Music to the soul 2

I found myself today

Oh, I found myself

And ran away

But something pulled me back

Voice of reason

I forgot I had

All I know is you're not here to say

But you always used to say

And it's written in the sky tonight

[Chorus]

So I won't give up

No, I wont break down

Sooner than it seems life turns around

And I will be strong

Even if it all goes wrong

When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe

Someone's watching over me

Seen that ray of light

And it's shining on my destiny

Shining all the time

And I won't be afraid

To follow everywhere it's taking me

All I know is yesterday is gone

And right now I belong

To this moment

To my dreams

[Chorus]

So I won't give up

No, I wont break down

Sooner than it seems life turns around

And I will be strong

Even if it all goes wrong

When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe

Someone's watching over me

It doesn't matter what people say

And it doesn't matter how long it takes

Believe in yourself and you'll fly high

And it only matters how true you are

Be true to yourself

And follow your heart

[Chorus]

So I won't give up

No, I wont break down

Sooner than it seems life turns around

And I will be strong

Even if it all goes wrong

When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe

That I wont give up

No, I won't break down

Sooner than it seems life turns around

And I will be strong

Even if it all goes wrong

When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe

That someone's watching over,

Someone's watching over,

Someone's watching over me

I am so stupid

I think I am really downright stupid when dealing with this situation. Thought I had done my best to make it better. But I realise I was so stupid. I laugh at my own naivety... HAHAHHAHAHAH.... I am really stupid to think this way. Despite me, guarding and watching it like a hawk, I still got fooled by the fox. Thats how stupid I can get... Well, the Lioness has awaken and is not afraid to show her prowess.

Love, Ariel

Music to the soul

On the first page of our story

The future seemed so bright

Then this thing turned out so evil

I don't know why I'm still surprised

Even angels have their wicked schemes

And you take that to new extremes

But you'll always be my hero

Even though you've lost your mind

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

Well that's alright because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

Well that's alright because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

Now there's gravel in our voices

Glasses shattered from the fight

In this tug of war you always win

Even when I'm right

Cuz you feel me fables from your head

With violent words and empty threats

And it's sick that all these battles

Are what keeps me satisfied

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

Well that's alright because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

Well that's alright because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

So maybe I'm a masochist

I try to run but I don't wanna ever leave

Till the walls are going up

In smoke with all our memories

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

Well that's alright because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

Well that's alright because I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie

I love the way you lie



Eastern Restaurant Review

Okay, I must really apologize for delaying so long to put up this post, I had been really busy busy these days. And it did'nt help when all my photos were gone when I lost my favourite thumbdrive as mentioned in my previous post. Arghhhh!!! So angry. Okay chill... its over. I must move on and get over it.

Anyway, a few weeks back, I went for a food tasting at these authentic Shanghainese restaurant. Its like a 茶餐厅 you would see in Shanghai. I have never been to Shanghai, so I got JJ to share abit of his insights with me, since he frequent China.

Just a little background about Shanghainese food that he shared with me.

Shanghai is located in between the two other major cities of china, Beijing in the north and Guangzhou in the south. Its cuisine (also known as ben bang cai- literally, "local food") is like a mix of the styles in its two other peer cities.

It borrows from the south the habit of consuming rice with dishes (in the north they prefer noodles), and of eating dumplings with thinner, almost translucent skin. The famous shanghai xiaolongbaos, for instance, are much more delicate than the jiaozi that you normally find in Beijing. In a practice that started in the south, where the food is prepared in much more elegant and bite-sized portions, "cold" (precooked) tapas-sized dishes are also served as appetizers and "hot" dishes are served as the main part of the meal.

The influence of the north on shanghai cuisine is obvious in the strong sauces that dress almost every dish. You don't get simple clear soy-sauces like in Cantonese food; instead, it's almost like western food, where most dishes are topped off with flavourful sauces to complement the dishes. 

Another key component in shanghainese food is vinegar. Most dishes, whether "cold" or "hot", will come with vinegar either as a dip or already stir-fried into the dish. Xiaolongbaos,for instance, come with vinegar, not soy sauce, and thinly slices of Ginger as an accompaniment.

Another famous dish, braised pork, is cooked with all three typical condiments- sugar, vinegar, and that staple of all Chinese food, soy sauce.



What I liked about these type of restaurants is that you can order a whole table of food in bit-sized and have a variety of choices. Best to dined in big groups, where all can have their beloved food.

I felt that Eastern restaurant is a reasonably-priced bistro in Central @ Orchard (prices are similar to xin wang- less than ten dollars per dish). I tried both the fried rice and the zhajiang mian, and actually preferred the noodles to the rice- the flavor of the fried rice was too mild for my personal preference. In fact, the noodles were my favourite dish. As you can probably tell, flavor is way more important to me than authenticity.

