CNY: Singapore 2011

So I know I am still playing catch-up. Trying to do two posts at a time to mix-up the old and new. Things have been busy on my end. Between spending some days at the school helping out my kid's teacher's to fulfilling my church obligations to keeping my house spotless at all times in case someone happens to call and want to view it. Keeps me pretty busy. Enough with the excuses.








All the trees were decorated so beautifully.

McKayla and I had an extra day in Singapore when my hubby left on a jet plane with Marcus first. (Maddox was with me too, but he didn't have all the fun McKayla and I did) We spent the afternoon shopping. Yes! because as I posted before shopping is one of the best things to do in Singapore. Next to eating which we did a lot of too!





In the evening we met up with my sister-in-law in Chinatown which was preparing for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration. This year we couldn't spend it in Singapore because kids gotta be in school and all. McKayla though, had to go and see all the lights and decorations. It was a must. She wasn't disappointed. Between the lights everywhere and beautiful bright colors she was mesmerized. I was too actually. The night market opened up as we arrived with vendors selling all kinds of great things.


This one came out blurry. Probably because I was walking and didn't have on my flash. I forgot to take another one because I was too busy looking for great things to buy!

I actually am a little bummed I didn't go for this ring that I saw which was stunning. Some vendors weren't opened yet and I am sure when it is closer to CNY it is better, but there were still some great things to pick up.


Check out this Hindu temple. I have always thought it was beautiful with all of the colors and figures.

McKayla picked up some gifts for her best friends and received some new shoes from her Gugu (my sister-in-law). We got some great photos. Even McKayla was taking some pics.







She had so much fun she told me she really needs a camera of her own. Which she has since obtained. I gave her one of my old cameras. I have to admit it was nice to go to Chinatown. We actually never go during Chinese New Year because I really don't like crowds, but because they were still preparing we were able to experience a little of what it must be like.


This is what shopping for CNY decorations looks like in Singapore.



This is what we get at Wal-mart. One side of a short aisle in the seasonal section. I guess I should be happy to get any sort of resemblance of CNY here. This pretty much sums up the difference between celebrating here and celebrating there. We did have friends over CNY and ate some great food with great company, but you don't quite know what you are missing until you spend it in Asia. Plus, the kids didn't get their red packets this year. Marcus is old enough to know what that means.

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Family

Okay so in Singapore our number one reason for going is family. I would just like to say that since I no longer have grandmas living I love getting to see my grandma-in-law. Letting my children get to see their great-grandma ain't so bad either. I know I said ain't. It's gotta be that part of me that wants to go home this year.



This is her favorite pastime and she only really gets to play when we come into town. So it is always fun to watch.



This is a terrible photo by me I didn't even pay attention to the fact that I only focused on McKayla. Oh well. I think I was in just trying to quickly get the shot so I didn't bother her too much. She was probably thinking, "Hasn't she taken enough photos already?"



I actually really love this photo because it brings me right back to that night when everyone was so captivated by monkey's humorous displays. I couldn't get a straight photo after that. He was definitely aiming to entertain. Especially with the bucket of organic lollipops his GuGu purchased for him.



With Ah Ma. Hubby's mum.



with Ah ma's sister. Auntie Amy. It was actually taken at her birthday dinner.



Uncle Ah Chew was the most eager to get into the photos with the kids. I think my kids were too. Even Marcus smiled!



This isn't that same night, but it is of family and one of the kids favorite people. Hubby's sis. She took us all to the zoo which I am still pondering whether to blog about or not. Here we are at her favorite exhibit. The giraffes.

One thing I know for sure is that families are the most important thing in the world. So no matter how far away you live from each other somehow you have to stay connected.

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Ghim Moh

Alright I have been home from vacation a long time and I guess it is ridiculous for me to still not have posted anything since being home. So here is my first. Don't be mad at me for neglecting my blog. Even my hubby asked me last night, "How come no updates?". Alright, I guess I will kick myself in the butt. I am now uploading almost 700 photos onto the computer. I know that's a lot. I hadn't even uploaded them yet.


Here you can see some of the stalls in the background.

So What is Ghim Moh? Well let's just say it is a regular stop on our Singapore visits. In fact, my hubby probably goes there everyday. Why? Food. Singapore is know for their outdoor markets with hawker stalls selling different local foods. Anyone can find something right up their alley. Even what the refer to as western food. Variety is key as we are there a lot! It is in my in-laws neighborhood. Literally walking distance, so it is very easy to access. Our first dish we order is Mee Pok, but I think we probably have it every other day in many different ways.



For breakfast the kids love, love, love Indian Prata. Only Marcus dares to actually eat it with the curry. McKayla and Maddox love it with sugar. Like crispy pancakes they are really delicious.





I am a huge fan of carrot cake. In fact, my hubby brought me back a gigantic piece from Montreal on the weekend and I indulged and practically ate the whole thing myself. You can find carrot cake in Singapore, but not at the Hawker Centers. In fact, you will be completely surprised if you order carrot cake and see what they give you. It looks nothing like carrot cake. Some locals of the older generation who have never had "western carrot cake" actually find our version weird. Funny.


