, the whole story is tragic, it didn't touch me like 881 did. But instead it reminded me of my childhood where money was everything... and sometimes it still is. I hate it when anyone argues over the sake of money... So keep your mouth shut or stop complaining about money if you do not want me to shut you up.

My verdict: 3/5

Vivo memento

I was staring at the waters today... looking at the 'sea' at the place where the go-on-a-vacation ferries depart. Suddenly, I felt so at peace... maybe looking at the waters just has this effect - just like laying on the beach and looking at that far horizon. I miss a lot of things... My favourite apfelschorle and an amazing salad at Brotzeit, the time I just laid and read recipes on Gloria Jeans' swinging bench...

I didn't feel like shopping but I went past this section where they sold all the spanish products and decided to buy myself something to indulge in (I need them even though I'm getting poorer as the days go by.. not for long hopefully!). I took a bottle of Sangria, and a little pot of sundried tomateos soaked in olive oil... I'd love love love to find the mushrooms one, but they didn't have that.

Then I decided it was time to go home... with a lot to carry from here (along with the good O' memories). Just as my "bag" was getting heavier, I stepped into Candy Empire and got myself german Ritter Sport chocolate - it never hurts to keep some at home!


And I want to buy myself a self-deserved dinner at Outback Steakhouse again...