Land of Pickles and mantou

Didn't feel like the 4 hours and 20mins in the air had taken me far from where I can from. The only difference is, the people are passionate about their politics and their produces(after spending 5 days listening to our guide). Walking around downtown, above ground, it's either the cigarette smoke or fumes from the cars that you breathe. Every other person here puffs. Well-groomed toy dogs some dressed to their nines can be found in cafes, restaurants and malls. Breakfast of porridge with pickle and bun is a tradition. The latest trendy drink, white bitter gourd with honey. First impression on my maiden visit to Taipei, Taiwan.

Caring Is.....

After weeks of browsing the website, making calls, emails and asking around, we found a volunteer, two doors away. She is a year older than youngest. This would be her first time caring for a pet. Her mum does not like having pets(mothers have this uncanny intuition that finally it becomes mum's charge) but felt this would be good, short course on animal caring, for her daughter. Came over this morning to get acquainted with our fur ball and to handle him. There should be a Rent-A-Pet service in s'pore, for families who cannot decide if they're ready for long term responsibility. Maybe then there'll be less abandon animals. This site says it all.

MissingMobile

While on an outing with her friends, youngest lost her mobile. Through sheer carelessness and complacence. Devastated and clearly upset as it was her first mobile and only 6 months old. Son upon hearing her plight when up to his room and gave her his old mobile. Touched by his gesture.

C for Pet

This is 8 human year old Henry. A pet to a dutch lady who also share her home with 5 cats and 2 dogs. Henry does not like to mingle with others especially hens. Every evening he would sit beside the dutch lady watching the telly together. Came to know about Henry when SIL animal-sat for the owner.

Art on Wheels

When someone found the letterBox graffitied, it was instantly reported. Turns out, it was a publicity stunt by SingPost. Not surprising then, when the, professionally graffitied MRT when about it's journey, everyone gave no notice. It could have been an advertisment or another publicity stunt. If I had seen it, I wouldn't have thought anything about it too.

IceKacang

They don't make IceKacang like they used to. And so my other half, who has a very sweet tooth, decided to make it his way. A huge bowl of shave ice, generous drizzle of rose syrup and carnation milk, dollops of sweet corns and red beans. Give it a good mix. Enjoy.

9pm@theFoodCourt

9pm at the food court on a wednesday night. Bustling with patrons. Some on wheel chairs. Still in their attire and tag having a meal with the family members. Across from the foodcourt, there's Starbuck, Delifrance, Mr Bean and 7-11. Looks like any ordinary office/mall but it's not. It's at the 1st level of TTSHospital. Eating with family is an asian way of bonding. "Have you eaten" that's how the older generation greets one another. A chance, a reason to spend time with loved ones.

When mum's not cooking

Sound homely so we walked in. My mum's cuisine. Since it's a peranakan n hainanese cuisine, we ordered the buah keluk chicken and the hainanese pork chop. Youngest loved it while eldest though it odd to be eating rice with french fries that came with the pork chop. Had their speciality hainanese chap chye. I enjoyed it. Going back for the yam nest. If that's what it's call.

HolidayHeadache

We're going for a short holiday on the last week of June and once again, I'm stuck with this question. Where is Fluffy going? Didn't I say we can't have a pet. going away.