Direct Flights Only

I have been hardly home the past few weekends.

Let me tell you why.

1) IT Show

No sign of recession at Suntec City. People were going out with flatscreen TVs or printers on strollers or carrying semi-bulky boxes of hardware.

Don’t know if it’s just me but I think this show drew thousands of people more than previous shows I’ve caught. It was so difficult to move around that I kept thinking whether I will push or get pushed. In the end I just went with the flow as there was hardly room to take strides, only little steps.

I’ve heard so much about the Mac that this year, I seriously thought about shifting to a Mac environment. I was told it was not as multi-functional as a PC so I postponed my purchase. Maybe I’ll make a decision by mid-year.

Had some good purchases from the show: (1) HP Laserjet printer, (2) Linksys Wireless Router (works brilliantly so my home is now wireless), (3) Nintendo Wii (an impulse purchase but happy that I’ve increased the entertainment value of house gatherings/parties with this game console).

2) Birth – Singapore Poly Grad Show 2009

Two of my friends had their works showcased during their grad show held at Marina Square so I visited the exhibit to catch up with them and see what their classmates have done too. Congrats Marvin and James!

3) Dinner at Double Bay Resto

Had dinner with Wee Siong and Kristy at Double Bay restaurant in Raffles City. It’s an Aussie resto that serves predominantly fish main course meals.

I asked the waiter where Double Bay is located and he couldn’t answer me. Later on, I figured it is in NSW and remembered being there during one of my trips, either through Ben or Adam.

Sticky Date Pudding - yummy - try it

Would recommend this resto and will surely come back when I have the chance.

Double Bay (252 North Bridge Road, #01-22 A Raffles City Shopping Center, Singapore ; Ph +65 6334 6530) Nearest MRT : City Hall . Upon reaching Raffles City, look for Timberland on the ground floor and exit through the door next to it.

4) i-Weekly Roadshow

i-Weekly is a Mediacorp publication. It’s both a TV and lifestyle weekly guide. It’s in Mandarin so I buy the English equivalent instead (8 Days). 

i-Weekly is changing its layout and introducing a 2nd magazine for the same price so it had a roadshow at Bugis Junction one Sunday.

I happen to be in the area after Sunday afternoon errands so stuck around for a bit and left shortly after the downpour started. 

Bugis Junction -- If a funnel of dark cloud extended from the sky to the ground, I would be running for my dear life!

Local celebrities don’t get much attention here in Singapore though, either because people are busy to watch TV or because celebrities remain down to earth and simple they easily blend in with the crowd. Both a good and bad thing I guess.

I only recognise Patricia Mok (red shirt) in this photo.

Belinda Lee (white), Dai Yiangtian (black), not sure who was wearing yellow

5) Veria’s surprise birthday party

Eugene organised a birthday surprise for Veria over at their place. It’s great when surprise birthday gatherings actually surprise the celebrant. We hid in one of the guestrooms and greeted Veria when she discovered where we were.

Veria's girl friends

Rodin, Daryl, me

Veria about to discover our hideout

Happy birthday, Veria!

Veria with loving hubby Eugene by her side

6) Kumar’s show + Chillout at Keppel Island

Watched Kumar’s show, “Stripped, Bare, and Standing Up” at the Esplanade with Julius, Karl, and Wish.

1.5 hr show — laughed most of the time and got majority of the local jokes. Haven’t seen Kumar perform in any of the bars he frequents. Finally glad to have done so. He’s one of the most popular cross-dressing stand-up comedians in Singapore.

Guess who laughed the hardest

Show ended around 10pm so most of the places nearby were filled with people. Decided to go to Prive Bakery in Keppel Island for supper, dessert, and some (ahem) modeling. Ha.

Milkshakes - so thick and creamy we could finish only 90%

I managed to complete this entry after a lazy Sunday afternoon spent at home. Relaxing especially since it’s raining heavily outside.

