Faloodas and Vegetarian food

Singapore, March 201117
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I went to Serangoon North to buy some kits to test the fish pond water and stopped by this place to get some food. Unfortunately today the stall was only open till mid-day so I wasn't able to get their 'famous' dishes. The fried rice was good but the sambal 'prawns' were a little disappointing.

Mom and I met an ex-collegue of mine for lunch. We also headed down to Little India because she needed to get something. We stopped by Bombay Cafe and had a falooda.

Cake and Birthday

Singapore, March 201115
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

It's PlanetofSound's birthday and Impy is away so Simian and I went for dinner at Raj for the birthday boy. I had baked a chocolate hazelnut cake earlier in the day and then Simian came home to decorate it. I realised I had bought the wrong nozzle - so Simian hacked it. He managed to create this beautiful work of art anyway though with a cow rocking out with the guitar :)

We had the cake at the Whiskey Store, PlanetofSound and Imp's go-to place.There we had cake :) Happy Birthday again to Planetofsound. Here's to a wonderful year ahead.

Impy you were missed!

Tott and Ice Cream

Singapore, March 201113
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I finally went to Tott today with Simian and D! The place is fantastic and it looks very upscale but the prices are really very reasonable. I love the place - I also got a membership card and will definitely be going back again soon! We got a 5 litre bottle of olive oil for $25 among other things.

D had never been to Wishbone so we took her there for ice cream. Simian had the Black Glory, D the Gula Melaka Sundae and I had the Chendol Sundae. All their ice creams are amazing!

Tekka Market

 

Dad mentioned he wanted to get something at Tekka Market so after hearing so much about the place, I finally got to go. There was a great store selling all kinds of vegetables and condiments - I took one look at the place and realised that this must be where Planetofsound must be shopping!

Food and Arab Street

 

We had Simian's colleague, D and his family over for dinner. Dad and Mom went all out. Dad took Simian and I out to get lots of food this afternoon. We went to three different places to get fish head curry, chicken rice and murtabak, just to mention a few of the things we got.

At Arab Street, we saw a couple of interesting things. I loved this very bizarre sign about where to put your trash - especially as there was no garbage can in sight! :) Also, I never knew there was deer murtabak! Arab Street is always exciting.

Lost Dog reunited with owner

 

Some very much appreciated good news - the lost dog found her home! I went by the SPCA to borrow a microchip scanner which they very kindly loaned me. D, who works there then checked their records and discovered that someone had made a report today - and the dog sounded very much like the one which we had found. It was also lost in our estate. I came home and called the owner - they hadn't realised the dog was lost for 24 hours.

I spoke with the people who were keeping the dog temporarily (and who are lovely, responsible people) and they also spoke with the owner. Dog and owners were reunited this evening :) The owner also came by to thank us.

Mom and I also saw our ex-neighbours for lunch today. They invited us over for Pakistani food and it was really good! We haven't seen them for more than 10 years and they are just as nice as ever.

Simian's new keyboard also came - that's Jerry exhausted after doing her very important inspection of the box.

I still kind of expect to hear Mom's bedroom gate open and for little paws to come running out - it's weird that QQ isn't around.

RIP Queequeg

 

I woke up this morning and went to Mom's room to speak with her. Mom was in the study and River and Queequeg followed me in, as they often do. Suddenly Queequeg fell over on her side, gave a squeak and then she died. It was really fast and we couldn't believe she was gone. Mom gave her oxygen to try and revive her. I tried the mirror test and tested her pain reflexes. We're pretty sure that she went almost instanteously. Mom and I took her to the vet to make sure she was dead.

I know I said Ariel had a good death - but I think Queequeeg's might have been even better. Queequeg was lively and active almost till the minute she passed on. In the last few days, she was still chasing me for toys, barking to get what she wanted, going for her walks in her pram with Mom and bouncing around. She was always on the lookout to steal food and yesterday she had a slice of roast pork that was almost microscoptic (she had a bad tummy) and she loved it.

Her end was very rapid and she went as peacefully as could be. It turned out to be a blessing that Mom missed Bible class today because she could be with Queequeg in the end. Queg would have definitely wanted her Mom with her.

