Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2016 - 10KM Race

ABBEY: This is the last challenge we setup for ourselves this year; to join the 10-km run of Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore. It was held last December 4. I was told by my brother-in-law to train for endurance as I need to finish the race. And since this is my first time, finishing the run fast is less priority. But my goal is to finish it within two-hour mark. 

Race day came and it took off at Esplanade Bridge by 7:25AM. Even before we start, some of the full marathon runners already finished the race. We were able to reach the first kilometer by running but Wilma got pain in upper-right part of her abdomen. We walked while she applied muscle rub. After another kilometer, we're able to race again. At the third kilometer, I jokingly told Wilma that I'm already questioning my existence and why I'm running instead of lying down in bed on a Sunday. Haha. 

We reached a drinking "pit stop" to stay hydrated. We enjoyed the sights as we run; like the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and F1 Pit Building. It is very rewarding to finish the race itself and a bonus for receiving the medal. We both finished the race the same time and within the two-hour mark. Another item done from our list of targets for 2016.

WILL: This 2016, to cap off the year, we need to one more thing to tick off all our to-do list. Join a 10KM marathon!!! 

This is an extra challenge for me. Really! Why? I have a problem with my lungs. Since birth. Hahaha! So this is competition not against the time of the other people but a battle against my whole being. 

4am, we are up already. Arrived at Capitol Piazza minutes before 5pm and warmed up our muscles from there. Our wave, starts at 7:25. Gosh! It is too late. 

So when the loud horn was heard, we started to jog on our way. Approaching the first 300m, my right side part just below my lungs began to hurt. It is too painful that I immediately halt my jog and began my walking pace. It is an excruciating pain. This is not my first to experience that, I felt that on my practice ran months ago and I usually go home and rest. I do not stretch myself too on that time. But this is the real thing. It is now or never. So I decided to go on. Its me against me. My brain against my body. 

Motivated to finish the race, every time I see on the gutter a person holding a Active Muscle Rub tube, I always ask for a pinch and rubbed and pressed it hardly on the painful side. I do remember that until 5km, I am still on the lookout for people giving out those rubs. Haha. 

When I see the banner welcoming me on my 6th, 7th..8th. I am congratulating myself. On the 9th mark, Abbey tapping me on my shoulder and we fist bumped on our our 9.5 mark. Gosh! On last turn, there is with a camera that applauding the soon-to-finishers. 

Few steps at the mark, Abbey held my hand and we stand side by side to get the same time at the 10th and final checkpoint. 

Whew! I have done it. I know Abbey can finish earlier than that time but he is a very supportive husband. Waaa! I want to cry! 

Thanks to my eldest brother Kuya Ric. He is a professional marathoner. My parents are very proud of him. I am so jealous of his trophies and golden medals. Do you know his best time for 10KM is only 39mins... Winner right? 

Thanks Abbey and Kuya Ric for pushing me to my death. Hahaha! Joke! This is a memorable experience indeed!

***

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2016 - 10KM Race

http://www.marathonsingapore.com/

Easy Chinese Chicken And Corn Soup Recipe

Ingredients : 

2 cups shredded chicken (from left overs or boiled)

1 can kernel corn

1 can cream corn

2-3 eggs

Green onions

2-3 tsp cornstarch

2 chicken cubes

1-2 tbsp soy sauce

1-2 tsp grated ginger

Put 1 cup water into a pot and let it boil. Then add in the chicken cubes, kernel corn and cream corn.

Also add the ginger and soy sauce. Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes.

Then put the cornstarch slurry.

Whisk the eggs and add it to the pot to thicken the soup more.

Serve hot and enjoy.

Easy Chinese Chicken And Corn Soup

VERDICT
WILL: Soup!!!! Abbey knew how I love soup. I even bought cookbook for that. Haha! 

Then, Abbey one time told me to free up the Sunday menu and he will be cooking something special. After few minutes in the kitchen, he announced that dinner is hot and ready. Joyfully shocked I saw a huge amount of not so familiar soup on our table. 

The taste! It is creamy and amazingly fulfilling. Another yummy food hit our menu list. Yey!!!

Singapore River Festival 2016

ABBEY: Singapore River had more life during the festival. People flocked the area, malls, restaurants and bars. The main event is Crossings by Underclouds Cie. It is a performance by a pair of tightrope artists. It was thrilling as the performers can fall into the water. But they managed to finish their act without a hitch. Kudos to them. Only disappointing is that one side of the bridge is closed so the spectators squeezed themselves in a small space. I know that it is for security. But there is a larger space wherein only the official shutterbugs are allowed. But how many of them? Less than 10. And whole space they have occupied.  Hope there can be more viewing space for the public.

