On Turning Twenty-Five

Let me take this time to thank my friends, relatives and loved ones who thoughtfully sent me Happy Birthday wishes as well as got me really meaningful gifts (Best, thank you so much. it sure is a luck charm! Kayan, it was too sweet of you. And, Kristen, I'm so blessed to have you.). I had a lovely day, spending the first half of the day with my Mom and Jie, and the second by having a simple but heartwarming birthday celebration at Jie Su's place together with the closest friends and family.

It has been a bit to grapple with during my birthday week, realizing that I'd be a quarter century old. But, I'll just go ahead and say it with pride that I'm 25. I've been more reflective than normal, thinking about and over-analyzing the tiniest things about my life and future. Yet, at the end of the day, I am proud of how hard I worked towards where I am right now. I feel happy, but more importantly, really blessed and sincerely grateful that I have many wonderful and supportive people in my life, including Mr. L♥ who I'm still in love with. I pray that in this year, and in the next quarter century, I always stay true to who I am, do the things that I love and am passionate about, travel around the world, take as many photos as I can, smile from within and love truly and deeply.

♥,

Ashley

To Our Wonderful Wife and Mother

Mom sure is fortunate that she gets to celebrate two special occasions within the same month. But then again, the Ng Family too is blessed to have a wonderful wife and mother whom can never be replaced. Am sure yours is as well!

Celebrating Mom's birthday first, we went straight to cake-cutting since we know we would always be too full after dinner. We made dinner reservations at a recommended Korean restaurant which sits on the 7th story of Orchard Central. I can't agree more that Sarang (사랑) Heartbeat of Seoul has one of the best views of Singapore's downtown cityscape, completing a memorable dining experience for those who dine at the restaurant's vibrant outdoor seating area while enjoying endless catchy Korean pop music and music videos that gets you singing along.

The name of the dishes are pretty interesting, i.e those we ordered; Ying Yang Pancakes (Pan-fried Kimchi and Scallion Pancakes), Chewy Surprise (Korean Rice Cakes & Fish Cake in a sweet and spicy sauce), Sarang Japchae (Stir-fried Veg Vamicelli tossed in Sesame Oil), Under The Sea (Seafood & Silky Beancurd Hotpot), Shooting Star (Marinated Chicken), World Star (Beef Bulgogi), and Piggy Jumps Over the Well (Pork Belly w Veg served in a Kimchi Hotpot).  

Service was relatively good and dishes are at affordable prices as well. However, we did not think that the food was something to scream about. Most of the dishes we had were slightly too sweet, i.e. the Tteokboki (korean spicy rice cake) turned out sweet instead of spicy. The stews which were served piping hot and pancakes were some of the nicer tasting dishes we ordered.  We also noticed that most tables ordered Chicken Bong Bong (Deep-fried Chicken drumlets in Chef's special batter) , so we presume that it must be the restaurant's Hot Favorite. So, if you happen to dine at Sarang, don't forget to order a plate of Chicken Bong Bong! Also note that, Sarang does not provide complementary side dishes like most Korean restaurants do unless ordering their mains/sets, they'll serve two sides;  kimchi redish and a handful of stewed peanuts, but their fresh Kimchi sure looks appetizing enough.

Sarang (사랑) Korean Restaurant
181 Orchard Central, #07-01
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: 6773-1322
Website: http://www.sarang.com.sg/
Opening Hours:
Sunday - Thursday, 12nn - 10pm
Friday - Saturday, 12nn - 11pm

This year, Mother's Day falls on a Sunday, 13th May 2012, and knowing everywhere will be packed with people celebrating Mother's Day as well, Mom requested we cook for her.

We prepared an 8-course dinner, 3 of which she requested while the rest would be a surprise. Nothing beats cooking for Mom because of the love that has gone in to the dishes being prepared.

Appetizer: Refreshing Sweet & Sour White Radish with Zucchini, Carrot & Pear

Soup: Korean Seaweed Soup with diced beef

Deep-fried Sesame Tofu

Honey Marmite Chicken, garnished with Red Chili, Almonds and Coriander

Soyur Lodeh

Steamed Fish in XO Sauce

Noodles: Tung Hoon

Jie was in-charge of settling dessert but due to her busy work schedule, she bought Apple Strudel instead. The Apple Strudel we haven't had for years since the last time we went crazy over it for a period of time was extremely delightful! Definitely a good dessert choice after a heavy dinner of seven dishes. The night ended even better with jokes and laughter.

To our wonderful, loving wife and mother, Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day! We love you, Mom ♥

Instagram @Week Fifteen

Happy Monday everyone! This week I have another birthday gathering to plan and I've got four days left to think of something good. But now a moment of reflection and a peek into my Week 15,

Monday: Made myself an afternoon cup of hot Topical Passion Tea with CBTL's Kaldi Machine.

Tuesday: It's L's Birthday today so we dined out and got her a cake. Happy Birthday L! Hope you were touched. heee.

Wednesday: My first attempt in baking Salted Caramel Cupcake with Buttercream Frosting. Cupcake alone was super soft, light and moist but the buttercream frosting was too runny. I may have over beaten the butter. Cupcake: Passed, Frosting: Failed. I'm still on the quest on finding the best, not too sweet Buttercream Frosting.

Thursday: Today's baking was clumsy while attempting Salted Caramel Cupcake with Buttercream Frosting for the second time. Dropped an egg on the floor, burnt my foot, and got myself some cuts.

Friday: Pampering of the feet with bath confetti, bath caviar and bath crystals that was given as a gift. It's been too long.

Saturday: I don't remember it being that crazy the last time I went to the wet market. Housewives pushing and shoving with their trolleys/baskets, not caring about anyone's existence especially when vegetables were priced ridiculously cheap. It was worse than going to work in the morning I'd say. Oh dear.

Sunday: What a long Sunday for Mom, Mr. L♥ & I, all for the Birthday Jie; baked Macha Azuki Red Bean Cupcakes, picked Dad from the airport, prepared the ingredients for five dishes as requested and cook, picked up another cake as a fall back just in case the cupcakes failed on me, and made sure the surprise was a success.

How was yours like? Hope Week 16 will be a much better one! XOXO