Is it necessary to have a wedding lunch/dinner?

Today, while chatting with my female colleague who is getting married soon, our conversations lead to the debate on this question,

Is it necessary to have a wedding lunch/dinner?

Her opinion is that there is no need to have a wedding as the money can be spent on more meaningful things, such as travelling or house renovation.

She believes that wedding dinner now a days is more for the couple to please their relatives and in the expense of their time and money.

It's true to a certain extend.

I personally agree that wedding is not actually necessary. 

It's more a want than need.

However, I think it's not always the case that couples have wedding to please the elders.

Very often, couples follow tradition and have wedding lunch/dinner so that relatives and friends can be informed of their marriage. More for elder relatives than friends (since, in current era, friends can be informed through facebook's status).

To me, my wedding is not about pleasing elders' wish, instead is to please myself.

MARRIAGE is ideally once in a life time.

And wedding is usually a one time thing too. 

So I'll like it to be memorable

Yes, I agree that wedding is troublesome, costly and time consuming.
But at the same time, it's memorable, great to have friends and relative there to witness the event and also a once in a life time experience to record.

I've never regretted holding a wedding dinner. I can still remember my first march in after they played the video made by my hubby followed by my favourite love song "Thousand Years". It's just too beautiful to be true.

I guess it's the effort made in the wedding that makes a wedding memorable.

For my wedding, we try to plan and do most of the stuffs by ourselves including video montage and actual day performance.

Even the 2nd march in montage is made by my hubby. He spent nights after work to make all the videos. I am really touch.

It has always been my dream to dance with my husband on our special day and I'm happy that we've realized it. 

To some people, they may think that wedding that goes over showy is fake.
However, don't you think, wedding which the couple had put in a lot of time and effort, is more memorable? 

Moreover, memorable wedding is not necessary expensive. 

I guess wedding is all about what a couple wants.

Simple, showy, expensive, or no wedding. Ultimately, it should depend on what the couple wants and there should be no regret after. 

With Love,
Evelyn 

Food Review: TGIF @ Canton Paradise Tea House

Went to try something different on Friday to celebrate TGIF! 

My hubby's work place is near Star Vista so we decided to try something new there. 

Was walking around exploring the place and saw Canton Paradise Tea House which was filled with people.

I've heard from my bestie that Paradise Group's food are all really good so we decided to give it a try. 

It was our first time there, so we randomly ordered the following: 

 1. Baked BBQ Honey Pork Bun

I like this bun because it's not too oily and the skin is thick. I really like bun with thicker skin and lesser filling.

But to my hubby, this bun is not to his liking. 

He said the skin is not crispy enough. 

As compare to Tim Ho Wan's Char Siew bun, we still prefer Tim Ho Wan

2. Signature Shrimp Dumpling Noodle

We ordered this because it's supposed to be their signature noodle but to our disappointment, the noodle is extremely normal and plain. The shrimp dumpling tastes like those frozen instant cook food. 

So we'll suggest that you don't try this. Waste of calories and money. 

3. XO Fried Carrot Cake

If you do not mind gaining some calories, I'll recommend you to try this. 

This carrot cake is really tasty with golden crispy fried skin fused with XO taste.

The downside is that it's pretty oily as you can see. 

4. Fried 桂花糕 

Okay, I have to say, this is the worst!

It's too sweet, the water chestnut is crunchy, and the whole thing is extremely oily. 

Fattening and not tasty. 

I guess Gui Hua Gao is not preferred to be fried. 

The overall experience at the restaurant is average. 

The service is good and the waiting time for the food is short. 

However, the food is to our disappointment. 

I guess maybe we have ordered the wrong dishes and they have better dishes. 

But once bitten twice shy so I guess I won't be planning to patronize this place any sooner. 

But if you'll like to try their other dishes, the location is as follow:

#B1-45/46, The Star Vista, 1 Vista (nearest MRT: Buona Vista)

Ciao, 

Evelyn 

What's ur better choice?

Reading is like feeding supplement to my mind and soul.

I have been reading a few books recently, staying late night reading, and it feels really good. 

There are times in life when we may be lost or not sure of our direction ahead. While reading, allow me to open my perspectives and ponder on questions in life. 

Life is between a start and an end. We are all born to live and one day, we will die. 

So between this, it's our journey in life. 

Our life is full of possibility of different outcomes and these outcomes depend on the decisions/choices we made at each deciding junction. 

While making choices, people often want to make sure that a "better choice" is made.

"better choice"?  

are subjective. 

What consider "better" to one may not be "better" to another. For a person who love wealth and enjoy material satisfaction, a high paying job with no work satisfaction may be "better". But for a person who enjoy living a stable and fulfilling life, a job that provides work satisfaction and work-life-balance may be more important and hence "better". 

