J-emine's reflexionando

I decided to make full use of the National Day holiday by taking the next day off from work as well – giving me a nice, leisurous weekend to unwind and do the sort of stuff that fills my heart with contentment. 

First stop, my 3rd specialist appointment – I’ve come to enjoy Dr. C’s quirkiness and the topics he’ll engage me in, as he drills those buggers up my nasal (promise won’t go into the gory details here hur hur) – (1) to distract me (duh!) and (2) cause he says he enjoys such conversations with a “young lady”. (For those interested: yesterday’s topic was on British administration in S.E Asia. Dr. C’s a major history loving dude!). 

I stepped out of Dr. C’s with a huge smirk on my face – thrilled to hear that I’m officially done with antibiotics and that it’s clearing up very well. Sent me home with a month’s supply of immune booster, nasal spray and a firm warning of “take good care of yourself when you’re in PHL next month, and bring your medicine/spray with you wherever you go”.

Bring on/back the running and exercise regime! 

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Chang Korean/ Dome at Dempsey 

Arranged to meet my good pal – Panda, few weeks back and the guy was nice enough to take sometime off from his busy schedule to indulge in my Korean cravings and some long-overdue updates on each other’s lives and doings. 

My penchant for all things Korean has taken a backseat in the last year or so, but never can I ever say NO to a good Korean meal. Even more so now, when Korean cuisine houses one of my all-time favourite vegetarian food  – Dolsot Bibimbap. 

Been wanting to try Chang Korean at Dempsey for awhile now, and even though I was not forgoing the changed in dietary habit to savour the drool-worthy BBQ it’s known for, I was still excited to try out their non-meat dishes and to compare the bean paste used in their dishes to other Korean restaurants. My verdict on Chang’s Dolsot Bibimbap: thumbs down. The bean paste was rather saltish for my liking; the stirring of the rice and vegetables did not lure out the flavourful, texture sizzle that dolsot bibimbap usually brings to my palate. 

I reckon the bad service attributed greatly to me not enjoying the meal – service was lacklustre and better attention/service was seemingly reserved for frequent patrons or Korean customers. The waitress scattered through our orders and couldn’t wait to slap the menu closed, when I was still inquiring on the sauces used and the possibility of having non-beef stock used in our order. Don’t think I’ll be making any trips back there – and I’ll jolly well stick to the neighborhood Korean restaurants that has been springing up and about the Beauty World vicinity. 

To soothe away the distasteful lunch, we popped into Dome for some coffee and carrot cake- and to carry on our gabbing in a cozier atmosphere – isn’t that all we need on a Friday afternoon, when one doesn’t need to slog away at work?!

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Evening Jaunt Across the Border (San Low/ Zon Regency) 

Dad had to make an evening trip into JB to pass some stuff to a friend, so we decided to follow suit. There’s no going into JB without stopping at San Low for the fogies, it’s their comfort food across the border. 

The mandatory San Low char bee hoon (wok-fried noodle) was not amiss, whilst I snuck few bites of the Chinese cabbage and tried very hard to resist sneaking in the fresh, steamed fish. Dad has accepted the change in dietary habits and given the nod of approval to keep poultry off the list – but with a condition that I still take fish. That I can definitely live with. 

According to my funny fogie, the night was still young – I was dying to crawl home and get some shut-eyes for the planned morning run, but Dad had other plans in mind. The old man wanted to pop by Palm Lounge at Zon Regency Hotel, for some house wine and to unwind with the live band. The fogies used to frequent this lounge a fair bit (especially those days when I was living away from home), Dad enjoys  the soothing melodies churned by the live band at this lounge – particularly, the voice of the male singer.

He was elated when his request for “wonderful tonight” was sang right at the last pour of the bottle. I, on the other hand was the “oldie” last night – sneaking some yawns and sipping on my pot of chamomile. 

It was indeed, a nice day off from work – definitely welcoming more of such days- off as work picks up in the remaining 2 Qs of 2012.