Keng Eng Kee Seafood, Alexandra Village (琼荣记海鲜)

Located at Alexandra Village (near Queensway Shopping Centre), Keng Eng Kee restaurant has been frequented by my family for years.
The people there know my extended family rather well.
After eating here for so many years, I can safely say the food standards are maintained.
This restaurant has been on numerous newspaper articles, and even on the television.

My family and I went back there again recently to "celebrate" my graduation.
Here are some of the dishes we tried:

1. Fried you tiao

This is our MUST ORDER.
Couple this with their mayo sauce and it's so heavenly.

2. Pig liver - not for the faint hearted

My bf calls me disgusting when I profess my love for pig liver, my gfs gave me dirty looks when I told them pig livers are delicious.

You know, its hard to find pig livers cooked well - either they're too hard or too soft.

But here, the pig liver were done REALLY WELL.

My mom often buys pig livers to cook at home - sometimes she cooks it well, sometimes it gets too hard. So I would like to think, it's a matter of timing and skills to present a good pot of pig livers.

After all, these are good in iron (I really need them).

3. Coffee pork ribs

 Meh, not a fan of this. Idk why my parents always order it.

4. Beancurd - meh

 My brothers love it, not me!

5. Sweet sour fish - meh

Not a fan of the sauce but the fish was decent.

6. Cuttlefish kangkong - not bad

Cuttlefish were cooked really well, it was soft and chewy to a reasonable extent.

It was kinda like eating a harder form of jelly!

But the kangkong today wasn't as good as what I had before.

7. White Hor Fun 

Didn't touch this since I was too full.
But should be decent I guess.

Overall, a satisfying meal, which costs less than $100 for 7 pax
Cheap!

To get here:
#01-136, 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1
62721038

Review - Streetdeal coupon: Blisshouse Theme Restaurant @ The Central

ONLY $9.90 NETT for 3-Course Set Meal: Pasta + Soup of the Day + Drink at Blisshouse Theme Restaurant @ The Central, Clarke Quay. Choose from a variety of 6 pasta mains!

http://www.streetdeal.sg/deals/view/7692/0/69_percent_off_3-Course_Set_Meal_Pasta_Soup_of_the_Day_Drink_at_Blisshouse_Theme_Restaurant_The_Central_Clarke_Quay.html

Got this at Streetdeal since its pricing was reasonable.

The set meal includes a pasta (choose from 6), soup and drink.

Here are the 6 choices (note, these are taken from streetdeal website)

LINGUINE VONGOLE
"Live" Clams with White Wine in Aglio Olio style

CARBONARA
Spaghetti Pasta with Prosciutto bits in Cream Sauce with Parmesan

VEGETARIAN PASTA
Upon request & depending on Vegetables available

SHRIMP & BACON LINGUINE
Inguine Pasta with Prawns & crispy Bacon bits in Alfredo Sauce top with Arugula

MUSHROOM ALFREDO
Linguine Pasta & mixed Wild Mushroom in Cream Sauce with Parmesan

AMERICANA
Spaghetti with Prosciutto bits in homemade Tomato Sauce with Garlic, fresh Basil, Olives, Onion & Chili

Food ordered:

I love the pumpkin soup because it was flavourful.

My friend ordered the cream of mushroom at $2 top up, but it wasn't tasty.

I had the mushroom alfredo, which I thought was average.

Like many creamy base, I get sick of them easily, however I must say that I was able to finish nearly the full plate.

The mushrooms were good though :)

Didn't like what my friend ordered because it was too salty.

This was priced at $24, which is more expensive than mine, but I thought that mine tasted better!

For the drinks, my friend had coke, while I drank tea.

To sum up the deal, this was a fuss free process with friendly and efficient staff.

Other plus points include the beautifully decorated restaurant, and its convenient location!

Didn't take much photos of the venue but you can see more if you google!

I can conclude that this is worth the $9.90 deal - while their pasta is not fantastic, its reasonable enough! :)

Blisshouse Theme Restaurant 

6 Eu Tong Sen Street 

#03-21, The Central

Singapore 059817 

62255532

Bali 3d3n rejuvenating trip- Day 4: The Bale, Airport, Prada Bar and Restaurant

It's been 2 weeks since I came back from Bali, how time flies.