As such, it is important for us to know our priorities and wants in life in order to make better decision which will lead us to our desire outcome. 

However, often, people are led by influence, wealth, materials and immediate satisfaction, but not know what's their ultimate goal in life. 

And more often a wrong direction will lead to one working hard to achieve results which is not one wants. And this is when people get unhappy and unbalance.

I personally believe in striking a balance.

Finance, 

Work, 

Health and 

Relationship with love ones. 

All are important and cannot be disregard,

Some people may spend alot of their time in work and focusing in building wealth, in the expense of health and time with family and friends. 

Balancing all four components is not easy and it takes consistent effort to remind ourselves. 

It's important to live happy, healthy & whole.

That's what I believe. What's urs?

With love,

Evelyn 

Monday date @ Saveur, Quality yet affordable

My hubby and I decided to go on a Monday dinner date to chase away our Monday blue.

I'm suggesting to him to make it our weekly affair!! No more Monday blue. 

Our first Monday date after marriage is to try this well know causal French restaurant, Saveur, which is known for their quality yet affordable food. 

They have currently 2 outlets, one at Bugis and one at Far East Plaza. This time, we decide to try the Far East Plaza outlet. 

We reached at about 8 plus and luckily, there's no queue. But the inside was packed. 

The restaurant looks classy and modern and my hubby likes the design and can't resist to take photos of the restaurant, or maybe me. Haha. 

Him trying hard to take a good photo of the restaurant

Photo credit to my hubby

Blur image from iphone front camera

The first thing that come to our table is their menu which I have to comment. It's so cute!!

Like their cartoon duck logo and also their welcome note

The front cover of their menu

Love is patience, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking. 

it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

It always protects, always trusts, always hope, and always perseveres.

 So When was the last time u were moved to love? 

I'm moved by their food

For the first time there, we tried the chief recommendation.  

Duck Confit @ only $12.90
Mashed potatoes, saute shiitake, orange segments & orange-infused natural jus

Seabass @ $14.90
Pan-seared sea bass, diced saute potatoes with crab meat, french beans & caper vinaigrette 

Saveur's pasta @ $4.90

We'll definitely return to try their other dishes. 

Saveur @ Bugis
5 Purvis Street, Talib Court,
#01-04, S(188584)
Tel: 6333 3121
(No reservation)

Saveur @ Far East Plaza
14 Scott Road
Far East Plaza, #01-07B,
S(228 213)
Tel: 6736 1121
(No reservation)

With Love, 
Evelyn

Singapore says "No" to Ashley Madison

Read this straits time article today that said the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) has banned extra-martial dating website Ashley Madison. 

Ashley Madison is an online dating and social networking website that targets married couple. Their slogan is " Life is short. Have an affair". 

Ashley Madison Advertisement

I am shock that there is such website that exists. 

According to CEO of AshleyMadison.com, the existence of this website is due to popular demand. 

Understand from Wikipedia, AshleyMadison's business model is based on credits rather than monthly subscriptions. For a conversation between two members, one of the members must pay five credits to initiate the conversation. Any follow up messages between the two members are free after the communication has been initiated. AshleyMadison also has a real time chat feature that is metered. Credits are utilised to pay for a certain time allotment of chat. 

Click this Ashley Madison's site review to read more about how this ridiculous website works. 

My opinion: 

I'm really glad that Singapore took the initiative to ban this website. This act though may not help to reduce divorce rates but it shows that Singapore values our morals and family values.

I agree that this website is definitely in demand in this society where people are more open and less conservatives, however, by allowing this website, it can just make it worse.

In these days, it is not uncommon to hear that 'who' and 'who' are having extra martial affair. There are people who are willing to play and it seems that there is an unspoken rules to such games. 

But like what I've mentioned in my previous post "How do you know whether this love will last forever", to the commitment of a marriage, it's a choice. 

I personally believe that marriage is sacred and a promise to long term commitment. When I've said " I do", I have agreed to whole heartedly believe and commit to make this relationship exclusive and forever. 

Everyone has their own opinion and definition to marriage.  But like I say, it's important to find someone with the same understanding and vision of marriage. 

Ashley Madsion, sorry, we do not welcome you. 

With Love, 
Evelyn

How do you know whether this love will last forever?

"I've recently watched a Hong Kong Drama which in the story, there's a married couple who at the start of the plot portrait themselves as role-models who are "happily married" for decades. 

At the later episode, it was reviewed that the wife has an affair with younger man. 

Then one fine day, the wife caught her husband also having an affair with another woman. 

The couple confronted each other. 

The wife said she's shock that she don't feel jealous when she discovered her husband had an affair and the husband also confessed that he no longer loved her even though he had tried hard. They both confessed that their love have faded and they feel more like family/friends than lovers. In the end, they decided to end their marriage. And they were happy that they were finally able to let go."

