Happy Birthday Khairul

I used to have everyone's birthdays diligently noted in my computer. Chicks love it when a guy takes the effort to remember. Unfortunately the crash of 2005 meant I lost everything.

That loss was felt yet again this year when we couldn't remember Khai's birthdate. We were divided between the pro-thirteenths and cannotbethirteenths. In the end we celebrated his birthday with durian cake and his neon-green G-shock gift a day early yesterday on the 12th.

That meant that we had to come up with some way to commemorate today. The birthday boy even came prepared with a change of clothes. I guess he was expecting some sort of hydrotherapy. The truth was we had no idea what to do.

Cue newspaper and masking tape.



Halfway through our mission, we were caught in the act. Khai came at us with his supersoaker. He was still on the clock so he couldn't leave the school compound so we just took cover behind the car. We managed to finish that side before we made our great escape.

Happy birthday to our brudder Khai.

Many Happy Returns

Thought I'd just devote a short entry to all those who bought me gifts for my birthday. I don't usually get many gifts (since I don't really give them either hehehe) but this year I received more than I usually would have. I guess the buoyant economy played a part.

So thanks to my old friends who still remembered. Thanks for the offers of birthday makan treats, sorry that my day was fully booked. We'll work it out later I guess. Even my family got me something. Sidah, as usual, spent way too much on me once again. And finally thanks for all the sms-es.

I am so glad that my friends at work didn't realize it was my birthday until it was too late. Still, I guess I could have done without the last-minute gift.

Sidah's Sky Birthday

January has dreadful weather. I was riding to Jurong to pick up Sidah and I got caught in heavy rain. By the time I reached her place, I was drenched to the skin. Not a good start to any date, especially when I was planning to surprise her with a birthday Sky Dining experience!

It was a nerve-racking ride to Vivocity. Sidah still thought we were headed there to visit a photography exhibition. She only realized it as we walked to harbourfront centre and I waved the receipt in front of her.

As part of the package we got a complimentary ride to the station at Mount Faber from Harbourfront. Sidah managed to get over her huge shock to start taking the first pictures.







She regretted not charging her camera to the max. I mean, you won't expect to take many pictures at a photography exhibition after all.

We were a few minutes early for the 6pm start. So we wandered around the Jewel Box area.





Basically Sky Dining is just putting a table into a cable car and serving us a course at each stop at Mt Faber station. Think of it as a very scenic, private dining experience.



It's a lovely idea! Cheers to whoever thought of it.



The food is not halal-certified as they serve wine. They gave the usual no-pork-no-lard assurance. First course is the Cream of Tomato Soup served with Garlic Crostini.



I thought it was nice, but then again I was starving! It was a good start because who wants to eat when there's a lovely sunset to snap as your background.





It was also nice to laugh at people who were still stuck in the office. You could actually see some in meetings while you are dining.



One reason I made it a point to go early was to catch the sunset.



I am so glad the weather held. It was slightly cloudy but the cool weather in exchange was a fair trade.





About half an hour later, we were back at Mount Faber to have our 2nd course. There were 2 options on the menu and I ordered both so we could share.

Pan-fried Dory Fish Fillet in Cajun Spice
Served with sauteed garden vegetables and mashed potatoes



Grilled Chicken with Pommery Mustard Jus
Served with sauteed garden vegetables and potatoe Wedges



I wanted to tuck in straight away!



Sidah however wanted to take pictures of the dishes first.





I had to wait quite a while before she let me tuck in.



I was so glad when she was finally done and I could take a bite.





Verdict : Good!

Earlier the staff at Mt Faber station took a picture of us. We were then presented with copies of the pictures in different sizes. They also put the pictures into keychains! They let us make up our minds at the end of the trip if we wanted to purchase them. A cheaper option is to just ask the guys at the other stops to take it with your own camera.



Sidah still bought the package for its sentimental value though. Oh well.

Final course is the Apple Crumble Served with strawberry coulis. I hated it. I wanted to throw it out the window. Sidah thought it was ok.



Fortunately I bought a cake from the same restaurant so at least I didn't go hungry during dessert.



Happy birthday!



Again we didn't get to eat it until we finished taking pictures.





All in all a memorable night.



We still got one more ride to the Harbourfront after they removed the tables but you can just pretend you misunderstood the instructions and take another extra round. Might as well get your money's worth! I only wish I had brought my own tub of ice cream....