The last day saw us waking up early to catch the last sunrise.
I talked about this previously that we didn't manage to catch any
1. probably because the villa is not at the right direction (SAD)
2. it was rather gloomy that day (SADDDD)

 Within a while, it looked like this:

Bad luck.

Anyway, we enjoyed our breakfast in the villa again.

 Bf had a swim the pool thereafter, while I enjoyed my mango smoothie by the pool.
Last ever chance :(

It was time to check out, since our flight was at 3pm.

I should have bought the later flight!

So angry at myself :( thought that it'd be better to come back early since there wouldn't be much to do in Bali.

But at least I could've enjoyed more time in the villa!

Too bad, time has already past.

The checkout process wasn't extremely efficient I must say.

We had to call the butler ourselves to inform them of check out; since I assumed they'll be coming as they confirmed our check out time the day before!

Also, we waited for quite a while at the lounge before our car to the airport arrived.

Sadly, the usual chauffeur was on leave, miss him!

Once we reached the airport, we decided to get our lunch.

Here, I made a mistake of wanting to check in first before our lunch, since I was worried we might be late.

Turns out their check in booth was not open yet, so we had to walk all the way back to the restaurant for our food.

Time wasted.

Settled into this Prada Bar and Restaurant for Bebek Garing (crispy duck).

 Bf's order

I ordered the Bebek Garing which was better than what I had at Mai Mai!

Lunch ended, and we swiftly went to check in.

While it was a rather easy process, it was NOT EFFICIENT at all

Loads of time spend waiting and queuing, I really hope when the new airport is in place everything would be good!

 Did you know you've to prepare 150,000 rupiah per pax in advance for the departure tax?
Luckily I did my research before hand!
You'll need to pass your departure tax here - see, queues again.

Unfortunately my Tiger air got delayed, which made me a little piss since I could have stayed longer at the villa!

And then it was home sweet home within 2.5 hours of flight.

Hopefully I'd get a chance to explore Seminyak and Kuta side of Bali the next time!
Ciao~

Things I've learnt during unemployment

photo credit: http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/northwoodhs/students/seniors.aspx

Truth be told, I'm a fresh graduate - fresh meaning I've 0 years of full-time work experience, not including my internship and temporary work assignments.
If I were to count in these temp jobs, I'd have work for 7 years (yeah, I'm not young anymore).

I'm the Class of 2013, and I'll be having my convocation soon.
It's been 2.5 months since my last examination on 9th May, which marks the end of school, the end of examinations - I kid, I'd have thought I would say GOODBYE to tests, but guess what, I still have to go through psychometric tests, written essays, research work etc to get a job.
I have been jobless for 2.5 months, and I predict I could probably be so for 4 months ****

Here are some things I've learnt, and thought about during my unemployed crisis:

1. Even if you start job hunting early, you may not get employed early - I guess its a matter of my poor luck, and the lack of job opportunities that entice me
2. People with a lower GPA than you, may not fare worse - some of them secured jobs way earlier than me. Suck it up.
3. Receiving many calls from employers does not mean good news - some of my friends got 0 calls from employers. To encourage them, I told them that I've received plenty, but look at where am I now?
4. Going for many interviews does not mean you'd get a job - let me count, I've been to almost 8 interview sessions, including group interviews, panel interviews, psychometric tests. Most of which I'm eliminated in Round 1. 
5. Some employers require employees with experiences, but claims to "welcome fresh graduates" - I find this amusing. I've heard from some friends that their employers told them they're actually looking for people with a few years of experiences, If you don't want fresh graduates with 0 experience, why do you even call us down in the first place? 
6. Even if you cry, nobody can help you - I've cried a couple of times, sometimes due to jealousy (why are they employed, but not me?), sometimes questioning my caliber (am I that bad?), sometimes just blaming myself for the lack of luck. But no matter how hard you boo boo in your bathroom, nothing will happen; you won't get a job miraculously. 
7. Sometimes you get exasperated - after going through so many interviews, I question if the next interview would end up as nothing again. 
8. Even if the employers look happy and praise you, don't link it to a success - I've employers who kept nodding and smiling with things I said. Giving compliments like "you're very active in school, that's good!" They give all sorts of confirmation, as if like they're going to employ you. Then a few weeks later, BAM - UNSUCCESSFUL.
9. Don't give up despite your exasperation - there's no way I can give up. I need a job. I studied for 23 years just for this piece of degree to send me into the working world. There's no way these failures in job interviews can put me down!
10. I feel useless, no more. SMILE - at the end of the day, life still goes on. When I woke up today, I felt so useless, because I had no aim. I felt useless because of many different thoughts: I can't talk well, I am not sociable, I don't look capable etc. But after writing this post, I felt a little more positive. SMILE. The employers don't and won't want to know how many interviews you've failed or been through. Give them a smile and hope for the best. 

