The Impromptu Staycation, at the Merchant Court

Hubby suggested a staycation over the weekend on Friday! How impromptu was that! With his credit card privilege, he booked a 2 days 1 night stay at the Merchant Court Hotel. Besides me, Evans was also surprised that we were going for a staycation. He was all delighted!

The check-in process was a breeze and very soon we got our room. Our initial room was pretty small and the layout of the room was a little awkward with the edge of the study table "blocking" part of the walkway which might be a little dangerous for an active boy. But we were offered to upgrade the room for $50 and glad that we did. The 2nd room, though was a little further away from the lift lobby, has much more room and nicer view!

This is the smaller room.

This is the bigger room

A nice view of the Singapore River

The bathroom supplies, nice smell and very generous 

The hotel is just right next to the Central Mall so we spent most time shopping around there, for lunch, for dinner... A little disappointed that there weren't much for me to shop, particularly clothes suitable for a big pregnant one. Anyway, it was still fun as it gave us a rare chance to walk around there,

Enjoying a cuppa at Ya Kun after lunch and had a lot of laughs playing with the Snapchat

Dinner was at Shabu Sai, Japanese Steamboat buffet. Personally I thought the standard was not as good as the one at Orchard Central. I think the soups were not as good and the choice of food was limited as they did not serve the cooked food like sushi. Their rice was also not as fragrant. But then after that we saw a sign that this branch would be closed end of the month,

After dinner, we took a walk along Clark Quay and we were submerged in the mood which we were once familiar with... the pubbing, the music, the crowd... It felt nostalgic but might not be so suitable for Evans. Luckily he was not too disturbed by the noise but could tell he couldn't wait to go back to the hotel room. 

It was a nice night and Evans slept well. I couldn't quite sleep even though the bed was comfortable. Late into 3 to 4am, could still hear some sound outside, late clubbers or people drinking and chatting around Clark Quay. I enjoyed the night view though...

The next morning, we went for our breakfast. The spread was standard and I did not have anything which I fancied which I wanted to take a few rounds. Hubby, on the other hand thought the breakfast was slightly better than the one we had at York. 

After our breakfast, the boys got ready for a swim and Evans was very excited to play with the baby slide at the small pool. 

Evans had so much fun that he kept asking to stay another night, like the last staycation. He also kept saying to bring my parents and bro here as well as he really enjoyed the stay at the Merchant Court. 

Here is the sulky boy who really wished to be able to stay another night

Thanks to hubby for the lovely staycation and a great weekend spent.

After note: sadly after the staycation, Evans seemed to have caught a cold. I think he must have caught it during the play at the pool, coming out of the waters to play on the slide many times and it was windy. :( 

3-in-1 Girls Afternoon Out

Took a half day off to meet up with an old friend, an ex-colleague with Miss Ang. Very amazed by how “long-winded” we could be, settling at “Brunches” from the entire afternoon till 5.30PM for all the catch up and talking about the old times.

We talked about the kids, the work, the funny old happenings (which we could never forget)… and wondered how come we were so juvenile and clueless, yet we thought we were of some character! Hahaha! The old experience never failed to amuse us yet at the back of our mind, made us be thankful for the genuine friendship that lasts, despite we seldom meet up with one another.

Like what I posted on my FB, I really like how we have watched one another grow over the years and yet part of us still remains the same, that make us, still us. Just being very thankful for it.

From our previous gathering at Irodori

我们的故事 Long Long Time Ago

This is a Jack Neo's movie which I don't normally have much expectations in the movies he made. But I went ahead to watch this movie Part 1 and 2 with my folks and brother, just treating it as a rare movie outing with them. It turned out to be one of the better movies I have watched.

You really need to watch both parts to get the story flow and impact. Besides on how Singapore has progressed for the past 50 years, the movie covers a lot about the kampong life, the traditional thinking of boys are better than girls, the big family life, etc. One reason why I like this movie so much is it is realistic, with the appropriate props, costumes and the acting impresses me. The actors are so fluent in their Hokkien and Malay and they just bring out their characters so smoothly. I am admire Aileen Tan for her acting and image. And Mark Lee makes us hate him a lot because the baddie he played seems so real and I am sure a lot of viewers feel like giving him a few slaps. The kids actors were very professional as well. I am impressed that a few of them seems so young like 4 to 5 years old? I wonder where they get the courage and confidence from.

Bro said that Part 2 is a bit too draggy but I thought it was ok and a good ending to the story. To me, part 2 seems more real and I feel more connected. Though the ending message to the movie was quite "corny" about cherishing the people around you (particularly being filial to your parents while you have the chance), it was quite apt to the movie and reminded us to be grounded.

So yes, good choice and I am glad to have watched it. Encourage my friends to bring along their parents to watch it as well because I think they can relate very much to the story.

I secretly also wish to have such a chance to be able to act in a movie!!!?

