Food Blogs - Good places to eat in Singapore

We decided to go out and eat tonight and my wife asked me to look for a good place to eat.

That used to be a real problem, as we are usually quite adventurous and always looking for somewhere new to eat. The good news is that with the Internet, there is always good resource close by!

If you are looking for somewhere cheap to eat, where quality is guaranteed, these are some good food blogs to check out.

1. Hungry Go Where

This is a good site, where it allows you to search for places to eat via location.

You can search via budget, via credit card promotions and via cuisine

A Plus - the interface allows you to search for a place to eat via recommendation. For example, You can search under Supper, Girl's nite out, Family dining or Romantic First Date (Quite a useful function)

A Minus - The food recommended from this site may not always be fantastic - this is because it is dependent on reviews from consumers. There may be a few overly enthusiastic store owners selling their food behind the scenes.

But if you are really looking for quality, check out this food blog:

2. I Eat, I Shoot, I post!

Started and maintained by a medical doctor, this blogger has a real fondness for good food and photography.

Expect great shots of local favorites like Char Keow Teow, Wan Ton Mee and great recommendations for where to find them as well.

You will find a large selection of western and eastern cuisines in this blog, and this is the food bible that my wife and I depend on most of the time.

A Plus - This guy is a real food connoisseur, and he has been to almost every coffee shop and restaurant in Singapore, so expect great food from this guy!

A Minus - The interface is not as friendly, and you don't get a map to tell you how to get to the place.

Overall View - If you use these 2 blogs, you can never go wrong in looking for a bargain and quality food in Singapore.

Technorati Tags: food blogs,ieatishootipost,hungry go where

Malaysian Fellowship Video on Asia Conference!

Hey Guys! U got to watch this video!

I was searching Youtube for videos about the Asia Conference and guess what I found?!?

A video done by Malaysian Medical Students who are studying in Moscow.

It's really interesting as it gives us a foreign perspective about the conference, and it's really fascinating to find out about our church from someone else's point of view. 

If you have got any videos about the conference, let's share it online as well....It's quite fun to relive those moments!

Technorati Tags: Asia Conference,Malaysian fellowship,City Harvest Church

City Harvest Church - Cultural Mandate

Asia Conference finished formally for us on Monday with a meet-the-pastors sessions at Jurong West. Currently, the whole family is recovering from the late nights and we have been trying to get our body clock back in sync.

I felt the conference was a real breakthrough for us, as it solidifies the cultural mandate message for us.

Ps. Kong Hee kicked off the series with the 3 "Spaces".

The 1st Space  - The Church

The 2nd Space - The World

The 3rd  Space -  A place for society's elite in the world e.g. Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Steven Spielberg, David Beckham

 

We were reminded once again about how as a church, we love to isolate ourselves and stay within our 1st space. Although we were in the world, we are afraid to engage the world.

 

Dr. AR Bernard added to the sermon by speaking about:

John 17:13-16

13But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

14I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

15I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Through his messages, he reminded us that God did not say that he will take us out of the world, but instead we should 'insulate' ourselves from the world.

"Insulation" comes from our Spiritual Disciplines (Prayer, Fasting, Studying the Bible, etc...) and we should not be afraid of culture. In fact, Culture or Society (the world) is one of the greatest competitors for Christianity, as it creates mind-sets and attitudes against Christianity.

The crux of the whole conference is that we should redeem culture and transform it for the glory of God.  

Isolation is not the key, but insulation through the Word of God, and Penetration comes as we engage the world!

I think this message really embodies the message for us as a church!

That's why we are not afraid of loud music, colorful lights, hip-hop fashion and technology.

Let's keep on walking with the grace of God, as we INSULATE ourselves and engage culture!

Technorati Tags: City Harvest Church,Ps. Kong Hee,AR Bernard,Asia Conference

Asia Conference at City Harvest Church

My apologies for not blogging the whole week, as we have been busy with the biggest Conference in City Harvest Church - The Asia Conference.

It has been a really tiring week for us, as we have sessions in the mornings, electives in the afternoons, and sessions again in the night.

