Wednesday, June 16, 2021

One Last Hurrah

 


5 Dec 2010 Finisher Pic 

   Time, like a flowing stream goes on incessantly
   I who reside in Time's realm faces the reality of it all,
   Once I was a young babes
   Boy, Teen, Young, Middle Aged 
   Today, I am reaching the Old Man stage
   Not so fast, father Time
   Not so fast, 
   I have so much more to do
   So much more to see
   So many things to complete
   
   Soon I will become  just a faded memory lost in the backwaters of the WWW
   I must make time for...
   One last Hurrah
   to Seize the Day 




12th October Dongguan Park  2017 





Sunday, June 13, 2021

Superb Greek Food - Alati Divine Greek ; Amoy Street - 12th June Takeaway Menu - My review

 



Kotopoylo Psito 

Rated as one Singapore's best Greek restaurants, we took the advantage of 'ta pao' our Saturday dinner as 'dine in' is still forbidden under Singapore's Phase 2 Heightened Alert of partial opening of society in lieu of the still evolving COVID - 19 situation. 

I ordered my food through Oddle Eats, a portal with access to numerous good dining options, and it was simple with the automated sign in, order the food in the basket, and state my choice of pickup time. Now comes the fun part, eating and reviewing :)

The food was ready within the appointed half hour time frame (7.00 till 7.30 pm) and since it was non dining period, the restaurant was empty (do spare a thought for the Food and Beverage people, they are reeling from this second lockdown and I personally feel for the employers and staff in this hard hit sector. Tips should be given freely to help their plight).   I managed to park outside, while my son went in to collect the food. They were packed in recyclable brown carton disposable boxes and he was handed a brown paper bag. Kudos to their going green efforts !

Kotopoylo Psito

The grilled chicken was in one word, amazing. It was marinated in roasted pepper and yoghurt sauce for 24 hours, the sides were fried baby potatoes and there was a topping of yoghurt honey sauce on toasted pita bread and pine nuts. One bite and I felt I was a Greek god - haha. 

It had the distinct sour taste of the yoghurt, but interplayed with sweet and the texture of the yoghurt was smooth to the tongue. Would I order it again - "YES".   



Paidakia with Chablis (Domaine Millet 2016)

The lamb cutlets (6 pieces) were also another standout dish. The sides were couscous, caramalised onions and swimming in lemony sauce. The Aegean flavor (whatever that is) really made it one of the BEST lamb cutlets (most tender and flavorful, not at all gamey) I have EVER eaten. 

Food for the Greek god ? "YES"  

The chablis which was paired with the fish and lamb was a superb 2016 Domaine Millet from Ginett Bistro at Middle Road. I bought it on the cheap (1 for 1) as they were having a sale this month of June. 


Bakaliaros 

The beer fried cod, with lemony quinoa and herb garlic sauce, was a little bit of a let down. The fish tasted frozen (something like the Dory sold in fish and chip shop at Balmoral Plaza). The quinoa was quite tasty, like pea puree. This was the only 'ordinary tasting' dish amongst the 4 we ordered.



Halloumi Salad 


The Halloumi Salad was lovely to taste. The cheese was outstanding, as was the yoghurt. In the salad, there was the charred cauliflower, zucchini, pan seared cyprus Halloumi, feta cheese sauce, roasted pine nuts, fresh chervil (whatever that is) and truffle oil

Again, really outstanding.  

My Review 

Food : 4.8 / 5  < Excellent, Zeus and company would have loved this meal ! >

Wine : 4.9 / 5  < Chablis is great pairing for the Lamb Cutlet >

Price : $ 130.54 (no Service Charge as it was takeaway) ;  

US$ 100 for 3 to 4 persons (Maid got to eat too) ; Reasonable $$$ 


Alati Divine Greek Cuisine 
73 Amoy Street
Singapore 069 892

Tel : 6221 6124 (or book through FB).  
 


           








Saturday, June 5, 2021

Hard Run 4K, 2K return stopped by rain, then another 1.8 K back ; Total 7 K plus

 


5th June ; satisfied after a run punctuated by heavy rain 

Today's run was a hard one for me. I had been having a really busy week, and had little time out of the weekdays to run at my favourite spot, the East Coast Park. So this morning, after my dental appointment at Bedok, I made the effort to lace up my running shoes. My plan was to run 4K for the front leg, and return 4K for the back leg.

As I was held up changing to my gear, I started out pretty late in the morning 11.28 am.

The pace was good, on average 6 mins 33. 8 / km for the entire 4 km.

The sun was blazing hot, but I was thankful I had no aches in the joints or elsewhere. 

At the intermission, I ran another (slower) 2 K at 7 : 15 / km pace. The heat was sweltering but my tension headache and all the other stresses were gone. 

I was in the zone. It got too hot at the 6 km mark, so I stopped to catch my breath

It started to pour as I was walking abit, and I sought shelter at the nearby restaurants. 

Finally after about 20 minutes, there was a break in the rain, and i ran helter pelter back to the car at a decent 6 :45 / min pace.

Thats the picture of a happy me at the car park with my sunshades still on and all wet from the rain and the sweat.

I treasure having a balanced lifestyle with ample exercise, controlled diet and mental challenges in the form of work, IQ games and good stimulating conversations with my family and friends.

    

Thank You Nuno ; for 4 years of making us believe that Wolves are a top team ; from this fair weathered fan



Nuno Esperito Santo - or the Son of God literally, joined Wolves at the start of the season 2017 -18 and boy what an impact he made ! From 13th in the Championship to runaway leaders of the Championship. From the first season in the Premier League 2018-19, to 7th in the Premier League and FA Cup Semi- Finalists. From 7th in the Premier League to again 7th and Europa Cup Quarter Finalists. This season just passed they fell to 13th in the Premier League.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to say "Thank You" Nuno and his backroom team. 

You have made this fair weathered fan of Wolves proud once again of being a Wolves Supporter (since the heady days of John Richards and Andy Gray when they won the League Cup twice - once in 1974-75 season against Man City (of all Clubs) and another in 1979-80 (against Nottingham Forest) 

We have had little to cheer these last 3 decades, but at least for these short 4 seasons, you, Mr. Nuno sir, have given us something I wanted from the onset when I made the emotive decision to 'follow' you with my heart (not a clever organ the heart) 

a) Hope that Wolverhampton will one day challenge the Big 6

b) Pride in the Midlands once again.

Nuno, take a bow. I am forever grateful for this glorious period 2017 till 2021. THANK YOU :)

Till we meet again. 

"Sempre para a frent e para Cima ! "

Ever Onward and Upward !

"Aproveite o dia !"  





 

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Kata Nipaipo Explaination ShitoRyu

 


Kururunfa Shito Ryu - Senior Belt Kata

 


Singapore Back to Phase 2 Plus - positive thinking ; back to review the basics

 



While many may bitch and moan about the semi lockdown measures being taken in Singapore, I am all for it, as once again, I can focus on reviewing my karate katas from the privacy of my little enclave (the attic) in my house.

Here is the Jion Kata which I am refreshing right now, together with the 25 other katas which I had learned in the past.

Here's to happy training ! 


How to Prioritise Effectively 101

  This is a 120 % super effective way to prioritise your time each and every day as well as weekly, monthly and so on. Spend a good 15 minut...