Saturday Dinner, Gardens By the Bay

It was an impromptu dinner decision. Hubby got a few groupons for meals and one of which was a diner at the Gardens by the Bay (GBB), Oriental Western Bistro. Evans and I were a tad excited as it was our first time dining there and it did sound like a nice place.

There were many tourists at the GBB but the restaurant was not crowded. Along the stretch of restaurants, there were Texas Fried Chicken, Peach Garden, etc. Oriental Western Bistro is a small diner in-between. Its food was American and pretty simple but good enough for our dinner.

Evans's OOTD

 

Waiting to go into the carpark, nice view

A nice cooling evening

Evans on his papa's shoulders

happy at the bistro, waiting for our food

 

While the food was not really the impressive kind but I enjoyed the dinner because it wasn't rowdy and I love to see Evans and hubby enjoying their food. It felt really nice to also have my root beer float. Evans had the kid's set with tomato spaghetti with grilled chicken fillet while I had the same but with butter rice. Hubby ordered the pork chop and it was tender. We shared the fried chicken wings and fries, not too bad.

 

Spicy chicken wings with fries, something to share

The boys, enjoying the food

Evans took a shot of me with my butter rice.

 

I still remember how I dug into the food, feeling quite satisfied. I realized I had too many fries today. Fries in the morning at Han's and dinner. But Evans enjoyed his few fries, dipping in the sweet chilli sauce. Really enjoyed seeing him having "fun" with his food and eating so well.

 

The stretch of diners, I am sure we will be back again :)

Our night ended with a stroll at the GBB with beautifully lighted up "trees", I loved how the colours of the trees transformed from one shade to another. Very romantic... and the night was made more comfortable with the breeze and nice music. The surprise came when the Light Rhapsody started. The lights were dancing to the broadway kind of music and it was beautiful. While Evans thought the music was too loud, I thought some of the songs brought me back to the clubbing days. :)

 

A lovely evening indeed. Hope to bring my folks there one day.

 



Abalone Noodles

Thank you to hubby for helping me to cook the A1 Abalone noodles. Though it was an instant noodles, I appreciate him cooking for me while I just packed for work stuff. I felt "hungry" after watching the MasterChef Asia. Not sure if it was an excuse or I really felt hungry but I just felt like eating. Even thinking about ordering Mac delivery but we would need to order quite a lot for the delivery to take place. :(

Anyway, the noodles managed to satisfy my "hunger pangs" for now. I better go sleep soon so that I don't start searching for more food!

Cycling at East Coast Park

Evans had a 3 week's break from his Heguru class because the teachers went to Japan for training. With the free Sunday morning, I joined Evans and hubby to the East Coast Park, with Evans cycling while we strolled alongside with him. Has been a while since I joined them; usually hubby will bring Evans with the in-laws and I will rest at home.

It felt nice joining my 2 "men" at the East Coast Park. Evans continued to enjoy the ride at the Road Safety Park, although he was pretty much going through the same routine. He really loved it when he saw hubby running towards the "bus-stop" and flagging his bike. It was cute.

In the car and Evans was still guessing where we were heading to

While hubby was finding a parking lot, we started off with the Road Safety Park first.

I realised Evans has grown in terms of moving around in his bike. He is now more confident and smooth. He is also very familiar with the roads and rules. He was leading me around the park while waiting for hubby to come back from parking. And when hubby was running towards the "bus-stop", Evans was very amused.

On his way to the petrol station to pump some oil for his bike

The little big refilling his "oil tank"

The Sunday morning was windy but also very hot and humid. It was a good workout for me after so long. I feel lazy and tired some times to get started on my exercise regime. So this walk was good for me as I tried to catch up with Evans.

Resting under a pavilion

Lunch was at Old Town and it felt extremely good to enter into the air-conditioned eatery; filling our stomach with food and quenching my thirst with coca cola!!!

A great way to spend the Sunday morning and afternoon like that. I felt good after the "workout" but I felt really hot the rest of the day even though it was really windy!!!

With the long holiday coming to an end, I hope the week to come will be productive and with lots of positive energy!!!

Breakfast at The Garden Slug

Revisited The Garden Slug for breakfast because I felt like going there somehow. Coincidentally Facebook reminded me of a photo taken 3 years ago at The Garden Slug. So it would be apt to retake the photo today. :)

The photo reminded me how chubby Evans was and from little baby boy to a young boy who can eat the toast bread on his own. Kids grow up fast.

Missing its breakfast platter though I just had a sinful breakfast set at Wild Honey a few days ago. It was a luxurious breakfast for me, with a platter for 2. There were sausages, grilled tomatoes, scrambled eggs, toasts, mushrooms, bacons, smoked salmon and coffee/tea/hot chocolate.

Evans did not like to go home straight after breakfast so hubby thought we could drop off at a nearby playground which Evans used to love. He still loved to play there. He was so excited seeing the familiar playground.

Acting sulky when we had to leave