IPPT

IPPT will be on the 22 May 2012 and I will be going for GOLD!!!

I've never gotten a gold before so this is my time!

Sometimes it's just so tough to wear that running shoe and just run. So many excuses. Too tired. Very sleepy. Very lazy. Super hungry. Weather so hot. Having lunch with the boss/colleagues.

Not this time. With the help of Gasz, I will follow a set of training routines that he passed me and I will stick to it. The routine looks good for starting out but I believe that it will be tougher in a few weeks time. No Pain No Gain!

Time to do sprints tomorrow!

Do good and anger disappear

Have you ever been down or angry for some reason or even for reasons you could not understand why? I've been in both situations before. It seems very difficult for us to get logic into our head at that point of distress. Like when you have 2 big basket of laundry to hang dry and your little sister just sits less than 2 meters away while she sings along to some KPOP on YouTube on her laptop. She seems oblivious of what's happening.

Do good and anger disappear. I just figured this out 2 days ago when I was taking a cab home after midnight. I took a cab because I missed my bus stop as I was busy watching YouTube on my iPhone. How it happened was I was at Tanjong Pagar and it was 11.20pm. I planned to take a direct bus home from Outram MRT which is one train stop away from Tanjong Pagar MRT. I was irritated at myself when I took the train and went the other direction to City Hall instead. Then I remembered there's a direct bus home too so I told myself that it wasn't so bad after all.

I was suppose to take bus 700A from the nearby bus stop from City Hall MRT. I waited for about 10 minutes and the bus hasn't arrived. It was 11.35pm and that means the last buses from most bus interchange are on their journey. I started to get anxious. Then the bus 171 came. This bus stops near my place so I hopped on as I did not want to take the chance that 700A was on the way. I wasn't familiar with the bus route at all, just that it stops at where I mostly alight when I take buses home. Thinking that it would take some time to reach my stop, I played some YouTube on my iPhone.

When I looked around to see where I was after some videos, I saw no familiar places. I looked at my watch and it was past midnight. Has the bus passed my neighbourhood? I began to panic, a little. I decided then to just let the bus stop at Yishun bus interchange and I'll take a cab home from there. And I did just that.

I was so angry at myself for what just happened! It was supposed to be quick trip home but instead, it took a longer time and an expensive one too. While I was in the cab, it occurred to me that I was being stupid. Shit happens, I told myself. I asked myself how I can get this anger out of me before I reached home. Then I remember once that I was quite down and really had no mood to talk to anyone while at work. But I decided to do some good hoping that my mood would turn for the better and it did! While in the cab, I decided to let the cab driver to keep the change and I did just that when I alighted. Guess what? I did feel better. I did some good and most of my anger disappeared.

I don't think I've discovered a miracle or something and you guys would probably have your own almost similar experiences. I hope this experience of mine can help you.

Filled with activities!

The week has been great! So many things happened and I feel so blessed. My cousin got married, I went to Transformers Cybertron Convention at Resort's World Sentosa and I participated in Sentosa's first Community Resilience Day. At all these events, I had my camera snapping away.

At my cousin's wedding, I was taking photos of almost everyone I knew and other stuff. Finding the light and how to work out the best possible setting when the bride and groom came. I find it very fun. Snapping away and simply having fun. The bride was my cousin and she's only 23 years this year. I was thinking to myself, I finished my National Service at that age! I can't see myself married soon but I already have a dream to be married with 3 kids when I turn 34. Too soon to say now right?

Went to see Transformers Cybertron Convention at Resort's World Sentosa after work on Monday! I've never seen so many Transformers toys in my whole life! I think they displayed all the Transformers' toys that were ever made. It was so cool! My favourite was Decepticon Construction Devastator from Return Of The Fallen! I just love those that combine to be come one kick ass Transformer. Taking photos in the convention centre was tough as the toys are encased in glass and the convention hall lights were horrible. There would be glare on the glass when I look through the viewfinder. But that didn't stop me from taking photos. I just had to find the right angle to get a good picture and I did just that. Got myself 2 tees from the convention. One white and one black. I was quite happy when I bought it but not till I tried it on at home. I bought L size for both and it felt a little too big. I was really upset at myself for not trying the size before I tried it. I did try the M size but I wore it over a polo tee which made the M size feel small and made me decide to go for the L size. The worst part was that some of my favorite designs were still in stock in M and not L. I beat myself up quite badly that night until I decided to sleep it off. It was such a horrible feeling as the tees weren't cheap. I told myself to not think about it too much and just continue living. It's just a few dollars and everyone has made a wrong buy before. I just need to remember that I have bought good buys too. I have to be grateful. And being grateful will make life so much easier and bearable. Don't you think so?

