Yet again, my weekend has officially been eaten into. It's now 11.30pm as I'm typing this post out, but I'll have to leave the house and head to work at like 2.15am. Literally an early start, especially for a weekend!
The Singapore Bay Run/ Army Half Marathon 2007 is going on later this Sunday morning. Have to been there as part of work stuff to run some trials on some marathoners. The thing people do for reseach eh. But I still love my job.
Ok, I guess I better go take a cat nap for now... nites!
Been heading out with the guys quite a bit in search of good but 'cheap' food. Ok, let's make it clear here. Cheap in our context does not refer to your typical $2 plate of chicken rice. I would say the better word to use would be - reasonable. You see, not all of us can always afford to dine at fine and fancy place hey.
Anyway, our stop this week, by Nic Tan's recommendations- The Bigrill. A small stall serving up western food meals right in the Yishun heartland (Blk 110 Yishun Ring Road, #01-401 You N Lai Coffeeshop). Apparently, they were reviewed in a couple of food writeups to be rather good going by coffeeshop standards. Yep, you got me right there. It's in a coffeeshop! It's kinda like the other popular western food stall - Botak Jones, except that The Bigrill boast to serve up more exotic dishes like their special BBQ crocodile meat steaks. Never got down to try that; not my kinda thing. Chopping up a cow already sounds bad enough for me, much less a croc! Seems to me that there's some sort of an evolution thing going on with the local food scene in Sunny Singapore. Even the coffeeshops now are competing in terms of ambience, quality and uniqueness.
There's your typical fish and chips and chicken chop being served. Also on the menu were the other dishes we tried - Cheesy Fish, Texas Sirloin Steak (another popular dish) and Mary Lamb which I had. At first glance, quantity and appearance wise, the food looked really good for coffeeshop standards. Taste wise, it was still good, but not that fantastic as I thought it would be. I liked my lamb though. It was served with this blended mint paste thingy which goes really well with the meat. I even found myself taking in more of it on its own! Oooo.... I also liked their chilli fries they serve on the sides - my kinda thing (anything spicy is good by me). Didn't fancy the coleslaw though, found it a little too rich with mayo dressing.
The stall owner even took time to pop by out table to check-in on us. He was a pretty nice chap, asked us for feedback and our dear Nic Tan was honest enough to tell him that the food wasn't as good as compared to the last time he tried it. Hahaha.... honesty is good, we should all learn from Nic!
Price wise, you pay on average $10 for 200g of steak that actually taste like steak unlike your usual $6 at your common western food stalls that look just like slabs of 'meat' and not steak- steak (I think u should get the idea) . I think the croc meat was about $18 for 200g). Overall, I would have to say that The Bigrill definitely ranks above your typical coffeeshop western food stall in terms of standards and taste. But, don't rock up there with too high expectations like the gang and me.
Address:
Blk 110, Yishun Ring Road
#01-401, You N Lai Coffeeshop
Singapore 760110
Operating Hours:
Mon-Sat: 4pm - 11pm , 
I dare say I'm starting to get a little better at this game of bridge. I'm a pretty late starter to the game... but hey, who gives a damn! I still remember how my ex-housemates back in Perth used to try teaching me the art of the game. They've resorted to all means and ways like dragging me out of my room (where I was happily being a nerd) and forced me to sit next to them so that I would pick up the game - it's only because they wanted an extra person who would know how to play in the house!
Think I finally realised how interesting the game can get, especially when you play amongst friends like Wei Hao, Nic and Shiming. Hahhaha. For some sudden reason, they guys have been spending the past 2 Saturday nights over at my place playing bridge. You see, Saturday is 'time away from girlfriend day' for them, so it's a time for us to catch up as friends. Even my parents found it rather queer that the 4 of us were so entertained and enjoying ourselves over a deck of cards! Hahhaha....
Anyway, Wei Hao and I make a good team... usually. That's only because Nic Tan kinda sucks (Nic, don't angry ok, kiddin only). But really, he's so blur and he loves to out bid everyone else -just for the fun of it. Somehow it makes him feel good for that moment! Weird. Ya, but this tootface goes on to bid for like 6 of something.... and as you'll prob figure.... ends up losing - badly! Not just that, we've caught him a couple of times not even knowing that the game was over. It's totally amusing playing with these people!
Another round soon ya guys! I'll open my place anytime for any bridge games! Heehee. ( See Wei Hao, at least you won't have to send me back!)
You prob can figure out from the lack of updates that it's been pretty crazy and busy for me lately. Ongoing trials to conduct and stuff... work just seems to be never-ending!
Anyway, I'm gonna keep this post rather short and let the pictures do the talking...
1. NDP Preview 21.07.2007
My good friend Min who's a teacher managed to grab an extra ticket for me to watch the NDP preview with her primary 5 kiddies; one one condition that I help look after the kids that is! I've only actually caught the parade on the actual day itself when I was still a little rascal. That's a good 15 years back I reckon. Oooo.... floating platform. Hhahha.... I guess the parade was ok. Not that great, but at least they tried to change it a little. Loved the segment where they were showing off their 3G soldiers and weapons and of coz the main highlight - Fireworks!
2. 8th Jurong Island Dragon Boat Competition 04.08.2007
Since I joined my new company a couple of months back, I've been invited to join the company's dragon boating team. The last I recalled rowing and paddling my kayak/dragon boat was a good 3 years back, before I went over to Aust for Uni. Having now regained momentum , I've once again scummed to the addiction and love for the sport! Anyway, this was my first race with the team, but I'm glad to announce that we clinched a Silver medal for our excellent teamwork and efforts! Next target race - River Regatta! See u there....
3. Blading outing with Sis 05.08.2007
Since my sis ended her prelims, decided to bring her down to East Coast Park to blade. Haven't bladed for quite awhile. Even the guy at the shop where I usually rent their lockers to keep my stuff surprised me by saying he noticed that I haven't been down blading over the past 3 weeks. Indeed we had an awesome time blading up and down the coastline. I must give credit to my sis who despite having not bladed for a few years, surprised me by blading at quite a fast pace... and she didn't even fall once! Heehee! Love all my sister time with her! 
So there u go.... In the meantime, HAPPY NATIONAL DAY to Singapore and everyone else!