Dinner at Le Bistrot Du Sommelier

It was a 20 over years of friendship gathering, one that is really hard to come by. One that has been developed since primary school, unwavered by the storms and harsh weather. One that was built on so strong a foundation that no one or nothing can ever break it. One which you treasure deeply.

It was a simple dinner, but filled with meaning, filled with memories, the saddness and happiness, one that is always at the back of one's mind. Pictures could fade, turn yellow and eventually be thrown away, school uniforms could be discarded, but some things that will never fade are - the memories, the friendship and the togetherness.

Cheers to the long-lasting friendship of this group of friends.

Below are some of the snapshots of what we have feasted for tonight. Being a foodie, my main focus is still on food (I won't be surprised that I may eventually came up with an album of food..hahha) and thus, you won't be surprised that all my pictures evolved around food. As a result, I missed all the candid shots of our dear friends. What a waste...

5 Love Languages

The 5 languages of love, developed by Dr Gary Chapman:-

1. Quality Time
Being together, doing things together and focusing in on one another is the best way to show love. If this is your partner's love language, turn off the TV now and then and give one another some undivided attention. Providing a listening ear to your partner when they ventilating; they don't require a solution, they just need a EAR. Adopting the H2O approach? Huh...Hum...Oh...

2. Words of Affirmation

This is when you say how nice your spouse looks, how good your spouse looks in that piece of dress/shirt, how great the dinner tasted or even thank them for the small errands they have run for you. These words will also build your partner's self image and confidence.

3. Receiving Gifts

They don't have to be expensive to send a powerful message of love. To them, several inexpensive gifts mean more than one large gift. An occasional surprise or gift to show that you remember and appreciate. Spouses who forget a birthday or anniversary or who never give gifts to someone who truly enjoys gift giving will find themselves with a spouse who feels neglected and unloved.

4. Acts of Service

Doing the little little things for your partner. These acts of service like helping out with the chores, doing things for your partner that you don't enjoy doing, enthusiastically do a task that you have requested etc. They like to know that you are concerned enough to help them with their daily task. It is the actions that show that you care and love for them.

5. Physical Touch

Sometimes just stroking your spouse's back, holding hands, or a peck on the cheek will fulfill this need.

One that is so common to most of us - the language of love, the love of language.

One that we use in our daily life, consciously or unconsciously, with our love ones, friends or even colleagues, to show our love, appreciation, gratitude and care and concern

One which allows us to understand how we want our "love tank" to be filled and how we can express love to others. If we don't understand our partner's requirements or even ours, there will bound to be misunderstanding and unhappiness in the relationships. Relationships involve investment and is only through this investment will there be sweet fruits of harvest.

One which we tend to dismiss its importance and take each other for granted that everything is understood.

My love languages are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time and Acts of Services. So what's yours?

Some interesting quotes to share...

- To all MEN: pls be PSLE ---> Please Show Love and Encouragement

- To all WOMEN: pls be DNA ---> Don't Nag Anymore

The Love I Found In You (Jim Brickman)

You are the air I need to breathe

the river of life inside of me

you are the half that made me whole

you are the anchor of my soul

and you are strong when I am weak

you are the words when I can't speak

you never fail to see me through

that's the love I found in you

you are my shelter from the storm

you are the road that leads me home

and baby with you here face to face

Oh I know I've found my place

and you are strong when I am weak

you are the words when I can't speak

you never fail to see me through

that's the love I found in you

and once in every life

you find the one that's right

and when you say forever it's true

That's the love I found in you

You are strong when I am weak

you are the words when I can't speak

you never fail to see me through

That's the love I found in you

That's the love, love I found in you

Journey to well-being

Went through a series of detoxification this week, surviving on fruits and fruit juices and fish soups only.

Results:- body feels so light and mood feels light too. No matter how stressful work was, there wasn't a feeling of "Arghh...D***...S***..." Is just a feeling of "taking a step at a time and planning steps and doing the best I can". No matter how someone tries to irritate you, there wasn't a feeling of "What the H***?"....is just "Up to you, not my business"

Previously, I tend to associate detoxification with fasting. Fast for a day?!?!?! Just to remove all the toxic?!?!?! No no no...I can't survive without food for one day...that was the idea I used to have.

However, this perception starts to change after more conversations with friends and researches. The basic rule of detox is to remove the body toxic so that your body system can function more effectively and efficiently, thus bringing out the best in you. And the most important thing is, it helps to lose weight and make your skin condition better.

