Its boardgame time on friday night.
"Saboteer" its the name. A group of 6 to 7 people is a comfortable group size. This game involved rewards, the most gold you collect, you are the winner. There are basically two teams; the miner and the saboteer. The job of the miners are to build a tunnel towards the gold, while the job of the saboteers are to stop these miners from reaching for the gold. All players are given a set of 5 cards each. They may be holding cards to build the tunnels, bombs, blockages, peeping for golds etc. There 7 steps towards the gold from the starting point. Everytime you throw out a card, you will draw a card from a stack of cards till its all used up.
Before the game begins, each player will draw a card to represent their identity; miner or saboteer. But no one is to reveal their identity till the game ends. So no one will know who are in the same team during the game. Only way to recognise them is by the way they map their route in the game; are they obstructive or are they heading towards the gold.
When one miner reaches the gold, all other miners will also get the reward, this is team work. But the one who reaches for the gold gets double gold, hence sometimes even among the miners, they compete too. As for the saboteers, once the cards are used up and the miners have failed their mission, they win.
I love this game so far. Its mysterious yet its fun. Its kept us occupied for hours! Its also a good way for bonding and a great way to de-stress...
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
German Truffles
An expensive delicacy in Germany, cost about 30euro (equates to S$60+) for the size of a chestnut!!
No, i have not been to Germany (yet) and have not tried this ridiculously expensive truffles. I was out at an event of 30 people, dinning and meeting strangers on Saturday evening. We were all assigned to a table of 6 people, the guys will take rotation after 30 minutes of interaction at each table. The first group of guys had us kick start well (i guess because its the first round), we chatted, exchanged contacts and so on. After about 30 minutes, they moved on and a new group of guys sat at our table. This became routine, i could see that the gals became a little bored.. "Excuse me pls, i had to go to the washroom", one of the gals politely escaped the routine. But for some of us, we stayed on.
Thankfully, the routine was broken at the following round when this new guy came to our table (or to our rescue should i say). He was not all that a lady-killer, but for once, it was a guy who would initiate a conversation and carried it well. He may not have the most ideal career or the best pay job in town, but its his passion for his work and being honest about it that caught my attention. He has a full time job somewhere, its his "part-time" job that interest us. He is a volunteered educational-guide at the zoo. "Volunteered? Oh.. you must have loved animals?" i blurted. He went on expressing his interest and how he was involved for several years.
The conversation did not just stopped at that of course, he probed us instead "Where have you guys been on holidays?" I have not much to share unfortunately, so i asked him instead (I'm sure he would have a lot to share since he first asked.. HA!) He went to Germany last year where his friends hosted him. I thought his friends would dish out the best German sausage, beer or pork knuckles. NO. Its this truffles i was talking about.
Truffles... the first thing that came to mind is the chocolate truffles easily avail at any chocolate stations. BUT NO. This is the fungus which is known as a delicacy in Germany. How to get them? These fungus survived on pine wood buried below the earth. The farmer will pull along a pig to sniff out these fungus in the forest (yes! its a PIG, not hunting dog!) When this pig hover on the same spot, the farmer will pulled it aside and start digging for the truffles. Amazing!! (And would the farmer tap the pig on its head and say "Good piggie! Good job!"?? hahaha!)
"I had the truffles, the size of a chestnut, on an omelette. It tasted good!" Good? Like what? How does it taste like? No no, I had to hold myself; i realized i was not in a midst of filming a gourmet show. I thought i should let the other gals probe him instead.
Time for group shots. We reluctantly stepped out of the cosy cafe to have our pictures taken. Hmm... i wondered, was it the truffles or the hunting pig that amused us? Or was it his chivalrous approach or the extra curriculum at the zoo that had our attention? I like the food bit... hmm... HAHAHA! Well, if not for this, i wouldn't be able to continue with this blog and pen my thoughts of the event highlights right???
No, i have not been to Germany (yet) and have not tried this ridiculously expensive truffles. I was out at an event of 30 people, dinning and meeting strangers on Saturday evening. We were all assigned to a table of 6 people, the guys will take rotation after 30 minutes of interaction at each table. The first group of guys had us kick start well (i guess because its the first round), we chatted, exchanged contacts and so on. After about 30 minutes, they moved on and a new group of guys sat at our table. This became routine, i could see that the gals became a little bored.. "Excuse me pls, i had to go to the washroom", one of the gals politely escaped the routine. But for some of us, we stayed on.