The first night was really eventful for us as a family, as the kids were involved in the Parade of ministries. It is basically an event that showcases some of the ministries where our members can utilize their gifts.

The kids were involved, and I was looking forward to see them walk with the floats and the rest of Children's Church.

I stood in front and I managed to catch the parade on my blackberry bold (This explains why the video is grainy as well - This is not one of the strengths of the phone)

Aiya! Should have brought my digital camera to cover the event!

Anyway, what really caught me by surprise was Nathan sleeping through the whole event. He was sleeping in the stroller as the parade marched past!

My friend who was pushing him along, was pointing Nathan out to me as they went past (Looks like my boy can sleep through anything, as there were 8500 people in the hall - cheering and clapping)

The video ends with Nicole - I was shouting out to her, but there were so many people - I don't think she knew where to look!

I think it was quite a milestone for them - as they have a chance to be involved in something of this scale at such a young age. :)

Nicole and Nathan also enjoyed watching the video as I was uploading it. Nic kept on pointing out her friends to me, as they marched past!

Will blog more about the conference in my next post...But meanwhile enjoy the video.

Asia Conference - Parade of Ministries from Edmund tay on Vimeo.

Technorati Tags: Asia Conference,City Harvest Church,Blackberry,Parade

Chocolate Donuts and Biscuits

The kids just love chocolate!

In fact, they love anything chocolate - from chocolate biscuit, chocolate donuts to hot chocolate.

What makes things worse is that they are really messy eaters.

Just look at Nathan:

It doesn't help when the kids love the really messy varieties of Donuts as well.

They love it whenever we go to Suntec City, as it means Donut Factory.

Nicole really loves the double chocolate donuts and she makes a real mess of herself as bites thru the donut.

The kids are also really smart about their food as well.

When I buy them their donuts, Nicole will request for certain strategic locations to eat her food.

Huh?!?

What do I mean?!?

Nicole refuses to eat her DONUTS in the office Nursery!

The reason: if she eats it there, she would need to share it with the other kids (This is what we call true survival instincts!)

What can I say?

My daughter can really keng!!! (colloquial term for looking after herself)

Check out this video below, where you will see the power of chocolate biscuits:

Chocolate Biscuit from Edmund tay on Vimeo.

Technorati Tags: Parenting,chocolate biscuits

Family Time - An antidote for Divorce

On a recent trip to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), something really struck me.

It was early in the morning, and I was having breakfast with some friends in a cafe. Looking across me, I noticed a family having their breakfast there as well.

They were having their Sunday Family Ritual - Breakfast with their morning papers and a DVD playing their child's favorite cartoon (So that she will be distracted).

Throughout the whole meal, not a single word was uttered, but they seemed to be in a little world of their own.

It struck me that - Quality time is very different for every family.

I tend to believe, that just being together is not enough, but intelligent, engaging conversation is needed. Spending time with my kids, means playing hide-and-seek or just bringing them somewhere new.

Whenever, I have the privilege to drive my boss (Ps Kong Hee), I am always amazed by his work ethic. He is always on the move and planning something new. Yet, despite his busyness, he always  finds time to call his wife SUN on the phone.

After preaching in Singapore every weekend, he is on the next plane out and off to spend time with his wife and children.

If a successful minister does not forego family time, how much more so for someone like me.

Before I go, If u like Korean Dramas, u will like this commercial. A bit long, but very touching.

Technorati Tags: family time,divorce,Kong Hee

Barack Obama - Interesting Perspectives

Last week, with the election of Barack Obama as the 44th US President - The sales of Newspapers went up, such that there were NO MORE PAPERS!!!

Why the extra copies?

People are keeping the newspapers as momentos, as this was a historic moment: The First African American US President.

Many just want to cherish the moment, and they just kept the newspapers!

Newspapers anticipated some extra demand, but they underestimated. The New York Times had printed 35 percent more than the usual number of copies for individual sale on Wednesday, an increase of about 150,000. Later, it printed 75,000 more.

As a Singaporean observer, it has been interesting to realize that America is truly a place where dreams can come true!

