The lovable Chi

The reason why he gets all our love




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Enjoying Seoul

We love Seoul and it's definitely on our "must-go-back-again" list! Love the place, the food, the people and how everything was a breeze even with the language barrier. Despite the bitter cold weather (averaging -5 degrees celsius in the few days we were in the city), it had been an enjoyable trip. So much have been said about the boredom from visiting filming location of various Korean dramas, but that is only because you have left your travel joys in the hands of your guide!

Secret Garden (Biwon) in Changdeokgung, the only palace designated as a UNESCO heritage site

P doing his arty farty thingy in Secret Garden (Biwon)

First Korean spread. P said the bulgogi is heavenly

At -7 degrees celsius, I could barely feel my face

Watching the change of guards at Gyeongbokgung Palace

Queue at N Seoul Tower

Cable car to the tower

P with the view of Soeul

We cannot believe the incredible number of locks we saw at Seoul Tower

SOJU

On the way to the National Folk Museum

P is a happy man to have met his high school pals. I haven't seen him this happy/ excited for a long time and this came at the right moment in his life, when he's feeling the down from his dad's plight.  With a whole lot of soju and beer mixed and drank in local Korean-style, the now 30-something group of men was brought back to the days they spent in Moss Vale, recalling the fond memories they shared growing up with an international community of hormone raging teens. I was lucky that he survived the walk back to our BB and the puking only started after that. 

In preparation for our next trip to Seoul, I have invested in my first pair of ugg boots!

I love my UGG!

I hope I won't freeze to death

Freezing our ass off in 3 more days


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Singapore in EIU Democracy Index 2011

Ranking 81 out of 167 countries, just 2 ranks above Bangladesh, the score would be really ugly if not for a rather high rating received for "Functioning of Government". We are placed on par with Iraq when it comes to "Electoral Process and Pluralism" while "Political Partcipation" is the lowest among countries in the same category (Hybrid Regime, which is one category above the worst - Authoritarian Regime), receiving the same score as Cambodia and Haiti. Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Phillipines all out performed the city state.

The right to political participation refers to citizens’ right to seek influence of public affairs. Political participation can take many forms, the most notable of which is voting in elections, but also including joining a political party, standing as a candidate in an election, joining a non-governmental advocacy group, or participating in a demonstration.

Singapore in EIU Democracy Index 2011
Rank 81
Overall score 5.89
Electoral process and pluralism 4.33
Functioning of government 7.50
Political participation 2.78
Political culture 7.5
Civil liberties 7.35

Scoring 2.78 for political participation is not surprising and it certainly provides a good basis for pressure groups to perform advocacy work with the Government to increase transparency and freedom of expression for true political  participation. I quote "If one is merely consulted by a powerful person who wants one's views for information, or if one is mobilized or re-educated within the control of another, one has not participated in politics in any significant sense." And if you have been brain washed to see nothing good of public expression of views and consider demonstrations as causes of chaotic social upheavals, look at Arab Spring.

Healthy again

Recovering from a multi virus attack that came to me the day I returned from Dhaka. Today is the first day I stop feeling that staying awake is a pain. And miraculously my appetite returned and I am now feeling hungry for KFC, Mac, Fish and Chips, and all other you can name it junk food.

Short trip to Dhaka was worthwhile considering the inputs received for the proposal. Off to Seoul on Friday (and please let the mourning last longer and anything else not come. God bless South Korea).

Looking forward to getting home for another dear sis's wedding, to celebrating Chinese New Year with P for the first time back in Sg, to my first trip to Burma and of course our planned trip to the beach in July (which is in 7 months' time!!!)

2012, bring it on!

Cheesecake verdict

P's right, we have already found the best cheesecake at Dhara Devi and this, although looking good, is nothing compared to the one at Mandarin Oriental. Time aside, I spent close to the same amount for buying one at the hotel's pastry shop.

Trying something else next time!




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Oreo cheesecake and homemade green tea ice cream

With P taking the night shift from his sister at the hospital to look after his dad, my weekend was spent pretty much alone.This lonesomeness is creating a mixed kind of feeling. On one hand I am appreciating the abundance of stay-at-home time to catch up on the variety shows that I have missed the last couple of weeks and on the other, it's always nice to have your hubby with you. Besides, I am leaving next Tuesday for 3 days, and it would have been really nice to be able to spend some time together before my short trip.

Anyhoodle, to treat P to some nice dessert for his overnights on the hospital bed and to make up for my impending absence, Sunday evening was spent baking.

This is my first time Oreo Cheesecake, New York style.

Looking good in the last 15 minutes, though with a slight crack

It's still cooling in the oven, hopefully it tastes alright! The recipe from allrecipes

Ingredients

• 15 graham crackers, crushed
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
•  
• 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup milk
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch springform pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press onto bottom of springform pan.
3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Blend in milk, and then mix in the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. Mix in sour cream, vanilla and flour until smooth. Pour filling into prepared crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for 5 to 6 hours; this prevents cracking. Chill in refrigerator until serving.

Something else to satisfy P's sweet tooth,

Freshly made green tea ice cream!

Dhara Devi is Chiang Mai's paradise

This Sunday we decided to treat ourselves to some dim sum at Dhara Devi

 

For all the meetings last few weeks, I stayed on longer for some pampering. This is me on my way to therapy, on a horse drawn cart!




The gorgeous reception area



Even the toilet paper speaks Mandarin Oriental



Whoever's here to visit, Dhara Devi is a must. Besides being the best place to experience some royal service, it also serves yummy cheesecake and has the best Sunday international buffet brunch in town.

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Attacked by dog

Attacked by neighbour's dog while protecting buddy (who was shivering with fear)




Dog walking is getting dangerous

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When your dog doesn't get along so well with your other half

Sometimes he just prefers to be left alone




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Roadmap for an ASEAN community

This roadmap (2009-2015) has no indicator.