Next event we went into is the Silence Disco. It was a cool concept. Dance with the music from your headphones. People were shy at first but when the dance floor was almost full, they began to groove to the beat. But still it was not a silent one since the disco was located in the Clarke Quay fountain where all the bars are playing loud music.

All in all it was great and new experience.

Silent Disco - DJs 

Underclouds Cie

WILL: This is our first time to attend the Singapore River Festival. And we are deeply sorry for blogging this wayyyyy too long! :( 

Actually we where there to witness the stunts of Underclouds Cie. We saved our seats 2 hours before the performance and yep...we got somewhat perfect view of the tight rope. After the breathtaking act, we headed to Fountain Square to check out the "Silent Disco". Queue seems like a mile and we decided to pass the participation on it. We stand just behind the Disco Jockeys and just stared to the people with headsets on. It is quite saddening that you can count on your fingers who are enjoying the night and dancing off the music they are listening on. And the others? Standing, smiling and taking selfies. 

Looking forward for more surprises for 2017! And please let the restaurant have some promotions in lieu of the Singapore Night Festival.

***

Singapore River Festival 2016

(E) team@singapore-river.com

Japanese Cotton Cheesecake Easy-Peasy Recipe

Ingredients :

1 block cream cheese

4 tbsp butter

6 eggs (yolk and white separated)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

3/4 cup cake flour (sifted)

2 3/4 tbsp corn starch (sifted)

7 tbsp milk

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp vanilla (optional)

Preheat the oven 320F (~162C).

Mix butter, milk, and cream cheese. Add in the yolks, cake flour, corn starch and lemon juice. Mix until smooth. Set aside.

Mix the egg whites and cream of tartar. Add the sugar gradually. Mix until soft peaks form.

Put 1/3 of the meringue to the first mixture by folding it. Do this until the whole batch is done.

Grease the baking pan and put in the mixture.

Baked the mixture in a water bath for an hour.

Enjoy!

Japanese Cotton Cheesecake Easy-Peasy Recipe

VERDICT
WILL: YouTube and Facebook is the culprit why the human kind is craving for food. Haha! 

This is another food that was shared and became viral. The fluffy and wiggling Japanese Cotton Cheesecake. We were supposedly going to Japan this year but some plan raised and we cancelled the idea. 

Abbey is quite creative, he bake the Japanese Cotton Cheesecake on his birthday...and the rest is history. I can eat the whole cake. Yup! I instructed Abbey that do not touch and dare to eat some. Haha! Gluttony indeed! 

Try to bake it. It seems easy to do. Ha!

Yellow Cab Pizza Co. Singapore - (CityLink Mall Branch)

ABBEY: At last the looooong wait is over. Yellow Cab is opening in Singapore. Yes, it is true. The store location is at City Link Mall B1-01-02. And we got a chance to taste their food items before their formal opening (Dec 9) like a movie premiere night.

They have their signature New York's Finest, Four Seasons, and Dear Darla. Their Four Seasons is great; four pizza flavors into one. How good is that? Add few drops of Tabasco and you're in for a kick. 

Also we tried their Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings. Good thing about it? No blood. :) You can eat it to the bones. Crunchy and flavorful in the outside and moist and juicy in the inside. They also serve wine, beers, soda and juice. Each serving can be shared by a couple. 

Another point is for the sounds. Not too loud so you can still chat with your date, friends, or family. We'll definitely come back to Yellow Cab.

WILL: I am astounded/delighted to see a post in Filipinos in Singapore facebook group about the upcoming arrival of one of the famous pizza chain in Philippines...Yellow Cab pizza. Yes! The hippy-millennial pizza arrived at the shores of Singapore. 

What is the difference? Ok, I will walk you through, haha! Yellow Cab Pizza do not rely on hot sauce to spice-up their menu, they introduced the chili oil + chili flakes that complement well with their unique flavour. Yellow Cab brings the New York style pizza in Asia, and on that, you will not see a "handle" on the edge of your pizza. Well, make your way to Charlie Chan Pasta, the not your ordinary, red/white sauced pasta. Most specially, make your way to Dear Darla!!! They are the first restaurant that I know that you do not need to pull up to get your slice, but you need to roll and wrap it together with greens (arugula and alfalfa). 

