Briyani @ Haveli Cafe

My colleague and I decided to have something different for lunch as we were quite bored with the usual offerings around our office, which is literally in the boondocks (see explanation below).

We headed to Haveli Cafe along Kampong Bahru. The cafe was busy and looked very unthreatening. Mostly office people and the nurses sort(thanks to the SGH nearby).

We ordered the North Indian Mutton Briyani $6.00 per serving.

The first thing I noticed about the rice was the colour. It was a rosy pink! I've never had briyani like that before... Anyways, the rice and meat were flavourful. Rice was a way too overcooked for my liking but the meat was tender and had just the right mix of spices. It came with a side curry and a poor excuse for a 'salat'.

Haveli Cafe is at No. 19 Kampong Bahru Road Singapore 169348
Tel: 6423 9775

www.dictionary.com
Boondocks - 1910s, from Tagalog bundok "mountain." Adopted by occupying American soldiers in the Philippines for "remote and wild place." Reinforced or re-adopted during World War II. Hence, also boondockers "shoes suited for rough terrain" (1953).

Seat for my knee

This is another pet-peeve of mine.

Why do people have to block seats?

The worse part, this chap was blocking a seat that was meant for senior citizens etc.

Now, before you say, why didn't i ask him to sit properly....allow me to say, do you think someone who couldn't be bothered about being considerate be open to correction? I think not...

Stay tuned for more pet peeves.

Nesha - My little blue bird

This is Nesha. He is a six-month old, Dutch Blue Lovebird from South America (so says the neighbourhood bird shop).

He is very playful and makes alot of noise. Especially in the morning.

What I love most about him is the fact that he is always happy to have people around him. And he is awfully cute when he has his breakfast.

Nesha waits till I sit down with my coffee to have his meal. How cute is that?!

More about lovebirds at http://www.lovebirds.co.nz/introduction/index.php

Mandala for peace

I visited the Buddha Tooth Relic temple a couple of weeks ago after lunch with my friends.

I have been to this temple many, many times and I am always fascinated and enthralled by the splendid grandeur and calming serenity of the place.

Even though the temple is in the heart of Singapore's bustling Chinatown, its placidity and calmness is simply remarkable.

It's with this in mind that always look forward to visiting the temple.

On the day I visited, there was a beautiful mandala on display at the entrance. I am not sure what the mandala in the picture means but as I understand it, the mandala itself is symbolic of the temporary nature of life.

More details on mandalas can be found at http://www.mandalaproject.org/What/Index.html

The florist lives on....

Some of you know that I love flower arrangement.

About two weeks ago I made this bouquet for a couple of nieces (twin daughters of a cousin of mine) who turned 18.

Their mum wanted me to do something fun and yet traditional. So I decided to do what i do best; pretty pink roses with caspia and stargazer lilies.

The bears were bought by my cousin. All the flowers are from far East Flora at Thomson Road.

Far East Flora's flowers are fresher than the ones you get at retail outlets and because they are sold in bunches and bundles, you pay wholesale prices.

I enjoy flower arranging and I hope some day to have my own flower shop. Some day...

Wet lifts and the plain stupidty of it all

This is a pet-hate of mine. Wet Lifts. aka Idiots and imbeciles urinating in the lifts.

Singapore is probably the only country in the world that has the perennial problem of real nincompoops peeing where they shouldn’t. The problem has also been exacerbated by the increased entry in the number of people who probably never had to use or share public facilities with other people. I might be wrong, I dunno.

In any case, bulk of the problem also lies with the Town Council. My estate is managed by the Aljunied Town Council.

I hope they do something about this problem. Its ridiculous if not just plain stupid.


Btw – This is a note I wrote the Chairman and General Manager of the Town Council. Found their addresses at http://www.sgdi.gov.sg/

Dear All,

Good afternoon.

My fellow residents of Block 106 and I have had the rather unpleasant experience of using lifts that have been 'flooded' with urine.

Attached are two pictures - one of the UDD sign and the other of the wet mess.
Have the UDD's been turned off due to the upgrading works that are currently ongoing? If it is, it’s absurd (it’s like the CCTV cameras being turned off at Whitley Detention Centre!), the blame for the wet mess in the lifts should be shared with the Town Council as well.


Please do something about this. It’s ridiculous that as a 1st World country we continue to behave like we live in the 3rd World.

Please reactivate the UDDs and fine the imbeciles that do not know how to use public facilities.

Regards,

UPDATE -

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/345370/1/.html

More CCTVs to be installed to rid problem of urine in lifts in Aljunied GRC

By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 May 2008 2314 hrs

SINGAPORE : The Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) plans to install more CCTVs under its "Zero Litter Campaign."

Urinating in most HDB lifts is a problem that's not as prevalent now as before, but the Aljunied GRC wants to fully rid the constituency of this irritation.

The area's "Zero Litter Campaign" was started last year but progress has been slow, so its Members of Parliament are urging the ward's 200,000 residents to play an active role in the campaign.

To solve the problem of urine in lifts, they are planning to install CCTVs in lifts and void decks.

Said Foreign Affairs Minister and Aljunied MP George Yeo: "The problem of urination and defecation in lifts is a very strange one. Why is it that in certain blocks (and) lifts, we have this persistent problem? And somehow, the culprits feel that they can get away with it.

"We have been cracking our heads how best to solve this problem. In the past, we had urine detectors. Some of them were mock ones, just to frighten people. It had not worked as well as it should. We've got to make examples... (that will have) deterrent effect." - CNA /ls

My Magic Bean Sprouts

Today, i took a short video of the vines that are growing on my gate. As a plant lover, these vines are a special treat as they required no special treatment.

The vines are grown from a 'magic bean' that carried a special Good Luck Message from ICI paints. Its similar to the beans that are carried in a story by the BBC on http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4209571.stm

I am not sure how long it will grow for or to what extent. In the mean time, I am just enjoying its lush freshness.

Flowers for the gods

I took this picture in Serangoon Road on a day I felt like a tourist....

I wanted this shot because the colours of the flowers and the garlands were just so vivid and fresh. It stopped be in my tracks and made me want to just look at them.

These garlands costs $10.00 each and are offered to the divine at temples or home-altars.

Garland making is labour intensive and these were exquisitely made.

This shop is located along Buffalo Road.

Penne with pork sausages in a cream sauce

okay! I don't know the Italian name for this dish. Its penne pasta with home made spicy pork sausages in a cream based sauce.

It was a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y delicious.

I had it at Buono Pizza Bar & Italian Restaurant at 27 Lichfield Road, Serangoon Garden Estate
Singapore 556847.

http://www.buonopizzabar.com

Zorro and his time with me.

This is Zorro.

He is my dearest friend Brenton's dog. Zorro stayed with me for two weeks and he was such lovely company.

Yes, he barked lots but he was an obedient and well behaved dog. I felt sorry for the many times that I had to leave him alone.

I took more pictures of him. isn't he just a peach?