We have no idea how old Queg was - the vet estimated she was 10 when we got her. She came from a horrible flat where the owner had gone to jail and left her there with a motley crew of other animals. She was bald, traumatised, full of ticks and scrawny. The other dog with her was dead and eaten by maggots. When Queg came out of the flat, she had tears in her eyes, probably from the fact that she was unused to light. Mom and Dad took her in, thinking she wouldn't last too many years. Who knew that she'd stay with us another 9 wonderful years.

She was always happy and she was devoted to Mom. At the beginning, she didn't want to let Mom out of her sight though towards the end, she also worshiped Toys and Food. She never bothered to welcome me home from the US - she'd just jump into my suitcase and look for the toy she knew was always there.

She got along with almost all the cats. She let them share her bed on occasion (as in the photo above). Most of all, she was a very happy dog and she knew she was loved. We'll miss you Queeg.

Here are some photos I took of her in the last few months. The photo in the bottom right have corner is from just two nights ago.

Of Scleroderma and Dogs

 

What a day. First I went to the doctor to get my blood work results and he confirmed that I have scleroderma. M first spotted the signs (hard, shiny skin and my Reynaud's) and urged me to get tested. So far I seem to have the limited form - I hope it doesn't progress and I stay with only the mild version. There's nothing I can do except to avoid stress, UV rays and go back and get tested regularly.

I came back and then Mom and I went out for lunch, before dropping by my ex-neighbour, ML's new apartment. I made banana bread and brought it over and we had tea with ML and her roommate, A.

I went for a jog in the evening and found a lost dog. When I was done with my dog, I went back and the dog was still there. Eventually a nice young man took him home for the night - we all agreed to keep in touch to see if we can help.

Simian and I went to Mustafa after dinner to look for a blood pressure monitor. I saw this sign - M, rooftop dining ON Mustafa! We have to go!

Lunch and Keyboard Shopping

 

I went for lunch with M and Baby E - I only got one shot at Cafe Beviamo before they told me that they don't allow photography! That's kind of odd considering that the place is a really casual cafe. We did have a pretty good lunch though and I had a milkshake which could have been ill-advised by my tummy took it well!

Baby E was in an especially good mood and she even gave me a high-five :)

I also went to the supermarket and managed to get Malteaster bunnies - they taste really good!

In the evening, I went to pick Simian up and we went to the Excelsior to get his new keyboard at Luther Music. The people were were friendly and knowlegeable. I never realised the place had so many music stores AND camera stores. I managed to get a small bag for my SLR and am pleased. You do need to shop around though as we were quoted wildly differing prices!

Lunch and food poisoning

 

Simian and I went for lunch with my in-laws today. They were late and the restaurant (Dragon Phoenix) showed their displeasure by removing first the menus and then one of the chairs. It wasn't that they needed the chair for anything else - they just took it away and lined it up against the wall. Simian and I had never been there and would probably have walked out if it was just the two of us. We joked the place was so old school that they might show their displeasure by spitting in our food.

Fast forward a few hours later - it might not have been a joke. My parents-in-law and I all have food poisoning. Simian and my brother-in-law are okay so far. I'm hoping the worst is over.

Before the onset of food poisoning, we went to Brewerkz for a quick beer. Simian says it's one of the best (and cheap) beers in Singapore, plus it's on tap. I ordered a fruity beer but still didn't love it and left most of it untouched. Simian aptly described it as a not very good fruity lambic. Simian had a small beer and he says maybe that saved his tummy :) We also had waffle in the basement - it's been ages since we went to Liang Court and we went to Mediya to see if they had de-shelled edmame (they don't).

We also saw this t-shirt - I remember Little Black Sambo from when I was a kid but I didn't think anyone still manufactured the stuff because it's so controversial!

Lunch out with Simian

 

Simian went for a haircut and then we stopped by at Nature's Vegetarian which the hairdresser said was good. We had a good meal there and contrary to this review, I thought it was reasonable. This is likely because we ordered from the cheaper menu - the green menu were all dishes for 4 to 6 people. We did have the tom yum soup which cost $5 - and honestly it COULD have fed 4. Our entire lunch only came to $16. Simian did say the ordering system was messy though and somehow we ended up with two barley drinks (one hot and one cold) and the noodles came with fake seafood instead of mixed vegetables. It was good though - and very filling. The fake satay was pretty good too.