It works!

Here's some general tips for body detoxification for those interested.

(with thanks from "NATURE'S INTENTIONS NATUROPATHIC CLINIC")

1. Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses/day)


2. Add half a lemon to a warm glass of water with a pinch of cayenne pepper and ½ tsp of olive oil and enjoy it first thing in the morning


3. Eat your salads and greens – they provide you with lots and lots of live enzymes and minerals and also help detoxify heavy metals from the body


4. If you haven't eaten fruit and vegetables on a regular basis, start to eat lots of fruit; your body will detoxify itself first. Even if you do not change your use of stimulants (coffee, sugar and nicotine)


5. Steam bath to remove heavy metals - Using 1/2 cup of baking soda or 1/2 cup of sea salt. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub the skin gently with soap on a loofah / face towel. Within a few minutes the water will turn murky and "dirty" due to heavy metals coming out of the skin, including aluminum and mercury. Do this once a week during detox and once a month for maintenance


6. Exercise regularly, for at least 20 minutes - Partner up with a friend or family member if motivation is a problem. Go for a brisk walk or jog, or try something different like a spinning class or Yoga!
   
   

My hand bouquet

As usual, I won't start to panic until the very last minute. That is when my level of efficiency goes up by multiples and the stress level too. That is also when I will start to want to have my own ways, which I will say, I always manage to, somehow by hook or by crook. Too bad, that is the life of a procastinator...

Is only less than a month left and I have not chosen what I want to wear or even my hand bouquet. Thankfully, his sister has kindly agreed to help me with the hand bouquet and now my task is to think of what flowers I want. Of course, I should try to think of something simple so that it won't eat up too much of his sister's time. I should be kind and grateful to someone who is kind to me, right?

I am trying hard to steer away from the conventional...... i.e. the roses, Calla lilies and tulips. But I won't be surprised if I ended up with blue roses with hydrangeas or blue tulips...since blue has always been my favourite colour......hahaha

I chanced upon hydrangeas and realised that they are actually very beautiful flowers, found mainly in Eastern Asia, notably China, Korea and Japan. There are basically 2 types - the mophead and the lacecap. I like it because of its cute large round flowerheads, because of its simple and elegance.

The Mophead Hydrangeas

Nikko Blue

Amethyst

Ravel

The Lacecap Hydrangeas

Beaute Vendomoise

Geoffrey Chadbund

As a hand bouquet, hydrangeas may not stand out on its own. But because of its versatility, it complements a lot of flower arrangements, whether simple or complex and will in fact add to the elegance to any flowers. This is the uniqueness of hydrangeas. Check out how the unique hydrangeas bring out the elegance and beauty of the roses. Gorgeous, right?

Antique Blue Hydrangea Cream Rose

(White roses as in pure, virtue, sincerity and spiritual love. It glorifies a love that is unaware of the temptations of the flesh and resides only in the soul. It is the "flower of light", symbolises everlasting love.)

Antique Purple Hydrangea Rose

After all the searches, I decided that I want to have white roses with blue/purple hydrangeas. White roses as in everlasting and spiritual love, pure and virtue complement by the versatile, simple yet elegant hydrangeas. I feel that hydrangeas symbolises me. As the name Sharon suggests - simple is elegant. It doesn't have to be the main cast, its ultimate role is to fill up any loopholes and add wholesome to the thing. This is the role of hydrangeas and that is me.

I really enjoyed tonight, finally a chance after a long long time to have a singing marathon, one for me to sing to all my heart's contend.

Sing and sing and sing, that's all I need.

The songs brought back a lot of memories and most importantly, I love to sing and I can sing!

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Fyi though, beside food, singing and dancing is another of my passion =P

What happens when Mother Earth gets too crowded?

we will start to explore living in other planets. This is what the scientists are doing now, exploring other living planets so that in time to come, part of our population can move there.

Life inside an spaceship - a different perspective NOW

since young, we have been instilled with the idea that life in spaceship is exciting and fun...being in powersuit and ability to float around,

but the movie doesn't seem to depict the above.

The frustration of being caught in a system wide power failures inside the spaceship, poor lighting system.

The eerie of being surrounded by rampaging mutants/cannibalistic monsters.

The feeling of groping in darkness and unaware of what is/are hidding inside the darkness; uncertain of what/when/how something may suddenly pound on you and grip when you are totally unexpected.

