POSB PAssion Run for Kids 2012

Our second venture into family fun run was greeted by a pleasant and breezy Sunday morning weather with the Marina Promontory and the panoramic Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay as the picturesque backdrop of the 3.5 KM Family Walk event.

Gardens by the Bay - Literally a stroll in the park kindda thing

"The POSB PAssion Kids Fund aims to support the children in the community through different programmes. It is part of the People's Association Community Development Fund (PACDF) whose objective is to promote activities and programmes which will contribute towards social capital and community development." (POSB Fun Run Webpage)

Race Pack Collection at Velocity Sports Mall

Each participant receives a runner's pack that include shirt, shoe bag and towel

Since it is technically a walking event, there is less pressure at hand. Kyla, being the competitive one, did insist we should run instead of walking  (boring, she did say...). Nevertheless the temptation for photo ops especially at the Gardens area got the better of me.

There are also running events earlier that day including the 10KM competitive event but we chosed to do the Family Walk so that we can enjoy this together.

More pictures from the event...

Waiting Area overlooks the MBS. Beauty!

Comic Relief. Kyla running backwards!

Can't resist it! The photo op, that is!

What did I tell you - it's a walk in the park!

What's Cooking Up at Cookyn Inc.?

It's the first ever teambuilding event for the AAIJK PS Team!

Arranged by the PS team's self-appointed Chief Entertainment Officer Bharath and with Kanitha's help, the  teambuilding a la Food Network Challenge was set in the kitchen studio of Cookyn Inc. tucked somewhere along the Rangoon Road.


The Wacky Wannabe Chefs

Thanks to Cookyn Inc for the hosting and facilitating the cookfest
and for the pictures for this teambuilding event

We were divided into three teams and each representing a unique cuisine. Takagi-san and team got the Japanese theme. The Spanish cuisine was led by Pepe (of course).  We thought those were pretty convenient set-up.  And last but not the least, my team got the Vietnamese cuisine, not to mention we had to battle it out with only 5 members for the greater part of the competition. We should have named our team Voltes V.

Ready, Get Set, Cook!

Each team will prepare two dishes, the quantity should be able to cover the PS team attendees. The gastronomic value of the dishes will determine whether or not we will have an enjoyable group dinner later after the cookfest!

One of the two dishes is unique to the group's theme and will have to incorporate a special ingredient that was revealed in the middle of the competition.  The "challenge" dish will be common for all three teams (Potato Salad) and will also need to incorporate the second special ingredient. This must be presented in a way that epitomizes the cuisine being represented by each team.

We had one hour and fifty minutes to complete the task, including preparation, plating, poster making and clean-up.  Each team will then have to plate up their masterpieces and and a chosen speaker will have to present this to the entire group with posters/visual aids to boot! Needless to say, our artwork planners were indeed very busy in the dying minutes of the competition!

See the different teams in action!

Getting ready for some serious cooking!

The seaweed as the Japanese team's secret ingredient

Whip it!

Chef Pepe calling the shots!

Andre and Regina in charge of the challenge dish

All done and ready for the presentation



Wrap away !!!

Multi-tasking at its best.
"Hey, start thinking of the poster design while you are peeling the mango and potatoes, ok?"

Can't wait to try 'em!

A closer look at the final products... all world class creations!



Turning Japanese
Strawberry and Green Tea Trifle and their version of Potato Salad ala Sushi Roll

...and I need to get the recipe for this!!!! Yummy!

 

Spanish "El Torero" Team's Chicken in a Parcel and Chunky Potato Salad



A closer look with a dash of the Pimiento powder

The Dai Doi (Great Food) Team's Vietnamese Spring Rolls and
Creamy Potato Salad with Caramelized Lychee, Red Pepper and Onion topping

Top View. This plating also showcases the mango, the special topping and a dollop of the peanut sauce.

And the Winner is... The Vietnamese Team!!!

Creative presentation, clock-work precision and teamwork won the day!

Once in a lifetime chance to win an I-PADdle!

And the final verdict is in the tasting!

Cheers to the PS team!!!

And, it's the moment of truth... Time to taste the dishes!



Seriously Now!



You can say that it has been truly a tough competition, with each team, true to the indomitable PS Spirit, gave their best and also had fun in the process! Campai to the PS Team for a job well done! 

The Line at Shangrila Hotel

For hubby's birthday this year, we decided to have a family dinner somewhere nice and cozy- for the lack of time to prepare home-cooked birthday dinner. That, and we wanted to try some new place instead of our usual neighborhood dinner joint.

A colleague recommended The Line - Shangrila Hotel's Buffet Restaurant. I had a quick look over at the internet and my! it does look mouth-watering. I booked our reservations online without difficulty.

Unlike other familiar hotel joints, Shangrila Hotel Singapore is nicely tucked away along Orange Grove Road. It is not a busy road yet close enough to remain close to the bustling Orchard area. The lobby of the hotel is grand and posh, typical of what is to expected from Shangrila Hotel.

Main Lobby with a hint of Mid-Autumn Festival ambience 

On the contrary, The Line boasts of minimalist interiors- stark white tables and chairs accentuated by Orange place holders and panel lights. I'd say the buffet selection is generous and covers a wide range of international dishes, divided into zones. From the entrance, the Seafood section and the Dessert station is the first visible stop, much to the delight of Kyla!

A glimpse of The Line's spacious dinning area

This is a section of the Dessert station.
Yes, they have choco fondue tower as well!

Further inside are the salads/appetizers, Japanese sushi/sashimi/maki station, Western fare (pasta, pizza, even french fries), Carving station, Dimsum/Chinese, Asian and Indian food station. You can also drop by the soup/noodle station to have a nice, hot noodle soup made as per your heart's desires.

