JOanna’s Life

   

Bugis, located at the central of Singapore. Besides the buzz during weekends which is a killer, i still couldn’t find another reason why i would choose to go here.

3 years, 5 visits. I considered this as a record.

 

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do"

So when it comes to food, the overwork auditor who works around the area recommended this place. We, a bunch of innocent-looking, stomach-growling young adults headed to this place after quite a while of you-know-what-reason-that-make-one-late waiting.

   

 

   

Located at level 2 of Bugis Junction, the escalator besides swenson sends you to the doorstep of the restaurant. Walking into Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, i felt as if i have walked into another Crystal Jade branch with better lighting (some CJ’s branches have poor lighting which affect my pics). With the familiar wooden chairs and tables, we were comfortably sitted at the far end of the restaurant.

 

   

Pickles were served while we were flipping through the menu. The pickles were sour and pungent yet delicious. The cabbage and carrot were crunchy and full of flavour, a very refreshing starter.

   

                                 Steamed Bun with Glutinous Rice 糯米烧卖 (3pcs) @ $4.20

   

It looks great on the menu, but the taste was just so-so. Nothing special and i didn’t want to waste my calorie on it. Comment was based on JimJIm’s feedback.

   

 

                                         Abalone Mushroom Noodle 鲍汁菌菇面 @ $7.50

 

The noodle got nothing to shout about except for its soup. The soup was a very clear, subtly flavoured abalone soup with a hint of flavour derived from the thinly sliced leeks. Served with sliced abalone mushroom, it was the carb-source when your meal was protein laden, or should i say, pork-filled? *bleah*

   

   

                                                  Golden Fried Rice 黄金炒饭 @ $8.50

   

They said, " Name reflects one’s appearance & personality".

 

Served with generous amount of pork floss topping, each grain of rice was coated with reddish-golden colour. From the cooking oil, i supposed??? It remained as an unknown. I love fried rice served in such a way. Grains of rice separated. I couldn’t stand sticky-clumpy-sore-to-the-eye fried rice. This is good stuff! The first mouth burst into sweet & spicy flavour before the taste of eggs and dried shrimp surfaced to the taste bud.

   

   

                         

     "What comes to your mind when you see a saucer or vinegar with shredded ginger?"

   

   

                            Steamed Soup Bun with Pork Filling 鲜肉小笼 (6pcs) @ $6.00

                                  

                                  

"YES, You’re right! It’s Xiu Long Bao!!!"

   

   

 

       Steamed Soup Bun with Crab Roe and Pork Filling 蟹黄小笼 (6pcs) @ $11.80 

      

Did i mentioned that i was fascinated by the menu? especially the xiu long bao or steamed bun section? They serve not one, not two, not even three, but NINE TYPES of xiu long bao!!!!!!

   

From pork filling, crab meat with pork to mushroom, vegetables to SHARK FIN CRAB ROE WITH PORK filling~ Talk about looks can be deceiving. If they try serving the whole range of xiu long bao, i wouldn’t be able to differentiate what is what by its appearance.

   

               

There are two categories of Xiu Long Bao, and by the way, they call their xiu long bao as steamed bun here. Special steamed bun and superior grade steamed bun. Price ranges from $6.00-$12.00 for 6pcs. It’s pretty reasonable.

   

Up till now, i’ve only tried Crystal Jade’s xiu long bao. If i am given a choice, i probably will choose here? *uncertain* First of all, i’m not a pork person. When it comes to pork, unless it is sweet and sour pork by my aunty and stewed pork ribs by my dearest ma-ma, i normally would turn it down. I still couldn’t get used to the taste and smell of pork though my grandpa was a butcher and my uncle still is one…

 

Secondly, i don’t chew on pork dish. Again, back to reason No.1. Cos i couldn’t take the smell. So i couldn’t really recall the taste of the filling of the xiu long bao. One thing for sure is, its skin is thin yet able to hold the flavourful soup.

   

   

Spicy Steamed Soup Bun with Crab Meat and Pork Filling 香辣蟹肉小笼 @ $9.80

   

This gigantic steamed bun occupied the whole small bamboo steaming tray. A straw was served together and it was meant to eat, or better known as drink the "gems" using the straw.

 

"Be careful, it’s very hot" said the waiter.

   

We heeded his advice. There were so much xiu long bao on the table so we didn’t mind to save it for the last. Didn’t they say "save the best for last"? Yea, this was what we meant.

   

No one eats the bao here. The whole bao was left intact for almost all of us, except for the two with high level of curiousity (me inclusive).*haha*

   

I’m glad i opened it up cos it revealed the gems: dried scallop, shredded crab meat etc which made the soup luscious and extremely sweet and rich. Full of flavour!!! It is like having a bowl of superior soup in the form of xiu long bao. Erm…It shouldn’t be called xiu long bao, it should be Big Long Bao~ *grin*

   

Now i know where i would head to when i want some xiu long bao.

   

When was the last time we met?