Thankfully, the routine was broken at the following round when this new guy came to our table (or to our rescue should i say). He was not all that a lady-killer, but for once, it was a guy who would initiate a conversation and carried it well. He may not have the most ideal career or the best pay job in town, but its his passion for his work and being honest about it that caught my attention. He has a full time job somewhere, its his "part-time" job that interest us. He is a volunteered educational-guide at the zoo. "Volunteered? Oh.. you must have loved animals?" i blurted. He went on expressing his interest and how he was involved for several years.
The conversation did not just stopped at that of course, he probed us instead "Where have you guys been on holidays?" I have not much to share unfortunately, so i asked him instead (I'm sure he would have a lot to share since he first asked.. HA!) He went to Germany last year where his friends hosted him. I thought his friends would dish out the best German sausage, beer or pork knuckles. NO. Its this truffles i was talking about.
Truffles... the first thing that came to mind is the chocolate truffles easily avail at any chocolate stations. BUT NO. This is the fungus which is known as a delicacy in Germany. How to get them? These fungus survived on pine wood buried below the earth. The farmer will pull along a pig to sniff out these fungus in the forest (yes! its a PIG, not hunting dog!) When this pig hover on the same spot, the farmer will pulled it aside and start digging for the truffles. Amazing!! (And would the farmer tap the pig on its head and say "Good piggie! Good job!"?? hahaha!)
"I had the truffles, the size of a chestnut, on an omelette. It tasted good!" Good? Like what? How does it taste like? No no, I had to hold myself; i realized i was not in a midst of filming a gourmet show. I thought i should let the other gals probe him instead.
Time for group shots. We reluctantly stepped out of the cosy cafe to have our pictures taken. Hmm... i wondered, was it the truffles or the hunting pig that amused us? Or was it his chivalrous approach or the extra curriculum at the zoo that had our attention? I like the food bit... hmm... HAHAHA! Well, if not for this, i wouldn't be able to continue with this blog and pen my thoughts of the event highlights right???
Friday, January 18, 2008
Le Grand Chef
It was pop-corn and drinks in the cinema again on thursday. "This will be our dinner", i was just kidding. But our friend will always have "another stomach" for anything.
After the movie, we suddenly have appetite for korean food! Apparently, the film has an impact on us!
Not having to splurge too much on dinner, we all have korean sizzling hotplate at the food court. While we were dinning, we were talking about the korean restaurant at upper thomson road... supposedly that serves the best korean food in town?
Looks like i'm breaking away from jap food for a change. Perhaps for the next food blog, we will be "fooding" on some tasty kimchi?
After the movie, we suddenly have appetite for korean food! Apparently, the film has an impact on us!
Not having to splurge too much on dinner, we all have korean sizzling hotplate at the food court. While we were dinning, we were talking about the korean restaurant at upper thomson road... supposedly that serves the best korean food in town?
Looks like i'm breaking away from jap food for a change. Perhaps for the next food blog, we will be "fooding" on some tasty kimchi?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Tam-Po-Po
I was excited to try out good food again, at a japanese restaurant on monday... "Wow! I love jap food too!"
My friend was already there, waiting. I stepped in and took a glance, there were more japanese than locals. I knew this must be an authentic japanese hideout. I walked passed the dessert showcase, an excellent array of master pieces! All calling out "Pick me! Pick me!"
I spotted him, he waved for me to come over. The waiter was very prompt, the moment i sat opposite my friend, he immediately presenting us with a few menus; the set meals, a-la-carte and the beverages. Everything looks good. "What do you recommend?" My friend said this place is known for the tonkatsu (layered pork cutlet). Very well, we ordered one to share. I ordered the buckwheat cold soba with tempura for myself and he, ramen in spicy soup. Yes indeed the tonkatsu was superb! Its very tender and juicy, could be eaten with brown sauce or mustered sauce. I enjoyed my cold soba. Its white smooth surface makes slurping fun! Then came our dessert. I had mocha cream cake. His dessert was one very interesting creation. Its orange-jelly-in-an-orange-with-orange-fibre-in-the-jelly... a tongue-twister!
I like their service too, this waiter, who first served us, always come round our table to make sure our glasses are always filled with green tea.
"Arigato-Gosae-mas!" as we left the restaurant. "Will you come back again?" "Why not? We could ask our friends to try this too".
Looks like I had been eating out japanese food for several weeks (and it was unplanned). I had this fabulous japanese buffet at UE Square last december. And since its free flow, my friend and I had no worry about burning a big hole in his pocket (yeah, his pocket, not mine. Ha!) I like the sashimi, came in portion fit for asian appetite, so we had to order more. But i love the complimentary appetizer the best. Its a thin layer of cooked salmon on a bean curd which is seated on a sauce in a small glass, its served cold. "Am i suppose to gulp down the content like drinking tequila?" No no, use the chopsticks. Its delicious! But I had only one serving, its a pity I did not ask for another one.