M came by in the evening with pressies - a book, Jolly Ranchers and ice cream! Thanks M!!

Pasar Malams

 

I don't even know why I love pasar malams (night markets) so much but I just do. Simian and I went to another one tonight - we came back with the smell of stinky tofu all over us!

Down the lane from the station

 

M asked if I knew about the houses (and stall) further in from the station. I didn't - so he took me in to take a look! There were also tons of cats there - all of them looked like they were from the same family. None of them seemed sterilised.

Station

 

It seems that the station will be preserved which is good news!

KTM Station

 

The KTM railway station is closing down soon and M asked if I wanted to go by and take some photos. I've been thinking of taking the train up to Malaysia and back just so I can say I did it before the line closes from Tanjong Pagar for good. The fare to Johor isn't expensive - just $13 for a Superior seat! Anyone up for a trip?

Lunch with Imp and Planetofsound

 

I had lunch with Imp and PlanetofSound before Imp heads off for a month for work. We went to Whole Earth - and the two of them were sneaky and paid for lunch by leaving their credit card with their cashier! They outsnuck me! That is unacceptable!

They at least let me buy them a milkshake at Once Upon a Milkshake. I have to say that this was quite possibly the best milkshake I have had in Singapore.

You guys aren't off the hook though - next meal is on me!

Hibiscus for Ariel

 

Simian and I went to get vermiculite and soil to plant the hibiscus for Ariel. Simian prepped the earth and he put it in - River helped by (1) running around (2) being very curious and (3) sniffing the area. I hope the hibiscus thrives there.

Apple Walnut and Chocolate Banana Cakes and Cannele

Apple Walnut and Chocolate Banana Cakes and Canele
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

P, K and J came over for lunch. I made apple walnut raisin and chocolate banana cakes and cannele. It's been a while and it was good to catch up on what everyone is up to!

Lunch with P

 

I meant P, an old friend for lunch today at Seven Sensations. Mom gave me a ride down and I walked around Little India a little after lunch (and bought some things). It was really good to see P again and to catch up.

We also talked about CH, another old friend, whom I'm hoping to catch up with. He had just posted on Facebook that he was in Japan. Fortunately he's okay - he posted from the airport that he is well.

The news out of Japan seems to just get worse and worse. I can't see how the number of casualties is going to be light but we can only hope. Here's hoping everyone in Japan and the Pacific are going to stay safe.

Lunch with M and Baby E

 

I had lunch with M and Baby E on Wednesday. We wanted to take Baby E with us somewhere easy to get to, and with lots of green open spaces so we went to Casa Verde at the Botanics. Lunch was pretty good - the fries and pizza were very good. Baby E is doing new things - swinging her arms around and bopping to music!

Apple Raisin cake

Apple Raisin cake
Originally uploaded by ariel1511976

I went for lunch with some old friends from school this afternoon. It was great catching up at J's place and I brought an apple raisin cake. J remembered Ariel too from when she was a young cat.

Flowers for Ariel

 

We had a busy day - Simian and I went jogging with Dad (where Simian slipped and stubbed his toe very badly. It's now swollen and the toenail is bruised). We came home, then went to visit my uncle who is very will with my parents. Dad and Simian moved my uncle so that he was more comfortably set up in the living room. My uncle was lucid and could gesture but can no longer talk, though he clearly wanted to sit up while we were visiting.

We came home and had lunch, then Simian and I went to Far East Flora to see what plant we could get for Ariel's grave. There were many lovely varieties but I settled on a hibiscus. We'll go back and get vermiculite and soil next week when Simian's toe is better. We also went to look at some stone statues but nothing really caught the eye.

Simian and I went for dinner in the evening with Simian's parents. It was an overdue birthday dinner - we were supposed to meet on Thursday but Ariel was so sick and we had to cancel.

Ariel and memories

 

Yesterday was a bit rough because it was the first day without Ariel. I came back from a run to the house for the first time where there was no Ariel. I know I should be grateful that I spent so many years with her but I still wish that she'd been here with me longer.

It is really comforting that so many people emailed and sent cards and messages to tell me how sorry they were to hear about Ariel. Friends shared memories of Ariel and mentioned what a lovely diginified cat she was. I've been going through old photos and videos of her and she looks contented in almost all of them. Here's her grave - I want to plant something on it.