Here it is half eaten because it is just that good. I forgot to take a pic. You can have it two ways with black sauce or not and with chili or not. Me? black with chili, please!


Here is the famous stall which sells the "carrot cake". Definitely need locals to be able to tell what is good and what isn't because I think there are three stalls that sells it at Ghim Moh and this one is the best.

You can also find a market at Ghim Moh selling fresh fruits. Mainly tropical which is probably one of the perks of being in Singapore fresh mango, pineapple, persimmon, pomello, rambutan, lychee, dragonfruit, guava, papaya, and you know that stinky one I talked about before durian.







When I first opened the camera the humidity in Singapore showed it's face and fogged up my camera. Luckily I had it packed well and the inside mechanisms didn't get any condensation on them. This is the Saturday market that would come to Ghim Moh selling all kinds of things from books to clothes to household items. See the crowd? And this is a small Hawker center in a neighborhood. Not even a downtown center. Suggestion don't go on the weekends or on Mondays when a lot of stalls close.




The whole reason for Singapore trips. Family. Grandparents definitely enjoy getting the time with the kids.

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What's on Charity's Phone?

So this week i have a lot of photos stored up because I missed last week. And if you are hungry perhaps this post isn't the best to read until you have some food in your bellies because there is a lot of it!




Who needs Cirque du Soleil when you have street performers like these?



I secretly wish I could be just as flexible as these girls. We passed them on the way to dinner and they were still working hard on the way back after dinner!



Ramen from Ippudo. Really yummy, but had to actually stand inline for almost an hour to get a table.



This pic is for Jessica who has a plate wall this restaurant had a bowl wall. Fitting being a ramen place.




A sign that was posted on a hallway which had couches. Apparently they felt the need to put up such a sign. Who was it that caused such a problem? I actually just thought it was funny perhaps I should put a similar sign in my kids bedroom. Maybe with a little tweaking.



The history of the Kueh Tutu




Getting ready to steam.




This kind lady let me take a photo of her making it. Basically rice flour steamed with peanut or coconut inside. I love the coconut!!!





Happy Lemon!



Rock Salt and Cheese Cocoa sounds gross, but if you like salty sweet, so yummy!




Frying the Prata. The kids pretty much ate these every other day while we were here. Probably not the healthiest breakfast. Indian pancakes.




D24 Durian. Really smelly, but a lot of people love it. I am not one of those people!




Nonya dumpling. I really wish they had these in Canada. They have similar salty kinds, but this one has a sweet meat that is so yummy. My kids fell in love with it too. Only two days left in Singapore and I can't really decide what to eat. I am going to miss a lot of it!

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New Year's Masquerade!

So this year I broke tradition which usually includes game night with friends and family bringing in the New Year with laughter and fun. This year I went out! I know for those who know me I really don't go out much. In fact, I rarely go out unless I am dragging one or more of my three children with me! So on that odd occasion when we get a girl's night together I have a blast! Here in Singapore with the readily available, wonderful family, it is easier to have some alone time or some couple time with my hubby which has been extremely nice.

Now back to New Year's. We have a friend who invited us to Stereolab for their Masquerade New Year's Eve Party. I have to say it has been awhile since I have been to such an event. I am normally quite happy staying home or going to see a movie. I know boring! Once in a while I like to go out and listen to loud music and dance the night away. I didn't have my own mask, but luckily I got a grab bag at the entrance and it provided me with one along with some noise makers. I know in theory fun, but hearing whistle sounds the whole night got irritating. I have to say I was a little envious of the gorgeous masks that I saw that night. compared to my cheap paper mask But I am being positive and was really grateful I had a mask at all. I am trying to be positive this year because another blogger friend of my sent out a challenge here.



Needless to say at 12:30 I think we were done with the loud music because our stomachs were calling out to us. What have I yet to eat here that I love? BBQ Stingray. Sooooo yummy.


Stingray number one not very nice, but still yummy!


Stingray number two. Much better. Sadly stall number 53 which has the best was sold out.



Then we continued with Hokkien Mee



Next, Oyster Omelet. Yummm...



To top up the 1 a.m. feeding was Bearded Man's Cheng Tng. (Which is a special one that was created by a friendly bearded man. Apparently you have to do the action of stroking a beard and then rounding your arms out to describe what kind of Cheng Tng you want.) So yummy minus all of the stuff that I don't like about regular ones.

I think this year I should start using my thesaurus more instead of using the same descriptive words over and over! I promise to do better in that area.



Another pic with my hubby because we are so cute. Don't deny it you know we are.



This is me 2011. I am 20 *wink* and I am showing you eleven.

All photos courtesy of my fabulous Singaporean host of the evening who graciously took all the pictures I asked. Oh another thing I wanted to get a pic of the famous hawker lady with the mile high hair, but sadly I chickened out along with my hubby who ignored me when I asked him to be paparazzi! I know the nerve!

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