Oh well, I guess there will be more japanese food to come. I will be checking out this new japanese food chain after my aquaerobics tomorrow. Its has a very interesting concept, even the food layout is unusual. I will try to take some snapshots of it. And you tell me if its worth coming back again?
My friend was already there, waiting. I stepped in and took a glance, there were more japanese than locals. I knew this must be an authentic japanese hideout. I walked passed the dessert showcase, an excellent array of master pieces! All calling out "Pick me! Pick me!"
I spotted him, he waved for me to come over. The waiter was very prompt, the moment i sat opposite my friend, he immediately presenting us with a few menus; the set meals, a-la-carte and the beverages. Everything looks good. "What do you recommend?" My friend said this place is known for the tonkatsu (layered pork cutlet). Very well, we ordered one to share. I ordered the buckwheat cold soba with tempura for myself and he, ramen in spicy soup. Yes indeed the tonkatsu was superb! Its very tender and juicy, could be eaten with brown sauce or mustered sauce. I enjoyed my cold soba. Its white smooth surface makes slurping fun! Then came our dessert. I had mocha cream cake. His dessert was one very interesting creation. Its orange-jelly-in-an-orange-with-orange-fibre-in-the-jelly... a tongue-twister!
I like their service too, this waiter, who first served us, always come round our table to make sure our glasses are always filled with green tea.
"Arigato-Gosae-mas!" as we left the restaurant. "Will you come back again?" "Why not? We could ask our friends to try this too".
Looks like I had been eating out japanese food for several weeks (and it was unplanned). I had this fabulous japanese buffet at UE Square last december. And since its free flow, my friend and I had no worry about burning a big hole in his pocket (yeah, his pocket, not mine. Ha!) I like the sashimi, came in portion fit for asian appetite, so we had to order more. But i love the complimentary appetizer the best. Its a thin layer of cooked salmon on a bean curd which is seated on a sauce in a small glass, its served cold. "Am i suppose to gulp down the content like drinking tequila?" No no, use the chopsticks. Its delicious! But I had only one serving, its a pity I did not ask for another one.
Oh well, I guess there will be more japanese food to come. I will be checking out this new japanese food chain after my aquaerobics tomorrow. Its has a very interesting concept, even the food layout is unusual. I will try to take some snapshots of it. And you tell me if its worth coming back again?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Aqua then... Aqua now (part2)
I forgot to mention this... we always have new faces whenever the new term starts. But on the third session onwards, they are no longer be found except for the regulars. Beats me what happen to them...
We have 2 sessions a day, I went for the later on wednesday. While i was waiting for the first class to end, i sat by the pool, browsing and chatting with some kakis when i spotted an "unusual"... "Did i see a guy in the pool?" i asked my neighbour. Yes, there was a guy in the water amidst the ladies whom made up 90% of the class. How brave he was!
We asked our instructor "How do you find having a guy in your class?" "Oh well, don't you all find him cute?" Cute? But i did not have a good look at him. What a pity. "Oh wow!! What time is he coming for the next class?" my neighbour was escalated. But nobody knows.
So does it mean that our newbies will become more regular now? hahaha.. kidding. ;)
We have 2 sessions a day, I went for the later on wednesday. While i was waiting for the first class to end, i sat by the pool, browsing and chatting with some kakis when i spotted an "unusual"... "Did i see a guy in the pool?" i asked my neighbour. Yes, there was a guy in the water amidst the ladies whom made up 90% of the class. How brave he was!
We asked our instructor "How do you find having a guy in your class?" "Oh well, don't you all find him cute?" Cute? But i did not have a good look at him. What a pity. "Oh wow!! What time is he coming for the next class?" my neighbour was escalated. But nobody knows.
So does it mean that our newbies will become more regular now? hahaha.. kidding. ;)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Aqua then.. Aqua now
So much of Christmas and New Year feasting, and more to come during Chinese New Year, its time to restart my aquaerobics regime.
This season, after a break of 3 weeks, i found my instructor still looking as hot and radient as before! Her hair grew a little... but she looked sassier! "Get changed and get into the water people". The water was icy! It kept us all working out at high speed! Like video playing fast forward... hahaha!
Was indeed a good work out.
This season, after a break of 3 weeks, i found my instructor still looking as hot and radient as before! Her hair grew a little... but she looked sassier! "Get changed and get into the water people". The water was icy! It kept us all working out at high speed! Like video playing fast forward... hahaha!