Sentosa had it's first Community Resilience Day last Tuesday and I was a volunteer photographer for the event. Since I'm a member of Sentosa's Photo Group, I was more than happy to do it! I learned a lot and need to learn a lot more from this event from a photography standpoint. I took about 260 shots and maybe less than half were usable. But I discovered some gems from all that photos. It's not a perfect picture but it was definitely a gem in my mind and those photos will be treasure in the future. What I need to do now is to learn more is how to get better pictures with very little and dim lightings using an external flash.

About the event itself, in my humble opinion, Sentosa was probably wanted to practice evacuation from Songs of The Sea. It was a smoothly coordinated event from where I could see it. Started at 6pm but there wasn't anyone but the staff only. Friends and families only came from 6.30pm onwards and the Songs of The Sea would only start at 8.40pm. What I love about the event was the cotton candy! It was just so pretty and nice and sweet! Met some of the other staff from the other departments whom I know and we had a little catching up.

It's been an exciting week and it's not over yet. I hope there will be more fun stuff coming up in the coming week to have more opportunity to shoot! Goodnight!

Finish it off witha dessert

I ended my 30 days dessert project a few days ago. Why you would ask? I have no one answer to that question. Let me give you some answers to that question.

It's not cheap. Nothing is cheap in Singapore right? What I mean was that I was spending a lot more daily before I started this project. It was my mistake not to calculate how much I would spend in total. I did however sum up that at SGD$300 would suffice for the project. But I only had that answer on my 10th day dessert streak.

It's high in calories. I don't count calories but I know that too much in a day is not good for you. Imagine the amount in a month. I'm a lazy bum naturally so some times I don't exercise often(confession). That lack of exercise could potentially make me unfit or even worse, sick. Being unfit and sick feels horrible. Don't you think so?

No Time. This is the biggest obstacle for me. When I end work at 9.30pm at night, most shop closes. Other than that, I just want to go home as soon as possible and have a good night's rest and do other stuff. I'm also quite hungry at that hour. What if I end at 7.30pm? I still want to go home and have a good night's rest and do other stuff.

These are the 3 reasons why I want to stop the project. But I will do this project in the future when I have more time and more money.

What I got out of this project is priceless. I think I did not say how I started this idea. I just wanted to try something different. My life is quite monotonous really. I'm a phlegmatic person (go read the book Personality Plus) by nature so I'm a bum. I love to read and listen to music, in which both activities you can do while bumming right? I just acted on the idea without planning it that's all. Just do it. I was actually excited about it and told some of my friends about it. They then told me some places I should go and try their desserts and I did that.

The whole experience of going some place new is always exciting and fun! Went to places I've never been before and tasted some of the nicest desserts, so far for me. I'll take this as a lesson to try new stuff, let it be food or an activity. Try something new everyday or make someone's day better . Even better, do both.

Swiss Bake ..something Berry

This will be my last dessert for my 30 days dessert project. I have to stop the project as it's quite a challenge to continue. I'll explain in the next post.

I did not remember this dessert's name. It's something Berry and it's a cheesecake. What a way to end the project huh? Bought this at Swiss Bake at Harbourfront Centre 2 days back for SGD$3.90. Bought it home to let whoever was at home to try.

Only my mum and my sis was around when I got home so I let my mum tried it first. My mum loved it. She said that this was so much nicer than the one I bought from Fruit Paradise. My sis loved it too. It's very cheesy and has a very limey taste which makes it very delicious. The berry gives a nice sour taste while the chocolate gives that extra flavor to the cake. I love how it gives a nice mix of flavors a lot. Worth the money.

I really enjoyed eating this cake. Full of flavors and delicious to eat as well. A good way to end the day with.

McDonald's Macaroon McFlurry

The dessert you can find almost everywhere, Macs McFlurry! This is the limited time Macaroon McFlurry which I had for SGD$2 with a digital coupon. Bought this at the Harbourfront outlet as the coupon stated that it doesn't apply to the iFly outlet.

The ingredients are some sugar syrup, hot fudge chocolate, some biscuits and vanilla ice cream. It's a sweet tooth's dream. It's really sweet, and it's delicious too. You could taste the sugar, chocolate, vanilla and the biscuit all in one. You can't go wrong with this one.

