My Mini Cupcakes. Two. Happy Birthday Y!

It's Y's 31st birthday. I baked him a "small heap" of mini cupcakes as birthday cake. Mini cupcakes were chosen because I thought it would be easier. But obviously, I couldn't have been more wrong! Making creams/icings of different types and colours from scratch, to a clumsy-handed like myself, was indeed effort-consuming.




I know... they looked a bit funny (My Laoba who saw me decorating the cakes, even called one of them the "Tumour Cake"). Ha... But I was happy with the results, for which I had not intentionally used any artificial dye or colouring (of course, this did not apply to the colourful sprinkles and decorations that I bought ;p). Y doesn't have a sweet tooth. So he was so forced to like and try all four flavours: Cheesy Choco, Raspberry Choco, Cocoa Vanilla and the weirdly-invented Sweet-Potato Vanilla. Anyway, taste 'yes' or taste 'no', it's the heart that counts, rrrrrrrrright?



Happy Birthday, Y!

最近挺忙的

前言
最近……真的忙

最愛的偷閑時間只有從指縫流走的份

此刻

機緣巧合地賺到了一點無所事事在咖啡座的時間

小感動得要流淚

打開了咖啡座的公用電腦，開始稍稍游走在最讓我鬆懈的文字記述間

跳脫

感覺鋼琴底子對我打字的速度與節奏，還是有一些造就的
間歇，喝一喝這裏的Chocolate Paradise


目的

爲了一點宣洩
讓煩躁的摸索有一點釋懷


定義
想定義忙碌；背景是工作

忙碌是，電郵不能被鐳射式地一眼掃過清空

電郵伏擊郵箱的速度，永遠大於我幾經思考而解決掉一個難題的速度的多多倍

忙碌是，沒有閒暇為一個完成或兩個突破而高興

滿腦子只是接下來的N-1個任務的長龍

忙碌是，即口渴又想尿尿的衝突感

那是自我吝嗇了補水的時間，又自我剝削了放水的人權

忙碌是，忍不住覺得上帝已經悄悄地把世界的鐘調快

此時此刻的歲月如梭，和10年前讀書苦差的度日如年，格格不入得讓人無所適從

忙碌是無法如期完成的窒息感……

是食物總有些太遲入肚的胃脹感……

是晚上入睡和早上醒來嘴角都好像難以上揚的失落感……

結語

發洩完就沒事了

感恩

Hoshino Coffee. A Leisurely Lunch with Hand-Drip Coffee

It was again a Sunday noon after church service. Y and I were at Hoshino Coffee with my Big Sis, Haoye (bro-in-law) and darling Ethan, for lunch. I believe many are smitten with Hoshino hand-drip coffee and its fluffy Pancake Souffle, so there's always a stunningly long queue at Hoshino Coffee which I always have visions of just whisking away. Yes, I don't like spending too much time queuing for food (;p). This time, if it wasn't because we were early and that the destined long queue was not fully formed yet, we wouldn't have been there enjoying the Hoshino Blended Coffee, Matcha Latte, Fuwa-Fuwa Hoshino Souffle and Omu Rice while leisurely flipping through Japanese fashion magazines.

We enjoyed the lunch, and so did Ethan! Guess what! He bottomed up the three little cups of milk which were meant for the hand-drip coffee. How cute :)

Hoshino Coffee

68 Orchard Road, #03-84, Singapore 238839   |   (65) 6338 3277

Mon to Sun 11:30am - 9pm

My Mini Cupcakes. One. Cheesy Choco

I really quite enjoy baking, for no reason. Just feel happy and satisfied when I make something good-looking and good-taste (self-graded ;p). Not known to many, this is actually a little passion since young. I used to watch baking TV programmes and read recipes. I only bake occasionally though, especially ever since I came to Singapore years ago. Staying in hostels or rented rooms, baking is really an only-in-my-dream thing. Anyway, whenever there's a chance or occasion, I still bake happily. 

I tried a self-invented Cheesy Choco Mini Cupcake this time, while my Lao Ba kept shaking his head at me and giving me the 'I-really-don't-know-what-you're-doing' look. Nevertheless, I swear by it; it tasted good! Ha...