Was indeed a good work out.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Green Thing
We went for food sampling on Tues 8 Jan. Its the first green tea cake of the year! What a good way to start the year with healthy green pastry... HAHAHA!
The moment we stepped into the cafe, the first thing that caught my eyes was it... the green thing! They were humbly seated among the dainty pastry empire, right at the centre of the showcase. Just imagine a few pieces of plain, thin bricks covered with algae... yuks! BUT hey, they were most eye-catching! Maybe its the color or the velvety green attribute, they simply stood out among the decorative. I had to have a piece of it, after all thats what i'm there for!
We ordered earl grey, ice tea, blueberry cheese cake and of course, the "green thing". When the food arrived, i was impressed by the tea set; its english porcelain. And there seated quietly, in contrast to the delicate and refined design, the "brick looking" green tea cake. Humbly, it was presented on a prestigious setting. I just love the sight of it!
We first examined the "green thing" for a while... "How would it taste like? Green tea of course! But would it taste better than what we had imagine?" We spear the side of it, ate it. Its full of green flavour. Dry on the outside, dense inside. A second spear... same, full of green flavour and dense. Occasionally, the green icing almost choked me! haha...
Our honest verdict: 80% on appearance. 50% on taste. 45% on texture.
So, our dear friend need not worry about his chocolate green tea cake. Although it was too buttery, i would still prefer it moist than dry and choky... hahaha! Thumbs up for you buddy!
The moment we stepped into the cafe, the first thing that caught my eyes was it... the green thing! They were humbly seated among the dainty pastry empire, right at the centre of the showcase. Just imagine a few pieces of plain, thin bricks covered with algae... yuks! BUT hey, they were most eye-catching! Maybe its the color or the velvety green attribute, they simply stood out among the decorative. I had to have a piece of it, after all thats what i'm there for!
We ordered earl grey, ice tea, blueberry cheese cake and of course, the "green thing". When the food arrived, i was impressed by the tea set; its english porcelain. And there seated quietly, in contrast to the delicate and refined design, the "brick looking" green tea cake. Humbly, it was presented on a prestigious setting. I just love the sight of it!
We first examined the "green thing" for a while... "How would it taste like? Green tea of course! But would it taste better than what we had imagine?" We spear the side of it, ate it. Its full of green flavour. Dry on the outside, dense inside. A second spear... same, full of green flavour and dense. Occasionally, the green icing almost choked me! haha...
Our honest verdict: 80% on appearance. 50% on taste. 45% on texture.
So, our dear friend need not worry about his chocolate green tea cake. Although it was too buttery, i would still prefer it moist than dry and choky... hahaha! Thumbs up for you buddy!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Staying Happy
On Friday 4 Jan, after what it seemed like a long day of work, finally came the time i've been looking forward, meeting George Clooney... in Micheal Clayton (of course!) after a sumptuous meal.
About the meal, its a combination of steamboat-cum-bbq seafood (oh i love bbq!). I personally find that most food tasted better when grilled than cooked in the soup. I was contemplating if i should cook the mushrooms over the charcoal or should i cook it in the soup? I tried both. Conclusion... bbq wins!! haha! But watch it, you gotto grill the mushrooms with the mushroom-cap facing the hot coal because the juice from the mushrooms will then be kept in if done this way. I didn't know there's juice in mushrooms? It just took about 2 minutes before its done. The moment i sink my teeth into the browning toadstool, SQUASH!! it spattered... hahaha! Very juicy and tasty even when eaten on its own!
I realised when there's bbq, it's accompanied by steamboat. I guess it helps to balance the dry bbq food with something soupy(?) What i like most about this steamboat is that it has a good variety of soups. We choose tom-yum and bak-ku-teh. This tom-yum was specially my favourite because the sour and spicy flavour aroused the taste-bud, and it just kept you going... On top of that, my friend, who is the owner, travelled around the region in search for the best noodles for his steamboat. His effort was well paid off. I can testify... the noodles was indeed good! The brownish appearance of this noodle may look like instant noodle. The difference is in the tasting and texture. Unlike the commercial egg-noodles, this MA-MA mee is crunchier and more refined. It tasted a little like ee-mian (most restaurant served this at wedding dinner) and yet its not too heavy for the appetite. A perfect combination when its cooked in tom-yum soup. And of course, i had to have the second helping, and then the third and forth and so on... ops!
After a satisfying meal, we adjourned to the cinema. He managed to grab a pop corn and soft drink. "These will go into the other stomach" he grinned. When we settle in the cool and comfy cinema seats, i almost fell asleep at the suspense film. It was a good movie nonetheless. And with George in the show, it ended with an applaud!