What do you do when you wake up one day with no memory, trapped in a deep-space for long periods of time and are in an isolated environment?

claustrophobia...... loneliness...... survival...... psychosis...... paranonia...... distrust...... helplessness......

A dark and realistic movie about life in a spaceshuttle, about transporting manforms to another living planet to prevent overpopulation on Earth, to resolve the issue of lack of resources and to introduce a war-free environment......

Food makes me happy

One day, someone made a comment which makes me filled with awe...

"Sharon, you are the happiest when you are surrounded by food." I pondered for a while and started to realise how true that statement was. No matter how angry, how sad or how depressed I am, when someone gives me food, I will start to forget everything and smile again.

Good or bad, I don't know. But another person also mentioned that perhaps I should go into the food industry since I am a foodie where I can be in touch with food all the time.

http://www.thepicturehouse.com.sg/event.html

http://www.alliancefrancaise.org.sg/whats.html

The French Stall

Finally have a chance to try out the French food at The French Stall.

It was an impromptu decision. Our initial intention was to catch a last min French film in conjunction with the Singapore French Film Festival, but could not get seats. Thus, we ended up at the humble French cuisine outlet, one that I have long heard about but have not had a chance because I have no transport.

It is a little, brick red and white shophouse that sells really authentic French cuisine alongside Serangoon Road, about 5 mins walk from the Farrer MRT station, managed by French Chef Xavier Le Henaff and his Singaporean wife.

It was a pleasant experience. Services was good, with majority of the staff being Filippino, not surprising. Food was good and simple, yet not exaggerating and affordable. Ambience was just right and down-to-earth, though non air-conditioned.

The deco is not fantastic as compared to other French restaurants neither is the hygenie of the toilets. However, it gives a feeling of being back to the French colonial times (thanks to the dimly-lit lampstands along the corridor and the old newspapers cuttings and pictures), enjoying a humble and homely meal after a day of hard work. The meal was especially enticing when you know that you are eating with your loved ones.

I especially love the deserts, which gave me a "woah" and heavenly feeling.

Giant profiteroles with Hot choco sauce (look at the size and the hot choco flowing down the cold vanilla ice-cream. Yummy!)

Choco Souffle (check out the thick hot choco flowing out. It was delicious. Yum Yum)

Time is running out but I am not moving...sucks

Is coming to the end of the week and I have not achieved anything.

Aimed to complete a chapter of my book by the end of this week, but now I still have another 70% more to go...

Gosh....how? Time is running out, but I am still stuck in gear 2....

Oh no....help!!!

Feng shui is a science

I like this:-

"Feng shui is not superstitious, not religious, it is very scientific and it is a great skill."

However, sad to say, most of the people tend to associate Feng shui as being superstitious, which is not true.

Do Re Mi

Just the thing we need to give us a lift!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

"This video was made in the Antwerp, Belgium Central Train Station. On a Monday morning, with no warning to the passengers passing through the station, a recording of Julie Andrews comes on the public address system singing "Do, Re, Mi." As the bemused passengers watch in amazement, some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd and station entrances."

Is never too old to dance

I am most inspired by this old lady - for her determination, for her passion, for her spirits and for her courage.

After watching this, I felt quite ashamed of myself. How many a times have I work hard for something I really like, my passion?

I claimed to like photography, which I really do since young and have always envy those who can "click click click" everywhere with their cameras and yearn to have one too. They are cool man, really, no bluff. But when I finally received one as a gift, what happened to it? It just get cast aside.

I also claimed to like dancing and have always hope that one day, I could dance as gracefully and gleefully as her, perferably with my partner on my wedding dance floor. But what happened? I discontinued after a few months of lessons.

I took up piano too, but same thing happened?

So what's next?

Marriage - Must Haves

Chanced upon this website www.wofs.com and found an interesting article on the 10 wedding essentials for bride and groom, thus decided to post it here.

The followings are perhaps what our grandparents used to do for our parents but due to the modernisation, we hardly see the younger generation practicing them anymore.

Anyway, from the understanding, these essentials are necessary (I won't use the word "vital" bcos they are not exactly "vital") to ensure a marriage full of prosperity, love, laughter and plenty of grandkids for the in-laws. Ultimately, they are just traditional customs, whether the couples eventually decide to or not to follow, I believe will not have any major effect on their wedding life.

Because...the truth is....
Everyone's luck comprises 3 portions, namely:-
1) Heaven Luck (Tie’n Chai’) ---> the pre-determined luck the moment we are born,
2) Earth Luck (Ti Chai’) ---> the luck where we try to enhance through the use of Fengshui
and finally
3) Mankind Luck (Ren Chai’) ---> i.e. ourselves.

