Talent TTM

Tags

youtube, video, instruments, music

I love creativity and to see creativity expressed in a jaw-dropping way just affirms me how powerfully creative our Creator is

Cassia

Tags

capella, dim sum, lunch, luxury hotel, sentosa

Cassia at Capella is one restaurant that had offered a discounted set menu during restaurant week. However I did not have a chance to try out their menu then but I was privileged to be given a treat to their dim sum lunch.

I don’t even know where Capella at Sentosa is. I was told it is a 6-star hotel. Seeing is believing. Their toilet rolls are embossed with their logo and name. *gasp* I just had to take a picture. Amazing discovery.

Capella is designed like a spa retreat housed in a colonial building. Lush greenery, modern paintings, quiet waters await you as you enter into the hotel. Not only the waters was quiet, the whole place was so quiet, giving that tranquil, spa-like feel. Bliss. I am getting old. I am very sensitive to cacophonies.

Cassia and her上海滩 look. Simple yet having that elegant grandeur. Wow, are they charging one hand one leg for their dim sum?

Thankfully not really. Their amuse bouche to cleanse your palate. Prawn with blueberry and mango puree. I did not know blackberry can go with prawns. Interesting combination. Light and refreshing with the succulent freshness of the prawn together with the fruity combination.

This is pumpkin with mushroom plus some-other-veggies dumpling. I like it. Mushy, chewy, and sweet with that tinge of savory.

Ahhhh…kurobuta char siew bao (pork buns) I am not sure whether was it really the kurotuba pork that made the difference; but it was so good! The charred marinade and the tender pork with the soft fluffy bun were perfect threesome. Inseparable best friends, me thinks.

Another BFF dish; panfried yam and pumpkin. Crispy exterior with soft interior, every bite was filled with unami goodness of yam and pumpkin so beautifully fried to a crisp. There was no nauseating feeling of oiliness, just feelings of wanting another plate.

This baked pastry was not very memorable, as it is I don’t even remember what was inside now.

We were treated to desserts by the manager who has excellent service attitude; not imposing and very honest. The kitchen was not in working order that day as something happened overnight and they were not able to use their kitchen but another kitchen further away. She apologized to us and though we did not demand anything, in the end, out of her initiative; she decided not to charge us for the desserts we ordered. I had this tapas thingy, sesame glutinous ball-mango sago pomelo-some herb jelly and the other dessert was poached pear. Delicate and nice ending to the meal. *applause*

We took a walk to Bob’s bar which was at another part of the hotel and looking at the landscape, honestly who does not want to stay here? So relaxing and beautiful. Of course it comes with a hefty price. More than 600 SGD a night. *gulp*

Technology impresses me

Tags

camera, lytro, photography, reflections, technology

Lytro. The camera that lets you refocus your picture after the shot.

See the difference?

Brainy? Or is it too brainy that we may become stupid one day? It’s so idiot-proof. The irony of advanced technology.

Powerful Painting

Tags

arts, colors, painting, passion, personal

via Likecool. Such an amazing and creative piece of art work. Stunned into silence. Mind blown away with the brilliance. Just increased my love for the arts.

Sad

Tags

bible, cancer, children, death, God, life, neuroblastoma

I got to learn the term neuroblastoma through Max’s blog 4 years ago and found out from the blog there are many children suffering from neuroblastoma. You can find out about these childrens’ stories in his blog under “Warriors and Angels”. It is a horrifying disease, when the disease rears back after remission, it just unleashes its unrelenting power till it destroys the kid.

When Max passed away, I was much affected by the news. As I had followed his news for more than a year, there was this special affinity to him even though we were strangers. He was so cute and had such a sunny disposition. After he passed away, his good friend Sam also lost the battle to neuroblastoma. I just cannot imagine how the parents of both kids felt, one moment they thought they have conquered the disease and the next moment, the disease just sneaked back and consumed their child. And the rapid fire of the power is nothing one can imagine.

And today I just saw in Charmaine’s blog that she also passed away because of neuroblastoma. She has fought so bravely and hard these 2 years 8 months, shuttling between NY and Singapore and in and out of hospital countless times….fiesty is really the word to describe her. I am amazed at her strength and resilience all these while, in fact her whole family, mum and brother also; fighting together with her and never giving up hope….I really feel for the mother; single parent, doing all this by herself and making decisions not knowing whether it helps or hurts and having to see her own kid suffer and tumors devilishly growing out from different parts of the body. Though I am not a mother myself and can only feel a glimpse of what she goes through, I really cannot take it. It’s too much..

And there are many more kids out there who are suffering from this disease. I just pray that some doctors, scientists, researchers whoever will find a way to find a cure and bring relief to these children.

