Freezing Cold #2DegreeIceArt Exhibition

It was an impromptu decision to visit the #2DegreeIceArt exhibition on Good Friday last week. Initially, we had planned to do a family picnic at ECP but Dad wasn't up to it. So both hubby and I made plans to date just like we used to - taking the train, visit someplace, had a pleasant dinner and end off with some good drinks and snacks in Clarke Quay. It was a date that we both needed much considering the frequent bickering that week (life is full of ups and downs ~).

The queue was quite long when we reached the exhibition. Damn it. We just walked miles from Marina Bay station to Bayfront station and have to join a long queue?! The exhibition better be good! LOL. So while waiting, what do typical Singaporeans do?

CAMWHORE... Duh. LOL

 



We waited for about 30 minutes to enter the freezing ice cold freezer-like looking cabin. No kidding, it was freaking COLD! I bet the real snow don't feel as cold as this. It feels as if we are live chickens being left roaming around in the freezer while the butcher waits for any of us to freeze to death and butcher our meat... urgh! Anyway, we had real fun even though the exhibition was only a small area...

Later that day, we went to Suntec for a light dinner and head on to Clarke Quay for some drinks (not alcohol okay!). We chanced upon this pub restaurant called "Aero"-something. Can't really remember the exact name but it was a nice place to chill! The staff were wearing those cool US-like Airspace Uniform and for once, I thought few of the guys were real military guys. Great ambience, with the spiciest buffalo wings and yummy salsa nachos in town! I know right, we just had dinner and yet we are eating again. And as if that is not enough, I drank 1 glass of "Pussy Foot" and chocolate milkshake.

Calories overloaded. SHIT. Haha.

Ok some random ranting for now - I just went for my waxing treatment at #StripSingapore #Ministryofwaxing and it hurts like a bitch. This is my 5th time and I still can't tolerate the pain each time I go for it. But hell yeah, certainly feels much cleaner, like a virgin baby :)

Haha!

Leah A A

LEAH's Kitchen: Stir-Fried Basil Beef

#Basilchicken has always been one of my favourite Thai dish. And when one of my friend told me she knew how to cook that dish, I was delighted! Of course, I would ask her for the recipe and try cooking it on my own ;p Why not since I can drown myself by eating a whole plate of Basil Chicken be it 100gm, 200gm or 300gm and it will still much cheaper compare to when you order from hawker stall. Heh.

I have tried cooking Basil chicken before and it was delicious ^self-praise^ huhu... I did a little twist this time round by swapping the protein from chicken to beef since I had some leftover minced beef from the previous cooking tryst (Fried Tom Yum Macaroni, will share this recipe soon!). Yup, so I made a full good use of the frozen minced beef and cooked #basilbeef for my husband.

Oh yes, I need to complain. I really hate defrosting meat. It takes forever to defrost. Bleah.

Thai Basil Beef (3 pax)

 

 

Ingredients:

1 x Onion (chopped)

4 x Garlic (chopped)

5 x Chilli Padi (varies, depends on the level of spiciness that you want)

250gm minced beef (can substitute for chicken)

Thai Fish Sauce

Light Soya Sauce

Sweet Soya Sauce (Kicap Manis)

Basil Leaves (just the leaves)

Salt

Pepper

 

Instructions:

1. Using vegetable oil, stir fry onions, garlic and chilli padi in your wok. Fry till fragrance.

2. Add light soya sauce, thai fish sauce and sweet soya sauce. Add minced beef and stir fry the beef till the meat is 90% cooked.

3. Add basil leaves and stir-fry till the leaves soften.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

 

My Healthy Rating:

This dish can be pretty salty since Thai Fish Sauce is being used here. Hence, watch out for the saltiness level when you add the sauces and salt to this dish.

This dish is best served with fragrance rich and sunny side up egg (malay call it "mata lembu"). Overall, I would say that the dish is a good source of protein if you cut down on the carbohydrate intake :)

My 7 New Year Resolutions for 2014

It seems pretty outdated to jot down my new year resolution for 2014 but it's better to be late than never right? Anyway, Lunar New Year is coming soon so does that count? LOL.

When I first started this blog, my first post was vaguely about the new year resolution for 2013 as well (read it here: A New Year, A New Beginning). Never had I thought that I will continue blogging up till now. Well, I used to pen down my daily thoughts in a diary when I was little up till my Poly days. Electronic seems like a much better choice nowadays but I still like keeping it personal.