I don't know what they'll have after this item is gone. I hope they bring back the OREO mint back. That's my favorite! Try this after having your extra value meal. You'll leave McDonald's happier.

Chocolate Fantasy, Durian on durian paste with pomelo and almond paste

I had a feast of desserts this time. 3 at a time! I had these at Dessert First along Liang Seah Street at Bugis last Saturday. This shop was recommended me by a very good friend of mine and his recommendation was not a disappointment.

I didn't know what I was expecting when he guided me to the shop. There are so many kinds of desserts right? The shop looked like those olden days Chinese stall but on modern day facilities. But actually it's just like any other shop. I saw a picture of a shaved ice strawberry on the pillar outside the shop and that reminded my that it's one of those Chinese dessert shops. I like these kind of desserts. They make me happy.

There was a lot on the menu. The menu is already placed on the table laminated so you don't have to ask for any and they'll just give you a piece of paper with some lines and you write your orders on it. We ordered chocolate fantasy, durian on durian paste with pomelo and almond paste.

All 3 orders came to our table at the same time and I was ready to plunge into all of them! The chocolate fantasy was shaved chocolate ice with some koko krunch and probably some sprinkle of Milo. I loved the taste and texture of this dessert. It's cold and chocolatey! Very simple and I liked it a lot! The almond paste was nice. It was warm and has a very nice texture. I think most almond paste desserts are almost similar so if you've tried it somewhere before, you know how it is. The durian on durian paste with pomelo was simply bliss. I could not explain how it tasted when I took my first bite. All I can show to my friend when he asked me how it was was with a very happy smile. He then took his first bite and he understood why. If you eat durians, you must try this before you die! The texture is so nice! The durian flavor is simply delicious while the pomelo does give some nice added texture to the whole experience.

I enjoyed all 3 desserts that day. I would go back to the shop and eat the same thing again, but with more friends to share the good food. Highly recommended when you're in the area.

Fruit Paradise's Nutty Caramel and Chocolate Strawberry

This time I had 2 desserts. Got them both from the Vivocity outlet. From the looks of it, they looked very delicious. So many slices of fruits and so visually striking! I picked these two as I like strawberry, chocolate, nuts and caramel(their individual names bears the things I like). Even the box looks nice.

Got them both and brought them home to share with my mum and younger sis. My aunt was also around when I got home so I let them tried out after I took photos of it. After looking at the photos, I think I should have just snapped them normally on some table with some light and not on the rear of a poster.

My mum's first response to both cakes were that they had too much cream. Same goes for my aunt. My sis liked them both. My thoughts were already influenced to my mum's response but I told myself that I had to give my own personal opinion.

I like the Nutty Caramel better as it had more ingredients as the nuts made it taste as it had more texture. The Chocolate Strawberry was good but the strawberry wasn't as sweet as I had expected(my mum bought strawberry a few days ago and it tasted sweet like sugar). I had to agree with my mum and aunt as there was too much cream on both cakes. The proportion of cake, cream and fruits for these 2 looked similar when you look at it.

My mum, my aunt and myself ate about half of each cake before we left the remainder of the cake for my sis to indulge. I was quite disappointed actually. It's not cheap too though. I'd rather have MaCafe's cheesecake over these two.

I take this experience in my project as a way learning new stuff. I've liked most of the desserts I've tried and it had been a wonderful journey. Fans of Fruit Paradise, it's just not plate of dessert. But it's the visually creatively and colorful desserts I've seen so far.

Strictly Pancakes What-A-Spread!

Pancakes! I like pancakes! I think pancakes are some of the best things to eat in life. You can eat in so many variety! I love the McDonald's one a lot. They're so soft and delicious! Especially when I have them with the maple syrup and butter. I find this combo as my favourite.

I was recommended by a friend to come to Strictly Pancakes for my dessert project. I figured pancakes would be a nice dessert, but after some thought it is not a dessert. But I decided to go anyway as I already planned to have it.

It's about 5-10mins away from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station which is very convenient compared to Rider's Cafe. It's not what I had expected when I saw the shop. I thought that it would be in a mall but instead, it's like those shop houses that are divided into 2. Small but it looked chic! Love the look!

A quick tip; call to reserve. There were no seats available inside when I got there. Thankfully, there were seats available outside. It wasn't so cozy outside as they used metallic tables and chairs you find most often when you dine outside a cafe which I find don't fancy but it's better than to wait when you're already hungry. I had What-A-Spread! from the Sweet menu. They have a few other dishes which I would like to try when I drop by again in the future.