有感歷史

中學時讀了三年的歷史。讀過兩河流域的發源、讀過埃及文明、讀過希臘帝國、也讀過羅馬的盛衰。歷史課本里有過耶穌、有過十字軍東征……但今天這些都只在我腦中留下薄紗印象，沒有細節可尋。

縱使我歷史科的考試成績也還算可以，也對一些歷史事件很感興趣，但大概是文字太多的關係，我沒有太喜歡歷史。當時我看歷史，就是某個時間、在某個空間發生的一些事情的記載。即使以時間的順序將之串聯、即使認同歷史作為借鑒的意義，我看不到歷史的本質。

前些日子有機會上了《遍覽聖經》的課。謝慶福牧師分享了許多聖經里的歷史和地理背景。打著問號的拼圖，一片片地被放到了正確的位置上。那是一種恍然大悟的感覺。

我突然很後悔，我之前把整個世界歷史的大環境讀了就忘；但我又突然感覺有趣，上帝在我腦海中種下的大大小小對歷史事件的單薄印象，像種子開始要發芽。

歷史是這個世界初始到末了中不同的部份，是整個世界時間進程中上帝不同的鋪排。當歷史不僅是時間與空間排列組合的巧合時，當希臘的文字和羅馬的道路都可能是一種預備的時候，一切實在變得很微妙。我想，它的本質是計劃的各種實現。

Loysel's Toy. Just Another Ought-to-be-Relaxing Sunday Afternoon

I wondered what Loysel is and tried to google. There was only answer from Loysel's Toy and I took it. In 1855, there was an Edward Loysel de Santais having developed the world's first coffee machine. The pioneer's work with steam pressure became the embryo of the espresso machines today :)

This is a nice laid-back place beside Kallang River. Tucked away in a secluded corner, it can be quite perfectly divorced from the hustle and bustle of Sunday crowds. I am not a coffee lover, yet I enjoyed the coffee -- so smooth and nice, with the touch of sunlight and the pinch of breeze.

I loved the gigantic old tree opposite Loysel's Toy. You feel so refreshed standing under its big spread of shade.

Loysel's Toy

66 Kampong Bugis, Ture, #01-02, Singapore 338987   |   (65) 6292 2306

Tue to Fri 9am - 6pm   |   Sat to Sun 9am - 7:30pm

感恩事奉

自小學一年級開始便有了在臺上説話的機會。這樣，也就一路從求學時的賽場，說到今天的工作舞臺。老實說，我不是外向的人。我看我自己，是内斂的；但是這些説話機會，矛盾地讓我成爲一個可以在臺上自然説話的人。我有時不太清楚這种既非專業、又非追求的能力究竟於我何用？但我想，一切都是上帝鋪排與計劃中的零星。

今天我幸運地把説話用在了我卑微的事奉當中——真的感恩。錄製的過程，發我深省。説話向來是“鏗鏘有力、字字清晰”，哈，家事報告要求的溫柔，實在和我的本能表達有點差距。幾經嘗試用降低百倍的音量融合氣音來努力詮釋后，親善指數才終不負所望有所回升；任務在喜樂的學習中完成。感謝主，讓我在不同的服事中有美好的份。

Canelé Patisserie Chocolaterie. 不只是Macarons

因爲很不喜歡排隊，機緣巧合之下來到Canelé Patisserie Chocolaterie。近期内踏入Plaza Singapura， 若要找吃的，首先你要熱愛排隊，否則沒耐性又不懂苟同如我，你會難以説服自己爲了一餐而在那人龍之中，為其不可理喻的長度獻上綿力。

話説Canelé，也許因爲是晚餐時間，沒有那令人煩躁的隊伍。但我一踏入館内倒也帶旺了場子，人龍隨即不敵宿命地快速成形。我為我的時機喝彩。

Canelé Patisserie Chocolaterie ，顧其名思其義，主打的應該是法式甜點和巧克力。Macarons沒錯長得艷麗、可愛無比。但老實說我目前還未能領會Macaron的魅力所在。所以我點了Strawberry Shortcake為主食；配菜方面，畢竟還是為晚餐而來，於是選了Wild Pumpkin Soup，Wagyu Beef Burger和我個人到cafe都幾乎必點的Hot Chocolate。

Pumpkim Soup很好喝、Wagyu Beef Burger很好吃、Hot Chocolate好喝、Strawberry Shortcake好吃，是我對這一餐忠實而又簡單的概括。

我好奇Canelé究竟什麽意思，所以搜了一下。原來是一種法式糕點——内裏是軟軟的蛋白牛奶軟凍，外層是厚厚的深褐色焦糖脆殼。也就是說店名它很明確地組合起了：法式、法式、法式！讓我突然不自禁想起了我在大學時代學無所成的初級法文。

Au Revoir!