My husband and I have this practise whereby we write our goals for the new year on little pieces of paper, fold them and keep it in a bottle, and review them on the last day of the year. We have been doing it for years except for this year (had been pretty busy lately). I guess we will get around to doing it before this month ends.

Meanwhile, collectively, I have thought about my resolution for the new year;

Credit: Surviving College

Ok. I'm kidding. I quit drinking donkey years ago. And, I don't do drugs.

1. Build a Happy Marriage Life with my One and Only Husband
Still in the marriage bliss, I am definitely enjoying my marriage life; doing the laundry, preparing lunch box for my husband, housekeeping, and listening to his snores every night, etc. Yes, you are right. I'm kidding again. Do you think I will seriously enjoy these? LOL. Well, I would not say I hate it because my hubby is a rare gem. He help me with these chores without complaining and he does it better than me at times. Henceforth, as a reward, I shall shower him with lots of love, care and concern everyday. I think the immediate resolution is to be less short-tempered.

 

Credit: Pigroll

2. To Spend More Time and Attention to my Family
Believe it or not, after you get married, you tend to spend more time with your family. It was then I realised that while we are growing up, they are growing old. I know that I have not been the most perfect child but I hope to change that. Hopefully this year, I can organise some family outing like a short getaway or even a cosy bbq party.

3. To Complete my House Renovation
Basically no rush for this. I will like to have a simple renovation first involving flooring, ceilings and probably kitchen cabinet. Saving for the house renovation certainly takes time and we want to ensure that every dollar is spent wisely.

Credit: DBS

No, we don't want any bank loans.

Having successfully paid for our recent wedding expenses with no debt or so whatever, we are certain that we can save fully for the house expenses. The tip is, do it slowly but surely. Buy only what you can afford.

4. To Excel in My Career
Well, who doesn't want this? Everyone wants this. The difference is that having a new job for the new year gives me more boost and motivation to perform better. I hope to have this momentum throughout my journey in 2014 and see where I end up eventually in this job.

5. To Continue Acquiring Customers for LCW
If you have been following me previously, LCW stands for Leah Creative Works. I am doing freelance designing under this company name. So far, my portfolio have earned 3 corporate customers; 1 by recommendation and 2 by affiliation. It's similar to a Creative Agency except that I simply help companies to design logos and any other marketing collaterals such as namecards, brochures, banner etc. I really hope to build up my portfolio gradually and do some marketing to acquire new customers but my recent project took so much of my energy that I wonder if I can keep up the pace as a sideline. Nevertheless, let's see till the end of this year.

Credit: Life of Elle Calgary

6. To Continue My Healthy Eating and Living
It has been a great 2013! I have achieved a habit of eating clean and living healthily, and stomach abs! I just need to keep up with the pace of exercising 2-3 times weekly and ensure I don't go for food binge often. Hubby said that I have become too skinny for his liking, so I probably will have to cut down on my running and do more workouts instead. I hope to be able to do pull-ups by end of the year!

7. To have a APULEAH Junior!
This is still undecided. We will hit 26 this year and I guess it's almost time we have a baby. Also, since we have been together for a good 9 years, what's there to find out more about each other? LOL.
Probably after we save up for our house renovation, we will consider to have a junior :D

That's all folks. I'm in the office and I better start working.

Leah A A

Mrs. Shaiful

32 Days since our wedding and I have been neglecting this blog. LOL.

Being a Mrs is great but it definitely took me some time to get adjusted to sharing space, and yes, some bad habits so as you know... Recalling those days when we had to part ways at the end of the day after our date, I am really thankful that I do not have to worry about him riding back to Tampines after a late night out. We still joke about it though, and it is always the same, "Alah... nanti I kena ride back to Tampines sey. You buatkan I kopi boleh?"  LOL.

Ever since our wedding, life had been great. From the wedding to our honeymoon and the few days we spent together before we started work, it had been perfect that I was so stressed out when reality kicks in, knowing that I would be starting my new job soon...

I wish I can be a HOUSEWIFE. Lol.

Will blog about my wedding, honeymoon and new job soon..

Us during NYE, 31/12/13 at Labrador Park.
Awesome day as it was our 9 years Anniversary of courtship too :)

Leah A A