Age Defying

When I'm 48...I wanna look just as healthful, minus the speedos/leotards.

Popiah 101

As promised....pics of popiah party for the Empress's party. A labor instensive collaboration from the Seow's, feeding and satisfying some first time Nonya Popiah virgins.

Step1: Get all your fixings ready...EVERYTHING...
Step2: Place moist popiah skins on flat plate, use another half to roll it and hold it in place a lot easier.
Step3: Spread your raw garlic, fresh grinded chilli padi and tim chio(sweet sauce) onto skins evenly.

Step4: Place lettuce leaf at bottom first, followed by popiah filling...not too much or don't be overzealous with it...the thing might burst after... You can always come back for seconds and thirds...

Finale: Proceed to put all the rest of the fixings...shrimp, beansprouts, cucumber, cilantro etc....Be generous, not overzealous once again.

Now, with some technique and a little practise, you should be able to savour a perfectly conical nonya popiah. To view my personalised rolling technique training video, please send SG$9.99 via Paypal. First 50 orders get a "I'm a High Roller!" T-shirt, $15.00 discount voucher at Joo Chiat Popiah Skin Supplier for free! While stocks last.

Personality Test

Stumbled upon while researching stuff for a training module. Short,sweet, simple...results sorta surprised me. Go try http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx

My results here:

Your view on yourself:You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?

Your views on education : Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.

How do you view success:You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.

Who is your true self:You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.

Nonya Popiah Filling Recipe

Quick post- This Nonya Popiah filling recipe has been passed down through generations. It's somewhat of a legacy that I have coveniently fall onto my lap. So, Thank Goodness I'm a good enough cook to fulfill those big shoes. I'm trying my darnest to have all these recipes set in 'virtual stone' as I go along for fear it might be lost when the Bibik Baby Boomer goes K.O.

No specific measurements, all kept Private and Confidential. After all, it's a family legacy.

As with any cooking, mise en place is key. Prep the Bang Kuang(turnip), Bamboo shoots, boiled Fatty Pork, Prawn and Pork Bone Stock(not in picture). Make sure you drain the turnips good.

Start frying the cripy garlic for the popiah garnish(only about 1000 cloves), and leave some for your popiah filling

Add the Tao Chio(Fermented Bean paste)


Add the par boiled pork, fry till fragrant....oh yea also the secret ingredient s****r(must have)
Start adding in the bamboo shoots, constantly stirring. May need some muscle power
Stir fry till al dente, start the transfer to a 15 kg pot...

When I said 15 kg pot , I meant 15 kg pot(this batch feeds 30 pax @ 2 big popiahs each) Add all the rest of the ingredients. Stock, Bang Kuang....Muscle power needed for sure at this point

Bring to boil and keep on boiling till filling is al dente. Best kept for 2-3 days prior to being eaten.

More pics of the popiah part on Sunday coming soon...

Chinese New Year after 6 years absense

After 6 long years in Hawaii, I finally get my full blown dose of Chinese New Years once again. Not to mention a full blown pig out session throughout the 4 day long weekend. Phew. Loading up on Pineapple tarts, fried shrimp rolls, kueh bangkits, love letters amongst many other goodies...I think I probably gained a good 5 kg. Just part and parcel of my 'get fat' diet...

Reunion dinner was a quiet affair, with just me and the folks. Good to actually have a reunion dinner with the folks after a long absense. Though quiet, the steaming hotpot made for much family bonding and catching up. Of course, there's abalone and all the good stuff.

The rest fo the New Years were spent visiting relatives whom I've not seen in ages. Now my cousins have their own kids...some 2. And I get bombarded with the usual: " When are you getting married? Got a steady girlfriend? Are you a big boss now?

The answers to all those questions is NO. However, I just might be in the process of getting there, when, who, how, I don't know....will leave it to the MAN upstairs.

Cutting the whole holiday blog post short, I think I'll refrain from pineapple tarts till next year due to an overdose, and promise myself to go get all those extra pounds worked off. Great to see everyone( relatives and friends) and may all have a good oink year ahead.

Karaoke Staples

talk about nosebleeds.....*drip*

Karaoke Staples

Braces...a monologue

A hard days work, thoughts of recent events swirling in my mind, a fucking crowded bus, my disintergrating laptop bag, smelly commando book out boys, dick parked the wrong way in my underwear but too ashamed to rearrange it in public, sweat dripping down my back due to the stifling air in the bus, yet another idiot bus driver who's jerk happy....sigh.


Then came a comforting sight. Thanks to the cutey Phillipino girl sitting opposite. You made standing and suffering all the 50 mins bus ride a lot more bearable. Yes, I was staring at your braces. Yes, I have a braces fetish. Yes, I knew you were aware and thought I was weird. If only you knew how comforting your braces were. If only you knew I was smiling to myself and forgetting the strains of bus 89. If only I could have braces to look at while taking the bus home everyday. If only.

Selamat Po, Manong.

The simplest uncomplicated things...it makes me happy.

I've decided- A poem

I've decided

To be decisive

I've decided

To be conclusive

I've decided

I want to live the way I feel I need to live

By my own rules

With my own tools

Without the presence of ungrateful fools

I've decided

To not leave it to destiny

For fear, I end up once again in self pity

I've decided

To always deliver what I promise

Hold my head up high with dignity

Give fools the demise

Not that I long to be high and mighty

I've decided

To be selfless

Often not to be heartless

And not to love any less

I've decided

Emotions are best expressed poetically

Without hesitation

Without rejection

Without persuasion

Emotion I will speak of unoffensively

I've decided

To dedicate this to the ones I love

had loved

will love

Release me, this trapped dove

I've decided.

-Mark Seow 4 Feb 2007

Time no enough

Is it just me or did the month of January whizzed past me in a flash? Part of me says Feb with only 28 days and the upcoming Chinese New Year Long weekend, makes a short work month. Here's the catch, I feel as if there's so many things to accomplish, yet so little time to. hmmmm....