I have encountered a series of deaths recently and I am reminded again every day, every breath we take is a miracle and a grace from God. “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14

My Father’s Words

Tags

bible, faith, God

Pastor shared during our weekly staff meeting this verse from Exodus 33:14. “God said, “My presence will go with you. I’ll see the journey to the end.” What is very significant about this verse which I never realized is what God told Moses in the 1st part of this chapter. God did not want to go with the Israelites to the promised land because they were stiff-necked and stubborn people; if He went with them, He may be tempted to destroy them along the way. Instead, He would send an angel to accompany the Israelites. And before verse 14, Moses pleaded with God and in the end God relented and said what He said in verse 14.

I can identify with Moses’ fear and uncertainty to travel to an unknown land. I felt the same way recently as I was about to chart a direction for my department next year. I am not a visionary, nor a big picture person, neither am I a risk taker. And to do something that is totally not who I am made to be makes me rather insecure. I don’t want to bring my team through a maze of uncertainties and follow blindly a course that leads to nowhere.

But the comfort of God’s words that day strengthens me. I feel like He is personally encouraging me; that as I continue to seek Him, He will see me to the end because He is with me.

Thanks dad. I am going to claim your promise to me as I look to the year ahead of me.

A Novel Experience @ Novus Restaurant

Tags

lunch, novus, restaurant week

Even before Restaurant Week officially opens for reservation, many restaurants are fully booked. The problem is that those who have participated Restaurant Week before were given early notice to book the restaurants. Another problem is you can do multi-booking and cancel last minute. So many people, I believe, with kiasu syndrome booked more than one restaurant. I was thus rejoicing when I was able to get a place at Novus for a lunch date with Lai Wah. Novus is well-known for their artistic dishes so I really looked forward to the lunch.
Our amuse bouche; tuna tartare with very nice tangy dressing, great tingle to the taste buds. The other platter was to be eaten with their variety of warm breads; olives, olive oil/balsamic vinegar and butter with pine nuts and some herbs which I can’t remember now. I came hungry and I did what a hungry person will do; gobbled up all the breads.

Another exciting part of this lunch is that they will present you a card that explains what you are eating. My appetizer was foie gras anglaise, whatever that is but it was so good. Underneath all the foam was a rich and creamy custard that was bursting with unique flavor; I am not a food connoisseur that can pick up different flavors that was explained on the card, I only know that it was an expression of delight when I savored every spoonful. Only thing I did not do is to lick the spoon and bowl to show my appreciation.


Lai Wah had this norwegian salmon salad presented on a map of norway. So creative, so much thought put into presenting a dish.

My main course is a red snapper poached in shellfish dashi, risoni pasta, seasonal vegetables and soy beans. The risoni pasta was interesting, nothing I have tried before. It was in the shape of a large grain of rice. I think I still prefer normal pasta to the risoni pasta. I like my pasta to have more bite. The red snapper was cooked just right, tender and fresh. I guess this light dish goes well with my heavy appetizer, maybe I was also full from eating so much breads that I did not really enjoy this dish.

Lai Wah’s organic chicken. Not sure what other ingredients as I did not keep the explanations. I only know the chicken was real tender especially when breast meat was used.

This mango and black sesame dessert that Lai Wah has looked very pretty in reality. My camera was not able to capture the beauty. I never know mango and black sesame can go together. Perhaps the heaviness of the black sesame is offset by the light and tangy mango cream. I love the bold contrast of colors; but after eating my dessert, I think I only appreciate this presentation of the dish more than its flavor.

I am supposed to eat my chocolate desserts from left to right as the cocoa intensity increased in notches. I nearly applauded, so fun and creative to have a taste of different kinds of cocoa intensity! I fell in love with this dessert instantly! One thing I like about Novus is they take efforts to excite all your senses. I can really feel the passion of the chefs who designed the dishes. Each dish is done with love and attention to detail, a marriage of different flavors to amaze the diner.

From left to right: The first was an aerated mousse with 38% cocoa, after that was souffle with 55% cocoa, then sorbet 66% cocoa, warm custard with 72% cocoa and dehydrated chocolate with 85% cocoa. The aerated mouse had crackling cocoa bits that popped in your mouth, such a fun food to play with. There was really nothing much to dislike about this dessert, though I could not really feel the intensity. I think the only nitpick I had was the dehydrated chocolate; I expected to melt and disappear into thin air in my mouth but no such excitement. Well, well..

想像空间

Tags

concert, journal, kit chan, MBS, passion

I had this concert ticket gifted to me to watch Kit Chan’s concert. Yours truly is not a fan of Kit Chan; I went initially out of curiosity and also because I like music and performances.

And now I am a convert. I loved the concert. It was simple and unpretentious. There were no glitter and glamor; unless one considered her outlandish costumes, disco ball or even light effects as part of the glitz. There was also no big symphonies to complement her vocals. I like the way 崇庆, the radio DJ in Yes933 puts it: all of us are here to 听演唱会，不是看演唱会. Because the MBS theater is small unlike indoor stadium, one has this sense of coziness; the only thing that is important thus is not the grandeur anymore but to allow her voice to stand out in the songs she presented.