Other dishes we tried were pork rib, deep fried yam, and two cold dishes- pork belly and bean curd. The dishes weren't cloyingly sweet like other more authentic outlets I've tried, but I guess that's because the dishes were changed to fit the palettes of locals. In the end, I thought that most of the food tasted not unlike what I'd find at other local restaurants- maybe even a touch milder. Hmm.. Have I gotten used to fiery and heavy tastes? haha.

You may visit their website at The Eastern Restuarant or "Like" their Facebook page.

The Eastern Restaurant (Centrepoint) Pte Ltd 

176 Orchard Road 

#01-57 Centrepoint 

Singapore 238843

Credits: To JJ for all the information about Shanghainese Food
             Photos are all taken from Eastern Restaurant FB

Thank you Dennis and The Eastern Restaurant for the invite.

 

Love, Ariel

What the heck?

Its been a while since I blogged. Oh well, have been a little busy with my personal life, work and enrichment. This post is just a random ranting of the little things I got frustrated with. As what someone said that I have an anger quota to meet.. haha.. maybe he is right.


Rant no. 1: I lost my thumbdrive. 
My collegues were all warning me not to buy it as it was super tiny. And being a scatterbrain girl, I tend to misplace things. But I was pretty insistent and bought it anyway. And lo and behold I lost it. Sigh. It was 8Gb! Thank goodness I have not stored much personal photos. Or I would be even more worried. But I really loved it.

 

Rant no. 2. Please give up you seats for the pregnant lady!

I recently had a conversation with some of my friends. 2 of them are young mothers now. And they are super cool and hot mama la! Haha, hope next time I can be like them. They were sharing about some difficulties that they faced when they were pregnant, especially at the MRT train, when people just refuse to give up their seats to them. 

I am getting a little indignant about this.

When a woman is fully pregnant, she is carrying the weight of another human being of 12 kg. And its not as if she can remove it and put it on the floor like how we can unload of our heavy laptop and shopping bags on the floor. She has to carry it NO MATTER WHAT. Some guys complain about carrying heavy stuff for their girlfriends, then move your ass and understand how heavy it is for the pregnant woman! 

But this is not just about the man, talking about it, I had an encounter with this man who flew from the other corner, and stepped on my foot just so he could sit on the freaking chair in front of me, that I was slowly getting to sit on. Talk about gentlemanly behavior, he almost ignite that roaring tigeress in me, ready to whip out my claws and pounced on him! ROARRRRRR!

Well, its not just about the men, but its the ladies too! Or I should say younger girls. As what the old uncle said, "all these xi gina, dont know how to be considerate." 

It doesnt mean that they are younger means they should be ignorant. Haven't the sign put "for those who needs it"

And this doesnt applies to those are heavily pregnant, as long as she is pregnant, the basic courtesy is to give up the seat for her. Even if you mistaken a fat lady for being pregnant, (this is to be excercised with discretion la), its better to mistaken than miss it. 

Talking about this, leads me to the next point, of the recent news on a HSBC staff refusing to give up his seat for an old man. 

I had a little chat with my friends about how some old people demand to have the seats give up for them, we sometimes feel reluctant to give up, but if you ask me, whether or not they are nice or not nice, we should still give up. They are old for goodness sake! Asking an old uncle or auntie to stand for long hours its really very uncomfortable. Cant we extend a little kindness? Are we this calculative that only if you are an old and nice auntie or uncle, or when you ask me nicely, then I would give up my seat? The signs says it all? Haven't it? Or is the picture not clear enough?

I have no idea what the uncle's intention was when he connived and took photo of him, post it on FB and sent a letter of complaint to HSBC, like HSBC is his mother who is responsible of his upbringing. Oh well, I guess he is either bitter and a scheming person, or he realised this is a social problem, that people are ignoring the purpose of the sign, and just wanted justice done. Whatever the reason may be, I still think, the guy should give up the seat. Because he definitely needs it more than him and he was suay suay sitting at the seat with the sign, so he should give up. 

Rant no. 3: I am angry for being a person who can't make up her mind in certain things. I wish I would dare to be daring. Maybe having lost something cos me to fear to gain and lose it again. I am in quite a dilemma. Can I just forget everything and go ahead with what heart tells me or I should go with what my head logically and rationally tells me. I am confused. I am dumbfounded. I choose to escape. Anyway, there will come a time I will not be able to tolerate and make a decision. More often than not, its to run away completely. which I fear its always the worst decision. Cant talk about it now, wanting to leave it aside for a while.

Will be posting on some light hearted stuff again.. FOOD!!! Its from an Shanghainese restaurant. As I am still awaiting to retrieve my pics, please bear with me.