What I got for my order was 3 pancakes, smeared with custard, 2 Kinder Bueno and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In between the pancakes were nutella spread. Yummy! But the menu also included peanut butter. There was no sight of any peanut butter. Didn't matter much to me so I started eating it. Then I realised where the peanut butter was after I had my first bite. It was inside the pancake! I was surprised! I never thought that you could put any fillings inside. This is one experience I'll never forget.

Service was good. There were only 3(not including cooks) of them serving the other 40 plus people that were dining there. They were very efficient at what they were doing even though there were a lot of customers to handle. Hats of to them for being hardworking and still keep their composure.

It was definitely a main course instead of a dessert. Three pancakes is all I need to keep stomach full. With the help of some chocolate, peanut butter and water of course. I really enjoyed eating the pancakes and would definitely want to try their plain ones with maple and butter. I would definitely recommend anyone who want's something different as their main course. Do a reservation. It'll help.

Starbucks Chocolate Cake Fudge

Back to chocolate. I suppose my perception for desserts are chocolatey stuff. Or maybe I just like chocolates that's all. Bought this at Starbucks Sentosa. If you're a Sentosa staff or have friends who do, you can get food and beverages at 10% off. It might not be much but at least it's cheaper.

It's not all chocolate, the middle layer is coffee cream. When you take a bite from it you would taste a mix of chocolate and coffee, like a mocha. Chocolate lovers would like this if you don't mind the taste of coffee. Texture is nice. It's not that big of a portion really but it's sufficient if you had your dinner before this. It's quite compact thus making it fill up your stomach quite fast.

I would say that this is a nice dessert accompanied by iced coffee. Sharing this dessert with a friend is a good option as the flavors can be quite thick for some people. Like most people say, sharing is caring.

McCafe Cheesecake

I know McDonald's have great Extra Value Meals but how would this cheesecake taste? I forgot how much it costs but it's less that SGD$7. Much expensive compared to the previous 2. I was back in Singapore on Monday. I was quite sad that I did not get myself a dessert on Sunday, which was on the way back to Singapore. I totally forgot about it and by the time I got home, super tired. But I decided not to give up! I'll most probably consume more dessert in the 30 days so it's alright.

It's just an ordinary cheesecake really. Nice big cheesy portion and the tiny crust at the bottom. However, it taste delicious! There's a hint of lemon that actually goes well with the flavor. I like it very much. I don't remember the last time I had cheesecake but I can easily recommend this one if someone wants to buy a cheesecake.

I'd have this without 2nd thoughts if this was the last dessert that McCafe outlet has. Their cinnamon melts are delicious too in my humble opinion. The cheesecake goes well with hot coffee or tea with less sugar. Simple yet delicious. Try it out when you're at McCafe.

Pecan Butterscotch

This is a treat for you sweet tooth's out there. This is the Pecan Butterscotch from Secret Recipe Kuala Lumpur. It's RM6.80 which is really cheap when you convert to SGD. It's just layers of cake, a mix of butterscotch and pecan.

I bought this cake brought it back to the hotel as we already quite tired from walking and I didn't go and find any desserts until we were heading back. The cake is covered with butterscotch icing which is nice and sweet. I love the butterscotch taste. Yum! There's not much to say about this cake really. It's simply sweet and delicious.

It's a good choice when you are having a tea time in the late afternoon or anytime you wish to have it at and this goes well with a hot beverage. It's quite a big slice if you have seen Secret Recipe's cakes. I'd have another slice when I find one again.

Starbucks Chocolate Tuxedo

This is from Starbucks Kuala Lumpur. I was there last weekend for a short getaway. This is the 5th dessert for the project. It costs RM9.50 which is cheap if you convert it to SGD.

I pick this as it was the last piece displayed. That would mean that it would have been the tastiest amongst the other cakes that were on displayed right? It turned out to be quite good. It's layered with chocolate, cream, chocolate cream, cake and the crust at the bottom. A nice mix. You'll taste a nice mix chocolate and vanilla in one mouthful. Chocolate lovers would like this.

This dessert definitely goes well when you're chilling out with your friends at Starbucks in KL. I'm not sure if the Singapore outlets carry this dessert but you should try it out. It taste as good as it looks.

Delays

Sorry you guys! I was suppose to upload a dessert a day but it seems impossible to do so! I end work so late at times that I just want to sleep. By the time I wake up, it's like it's time to leave for work!

I'll update soon ya! Love you guys!