BALI 3D3N REJUVENATING TRIP - DAY 3 (The Bale, Tanjung Benoa beach, Conrad Bali, Hardy's, Bali Collection)

Hello, back for an update on Bali Day 3.

The day started with bubble bath (again) and our breakfast by the daybed.
Ah, how enjoyable.

 Diligent worker clearing up the leaves in our pool

After our breakfast, we took an hour or so to do a couple photoshoot LOL in our graduation gowns.
Applause please, for carrying our heavy gowns all the way there!

We left The Bale for Tanjung Benoa beach via our private car again.

 I think my photography skill is improving every minute :P

1. Tanjung Benoa beach

Tanjung Benoa, near Nusa Dua, is a popular destination for doing water sports.

While I did imagine myself parasailing and diving, we didn't do any of the sports in the end lol

I must say, the people there are not pushy touts who demand you to get water sports packages from them

When we politely declined their invitation for price quotations, they were nice enough to say Thank You.

See, many Balinese are polite and friendly people :)

 The beach feels like ours again - near empty

And then it was "photoshoot" time again hahaha
Took lots of photos by the beach :)
I really love the serene vibe there. I felt that the sand is much finer than Nusa Dua & Geger beach

Pick up some seashells by the beach to bring them home - which are now lying in my musical box -.-
♫she sells seashells on the seashore♫

 Spotted a really cute cloud, can you tell what it looks like?

 2. Strolled along the beach to Conrad Bali

Spotted this infrastructure which is known as the infinity <3

Seems like a good spot to get your marriage vows in!

It'd be soooo romantic!

 Decided to head into the Conrad restaurant for snacks because, like always, I'm easily hungry.

 We were sitted in a pavilion by the sea \O/

Ordered the snacks from the kids menu because we had to go for dinner soon.

Free buns on hot pebbles = cool!

 

 Mango smoothie for my man

 Fried fish slices and salad for the kiddy me

 Total damage: 169400 rupiah (SGD 21) - not cheap, but...no choice.

3. Hardy's supermarket

Prior to my Bali trip, I saw reviewers talking about this Hardy's supermarket at Nusa Dua.

They said it was the largest supermarket/shopping centre there.

So we asked our driver to send us there - told him we needed 1 hour to shop.

In the end... it was an ultimate waste of time. Should have told him to pick us up within 1/2 hour.

Within 15 minutes I was bored.

I'd prefer Bali Collection's Coco supermarket.

Fruits and veggies for sale.

 Got tired and sat down while waiting for my bf to buy his stuffs -.-

4. Bali Collection - Ocean restaurant

Headed here for dinner.

I wasn't feeling very well that day, and didnt have a full dinner (probably quite full from my snacks at Conrad)

Since my bf wanted grilled seafood, we came here!

 I had the hot chocolate cake which was kinda bad, and look at that puny pathetic strawberry! :'(

The service was not bad though, and they offers free cars to send you back to your hotel.

We declined since we already had our mode of transport.

5. The Bale - Welcome Spa

Ended the night with a 15 minutes welcome spa at The Bale.

Pretty decent, except that it was lesser than 15 minutes! Hmph.

This was the only photo I took, look at the ready smile hehe

Sadly my bf got this staff to serve him, mine didn't look as friendly though

And then, it was back to my villa/home.
Had instant noodles - popmie again, in different flavour.
I prefer what I had on Day 2

  Bored kids playing monopoly deal!

 And truth or dare - which is soooo boring for 2 people.

That's the end of Day 3.

Till then~