Love, Ariel

A Thank You, A Welcome and An Encouragement Note

That's it, the people has voted. The mandate has been read.

Well, here is a closure to the election and the beginning of a new era.

Since I have not written any comments nor talk about the election before May 7, here is one that is after. I wish to write something before, but I decided not to, as I was still in deliberation of where my stand was. It was a hard choice, given that I in the district that was very much talked about, a result that has great effect on the nation. Every vote counts.

So here is a note to the Past MPs, the New MPs and Miss Tin Pei Ling.

_____________________________________________________________________

                                                                       

Dear Mr George Yeo and team,

Thank you for your hard work all these years, it has been a great honor to have you served the residents of Aljunied GRC. Your efforts are evident and the result of your effort are indisputable. Thank you especially to the two ladies, Miss Cynthia Phua and Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, and on behalf of my mum who had encounters with you when she was facing some difficulty, you have lend your listening ear and stretch your hand to help.

As a resident here for years, I have seen its changes since your team took over in 2006. And I have seen the teams' efforts of reaching out to the residents and making it a more homey and welcoming place with countless activities and detailed considerations to our increasing elderly folks in this district. A definite vast difference from the previous PAP team.

Though I have not participated in any of the activities organized by the PAP, but I do feel the vibrancy in the area from all the activities and family outings created.

You have done well. And I hope you will continue to serve in other ways and not be disheartened of the loss but embrace the new phase of your life.

Thank you very much Mr. George Yeo and Team.

______________________________________________________________________________



Dear Mr Low Thia Kiang and Team,

I welcome you and your team to our district, it has been a tough walk and I applaud you and your teams' courage and determination. But its only the beginning.

Though you have won this election, but its equally marginally as it is in the last election. It also means if the people can change their minds and vote for you this year, they may also sway and vote for PAP in the next election.

I would say that the people here are seriously putting on high stakes here, given that you and your team has not promise nor spoke with conviction of what you were going to do in this district and a loss of a team of outstanding and dedicated MPs and also probably the future comfort of new plans that the other districts would be able to enjoy ahead of us. All that, we, voters have in mind is for the nation's sake.  

I am greatly impressed and moved by your speeches and your team's strategies and it does prove your creditability to lead the people to a place of what you called "A First World Parliament"  Though, I have my doubts, but I guess now we have 5 years to prove this motto, so I am willing to go along with a little faith here.

Since the mandate has been read, the people in Aljunied is in the same boat with you for the next 5 years. May it prove to the right choice and that Singapore truly progress to better governance.

______________________________________________________________________________


Dear Mrs Tin Pei Ling,

I would like to write this encouragement letter to you.

Maybe because you are representing the young generation in PAP, sorry to say, though I seriously do not think you deserve to be there, but I guess the verdict is announced that we would need to be forced to put a little trust here. So instead of complaining that you in the team, we can only embrace it with graciousness and mercy.

I hope at this point, you would have realized that you have won not because you were good. Cos the votes have spoken, even with Mr Goh, your team has won by a margin of 6%. It proves that people would rather have your whole team down and forgo Mr Goh, a man well respected by Singaporeans throughout, then to have you in it.

If you have thought you were safe now since your team won and you can happily collect your $15,000, I think this letter is redundant to you.

However, if you have some conscience and love for people, then we would still give you our respect. It is not easy for a young girl like you to withstand such pressure. You may be dragged into this whole thing and be constantly criticized and hated by many. I hope you would become stronger and learn from it. Forget the past of how people tease you with kate spade and the youtube videos of you saying"dont know what to say" or being criticized for blindly agreeing with whatever the PAP does. I hope you would grow from it and would prove to us that you know what to say in the next interview posted to you.

Even if you do not know how to handle politics, then, I beseech you to use your heart to handle every situation. If you have the heart for the people and Singapore in mind, no matter how difficult the situation or politics will be, it would never go wrong. And people will feel it.

Nicole Seah has lost in the election, but if you ask me, she has won hands down. And she is the ultimate winner, in the Marine Parade GRC, because in any politics, the hearts of the people also equates to power. But I think you can learn a thing or 2 from her, as the Chinese proverbs says, 知己知彼, 百战百胜. If we are all so pompous to think that our enemy's ideas and strategies are irrelevant especially one who can increase the votes from 0 to 59,833 to vote for the team, and thousands of "likes" in facebook, that's a huge mistake, I think there is something for everyone to learn from. She speaks with her heart.

So I have 3 words for you -  Humility, Love and Courage.

Humility to keep learning
Love for the people &
Courage to withstand all.

Well, that's all. Oh, and maybe next election, can you upgrade and buy LV instead, seems more A-Tas. (just kidding) All the best, Miss Tin.