 

Was it this year Chinese New Year?

 

For some of you, yea…We did see each other not too long ago.

But when was the last time WE saw each other? 5 years? or more than that?

 

5 years… How time passes. I still remember, the corridor at Block A where we used to say "Hallo" and i would waved. Or just a gentle smile and nod to acknowledge each other’s presence. Did we study in the same class before? I counldn’t recall. My secondary school days seems like just yesterday, yet 5 years has already passed us by. I couldn’t help but to let out a sigh.

 

"How time flies…"

   

   

But one thing I know. From this day. The night when one linked to another and 6 of us gathered. I know that some things just don’t change.

 

Just like the friendship of ours…

 

Some of characters just marked who we are. Trademark. Soundbox control was lost when one got excited. Even with the 5 years separation, conversation still striked as natural as you can get. Some tired faces after work were inevitable, yet the occasion was joyous.

 

Weren’t we entertain by the fact that You almost got to play basketball with Jay Chow?

Or ain’t we a little surprised by how you got to know an aunty friend when you lost your camera in Hong Kong?

Or maybe, just maybe, we were really surprised by how you know they actually threatened and extore Edison for money before actually releasing the photos on the internet?

Nono, i wasn’t surprise when they told me You have changed. Someone who is more mature and thinks about his future and works towards it. Yet being true to Your friends is the nature in You, in case You haven’t realise.

 

I was concerned when You mentioned steroid content in TCM medication. Not because i’m in TCM line, but of your oedema. I assured you, you don’t look fierce. Your girls are just timid.

 

What about You? It’s been almost a year now since we last met, excluding the time i saw u driving during CNY. Missed the chance of meeting up with You during this year CNY. But we finally met up, didn’t we? *wink*

   

Yes, when You work from 9am till 2am, 5 days a week, SHOPPING THERAPY is the best relief. And something i didn’t tell you, You still look as pretty, or even prettier than before.

 

What about you? It’s already a month now since you came to work in the country where i am currently studying. You are one of the first few to step out in the working society. First official job which will path your career life. New environment, new place, new people. If it true that it is harder to find a true friend when you are out in working social circle? Time will tell. Let me know.

I’m curious.

      

 

   

All good things must come to an end.

   

        It didn’t mark the end of us. Instead, it’s a new beginning…

      

             

                         This picture described a little of how i am feeling right now

   

   

Two weeks ago, received an email from Sharon Natania, SWAP NEEDED!!!~ on 16th March… I didn’t know what triggered me then, to reply here almost instantaneously say, Let’s Swap, for my april serving.

   

Hmm…i knew i will be having my Virology Quiz tomorrow. But then… Ok, the rest is history. We swapped. And so i am, in ROCK KIDS TODAY~

   

"Have a cool week ahead and let our GOD rock you world!!!"

 

I must be thinking that i would have done my revision, or some sort. If not, why would i say yes to the swap which i still couldn’t figure out till now. In the end, i wasn’t motivated to do my revision at all after my Final exam for Exogeneous Febrile (a TCM module), and i was all stressed up this week. Whine and procrastinate, yet not revising. Then i started thinking, "argh, i shouldn’t have swapped, there goes my Sunday…" But you know what, i’m blessed. Truly blessed in Rock Kidz today.

   

In the end, Song Wei and I hosted the pre-service games. It was a success. The kids were supposed to complete twelve tasks in the shortest time. Some of the favourite of mine are "do 10 push-ups", "recite John 3:16" which many of the mind go blank *haha*, "run to the back and get any 3 kids to jump and shout Halleluyah" and the list goes on. It was fun!!! *wink*

 

Pre-service games are fun and exciting when you can get the children attention and participation. And this could be done by giving CLEAR and SPECIFIC instructions. Tonation is also important. Serious! And of cos, God’s grace, favour and annoiting over the teachers is crucial too. i realised too that Kids like games where they can move about and not just that, by they like time challenge. It gets exciting when they have a time limit/factor in the course of the games.

 

Thank you Jesus for His wisdom and annointing over both the services, be it Pre-service games, Praise and Worship, Video Clips etc. Thank you for all the other wonderful and faithful servers of Yours. I thank God that i was part of it! Halleluyah~ I thank God for His peace that is upon me throughout the day. I know i sound crazy when i haven’t even finish my revision (now), and i should be panic (or should I?) but i’m not. When you set your eyes upon Jesus and look at all He has done for you, all your fears are so far away. For i know, God holds the best plan for me and my life is in His hand.

   

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

   

And i shall end with this scripture and constantly be reminded that all things work together for good. Be it what happen in school, in church, in Rock Kidz, in Hall, at home, with Friends etc etc.

   

I love you Lord, and i want more of You.

This is my desire…

   

And now i know, why i was in Rock Kidz today. Because God knew my desire and He already knew i wouldn’t want to miss this.

His way is higher than our way and He’s always so thoughful and loving.