More words for us to persuade you in visiting Yellow Cab Pizza? The place has a homey feeling. It has also bar that you can order your favourite alcoholic drinks. 

It is just located just above the Esplanade MRT station. It is a good place for you to unwind after your busy/hectic/stressful day. 

See you there! Oooh! Can't wait for the delivery service too :) 

***
Yellow Cab Pizza Co. Singapore 
(A) B1-01/02 CityLink Mall
(H) 8189 7490
(F) https://www.facebook.com/yellowcabpizzasg/

Q & M Dental Clinic Singapore

ABBEY: Going to the dentist is more fun whenever I visit Q & M dental clinic at Selatar Mall. The dentists there are friendly, give feedback to your dental hygiene and advise how it can be improved. 

I met Dr. Taylor Dilan on my last visit. I got dental prophylaxis and fluoride treatment. He even told what procedures to be done to fix the gap in my front teeth. I know that it is part of their sales but knowing that someone cares for your betterment is a plus. 

See you again after six months.

WILL: The nominated dental clinic of AIA is full that next available reservation will be on next year and on that we opted to use the non-panel clinic for our dentistry needs. 

We chose Q&M. Upon checking their company's website I am astounded that they are into SGX. Wow! And it made a reputation to me instantly that they are on pursuit of excellence. 

This year, I visited them thrice and all I can say is they are thriving to make their patients happy. And I felt that they do not over-bill me but they always surpass my expectations. 

I commend the receptionist that are always serving with a smile and all the dentist specially Dr. , I love her.

A heartfelt thanks to Q&M from A&W. 

***

Q & M Dental Group

(A) 33 Sengkang West Ave 

#04-16 The Seletar Mall 

Singapore 797653 

(T) 6702 3738 | Fax: 6702 3739

(W) http://www.qandm.com.sg/

Equinox Restaurant at SWISSÔTEL The Stamford (Semi-Buffet Lunch)

ABBEY: This is where we celebrated my 33rd birthday. 

Equinox is located at the 70th storey of Swissotel (City Hall MRT). They have their own lift to carry their guest to the top. We had lunch there and it is a semi-buffet. 

I went for sushi and sashimi on my first round. Then I was surprised by the beef chunks when I'm helping myself in a serving of beef soup. The beef is so soft that it melts in your mouth. No chewing needed :) I think I had 3 bowls of them. 

Then I tried their crackers and cheese. For the main course (one time only as well as the coffee) I had slow-roasted pork belly. It is delicious. I enjoyed putting some Truffle and Cauliflower Emulsion sauce before having a bite. 

We were given a table with the view of Marina Bay. But it was cloudy and foggy as it is raining during that time. 

The staffs were polite and warm. They also gave me a cake for my birthday.

Baked Norwegian Salmon

Slow-Roasted Pork Belly

WILL: I gave three options to the birthday boy, three restaurants that not only will give him a good food but also a good view. Then he chose Equinox Restaurant of Swissotel. 

Why he went for that? Because it is semi-buffet and all the other are offering only a set meal. So what is semi buffet? This will be our first time to experience  this. Haha, so this explanation is not only for you but for me too (to inculcate this new knowledge on my brain), semi buffet offers an eat-all-you-can appetiser and desserts. The drinks and main course is limited in one serving. You can order more on menu, well of course with additional payment. 

What strikes me the most in this 70th floor restaurant in Swissotel? Beside of the outstanding view by the window, their sushi and their loveable cauliflower soup keeps me coming back for MORE! 

I did not enjoy my main course, Baked Norwegian Salmon, its is pretty bland and it needed a help of pepper and salt to somewhat gave some flavour. 

I am not fond of the selection of their pastries. But I like the fact that they surprise my husband with complimentary cake with my special dedication on it. 

Is it worth the money? The view plus the well-mannered staffs plus the sushi ... hit the value of the money we had paid for. 

One of the best place to propose! High up in Singapore Sky. :)

***

Equinox Restaurant Dining - Luxury Hotel Singapore - Swissotel
Semi-Buffet Lunch $59++

(A) 2 Stamford Road Singapore 178882 

(T) +65 6338 8585

(E) singapore-stamford@swissotel.com.

(W) http://www.swissotel.com/hotels/singapore-stamford/dining/equinox-restaurant/

Semi-Buffet Lunch: Monday to Friday: 12.00 - 14.30