Love, Ariel

il Cielo at Hilton Hotel Review

Time for some relaxation...I was invited by my colleague to try out this new restaurant in Hilton Hotel. Having been an ardent fan of Italian food, I gladly obliged.

When I was told it would be at the top floor of the hotel, I was even more excited. I have always liked rooftop concepts, even more so when its on a 24th floor. Don't you feel like you are the king of the world at the top, overseeing the beautiful skylights and landscape of Orchard Road. After a long day at work, it is refreshing and relax to take a breather on the night to enjoy some tranquility when you need it. Of course, tonight it was more of a party which I enjoyed as well!

il Cielo 

(‘The Sky’ in Italian)

Photo in courtesy of Hilton Hotel

Menu

The party was a standing cocktail reception, we were introduced to homemade truffle butter with black olive breads and the original grissini at the entrance which is also the start of dinner course .Thereafter guests can enjoy specialties such as fresh Burrata mozzarella filled with bufala made upon order - a first in Singapore - and Bosco, a crispy thin Rome-style pizza made with flour from Vesuviana, topped with homemade Italian sausages. Along with other Rome-style pizzas is the wide range of homemade pastas made of organic flours including the rare kamut (an ancient kind of grain that is believed to have originated from Egypt), buckwheat and spelt. 

Photo in courtesy of Hilton Hotel

When I was a child, my parents brought me to a restraint, having only exposed to chinese cuisine, my parents wanted a change and brought me to dine at an Italian place. I was curious at first at what this flat piece of crap put in front of me. With tomato toppings and cheese, sometimes with meat or pineapples to add flavour to taste. I was intrigued by the crispy crust of the food. Thinking it was just another form of bread with a more innovative "design". I tasted it for the first time.

As I sink my teeth into the cheese and the bread and tasted the mixture of the crust of the bread, melted cheese and tomato, my heart skipped a beat.

It was heaven!

Well, I have been eating pizzas since then, but after a while you get bored by the usual types of pizza. I kind of lost my first love, until I came il Cielo, and tried the Rome-Styled pizzas. In Rome, they usually prefer thin and crispy base, which is now my new love. It is a MUST-TRY! in this restaurant!

So what's so special?

The pizzas are prepared in the traditional cooking over wood fire. And Herb-crusted Ocean Trout are placed on olive wood to be quickly roasted in an open fire brick oven for an earthly flavour.

Soon, meat lovers can also look forward to relishing time-honoured recipes such as Wagyu beef slow-cooked for 16 hours.

Another MUST-TRY! is the special  Burrata mozzarella filled with bufala.

Photo in courtesy of Hilton Hotel

Warning! After savoring it, you may want to keep tasting it as it possesses a really memorable taste. Oh man, talking about it, is making me miss it greatly. 

So what's so special?
Every Burrata dish must be prepared specially by the chef, and so you can expect quality in food and the presentation. 


The Men behind the scene

And not to forget the chefs at helm – Sandro Falbo, Hilton Singapore Executive Chef and Stefano Arrigoni, Italian Chef, and the idea is to use natural and organic ingredients including organic flours, seasonal vegetables and herbs, sustainable seafood sources as well as fresh and natural cuts such as natural Meyer rib-eye to prepare the dishes. Special wood pieces from olive and cedar trees are also used in cooking to lend smoky aroma to the dishes; recreating flavours that was lost with modernization.

Ambience

With a capacity for 48 persons with 32 seats indoors including a private dining room for 8 guests as well as 16 seats by the pool side. With a panoramic view of Orchard Road skyline, the interiors and surroundings of the poolside provide an urban resort feel.

The interior made use of the chic, modern and masculine tones as well as wood and glass  to complement the surroundings of the restaurant. The contemporary geometrical trellis and sliding glass panel screens offer a sense of space and make way for a relaxing pool view from the indoor area.

At sundown, diners in the restaurant can enjoy a different alluring ambience in a semi-alfresco setting. The pool area lights with the modern cityscape of Orchard Road and the pool as the backdrop, and when weather permits, the versatile glass screens slide open to let the outdoor breeze in. 

Suitable for most occasions, be it having a party of 8 to celebrate in their private room or having to dine with your love done for a romantic dinner by the poolside, or a bunch of friends to sit back and relax at the comfort of the cushioned seats to drink and reminisce good ol' times.

Service

The service was satisfying, as it was a small inhouse party, I haven't got a chance to thoroughly judged its service, but from what I observed it was good.

So my verdict:

Here is the address!

 Level 24 Hilton Singapore

581 Orchard Road

Singapore 238883

For reservations, call +65 6730 3395 or email ilCielo@hilton.com