Canele Patisserie Chocolaterie

Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, #01-55, Singapore 238839
(65) 6837 2252   |   Mon to Sun 10am - 10pm

Nana's Green Tea. 星期天適合放空

一個孤獨但悠閒非凡的星期天午後。早上在上帝的殿靜心敬拜，這一天只適合放緩的步調。

以前讀書的時候，我又搞這個、又搞那個的，大家看我很忙。我自己也曾這樣認為，大概人生最活力、最輝煌的一段，就該在17、18的年華。但今年我28，才發現人生是不斷晉級。就算下一步你走進低谷或某種歲月流逝的警報，經歷的功課只讓我們成長。 我至今的這大概三分一輩子里（憑空的狹義估算），從來都沒像現階段這麼忙過。忙，就是那種腦袋必須一直轉，轉到有點漲的狀態——腦袋的功率極限在不斷地被挑戰與衝破。但，這绝对是一種刻盡本分的充实感 :)

回到那孤單但悠閒非凡的星期天，於是我需要一個放空沉澱、讓腦袋停止機械式運作的時間。於是我隨機地被“Green Tea”二字吸引到了Nana's Green Tea。Hoji Choco Latte，瓷器里碳烤的綠茶，順滑的奶，加上我很愛的巧克力——這是幸福的獨處。悠哉閑哉的能量足夠維持一整天。

但老實說，食物還真是一般。

Nana's Green Tea

The Atrium @ Orchard Plaza, Plaza Singapura, 60B Orchard Road, #03-80/82, Singapore 238891   |   (65) 6684 4312   |   Mon to Sun 11am - 10pm

Paris Baguette. Loving the Brunch

First saw Paris Baguette in Korea, dotting all over Seoul. So it did look familiar to me when I first spotted Paris Baguette in Wisma Atria months ago. But it was not until a post of nice pretty pieces of cakes and sandwiches by my Aunt on Facebook that I gravitated towards Paris Baguette for the first time. Not specially for cakes or pastries this time, but just a quick dinner!

Having sighted the big round fluffy brioche on the neighbouring table that made me drool, we opted for the Scrambled Egg Brioche Brunch. It was great! The brioche was buttery, soft and fluffy, topped with fresh, juicy scrambled egg. And the portion was big. Two of us shared the single serve, which was definitely filling enough, for both of us.

I know it's extraordinary to be at Paris Baguette without any of those love-at-first-sight little cakes. Well, the brunch choices did look very very appealing too. So we would just leave cakes and sandwiches for the next time!

Paris Baguette

Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, 435 Orchard Road, #02-48 / 53, Singapore 238877   
(65) 6836 2010   |   Mon to Sun 10am - 10pm

Cakes of Love. Happy Fathers' Day

A weekend of cake baking. Ah, it had been a while since I had last baked. This time, for two great fathers on the Fathers' Day and my cell group leader for his birthday. Just so happened that all fell at the same weekend and I was back at my sweet home with an oven. For sure I did not have deft fingers. So the cakes were perfectly imperfect with little roughness and casualness. The sincerity counts I guess :) 

Ha! Although I caught a cool and chill glint in my Lao Ba's eyes when he was forced to take the cake, I was so blessed to wish him 'Happy Fathers' Day, Lao Ba!'. Love you.

Flor Patisserie. Japanese Pastries at the Quaint Slope

As a full-time office worker, enjoying a piece of Japanese-inspired French pastry in the middle of a weekday afternoon is definitely the rare relaxing event that's worth a few moments of serious indulgence. It was a weekday on leave for such rare chance to happen. Went to Flor Patisserie, by Chef Yamashita, for a pampering sweet treat. I like the marriage of the little cozy Japanese cake shop and the quaint Duxton Hill. Ah, just the perfect ambience for a tea. 'Flor' is a Portuguese word for flower, and is pronounced as 'fu-ro-ru' in Japanese. I think It's only when you pronounce it as "fu-ro-ru" that you've tuned your taste bud right for the Japanese craftsmanship :) I love Flor's (fu-ro-ru's) Strawberry Soufflé. Cream-cheese cake baked the soufflé way, it's cheesy yet light, fluffy and soft, topped with the little refreshing heap of strawberries. I'll bet I'll be able to bake this well some day! Ha~

Flor Patisserie

2 Duxton Hill, #01-01, Singapore 089588   |   (65) 6223 8628

Mon to Sat 10:30am - 7:30pm   |   Sun 10:30am - 6:30pm

出差香港. 隨便走走的私人星期一

到香港真蠻多次的，但這還是第一次駐扎荃灣。荃灣，乍聼之下肯定也不陌生，因爲港鉄荃灣綫的終站荃灣，就是荃灣。哈。幾天都必須待在荃灣一個小山丘上的俱樂部，我只爭取了一天下山“入世”的時間。 短短8個小時，搭港鉄直奔灣仔、銅鑼灣、中環。“買東西、吃東西、買東西、吃東西”的時間表已靠想象鋪排好。

早餐沒吃便下山，直達灣仔先以潮苑的手打魚圓和牛肉餅暖胃，再來金鳳冰奶茶順喉。金鳳菠蘿油向來是我至愛，但單凴我一人實在啃不了那麽多。

潮苑和金鳳對街，是每次在香港時都想一逛的“玩具街”。隨意玩賞小檔攤上的商品、挑選幾個模型車給寶貝外甥Ethan、一些有趣的文具和小玩意給侄女玥瑤、比新加坡便宜許多的鋼彈模型給Y、再為自己感受一下熙來攘往。




