Treasure Friendship

Weather: Rainy
Mood: Happily Busy

Besides missing my family, I miss my Singapore friends most when I’m in Shanghai. Especially those whom I have known years ago…. the ones dated back from school days; This time round when I’m back in Singapore, I’m so happy that I get the chance to meet up some of them; Callin & Cerise (my JC pals), my all-girls gang from RGS (as displayed on left), and my peers from CCS.

These are the friends I do not really keep in touch with frequently, yet whenever we have our once-in-a-blue-moon meeting, we still share a comfortable bondage. We can laugh and tease each other without wondering if one possesses any ulterior motive. We can say silly things without worrying about damaging one’s image. And among the ladies, we even show each other the spare tires we accumulated around our waists. lol

Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to share a friendship prayer, and I hope everyone can treasure friendship like I treasure mine.

A Friend's Prayer © Jill Wolf

May my friendships always be

The most important thing to me;

With special friends I feel I'm blessed,

So let me give my very best.

I want to do much more than share

The hopes and plans of friends who care;

I'll try all that a friend can do

To make their secret dreams come true.

Let me use my heart to see,

To realise what friends can be,

And make no judgements from afar,

But love my friends the way they are.

Happy Piggy Year :)

Weather: Sunny

Mood: Joyous

It's good to be home in Singapore. It feels even better that I'm not forgotten by friends.

As soon as I'm back, I started to push for gatherings and meeting.... coz I miss my friends so much. I think people nowadays are so busy that often, they tend to neglect getting together with old-time friends. Therefore, sometimes friends become associates and later may even become "strangers". Therefore, it is good to take Lunar New Year as an opportunity to organize gatherings in order to maintain ties.

I'm only a few days home and I'm getting fatter with so many local food and CNY snacks. As my hubby and I were watching TV, my hubby kept feeding with tibbits. When I turned him down, he would pester me by describing how tasty the tibbits were..... lol Well, I think he's determine to turn me into a Golden Pig. :P Anyway, I'm not about to go on diet now, not while I'm in Singapore. The local food here is wonderful, so I'm going to eat all I want, so I won't miss it when I go back Shanghai. The most I'll frequent the gym more often when I'm back in Shanghai. *shrugs*

So how are you doing this CNY? Hope you're having fun. ;)

Quote by Boy, "Why my friend is not here yet?"

....... We invited some Singapore families we know in Shanghai to our house for visiting, one of them is my boy's classmate, and my boy is waiting impatiently for her to arrive.

Community Center Shanghai

Weather: Sunny
Mood: Excited

Last Friday, I attended Coffee Connection at Community Center Shanghai. During the session, the volunteer, Valerie, share with us on the Chinese New Traditions. I must agree that it was a pretty enlightening session because being a Chinese, I am pretty amused to note that there are practices which I've heard for the first time. And followings are sharings that brought some laughters from the ground:

1. During the office re-union dinner, when the chicken is served, the staff who has the chicken head pointed at him/her will be fired.

2. People are encouraged to wear all red, including their underwear, since red signifies good luck.

3. In the Northern China, people eat dumplings or 饺子 so as to bear a son, since the chinese word 饺 sounds like sleeping while 子 means son.

4. If one is to give out red packet or 红包, he/she should make sure it contains money in doubles, meaning one can either give 20, 200 or 2000 RMB.

Anyway, for those foreigners who are going to celebrate with Chinese friends during Chinese New Year in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia or Singapore, do take care to find out the do or don't. Otherwise, you might just discover yourself being the laughing stock among friends. ;)

Tomorrow, I'll be going back home (SINGAPORE) for my Chinese New Year celebration. So, I foresee I might stop blogging for a few days. Therefore, I like to take this chance to wish all of my readers a Prosperous Chinese New Year ahead.

NOTE: The Community Center Shanghai organizes Coffee Connection which are morning gatherings among the expatriates every month. It is usually on a Friday morning at Royal Gardens Clubhouse in Pudong. There are also a lot of other activities organized by Community Center Shanghai. To find out more, kindly visit their website.

爱情不像食物 Love Unlike Food

Weather: Cloudy
Mood: Sentimental

我们可以把爱情比喻成很多东西，唯独我觉得爱情肯定不像食物。因为我吃什么都好，吃得多了就会感到腻。但是爱情，就算给与我更多，我也不会厌倦。可能我比交贪心吧。

我能想像云吞面没有云吞
我能想像汉堡包没有汉堡
我能想像萝卜糕没有萝卜
但我不能想像生活之中没有您
虽然我们不能朝日相对
但愿我们也能偶尔互相思念

© copyright Expat Lady 2007

我就快回星加坡过春节，所以特别想念星加坡的食物。写博客，也想着云吞面和萝卜糕。嘻！嘻！逞明天是情人节，以上诗词是我写来送给我的好朋友，当然也包或疼我的老公仔。

并在此预祝大家有情人能长相厮守。

The Flying Fox

Weather: Fine

Mood: Serene

Yesterday (11-Feb-07), we visited a new restaurant called The Flying Fox. I first read about it on a food forum when a member declared that she has no problem with the kids as long as there is Flying Fox. Therefore, I decided to check out the place.