Thus, no matter what, even though we choose not to follow their customs eventually, it is not going to have effect on the marriage life. As ultimately, the remaining 1/3 of our destiny is determined by our behaviour, our attitudes towards life as well as the choices we make along the journey of life.

Enjoy....


1. Dragon & Phoenix embracing a Globe

Every married couple should keep an image of the dragon and phoenix in the home. The presence of the dragon and phoenix symbolizes a fruitful marriage blessed with much success and prosperity, as well as many male offspring!

2. Auspicious Chinese Papercuts

These are used to embellish the wedding hall and bridal chamber. Use symbols like the double happiness sign, the dragon & phoenix, mandarin ducks, the mystic knot, mountain peonies and peaches for lasting romance in the marriage.

3. Dragon & Phoenix candles

These red wedding candles come in a pair, and are decorated one with a dragon and one with a phoenix, as well as the double happiness symbol. In olden days, these traditional candles would be lit in the bridal chamber on the wedding night with the intention to drive away evil spirits.

4. Wedding corsages in auspicious red & gold

Silk or velvet flowers (usually the luscious mountain peony) are attached to red ribbons (imprinted with “bride” and “groom” as well as “best man” and “bridesmaid” and even “usher”) flanked by a golden dragon and phoenix for good fortune.

5. Golden Rice Bowl Set

Complete with golden spoons and a pair of chopsticks each, these are usually adorned with the celestial dragon & phoenix as well as double happiness symbols. The couple should eat a first meal as man and wife using these auspicious rice bowls for a prosperous future together.

6. Hair Combing Set

Includes a round pincushion surrounded by 10 little boys (to bring descendant luck), five colours of thread (symbolizing the five elements), face powder, a wooden hair comb, a round mirror, red braid and auspicious sleepwear.

7. Descendant Basin Set

Decorated with mandarin ducks and double happiness symbols, this set includes a mug, tea tray, washbasin and a chamber pot. These are usually filled for the occasion with fruit and strings of coins to symbolize a prosperous and fruitful marriage.


8. Small Round Mirror

The bride should carry a small round mirror to ward off malignant influences and protect herself from all manner of evil during the wedding ceremony, when evil spirits may become jealous. This particular mirror is adorned with auspicious symbols – five bats and the longevity symbol – to bring good fortune and to ensure a safe passage through the wedding celebrations.




9. Red Envelopes

Red envelopes printed with the Double Happiness in gold ink. These are filled with money to be used for various rituals during the wedding ceremony, such as door-opening games, tea pouring ceremony, etc.



10. A Pair of Red Prosperity Lamps

Inscribed with auspicious sayings that signify an enduring happy marriage, these should be positioned next to the nuptial bedhead for a prosperous and fruitful union.

It is starting to get a bit....

Life is starting to get a bit boring...

Work is starting to get a bit boring...

Life is starting to get a bit aimless...

Things start to become a chore...


Because I have to wake up from my dream from next tuesday...my boss is coming back...

The end of my freedom...ZZZzzzzzz

I have found mine

I don’t want to spend my life with a person who always makes me cry which was the reason I left.

I want to spend my life with a person who can make me laugh and be happy always.

And....I am glad that I have found one =)

Used vs Loved

I love this heart-breaking story and I have decided to post it here to serve as a reminder for me that “Things are to be used, People are to be loved.” A lot of times, when we are upset, we start to say or do things that hurt the other party. All because our emotions start to rule and we stop to think rationally. For that moment, we became too engrossed in fighting for our rights and for what we believe that justice should be done. A sorry is not a remedy to everything.


The story goes:-

While a man was polishing his new car,his 4 yr old son picked up a stoneand scratched lines on the side of the car.

In anger, the man took the child's hand and hit it many times not realizing he was using a wrench.

At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures.

When the child saw his father..... with painful eyes he asked, 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?'

The man was so hurt and speechless; he went back to his car and kicked it a lot of times.

Devastated by his own actions...... sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches; the child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'.

The next day that man committed suicide. . .

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Anger and Love have no limits; choose the latter to have a beautiful, lovely life & remember this: Things are to be used and people are to be loved.

The problem in today's world is that people are used while things are loved.

Let's try always to keep this thought in mind: Things are to be used,People are to be loved.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character;
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.