PAssion Run 2010

This year's run will take place in the late afternoon and if the distance doesn't kill me first, the humidity will. It's my first long-distance run for this year, and I'm determined to take up more active running to lose my post nuptial weight gain. :(

Is it too much to ask for a singlet that really is XS-sized? Why is it that other than Nike's, other brand's singlet are always over-sized? Heck, I need to grow an extra pair of boobs for those gaping armholes. And what is with the yellow colour?? Who'd fancy looking like a canary?!

*grumble grumble*

I Am Happy...

... because I did a good deed this morning by returning a lost iPhone found on the bus to its owner. *thumbs up to myself* I wish he's cuter though... ;p

Slurrrrrp...

There's nothing more tummy-warming than slurping down a bowl of hot ramen on a rainy day. I was at my happiest when ieatishootipost compiled its list of contenders for the best ramen in Singapore. What a delightful excuse to embark on ramen-tasting trips!

I started off with Nantsuttei over at the spanking new Parco at Marina Bay. The Nippon-centric new extension is not unlike the shopping malls at Ponto-cho, Kyoto, with its quaint yet edgy little boutiques. Damn, the wanderlust strikes again... :)

There was already a queue when hubby and I reached there at 5.00pm. It was fast moving though and we were seated within minutes. I almost imagined myself back in Japan, when the bubble was popped unceremoniously by howling kids in the restaurant. Now, what I wouldn't give to just slurp my ramen IN PEACE in those atypical ticketed and fuss-free ramen joints. Grrrr.. why, pray tell, is it that Japanese kids are so much more well-behaved? Tsk..

I ordered the basic Ramen that comes with just a piece of char-shu. No biggie. The noodle and soup are the centerpieces here and I could do with less meat in my diet.

THE bomb here is the blackish garlic oil over the tonkatsu broth. It was yums with lots of garlicky umami flavour. The Hakata-style noodle is slightly thicker and the oily soup coated the noodles well. Too bad it turned soggy pretty quick. I prefer the more chewy noodles of Marutama. I declined the handful of beansprouts as I do not want my soup to be diluted.

My verdict? Undecided, because I've yet to try Ippudo. Now, will the crazy queues at Mandarin Gallery please move to here instead? :) My all-time fave is still Marutama at this point.

I had this humongous bowl of black ramen in Ponto-cho, Kyoto (unsure of the address though) that touted it's signature black goodness as a must-try. It's nothing like what I've tasted before! My guess is that it uses pork bone broth with black sesame paste, hence the inky pallor. The soup is thick and rich with a nutty taste.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO JAPAN!

Of Wursts, Brezn and Jolly Shandy?

Over the weekend on Saturday, the hubby and I popped by Brotzeit for an early dinner. It was by no coincidence that we also felt like gulping down copious amount of beer (or bier, as the Bavarians call it), no thanks to this mad weather. We've dined at both the Raffles City and Vivocity outlets but the latter one is our perennial favourite. Humidity aside, it's at least a semblance of waterfront dining, no? Of course it helps too that the view towards RWS is easier on the eyes compared to just last year where massive piling works and mounds of earth are all that you can see.

The mango Affensaft was refreshing and hubby's Weissbier with sprite tasted surprisingly like good ole Jolly Shandy! Heh. Apparently, Germans drink this 'refreshing concoction' after sports. Hmm.. not sure about the alcohol, but it it's definitely a thirst quencher.

We ordered sausages for our mains; my Weisswurst looked spiffy eh? It's pork and veal sausages served with homemade brezn (pretzel) and sweet mustard dipping sauce. The boiled sausages are really tender and I can taste the meaty goodness of the veal and pork. Don't be fooled by the size; I can only manage 2 of those.

I've never been more fascinated with the brezn. My first taste of pretzels were those from Auntie Anne's and I subsequently tasted one that was closer to Brotzeit's from a Hungarian street vendor. It was rock-hard, salty and I nearly gagged swallowing it. Oh, and it was bigger than both of my palms combined! The one served at Brotzeit tasted just like that, albeit smaller. The taste grows into me, I guess, as I chewed and the coarse salt brought out the dough's flavour.

*Burp*

Hello blogosphere

This maiden post is sneakily written 51 minutes past my lunchtime (pats myself on the back), in this lawless boondocks I call My Office. Monday is blue as usual, today with the cramp hovering nearby. Madonna was played on loop this morning, thanks to the excellent Glee tribute to the Material Girl. Sue Sylvester and Kurt Hummel rock my socks! My fave quote, "I'm gay, she's black. THAT makes us couture". How true... Ms J Alexander would be so proud :)

What are you waiting for? ~Strike a pose..

OK, got to go. Work beckons.