The restuarant has not been a disappointment for the family. It is housed in a friendly western 2-storey wooden hut situated in JinQiao, Pudong. Next to the restaurant is a narrow river bank, and just in front of the restaurant is a green field with a small playground for the kids. I would the restaurant has very nice surroundings which is perfect for alfresco dining on a warm sunny day, where the parents can eat and watch the kids play at the playground.

Even on a cold day, the family can still enjoy their dining at the Flying Fox since there is a supervised playroom within the restaurant on the 2nd level.

As for food, the kid can order from the kid's menu, costing 48RMB each which comes with a main course, free-flow drinks and ice-cream. I couldn't really remember the selections of main course, I only remember my boy chose Mini Burger while my gal choose Spagetthi. The servings might be a little small for big eater, but since my kids are only 4 and 6 years old, the portion was sufficient for them.

As for my hubby and I, we ordered from the alacarte menu since set meals weren't servered. The menu consisted of mainly Western selections, with 2 interesting Asian dish, Fried Rice and Curry Rice. We tried the Fried Rice and it was tasty enough. And for 45RMB, the portion served was pretty big. Other selections on the menu include salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta and breakfast dishes.

Generally, I find that The Flying Fox is not only a nice dining place for families, it can be quite an ideal place for having a drink with friends too, since it is decorated with cozy sitting areas with nice comfortable leather sofas. I didn't order anything from the drink list, but the prices seem reasonable enough from 20RMB to 60RMB depending on what you order.

I couldn't locate any website for The Flying Fox, so I suggest you check it out personally if you happen to be in Pudong:

Address: No 225, Hong Feng Road, Jinqiao, Shanghai. (opposite Ramada Plaza Pudong Hotel)

Tel: 50309807

Quote from Gal, "I want Barbie Doll hairstyle...."

......... only at 4 and my gal is starting to be concern of her look. *amused*

Update on Sygyzyland's Brunch

Weather: Fine
Mood: Light-Hearted

I went back to Sygyzyland last Saturday and discovered that the brunch was repriced from 99RMB to 168RMB per adult while the kids still enjoy their buffet meal and play at 38RMB per child.

Personally, I find the price 168RMB a little steep for a buffet brunch with limited selection. However, if you need to spend some adult time with friends without worrying about the kids, Sygyzyland is still a place worth visiting during weekends.

By the way, the official website for Sygyzyland has been launched. You might wanna check it out for more info. ;)

Difference in Educational Systems

Weather: Sunny
Mood: Wondering

Today, I was having lunch with my 2 lady friends (Tai-Tai like me), and we touched on the value of Asian and American educational systems. Personally, I think that the Asian educational system is very competitive and I would prefer to send my kids to such if they can cope with it.

Another Tai-Tai pointed out that being in the American/European educational system is not too bad too, as the children are taught to learn in a creative way, thus they are groomed to be very confident and out-spoken, unlike Singaporeans (we speak for ourselves since we are Singaporeans), who tend to become a follower and usually, a lousy public presenter.

We concluded that both systems have their pros and cons, and it is best to have our children adapt to one that is most appropriate to their personalities.

Currently, I'm waiting for a placement for my boy to enter one of the International Schools in Shanghai. This is my boy's choice since he preferred to be taught in English. Thus sending my boy to a local school is out of the option. *shrugs*
Anyway, with the layback attitude that my boy have, I hope that he will find it a more enjoyable learning environment in a International School.

Anyway, the kids nowadays are really blessed with a more rounded learning environment, like having art and music included in their school curriculum, as compared to my generation which focused on languages and Maths.

Above is the "Art Wall" created by my two adorable ones (aged 4 & 6) in their room. For me, I don't remember doing so many art and craft stuff in my days.

Quote by Boy, "Is Dry Ice Ice?"

....... asked about the dry ice that comes in the box with the Haagen Daaz icecream cake.

Syzygyland II - Weekend Brunch

Weather: Fine

Mood: Wonderful

I had mentioned in my earlier post that I would be visiting Syzygyland for lunch, and write on it. Well... here it is....

On 28-Jan, my hubby and I brought our kids and Legie (aka - our domestic helper) to Syzygyland for lunch. Upon entering the restuarant, we were delighted to see an area of the restaurant being set up as the play area for the kids. On one side of this play area are occupied by a few playstations set up for painting, playdoh, puzzles and other fun activities. While on the other side of the play area are meant for active kids playing balls or simply running around.

As for the menu, Syzygyland serves buffet brunch on the weekend, which costs 38RMB for child and 99RMB for adult. And the adult can top up more RMB to spice up his/her day with free flow of alcohol drinks. (Since I don't drink, I'm not sure of the pricing. :P)

Buffet is international style serving salads, breads, soups, desserts and a selection of main dishes such as fried rice, pasta, chicken, sirloin steaks, etc. The kids enjoy their very own buffet which includes burgers, spaghetti, pizzas and sandwiches.

Personally, I think the food is pretty standard, just like what you get from buffet of any average hotels. However, with the kids being taken care by the Child Academy staff (engaged by the restaurant) at their very own play area, the parents can definitely enjoy a long relaxing afternoon with uninterrupted meal and chats.

Syzygyland is located in German Center as photographed above. Please click on the link to visit the Syzygyland site for more info since their website is now up.

Quote from Gal, "I have Barbie toy and stickers coz I good gal...."

...... well, she got those coz it was her birthday but she didn't seem to understand that. :D