"Totally disagree with their philosophy"

If we enter into a marriage with the mindset that the feeling of love (affection) is everything, then "divorce" is just a matter of time. 

In almost all relationships, there will be a stage when the affection dies and marriage become more of commitment and responsibility to a family. 

Marriage means more than just the feeling of love. 

Marriage is a commitment, a long term commitment. 

It's like you cannot just "divorce" your father.

Some people believe falling in love is all about fate and leaving it to take its chance when it comes.

On the contrary, I think love is about making effort to engineer opportunities to fall in love 

There are types of falling in love: 

1. Infatuation, feeling butterflies in your stomach and racing heartbeats. 

The thoughts that he/she is the special one with no specific reason. 'Yes, the typical Korean drama way of falling in love'

2. Knowing yourself and finding someone compatible (compatible means to have common vision in life). Knowing that falling in love is to enter a long term commitment and making sacrifice and accommodating each other to reach a common goal.  

Point 1 will often leads to a short term relationship if point 2 is not met eventually.

Infatuation versus commitment, often infatuation wins. 

And many times, people mistaken infatuation for love. 

So "How do u know whether this love will last forever?"

My answer: It is your choice. 

After saying much. I won't confidently say that I will definitely have a blissful marriage with no second thoughts. 
I mean we are all human.
At the end of the day, It's about self-control. Subconsciously making the effort to not stop loving our partner and to stay committed. It's definitely easier to be said than done. 

Jia You to Marriage!!

With Love, 

Evelyn 

Food Review: Tim Ho Wan @ Plaza Singapura

Yes, I've finally tried the legendary TIM HO WAN! All thank to my lovely hubby. 

The long queuing hour is something that is well known and it's also the reason that hinder us from trying the legendary Dim Sum. 
But this time round, my hubby decided that we should try it and very sweet of him, he had went to queue first. 
By the time I've reached, there were only like 3 people in front of us and I saw a very long queue behind us. He told me that he has queued for more than one hr before I've reached. 

Finally it's our turn to try

My hubby said that this may be our one and only attempt in trying the Dim Sum due to the long waiting which he's not sure whether he'll conquer a 2nd time, so we ordered many, just to make sure that we tried most of the legendary Dim Sum. 

Though the queuing time is really long, their serving is efficient.
In seconds, they served our 1st dish after we've made our order. 
But the down side is the food comes faster than the speed we were clearing it, as such, many dishes starts to pile on our table. 

The very 1st dish we've tried is what known as one of the Big 4 Heavenly King - Baked Bun with BBQ Pork.  

One of Big 4 Heavenly Kings (四大天王）: Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (3 pics) S$4.50

One of Big 4 Heavenly Kings (四大天王）: Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (3 pics) S$4.50

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork: 

The skin of the bun is something impressive and different from the normal steam pork 包. There is air gap between the pork filling and skin which creates a layered texture. "hope u get what I mean" 

Frankly, the pork filling is normal and nothing too surprising.

This dish comes in 3 pieces at S$4.50 which mean one bun is priced @ S$1.50 

The price is reasonable for its quality

I shall introduce all the 4 heavenly kings first. 

One of Big 4 Heavenly King (四大天王）: Steam Egg Cake (1pc) S$3.80

One of Big 4 Heavenly King (四大天王）: Steam Egg Cake (1pc) S$3.80

Steam egg cake:
This steam egg cake is pretty disappointing. 
I'm a fan of steam egg cake. I really love steam egg cake texture when it's firm and layered.
But this one, it's more fluffy and 松. 
From its 2nd photo, it can be seen that the cake is loose. 
But I guess, there are people who like fluffy cake and this serve them well. 
Though the texture is not to my liking, I will have to give credit for its taste. 
But maybe the chief can consider making another version that has firmer texture. 

One of Big 4 Heavenly King (四大天王）: Pan fried carrot cake (3 pcs) S$4.50

Pan fried carrot cake:
The pan fried carrot cake is too good to be true, mo tak teng! 
The taste and texture are just heavenly!
It has strong flavor that is not too salty. 
It's nicely fried and not too oily 
Definitely a MUST MUST TRY

The last but not least, one of the big 4 heavenly kings, is Vermicelli Roll Pig's Liver which we did not try. 
Because my hubby said that it's too unhealthy so we tried the healthier alternative: Vermicelli Roll with BBQ Pork.

Vermicelli Roll with BBQ Roll S$ 5.50

Other than those mention in the Big 4 Heavenly King, I'll like to recommend their spring roll with egg white.