   

Felt so loved and so blessed…

   

As the semester is coming to an end really soon, i’ve less than a month to study for my final exam.

    

The best thing is, i’ll be starting my final year project &%^%& Finaly year? Probably they have to rename it as Final Quater Year project as we only have 13weeks to complete the project and submit our thesis which a poster day a.k.a presentation day in the first week of August. And…

   

   

How come Friendster blog’s layout change? I can’t seem to find my upload photo’s and the rest of the "user friendly" buttons which used to sit right on top of the post body. Argh…I was complaining of not knowing how to edit html in friendster blog and now… Very funny. Is in html and i don’t know how to use it! Talk about IT savvy, i probably is the first to get eliminated.

   

Quiz after quiz, not much time left for my ownself when all days you are having 8.30am-5.30pm lecture&tutorial&work. Yea, I work. I am still working. In school. Wanted to resign but i won’t be having the "luxury" to work when i’m doing my fyp. I intend to pun in my 100% for my thesis. Final showdown.

   

I must aim for the best as God has the best plan for me too. Busy and tired must not overcome me.

No, i won’t let it overcome my decision though sometimes i do hibernate.

My body is so cool. It "auto-regulates" my sleeping requirement. Don’t you think it’s pretty cool? Why work so hard? Study & working. Some might think it’s no big deal. I bet many are doing the same as me but many of my friends have given up working or giving tuition. Taking double degree is no joke especially when one of it is medicine, for me, it’s TCM. The study will not be an one time thing, is an accummulation of knowledge in TCM which we will need in our future practice. No choice, this is the path i’ve chosen and i really want to do my best this semester.

   

Cheong Ar~ At least for now, i know my path.

Concrete plan? We’ll see…

   

 

Despite holding the event in school’s canteen, effort was made to ensure that it would be an evening to be remembered.   

    

         

Leading you in….

      

      

Tea candle on every table, in a bowl of potpurri…

 

   

Multicolour representing the multinationality in various hall…

 

 

A joint effort of 4 halls.

In the effort of engaging the international students in various halls.

 

To make them feel the sense of belonging,

To the hall, To NTU, To Singapore…

To let them enjoy the company of multinationality students in NTU campus,

To share their experience in Singapore,

To share their culture back in their home country,

To make friends with the international students in HALL 8, 9, 10 & 11 !!!

   

   

And who can say no, to knowing a few more friends, with all the good food (mind you, we had four buffet lines, Western, Indian, Thai and Chinese) and free flow of beer???!! ~

 

 

But for me? Why was i there? Ain’t i ever busy?

 

Aiyah, my dearest roommie was the representative of my hall for this event. Give face.

 

To show Malaysia Power? Perhaps.

But something for sure is, Malaysians are really a bunch of dynamic people. And the cohesiveness of being Malaysians, indescribable!

We, Malaysians, truly are one.

I am proud of who i am.

I am proud of where i am from.

I am proud of my country.

 

Ok, i digress.

 

   

                                             Dearie Rommie and Kerry

 

Thanks dearie roommie for keeping me company throughout the event, with our Lao Ban around. I think i did enjoyed myself. Especially with your company.

 

 

                                  Soo Fan, Le Ler, Andy, Han Yong & Mei Yun

 

Not forgetting Andy, Le Ler, Soo Fan, Mei Yun, Han Yong. Of cos, Liang Liang’s help in the "last second" performance.

 

   

       The Malaysian Team! Representing Hall 8 in the performance competition…

 

Although we didn’t win the competition in the end, it was fun to get together with you all again, to sing acapella. I think i do love to sing. But time doesn’t permit, at least for now.

 

   

Many interesting programmes were carried out. The MC of the night was quite a cutie, eloquent too. Treasure hunt was a hit, making people to work together, gathering things that were pretty much able to "hunt-it-down" within the shortest time. " 2 Calculators, 7 Watches and 5 Shirts" was our winning game. We were quite enthusiastic, especially with andy them around, and also the gang of Burmese, not forgetting a couple of PRC too~

   

                          The final contestants of the Best Dressed Award

   

The other highlight of the night was the Best Dressed Award. Finalists were chosen by the hall senior fellow and also the leaders of the working committee. As you can see, I was one of the finalists!!! *grin* Special thanks to Ah Jim, who help to bring back my Baju Kebaya from Kluang and my dearest mummy, who help to pack and send the costume over to ah jim’s place within such a short notice. It only shows how blur and absent-minded i can be at time & also how much my mummy & friends love me. *wink*

   

The floor of audience was the final judge. And by the support from the Malaysians, Burmese & PRCs whom i know from the "Treasure Hunt" ice-breaker games we played earlier on, and also all the "eighters", i was the….

 

   

And i won myself some vouchers!!! Whoo~ Hoo~ *wide grin*

   

Thanks to my new found friend…. Mr. Tessa… If my spelling is not wrong…

 

   

And his Friends….

 

 

   

And once again, I’m a happy girl~ Blessed and happy~