I also love that they have a coffee and tea station, perfect to cap your night with the perfect dessert. On desserts, yes they do have the chocolate fondue tower, a crepe station, ice creams and gelato and gummies galore. The lime meringue pie I chose is just heavenly!

My desserts.

And since it was a birthday celebration for dear hubby, he was treated to a complimentary birthday cake as well!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Overall, I'd say one of the best buffet spreads and a pleasant dining experience-- I'm particular with buffet that is able to cater to young and adults' preference and The Line has surely got them covered!

Happy New Year, Welcome 2012

After celebrating New Year's Eve last year in SG in total silence, we decided that we will definitely extend our holidays in Philippines to lasts until the New Year's Day is over.

We spent the holidays shuttling between my parents' home in Rizal where I spent half of my growing up years, and visiting my in-laws in Cavinti, Laguna via Manila East Road's Rizal-Laguna route which saves time, gasoline and exorbitant toll fees. Plus, I have always enjoyed the countrysides.

View of Laguna Bay from Rizal-Laguna Border

The sleepy town where we grew up.
I came to love the countryside despite being raised in Cubao til I was 13. 

On new year's eve, we were in Rizal together with my sister Jeni and nephew Justin. It is one of those few opportunities where we could bond for some time and have the kiddies play together. We spent the earlier hours singing with the videoke although I must say that this time, the younger ones stole the show!

We normally have the family dinner earlier rather than waiting for 12 midnight-- so that we just pass the time after dinner waiting for clock to strike midnight and welcome the new year. In between, the kids busy keep themselves busy with the sparklers - even Kevin had fun! My sister also bought this colorful plastic horns- definitely sturdier and louder than the usual torotots (paper-trumpets) which are usually broken-down before midnight.

We are no longer keen on having any firecrackers around and I noticed that neither did the neighbors spent any on firecrakers as well. We were all content lighting up a few fountain fireworks towards midnight, but that was about it. Or watching pyrotechnic shows courtesy of nearby residents.

Waiting for 2012 while the Thunders stay away from the haze

We spent the first day of the year visiting again my in-laws and bidding them adieu before we travel back to SG the next day.

Another year have passed and a new one has begun. The holiday season is officially over and  we return back to the daily grind. I thank God for these moments in between where we can be reunited with our loved ones and enjoy togetherness while it matters.

Here's to 2012!!!

Chef for a Day

Children were in for a culinary surprise at the United Square Mall (the one that is a stone's throw from where we live). The United Square in Novena is dubbed as "The Kids' Mall" -- they house several outlets for famous brands of infants' and children's apparel and shoes - which I would say is more than what you will find in the bigger malls. There is also a branch of Toys R Us and Early Learning Center (ELC) in this mall. ELC boasts of unique line up of toys and books.

Everysooften, United Square sponsors learning events for kids. This month, they sponsored a Children's Cook Out at the Atrium where kids can learn great things about nutrition, good table manners and of course, experience being a chef!

There are four stations that you can choose from -- Japanese Bento, Oriental Mooncakes, Pizzeria and Kaya Jam. The food they will be preparing were all very creative renditions suitable for kids' consumption.

They also get to have a nutrition and health tour before going into culinary action!

Here are snippets of the Cookout...


Chef Kyla having a great time at the Pizzeria Station



It's a great idea to jump start kids on simple cooking

Preparing for the Cookfest

The first stop is the food pyramid

Height and weight measurement for the BMI charts



Kids also learned table setting, good manners and get to do hand-on for napkin folding



Getting started!

Kyla worked independently on her pizza

 

Kids received goodie bags from sponsors and a certificate

The best part-- Kyla shares her Pizza with Kuya Kevin

Kyla took home her pizza creation and gave the half for her brother, Pizza being his favorite food. It's a wonderful way to end the day!


Kevin is Now 11!

Here are snippets from Kevin's 11th Birthday...
I can't believe how time flies indeed. Instead of the usual musings, I decided to have a photoblog for Kevin's birthday!

The night before his birthday, we bought a Thomas the Train Banner and balloons.

This was the morning of his birthday, before I left for work. He was already preparing for his "school." Am glad he obliged to wear polo and slacks instead of the usual shorts and shirt.

The Therapists and Staff gave him this colorful Birthday card. The kids from the ABC Learning Center also signed too! How thoughtful of them.

There was also a Birthday greeting at their Board.

His Dad accompanied him today. We bought cake, fancy cupcakes and juices to share during their snavk time. There were about 5 kids at that time of the day. They sang Happy Birthday and have him blow the candles from his chocolate cake. They also had a group picture taking but I cant post it here (for kids' confidentiality).

We had a family dinner at Swensen's. Tita Cindy and Ate Jhane were with us too!

Kevin had Chicken Muliniere (fancy name for breaded chicken with sidings....I suppose)

... and it wont be complete without Kevin's favorite: Pizza!!! Swensen's at the United Square Mall is an ideal dining place for families. They have a wide selection of western dishes that include pizza, pasta, burgers, steaks and loads of ice cream and sundaes. No wonder the kids love it.

For a change, we had an Ice Cream Cake. I chosed a basketball motiff, which is his favorite. And Kyla reminded me her cake will be soccer theme. She even took a brochure and insisted we take it home. Fine.

Happy Birthday Kevin!!!

Kyla's present to Kuya was a hand-made birthday card. Very sweet of her.

And this mother of all ladybug is the present from Tita Cindy. Reminds of the ladybug from Bug's Life who was a "he." As you can see Kevin loves ladybugs. The smaller one was a Snooze-em.

More to come... for Kevin's weekend Birthday treat at Bintan!!!