Hey! Who would have thought that a black man can actually become the most powerful man in the world!

Watching Obama galvanize a nation to such levels, has also made us active followers of the whole Presidential Campaign. Maybe someday, Singapore will have such a Campaign as well.

Before I go, check out these Videos. This was done on the last week of elections (Inspiring: I also want to vote!)

This reaction from the South Park Series is quite funny:

Technorati Tags: Obama,rection to US president,Barack Obama

Parenting Blogs

As a "new" parent (this term is relative), we always find solace and comfort with our friends.

Due to my interest in Blogging, there are certain parent blogs that I frequent. In fact, most of them belong to my colleagues at work.

I think it's actually kind of weird that we hardly talk about our kids in person, but we catch up with the kids on each other's blog - such is the contradiction of technology.

But....

If you are wondering what blogs I read, here are my picks:

Klessis' Blog - This was the very 1st parenting blog I visited. I was so inspired by her, that I decided to do my own (Hee...Hee! Bet she didn't know that!). Anyway this busy mother does not just have 1 blog, but she maintains 3 Blogs. She also makes lunch for little Joey with really cool Bento Sets. 

Sandra's Blog - Our history in City Harvest Church goes way back - We used to be CG members, when she was still in NTU. She is now a mother with an adorable son, and also a heavy blogger like myself. 

and my last colleague is:

Dawn's Blog - Little Denise happens to be Nicole's good friend. As they are school mates in school, Denise is the older sister that Nicole never had. They both have similar eating habits as well. Both of them love DONUTS!!!

and not forgetting ...there is one foreign parenting blog that I always follow.

Karen Cheng - This mother is based in Perth, Australia. She is really quite BIG in the blogsphere, and even had a party for all her fans when she came down to Singapore this year. Fans of Karen take pictures of themselves in front of the mirror, and call it "Doing the Karen Cheng". A interesting read!

Technorati Tags: Parenting Blogs,Parenting

Praying and Giving in City Harvest Church

Last weekend, it was finally time for us to pledge to the Church Building Fund.

We pledged our best to the Lord and our kids gave their best as well.

We brought their little "Piggy Banks" to church, and they will be contributing for this Arise and Build!

This week, we also started on our early morning prayer. Held on a monthly basis for a whole week, the church gathers every morning at 645am to pray to 8am at various venues.

Today is Day 4. We are a little tired, but it has really been refreshing to wake up early to seek the Lord, and to get disciplined with our prayer lives.

I have been going to the Kreta Ayer Center, which is proving to be a real hit with our Shenton Way crowd, as it is near their offices.

The venue at Paya Lebar is usually fully packed, so this is a good alternative, if you are looking for more room to pray.

So proud of u guys for really persevering and making a commitment to pray every morning!

Technorati Tags: praying,giving,sacrifice,city harvest

The Market & the 3 Amigos

Today, when I came home after running an errand, Nicole came up to me and said that she wants to watch some home videos of herself.

Nic exclaimed, "I want to watch the video when we go to the market, and I blocked Nathan!"

"Block Nathan!?! You are so naughty...Nic...I didn't know you did it on purpose!" I replied.

Oh no! And all this while, I thought she was oblivious to the fact, that she was obstructing her brother.

Take a look at the video, and u will know what I am talking about.

The Market - Nicole & Nathan from Edmund tay on Vimeo.

 

On a lighter note, I was just talking to some friends about the kids.

Have you realized how fast the kids forget you when they are young?

What do I mean?

Well, when you spend time and play with your kids, they will really become attached to you, but if you go for a business trip for 1 week, or overseas for a longer period of time, you will find that babies and very young children forget you very quickly.

It's kind of like when you are a young Christian: You may be very touched when you first get saved, and very motivated to come to church.

But if you give church a miss for even 1 week, or if no one comes along and encourages you along the way, you will gradually just forget God and become cold towards Him.

I guess that's why - God is always like a good parent, always trying to lead us back our quiet time, and to a godly fellowship.

Technorati Tags: Parenting,kids