Saturday

After the usual Sat morning errands, I headed to Harry’s Bar over at Chijmes for lunch. Karl was tied up elsewhere for a school meeting but good that Pierre managed to join after his trip to the gym.

First time to visit Chijmes during daytime.

Usual afternoon shower in Singapore

Pierre and I then walked over to Waterloo St which was only a few blocks away to meet up with Julu and Karl to watch “Imelda’s Boys”. It’s a one-man comedy show featuring the men in Imelda’s life (well, fictitious, of course) — her hometown neighbor, shoe stylist, bodguard, and the show’s main (and only) character Filo — and their impression of Imelda based on their personal experience with her.

Found the show generally entertaining with only a few boring moments (maybe “corny” would be a better term). When I bought tickets a few weeks ago, I was expecting it to be a typical play with several characters. It was a welcome change though to see such type of production. Must be tough to be alone onstage and keep the audience engaged for at least an hour.

Students of Camwhore Course -- Pierre (First Honor), Karl (Second Honor), Julu (First Honor), me (Second Honor)

We decided to chat for a bit at a nearby cafe after the show but could not help but take a few shots along the way…

Karl really looks young with his new hairstyle.

From the Bugis/Dhoby Ghaut area, I headed south to meet up with Patrick and Jen for dinner. Jen visits twice or thrice a year so was good to have caught up with both of them. Been awhile since I last had a meal at Hog’s Breath Cafe in Vivo (Aug 2007) so was surprised that they now have a live band (and a relatively good one too). Food was just right ; satisfied my craving for baby back ribs. Yummy, but sorry forgot to take a photo of what we ordered…

With Sentosa Integrated Resort (IR) construction in the background

Patrick and I would like to believe that they are from the Philippines.

Feeling terribly full after a good meal, I met up with my sister for “Watchmen” which turned out to be very disappointing.

According to Wikipedia, the story is used as a “means to reflect contemporary anxieties and to deconstruct the superhero concept. Watchmen takes place in an alternate history United States where superheroes emerged in the 1940s and 1960s, helping the United States to win the Vietnam War. The country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union, freelance costumed vigilantes have been outlawed and most costumed superheroes are in retirement or working for the government. The story focuses on the personal development and struggles of the protagonists as an investigation into the murder of a government sponsored superhero pulls them out of retirement and eventually leads them to confront a plot by one of their own to stave off nuclear war by killing millions of innocent people.”

It just didn’t feel like a superhero movie to me. Visually appealing film with all the effects but felt I could have spent my 2.5 hrs and money elsewhere.

Sunday

Got excited with the sight of Philippine food during “Imelda’s Boys” (shown as video) so decided that for the lunch I was hosting today for local friends, I would get some dishes from my home country.

Top to bottom: pork BBQ, boneless milkfish, spring rolls, pork in vinegar/soy sauce (adobo), oxtail + beef with vegetables in peanut sauce (kare kare)

Most of my friends have not tried Philippine cuisine before so I’m glad they liked it.

Always great when friends come over and visit.

Near the center of Singapore

We went to “Greenwood Avenue” which has at least eight (8) restaurants/bars.

We walked around the perimeter for a quick tour and I was convinced then that I will schedule a return trip when I have the opportunity (must have a very vibrant atmosphere in the evening).

Julu had previously tried Covo Bistro and wanted to me to taste its tapas and fish main course so he brought me there. I told him that it kinda felt like a resto I would typically see overseas (i.e. Australia). The only difference is that I could easily find my way back since we are in Singapore. :p

Photos

Warm platter

Cold platter

Main course: Pan seared cod fillet with wasabi cappuccino sauce and spring vegetables

Overall, awesome lunch in a place with excellent customer service.

Also superb afternoon chat with one of my good local friends.

Thanks Julu for being a fantastic local host!

Covo Bistro & Lounge , 16 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289209, Ph +65 6466 8103 , +65 9670 0871