Spring roll with egg white (3 pcs) S$ 4.20

Spring roll with egg white (3 pcs) S$ 4.20

Spring Roll with Egg White:

Picture speaks a thousand words. From the photos above, you can see that the egg white and prawn are alluring. 

The spring roll skin is extremely crispy.

The prawn and egg white merger is match made in heaven. 

I'll say, most of their dishes (almost all) are really good. The following are the other dishes which we've tried and think it's worth your calories. 

Prawn Dumpling (4 pcs) S$ 5.50

Pork Dumpling with Shrimp (4pcs); S$5.00

Glutinous Rice Dumpling (1 pc) S$5.00

Glutinous Rice Dumpling (1 pc) S$5.00

Beancurd Skin Roll w/ Pork & Shrimp (3 pcs) S$ 4.00

Congee with Lean Pork, Century Egg & Salted Egg S$4.20

Our overall dining experience is good and the food is value for money. 
Moreover, you will not need to be afraid of food wastage if you ordered too much, because Tim Ho Wan allows you to pack your food remaining. 
So feel free to order as much as you want. 

Locations: 

68 Orchard Road #01-29A
Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839

Opening Hours:
10.00am – 10.00pm (Monday  – Friday)
09.00am – 10.00pm (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday)

Strictly no reservations

They have recently opened a new outlet at:

450 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #02-02
ERA Centre Toa Payoh
Singapore 319394

Opening Hours:
10.00am – 9.00pm (With effect from 1st November 2013) 

(Monday – Sunday & Public Holiday)

I've heard from the staff that the new outlet at Toa Payoh offers different varieties. 

So if the queuing hour permits, we will try the dim sum at the new outlet

Hope you'll find this review useful.

With Love, 

Evelyn

How to Prepare a Wedding in 6 Month?

I still remember clearly that on the night, right after the proposal, after changing our relationship status on facebook from "in relationship" to "engaged", many friends enquired about when will be our big date. And all I've replied were "not so soon", "have not thought of the wedding". And in my mind, I'm thinking, I can do without a wedding since it's probably going to be troublesome, time-consuming, costly and tiring to plan a wedding.

Weeks after the proposal.....
while I was still immersed in the feeling of surprise and love, my fiance popped a question, 

"when should we get married?". 

And I looked at him with a blank look, "don't know"
Then he mentioned, how good will it be if we will to get married on 26 Oct, our dating anniversary?
We went to look at the calendar and so happened that 26 Oct 13 is a Saturday! How fantastic! "Maybe it's not a bad idea to have a wedding"
The only concern .. it's happening in 6 months time!
A few options we thought of, should we have it outdoor? In a restaurant?or In a hotel ballroom? 

1. Outdoor Wedding: 

• Pros: We can design it into a fairytale scene with lots of flowers or make it into a Twilight inspired wedding with garden theme "so beautiful"
• Cons: What if it rains? How much time required to coordinate the set up? Moreover, even if it never rain, Singapore weather is so humid and hot

Twilight wedding scene

2. Restaurant Wedding:

• Pros: Less pricey, maybe better food quality if we find a good restaurants
• Cons: Did not managed to find a restaurant available which have my ideal aisle. To me, one of the most important moment in wedding is when the bride walks down the aisle. The aisle is like the path to love and happiness "something I can't do without"

Pheony Jade restauarant

3. Hotel Wedding:

• Pros: Indoor, able to get a beautiful aisle, classy, a few hotels provide very good food quality, easy to coordinate, more convenient
• Cons: maybe more expensive 

So we felt that hotel wedding seem to has more pros than cons and we decided to go for it.

We've about 6 months to the day. Are we able to make it in time?

Next day, I immediately sent emails to all the hotels in Singapore to enquire on the ballroom availability at 26 Oct 2013.

Luckily, there is this website: http://singaporebrides.com/banquets.php which features all wedding banquets' names, pricing, email and contact numbers. It makes finding a the location easier, much easier.

After receiving the replies from hotels, we shortlisted a few and went on site visit. We've made a few appointments on weekends and took pictures of the venue. 

I realized that I need to set my requirements in order to decide. 

My requirements:

• Beautiful aisle
• Price not more than 1500 per table (inclusive of GST and service charge)
• Good food quality (knowing that my guest know how to enjoy food)
• Convenient location
• High ceiling (looks nicer)
• Preferably without pillars (Pillars is distracting and may block the view of certain tables)
• Of course good perks (but that's depend on your bargaining skills)

After one week.....
And going through the list of hotels, I found one which fits all my requirements and is available on 26 Oct 13! Guess it's fated for us to get married on this day. 

Most people told us that good wedding location usually need to be booked 1 yr in advance. 
BUT surprisingly, when I enquired hotels 6 months before my expected date, there are many which returned with availability. 

"Luckily married"

With Love, 
Evelyn