本想到銅鑼灣的住好啲G.O.D隨便走走，不想已不復再。過橋米綫、榮記車仔面和太興奶茶我也無胃消受。時間催逼下，我很快轉戰中環。抱著還是別太浪費食物的信念，我意識性地遺忘蘭芳園和九記牛腩，決定專心逛逛就好。

我享受大步大步、帶點漫無目的瀟灑步伐。雖然沒買什麽，但為這個休假于香港的星期一塞滿了很多快樂。

Seoul. Mananim 마나님. Amazing Bibimbap and Fantastic Pasta

I was very inspired by my recent dining at Manna Story to share this months-ago experience. This was an amazingly fantastic eating experience with Amazing Bibimbap and Fantastic Pasta in Seoul, at the beautiful Samcheong-dong (삼청동, 三清洞) area.

We were brought to Mananim 마나님 by one of our very friendly and amiable Korean business associates, Kim, who knows where all the good foods are. To me, as only a foreigner to the place, Mananim seemed quite hidden location-wise, and I was not sure how well-known it was to the local, but it was indeed very impressive for its unique and healthy Korean home-style foods which were prepared with lots of fresh organic ingredients.



Apart from the real good food, the lady owner of Mananim, who was also the main and only chef of Mananim, was one of the stars in the cozy eatery too. She's a very true-to-herself person and seriously dedicated to good food in her own way. She self-made all the sauces, cheeses and pickles in her shop, and didn't like to be disturbed at all when she did her work. Kim, mischievously walking around in the tiny restaurant and disturbing her with questions, got lectured! That was indeed a very funny one.



I must say, as a pigheaded fan of bibimbap, having the chance to try the Amazing Bibimbap (방실 비빔밥) once in my lifetime left me with no regret. It was so special, so different, so healthy, yet so delectable. Not to say the Fantastic Pasta (수제치즈  파스타) so rich with the home-made cheese --- the most refreshing creamy cheese I've ever had. Forgive me if I am a bit seized with exaggerating. I am writing this based on memory and this is the exact impression that the combination of Amazing and Fantastic left me with.

Mananim 마나님

서울특별시 종로구 안국동 17-1    |   17-1, Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul   |   (82) 2 3675 8688

新山. Just Want Cafe. 堅持原味

我不喝咖啡，除非提神需要。例如10年前的大學時代，不上課又逃tutorial的，考前一天臨時灌個兩三杯也是要的。又如10年後的今天，工作腦筋轉得比較慢，若要趕上deadline，偶爾選個吉日灌個一兩杯，也不能少。

不喝歸不喝。喜歡cafe寫意的氛圍，我特意去愛上熱可可、熱奶茶。嚮往的就是自我滯留在閒適的空間裏發發呆、打打字、看看人，蹉跎一下。

在新山Permas隨機發現這個咖啡館，隨性坐了一下。喜歡它的吧臺，放空的視線偶爾聚焦在咖啡師傅或冰滴咖啡或咖啡豆或奶泡上，臨近欣賞又置身事外——愜意。工作臺後他們喊著店長的，我私自確定是一位鑾中生。讓我再努力回想一下，下回也許能開口相認。

我對咖啡沒有研究、沒有獨鍾，但還認得一點咖啡香，也對Just Want  Cafe營造出的舒服而專業的感覺有一些認同。誰說這不是一個讓你流露一點閒情雅志的地方？

Just Want Cafe

#0G-04, Blk A, Permas Mall, No.3 Jln Permas Utara, Bdr Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru 
(60) 7 3806 630   |   Mon to Sun 12pm - 9pm

Manna Story. Creates Korean Dining Culture

I've always been a fan of Korean food. Although most of those that I had in Korea are quite incomparable, I frequented Korean eateries in Singapore still. In fact I have only been to a few of them, yet I luckily find some of them authentically good.

Manna Story at Plaza Singapura is my new favourite. I know that I am slow to have only tried Manna Story for the first time very recently. Creating Korean dining culture --- I think the tagline fits well. I could feel an intense Korean dining atmosphere as I stepped in. Some of the settings are really unique to Korean eating houses.

The menu is simple yet interesting. There are hot plates of bulgogi (literally 'fire meat'), dak galbi (diced chicken in chili paste) and topokki (rice cake). We decided to leave the hot plate for our next patronage. This time, what first caught Y and I was jaengban guksu (literally 'large platter noodle') with a big heap of vegetables. We love veggies! And I have serious cravings for sundubu chigae (hot and spicy tofu stew) or kimchi chigae (kimchi stew) too, so I can never have a meal of Korean food without getting an order of them. At the end, we got a sundubu chigae which struck us with its savoury soup. The meal was just solid.

Manna Story

Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, #B2-22, Singapore 238839   |   (65) 6238 1245

Mon to Sun 10am - 9pm