About the meal, its a combination of steamboat-cum-bbq seafood (oh i love bbq!). I personally find that most food tasted better when grilled than cooked in the soup. I was contemplating if i should cook the mushrooms over the charcoal or should i cook it in the soup? I tried both. Conclusion... bbq wins!! haha! But watch it, you gotto grill the mushrooms with the mushroom-cap facing the hot coal because the juice from the mushrooms will then be kept in if done this way. I didn't know there's juice in mushrooms? It just took about 2 minutes before its done. The moment i sink my teeth into the browning toadstool, SQUASH!! it spattered... hahaha! Very juicy and tasty even when eaten on its own!
I realised when there's bbq, it's accompanied by steamboat. I guess it helps to balance the dry bbq food with something soupy(?) What i like most about this steamboat is that it has a good variety of soups. We choose tom-yum and bak-ku-teh. This tom-yum was specially my favourite because the sour and spicy flavour aroused the taste-bud, and it just kept you going... On top of that, my friend, who is the owner, travelled around the region in search for the best noodles for his steamboat. His effort was well paid off. I can testify... the noodles was indeed good! The brownish appearance of this noodle may look like instant noodle. The difference is in the tasting and texture. Unlike the commercial egg-noodles, this MA-MA mee is crunchier and more refined. It tasted a little like ee-mian (most restaurant served this at wedding dinner) and yet its not too heavy for the appetite. A perfect combination when its cooked in tom-yum soup. And of course, i had to have the second helping, and then the third and forth and so on... ops!
After a satisfying meal, we adjourned to the cinema. He managed to grab a pop corn and soft drink. "These will go into the other stomach" he grinned. When we settle in the cool and comfy cinema seats, i almost fell asleep at the suspense film. It was a good movie nonetheless. And with George in the show, it ended with an applaud!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Like wish come true...
Have this ever happened to you? You thought of having something and it unexpectedly happened?
Yes, i had been thinking of eating turkey during Christmas. "Christmas would seems quite incomplete without turkey". Next thing i knew, a friend invited me over to his place on Christmas eve for a party and lo and behold! He had home-made turkey! I was so impressed he could bake let alone to bake a turkey! Fortunately, he did not disappoint me... this significant dish is one of the most succulent turkey i ever had compared to what i used to have before.. you know, turkey is known for its tough dry meat, but not anymore now. YUM YUM!! I had to interview him.. "Whats your secret recipe?" "Oh.. heheh.. nothing la, i just baked it loh" he blushed. Oh well, its a SECRET.. ok, i got it. Even without the sauce, it tasted just as good with a little jam. YUM YUM!!
The second thing i thought about was carolling and a big Christmas tree. One of his guest played the keyboard on almost any carols. He had a big Christmas tree beautifully lit up in his guest room. So warm and homely... i couldn't be asking for more ;)
Of course, there were also some pleasant surprises, like the karaoke jam. He dedicated this song "Silence"...Hmm.. what kind of song is this? He sounded good though can be better.. ;) We also discovered some new talents, Jackie Cheung and Vivian Chow wannabe! We sang so much and so loud the neighbours have to "visit" us. Time to keep it low and time to pack up.
I hope he hadn't much to clean up. And as usual, there were so much food left, some of the guest helped to 'tah-bao' the food home. So no food is wasted.
Yes, i had been thinking of eating turkey during Christmas. "Christmas would seems quite incomplete without turkey". Next thing i knew, a friend invited me over to his place on Christmas eve for a party and lo and behold! He had home-made turkey! I was so impressed he could bake let alone to bake a turkey! Fortunately, he did not disappoint me... this significant dish is one of the most succulent turkey i ever had compared to what i used to have before.. you know, turkey is known for its tough dry meat, but not anymore now. YUM YUM!! I had to interview him.. "Whats your secret recipe?" "Oh.. heheh.. nothing la, i just baked it loh" he blushed. Oh well, its a SECRET.. ok, i got it. Even without the sauce, it tasted just as good with a little jam. YUM YUM!!
The second thing i thought about was carolling and a big Christmas tree. One of his guest played the keyboard on almost any carols. He had a big Christmas tree beautifully lit up in his guest room. So warm and homely... i couldn't be asking for more ;)
Of course, there were also some pleasant surprises, like the karaoke jam. He dedicated this song "Silence"...Hmm.. what kind of song is this? He sounded good though can be better.. ;) We also discovered some new talents, Jackie Cheung and Vivian Chow wannabe! We sang so much and so loud the neighbours have to "visit" us. Time to keep it low and time to pack up.
I hope he hadn't much to clean up. And as usual, there were so much food left, some of the guest helped to 'tah-bao' the food home. So no food is wasted.
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