Veggie Options at Saizeriya

Tampines 1 has a new Saizeriya outlet. There are not many vegetarian options but you can request that they don't  add meat. The pasta comes in huge portion like the mushroom spinach cream pasta which costs $6.90. I particularly love their truffle ice-cream and gratin.  Compared to Pastamania, price for pasta is much lower and offers better dessert variety. 

Mushroom spinach cream spaghetti ($6.90)

Oregano gratin ($5.90). I requested for no meat.

Truffle ice-cream ($4.90)

Passing of Xinyao Pioneer

I read with sadness that Xinyao singer, Yan Liming passed away recently. I grew up listening to Xinyao songs, or Singapore Chinese folk songs. She sang many local drama theme songs and many of my favourite Xinyao songs like Happy Trio. If you ask me what are the things that remind me of Singapore, I will say Xinyao as it is part of my childhood and part of Singapore Chinese culture. 

I read that a group of Xinyao singers like Liang Wenfoo will be planning a memorial singing event to remember Yan Liming on 14 Oct at Capitol Piazza. I try to attend because I enjoy listening to Xinyao songs and they reminds me I'm in Singapore. 

Yan Liming is the lady in red.

Last Print for i-Weekly and 8 Days Magazines

Today I went to purchase the last print edition of i-Weekly and 8 days magazines as these two local entertainment magazines have decided to venture to digital version only. 

I feel sad that these two magazines that I read for many years will no longer be in print. For me I'm a tactile person and love the feel of papers and I enjoy reading from a physical magazine. I can keep the magazine of my favourite singer or actor. In the past, I look forward to buying the magazines especially if my favourite artist is on cover. 

I doubt I read the online version as I do not really like reading online and it's not healthy to spend long hours online. In the future for entertainment news, I will just read from Shin min daily Chinese evening newspapers.  

Going to Perth in Late November

I don't intend to go to Australia this year but on the third week of November, I be going to Perth for a week work. This will be my first trip to Perth and it's about 5 hours flight time from Singapore. Just hope the weather will be cool and windy. 

Next year I plan to go to Taipei and explore the beautiful and serene Nongchan temple and explore various vegetarian restaurants and snacks. Taiwanese are more friendly compared to Hong Kongers. 

Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days

Just watched this inspiring Korean movie last week, Along with the Gods 2 at Suntec City Golden Village cinema. The ending is kinda unexpected. It made you think that sometimes forgetting your past lives is not a bad thing. One of the grim reapers who committed evil deed was made to remember his evil past life and he lived with regret and sadness for a thousand years. Some meaningful quote include there is no bad person but bad situation. Whenever in doubt, remind oneself to be kind even when you feel angry or unjust. 

Universal Studios Singapore at Resort Sentosa

If you love thrilling rides, Universal Studios Singapore is the place to go. In the 90s, I was daring and tried almost all the rides at Gold Coast Dreamworld. Now, I only dare to venture the kiddy rides. Recently I went to to the Universal Studios Singapore. The last time I went to USS was in 2014. Not much has changed except for the new trick eye museum. 

One area I love is the New York area. It reminds me of my solo trip to New York to watch Broadway musicals and visit all the art and design museums. Even though I went alone, I had no time to feel lonely as I was immersed in the arts and musicals. It's definitely one of the best holidays in my life. 

New York, New York! One of my favourite cities besides Taipei.

Durian Ice-Cream

Yesterday is Singapore's 53rd Birthday. MacDonald recently launched Durian McFlurry in Singapore to in conjunction to Singapore's birthday. My youngest brother treated me Durian McFlurry when I mentioned I wanted to eat. I went to his new flat to help in drying his plates and utensils. 

Durian McFlurry is sweet, but you can taste durian fibre so its actually quite good but unhealthy. 

Network Neurosis Visual Arts at Esplanade

Esplanade, theatres by the bay, my respite in Singapore.

Sunny and Hot in Singapore

Love the beautiful sky dotted with fluffy cloud I saw few days ago and decided to capture it.

Temperature is about 30 degrees celsius in Singapore today. Few days ago, it was about 33 to 34 degrees celsius. Compared to other countries that are hit by sweltering heatwave where temperature rose to above 40 degrees celsius in Japan even Korea, Singapore is much cooler. Else, one can just venture to the multitudes of air-conditioned shopping malls in Singapore. 

My Blog on Buddhism

I have a blog on Buddhism. This blog is a platform to share what I learned on Buddha's Teaching. 

This is the link https://heartsutrabuddhism.blogspot.com

Ananda, when I asked you earlier about the location of the mind, it was to let you understand that the illusory mind which causes the cycle of birth and death is without a location. All your repeatedly wrong conclusions were rebutted and proven.

That the illusory mind has a location that the illusory mind has a solid substance are all ridiculous. And now I am asking you what exactly is the mind? But you have stopped at your initial perception that the eyes can see the attributes while the mind admires and not move forward.

Cool Weather in Singapore

It's supposed to be hot starting in June yet last week it was raining incessantly and temperature reached to about 21 degrees celsius. For the first time last week, I didn't switch on the fan. 

If only temperature is a cool 21 degrees celsius everyday. Today it is about 29 degrees celsius at night. 

Salad Buffet at Earle Swenson

I enjoyed the salad buffet at Earle Swenson especially if they have creamy penne pasta. As Earle Swenson at Westgate does not offer vegetarian main course, I opted for the salad buffet which includes fruit, pasta, salad, vegetables and salad dressing. 

After I made payment, the staff kindly told me to download fave app and purchase it which allows me to pay $9.90 instead of $19.09. 

Sadly there is no Earle Swenson in Tampines. I'm too lazy to travel to Jurong East unless its necessary. 

Nearest MRT Station: Jurong East

I love penne pasta and salad.

 Coleslaw

 There are many different salad dressing like mango salad, thousands island sauce.

 I love this 

A Beautiful and Modern Temple in Taipei 水中月， 空中花

After watching a video on this beautiful NungChan temple in Taipei, Beitou, I plan to go to Taipei next year to explore this temple. Perhaps I can just go there and meditate.

水中月（Moon in the water)， 空中花 (flower in the sky)

In Taipei, there is a unique modern temple - Nongchan Temple Shuiyue Dojo. Unlike other traditional temples, there are no overhanging eaves and dougong brackets, let alone heavy colors. They even don't burn incense. What is truly amazing is that the architect Yao Renxi etched the two famous Chinese Buddhist scriptures -- the “Diamond Sutra” and the “Heart Sutra” -- into the external walls of the temple, in order for the Dharma to enlighten everyone in the most natural way.

Crispy Enoki Mushroom at Shilin

I was delighted to see Shilin, a Taiwan street snack stall at Tampines Mall selling crispy evoki mushroom. Alas it doesn't come cheap and it is priced at $4.40. This is more expensive than the fried crispy soft-shell crab at Hot Star, another Taiwan street snack stall. 

The staff told me to wait for about 10 minutes as they only fry enoki mushroom when ordered. 

The enoki mushroom is indeed crispy and tasty ( salty) and it has similar taste to fried soft-shell crab. After 3 hours, it still retains its crunchiness. Actually they just use similar batter for soft shell crab. 

Even though it is delicious, it is best to limit intake as it high in fat and salt. I brought to share with my family together as we sat together to celebrate Father's Day. 

Fried enoki mushroom 金针菇. I opted for seaweed version.