More Than Diamonds (Handcrafted Jewellery)

ABBEY: The diamond on the engagement ring I gave to Wilma became loose. At first I planned to have it fix once we go back to Philippines since I bought it there. But Wilma tried to search for a jeweler in Singapore so she can wear her ring again. That's when we knew about the service of More Than Diamonds. 

We went to their showroom at Tanglin Road (131 Tanglin Road, #02-16 Tudor Court, Singapore 247924). And it's closed. Visiting is only by appointment and we didn't have that. Seeing there's somebody inside, Wilma knocked at the door and Chris greeted us. He didn't shoo us away but instead welcomed us and asked how can he be of service. We told the ring's story and he examined it. He quoted us 110SGD to fix the broken claw that holds the stone and for plating. He searched for unique marks in the diamond for us to make sure that it is still our diamond when we come back. I also learned that you can put laser inscription on it. Wow. 

After two weeks of waiting, I was amazed of the beauty of the ring; all cleaned and sparkling. Thanks Chris and team.  More Than Diamonds is literally more than diamonds. They know the value of their clients and their clients' precious possessions.

Second Proposal? Ha! 

WILL:  OMGGGG!!!! I am on shock when I examined the diamond clinging for its life on my engagement ring. That is when we are at Centara Ras Fushi. Imagine, if I didn't notice it, the whole vacation in Maldives will be ruined because of such lost. Blessed to detect just on time. 

While Abbey is taking a nap, I can't control myself to look for an expert help. I found More Than Diamonds in facebook and right there and then, I send them private message. Surprisingly minutes passed and someone replied on me. 

Abbey and I scheduled it to be done by November. Yes, 3 months after. Yes, we have a very busy schedule. For that 3 months I feel so incomplete. Haha! 

November 14, we went to their office, without appointment (please book a schedule) we are just lucky that we were accommodated by Chris that time, maybe he feels my desperation about the ring, haha. 

Chris educated us about the diamond. That it has a birthmark and you can encrypt some messages inside (isn't cool?). Then, he found out that one of 4 tower that hold the diamond was cut-off. He charged my husband for $110.00 for cleaning, plating and repair. 

Weeks after, Abbey proposed again to me, using the same ring. Haha. So kilig! 

Thanks More Than Diamond for saving one of the most precious thing in our married life. 

***

More Than Diamonds (Handcrafted Jewellery) 

(A) 131 Tanglin Road #02-16 Tudor Court (S) 247924

(T) 6235 8873

(E) info@morethandiamonds.com.sg

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

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 :) 

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