And I can really feel her passion. 舞台与她是融为一体的. She was so at ease on stage and talked to us like one of her friends. I enjoyed her humor, her impressive bilingual skills (LKY would be proud of her) and her strong vocals. Truly a joy to see someone so passionate about something they love.

She shared with us the reason behind the title of the concert which is not directly translated. The English version “The Music Room” stems from the lessons she enjoyed most as a child and the Chinese version talks about how the music teacher who would always asked them to pretend to be some character which was where she found her love for stage performances.

The concert ignited in me that day my love for music and stage performances once again. I have always wanted to learn music and be part of the theater arts. I did choose performing arts to be part of my course in Uni but due to conflicting religious views with the lecturer, I decided to forgo the course. I wondered how my life would have been different if I sought to pursue a career in this area. Till now, the music and the arts scene still fascinate and excite me; it stimulates my creativity and expands my imagination. I do remember times when I was performing previously; either telling stories when a child or acting when a student or writing scripts as an adult; I feel that sense of achievement and joy to be part of that stage life.

I do wonder: is that a passion to be pursued, a hobby to be explored or just that other side of me that God has created in me; much like my interest in cooking, photography etc?

Leaves much 空间to 想像, me thinks.

Homecoming

Tags

death, faith, God, heaven

Last week I heard 3 deaths; one was acclaimed by the world, two were acclaimed by the Lord. I mourned over the death of Steve Jobs; to me, he was indeed a brilliant innovator and gave minimalist and simplicity their places in the world of gadgets.

The other 2 deaths were 2 Christian women that I know who have left an indelible mark in my heart; and it meant much more to me than just mourning over their deaths like Steve Jobs. As much as I am very saddened by their deaths, I am also glad these 2 godly Christian women are now with the Lord where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain” Revelations 21:4. One battled with cancer, one passed on after her morning prayers with the Lord.

The cancer-stricken lady was the wife of my sunday school teacher-turned-good friend Henry. He wrote a very beautiful eulogy in her blog about her life. Though I did not have much interaction with liz when she was alive; I was very much ministered and moved by the sharings and slideshow during her funeral service. By the way it was called a homecoming service which gave death a different perspective and changed the way I view death too. Indeed it is going back home to the Lord. The tenacity of Liz, her resilience and strength, her positive spirit and her gift of faith in the Lord are just one of the many testaments of how death had lost its sting in her life, she has emerged victorious by living her life to the fullest and never once allowed the disease to consume her love for life. As we sang one of her favorite songs ‘Jesus I give you my life’, the lyrics meant so much to me now ~ “My soul contemplates Your glory, I worship in holy awe, In quietness and in confident trust, I rest in all that You are, I’ll sing to the world Your glory and grace, Until I behold Your face”. Isn’t this what the Lord taught me many years ago and I was determined it to be my lifelong mission? “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24. Obviously the wearies and distractions of the world have clouded my sight and I was so glad the Lord reminded me what my life should be there and then; in the funeral service, in the celebration and remembrance of another’s life and in the lyrics once again.

The other lady was our honorary steward in our church. She had no illness except some difficulties in walking. She always looked forward to see the Lord one day and her desire was to go back to the Lord while praying. In spite of her old age, Auntie Nancy never once spent a moment lesser with the Lord. She would spend time with the Lord daily and wrote down her thoughts and prayers and she would pray for all the leaders in the church, by name; and everyday on her knees. She never feared death and prepared herself 7 years ago. Her infectious joy and love for the Lord, her beautiful heart for people masked away the physical ugliness that will always come with old age. I only see beauty in her and nothing else.

Liz’s friend, in his eulogy said that Liz had taken an early flight home. We will see her one day in the final destination, where our home is. I also look forward to the day to meet my Father when I reach home. I know He will be waiting for me in joy. My earthly dad showed me a glimpse of that kind of love when he waited for me to come home from KL. It was past his bedtime and when he saw me come back, though he did not say anything, I could feel the sense of peace within him as he walked back into his room. I was deeply touched with his loving gesture as he is a man of very few words and expressions. If my physical dad is able to do that, I believe my heavenly dad who created me in His being will be able to do even more so and much more.

See you, Liz and Aunty Nancy, back home one day.

New look with random thoughts

Tags

journal, reflections

Realised I have been limiting myself previously; I only blogged posts with pictures. In the end it became more a food blog than anything else which was not my intention when I set out to write this blog. There were times when I wanted to write spiritual and personal stuff that matter but because of lack of photos to represent my thoughts, I never blogged about it. Hopefully this will be a beginning of a collection of my thoughts that I can store as a testament of God’s work in my life and also a learning journey as I grow old with grace.