Tonight Imp and PlanetofSound came by for Pizza. They also brought over a book and a card to cheer me up (and stuff for Simian). We played Taboo after dinner and River sat with us.

RIP Ariel (September 1993 - 3rd March 2011)

 

The day I've long dreaded finally arrived - Ariel left us today after 17 years with us. She was the best cat in the world. Ever since she arrived as a tiny kitten, she literally changed my life. I used to be frightened of cats and she turned me into the crazy cat lady I am today.

She was always steadfast, loyal and loving. She missed me when I was away in the US I think, but she also knew that I'd be back. The last time that I left, I told her Simian and I would be back to be with her for a long time - but she only stayed with us another month. I am glad though that we were here and that we DID have that month.

Ariel had renal failure - but the good thing is that she had a very good quality of life till yesterday. She even went for a walk out to Dad's balcony which she loved, just two days ago. We also put her out for some sun there today when she couldn't quite walk on her own.

We knew she had a problem with her teeth and she was going in for a procedure today, but the tooth started bleeding yesterday. She still meowed in complaint when she saw me, but somehow after the procedure she got very quiet. She came home and managed to sleep last night, and even went to the bathroom, but this morning she could barely walk. She made it to the scratching post at 6:30 am (her usual routine) but after that her hind legs couldn't really work. She kept trying to get up but her hind legs kept failing her (one hind leg had been giving her problems but until yesterday she was still able to walk in and out of the room and hop up on and off the bed whenever she wanted to).

She meowed at Simian and I this morning - and when I got back from picking Mom up from the vet at 11:30 am she meowed at me again but that was the last time she meowed.

Mom and I took her to the vet because she looked bad and felt cold and the vet told us that she was dying. Simian came to join us. All of us took her home and made her comfortable and waited for the end. She must have been in some discomfort but we were told end stage renal failure isn't that painful. She refused to sleep and kept watching everyone when they sat by her or walked up to see her.

Mom went to pick up a vet nurse we know to come help us in the evening. Dad came home then too and said goodbye to Ariel. A few minutes later, Ariel had a fit and while she was still breathing, she seemed to have lost that spark of life. Her pain reflexes also stopped working. The vet came 45 minutes later to put her down but I don't think she was very conscious any more.

Ariel was the best cat. She would sit by my pillow and wait for me to go to sleep. She would let me carry and cuddle her upside down. She would scratch on my blanket and ask to be let underneath so that we could cuddle. She would meow at me in response when I talked to her.

I am so thankful to everyone for being there - for Simian and Mom and N and Dad, M for helping to dig the grave, and the vet nurse, A, who all came. Her passing was quick and peaceful as can be. Simian was there when she had her seizure (Mom was picking up A) and he kept me calm and talked me through it. We were all with her to the end.

I'm going to miss her so much - but to say that means that I've accepted she's gone. I am sure I am going to forget that she isn't around anymore. I can't quite wrap my mind around a world where there is no Ariel. She was with me for half my life and she was always there in my room when I came back, whether it was from a day out or months away in the US.

Here are some photos of her - the one at the top right hand corner was just taken a few weeks ago.

Ariel

I went for lunch with a friend and then bumped into another friend right after and had tea with her. Mom called and said Ariel was bleeding from the mouth. I took a cab home and we took her to the vet right away. We knew she had teeth problems and she was schedule for tooth extraction tomorrow but she went in today instead. It seems that she had an extra flap of gum which got infected.

Poor cat is so tired. She's such a good girl though she wouldn't pee in the bedroom. She made it to the bathroom but couldn't quite get to her sand tray. She did it on the floor towel instead.

Sick cat

 

One of the cats was under the weather (but was still eating). Mom decided it was best to take him the vet - it seemed he has anemia probably from some virus. Most of today was spent ferrying potential donor cats that could give blood to him because he has Type B blood which is rare in cats. It turns out that most domestic short hair cats don't even have Type B blood. At any rate, we were lucky to find ONE donor among our cats. We hope Brad will be okay and pull through. Poor potential donor cats were also pretty stressed.

I saw this shop selling coffee beans near the vets. Also people from Simian's old lab might get a kick out of this letter!