Project Give - A day out with the special needs and their families

Just last week, made my way down to Project Give event-  A project started by a mother with also a special needs child. Her mission is to pay it forward after being blessed with tons of kindness they received while taking care of her special child, esp frm staff of KKH hospital. Quote : "when you are so filled with gratitude, all you want to do is GIVE".

And Though heart prepared, my day completed feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness yet hope and thankfulness for parents like them.

Their children.
Feeding through the stomach because they are unable to swallow due to weak muscles





And for many not being able to sit up and some breathe on their own due to the phlegm stuck in their throat. If I'm not wrong, it called a tracheostomy - a breathing tube inserted in the throat, to help them breathe.

 

For some children, it was possibly easier to accept if it was known from the start. 
But for some parents, it happened in split seconds where the few seconds of oxygen deprive moments when the child is born, led to the current situation. 
And for one that I met, which was probably the most heart broken, was a continuously fever at Age of 7, caused a once active child fall into the current state.

Living in the "if only" 

And for these children, all their parents or them ever wanted, was just to be normal. To be able to eat on their own. To be able to move. To be able to go to school. The normal things we all take for granted. 

And for the children, where hospital have become their 2nd home, and needles becomes daily occurrence to them
Once again, my prayers go out to them.

And to my readers, take some time to hug your child and say I love you as you are. And thank God for keeping them healthy.

Teambuilding Shift to Online

One of the idea during the Philippine Startup Challenge National Finals that I found fantastic! 

Team WiseGeeks - Escape Plan (Davao) (Ateneo de Davao University) - Arlene Adrienne Go, Maxwell Macua, Joseph Jeorge Bayya, and Adulfo Emmanuel Respecia
 
Escape Plan - is an augmented reality game that will change the way of building teams. It addresses issues on inconveniences before, during, and after team building activities, such as going to far-flung areas, spending too much money, getting in harm’s way and destroying the shared vision of the company because of irrelevant competition. This game promotes basic principles of building effective teams – effective communication, shared purpose, dynamic team design and balance orientation. The objective of the game is to escape the room, where teams get to escape an environment by solving puzzles and finishing the challenges.

Specially for a culture in Singapore where many prefer to hide behind the identity in computers. Also facilitates greater openness. Think this idea should facilitate anonymous feedback as well. That would help companies identify the issues at hand.  

Recently was thinking of starting something to help employees bond better with colleagues as well as bosses. Though money is a huge factor in why people leave, environment is a strong factor in retaining people and if they leave on a good note, it does not affect employee emotions too much for the bonds are still there. The keyword is "Memories" and "Openness".

"Openness" - Feedback without fear, with a good intention in helping the company grow
And for this to happen, trust is needed (but that is a fragile feeling) - so anonymity might help.
Meaning a 3rd party to enhance open channels for communication and feedback. 

"Memories" - Building bonds. Welfare events.

  

Farm visit in Singapore

Made our way on our bicycles to lim chu kang for the farms - 

#1 Bollywood veggies - we had the honor of having uncle Bollywood veggies to bring us around the garden and explanation of the vegetation 

Before we left we filled our stomach

The veggie platter seems the best. 

The guys said the nasi lemak was good - but my idea is come to veggie garden and eat something with no veggies? 

Our soup of the day was just a few pieces of carrots with radish soup. 

 And for the jackfruit salad it's acquired taste. A little curry powder in it so its a little spicy to me. 

A good place to chill though :)

#2 jurong frog farm

Where firstly i had to kiss a frog to find my Prince Charming haha

Kidding...

It's great that they have ambassadors/ workers of the frog farm standing there to explain any questions that we had. Great information.

And also the tadpoles

I felt bad because while walking through the farm all I could think of was 田鸡粥 frog porridge. 

And of course while we were there, the vain guys took to the hasima and bought many bowls to beautify their skin. 

I find it quite sadistic to eat frog leg meat beside the alive frogs though. Hahaha

#3 hay Daries goat farm 

I was in india for a year and drank india version of goat milk which is pure and hence a little sour - and I was not used to it. But surprisingly the one here is sweetened which tastes just like normal milk. 

An educational and eye opener trip. Good to bring children along too :)

Korean Tapas Bar in the quaint heartland of Serangoon Gardens

Thankful for the invite by Fellow blogger Jessie for the opening of the first-ever Korean Tapas Bar in the quaint heartland of Serangoon Gardens by SYNC.



SYNC Korean Tapas Bar
12 Maju Avenue, Serangoon Garden Estate
3pm to 11pm (Sun to Thurs), 3pm to 12am (Fri, Sat, PH and eve of PH)
+65 6282 0612
www.facebook.com/syncbistro

Being a Northerner, I always have to go all the way to Thomson Road (which is always so crowdwd) for Korean Food. So I guess here's a place where I can satisfy my cravings.

The modern Korean-themed tapas there costs either $9.90 and $10.90 per portion but you can get their sets:
★ 2x$9.90 + 2x$10.90 for $29.90
★ 3x$9.90 + 3x$10.90 for $49.90

First up, Soju Mojito.
Personally found it strong but very refreshing to the stomach.*Pls do not drink it on an empty stomach though.

Get the delicious addictive plate of seaweed sprinkled hand made chips (Crackling) to start your meal.Very good for snacking. Think they should put less oil though haha.

 

After a few minutes of chattering, the stomach is ready for the food.

Kimchi which I felt should be chilled more because it had a bitter after taste.

And really, whenever I eat kimchi, I like it cut in front of me. Just feels more authentic.

And if it is taken out directly from the kimchi tub from the fridge, just creates a "ooo" imagery.

 

The Samgyupsal pork belly salad. I like the lightness of the seasoning. Very good starter.



Sogogi Jowl which is like beef sandwiched in mint leaf and garlic garnish.
My friend found it a little too tough but for me I like the way it was , juicy yet chewy.
Only minus part, the flavoring was lacking.
[Maybe its my strong Chinese tasting buds needing more sauce in everything.  
Something my bro who cooks always frowns upon in distaste.]


My Favorite dish of the day!Dak-KangJung
I couldn't count how many pieces I popped into my mouth.
And this suited 'strong taste buds' like mine - the sweetness was a "there should be a less sauce " for some but for me, it was perfect. Crispy and sweet. Love!
Too bad its fried and it made me feel a little guilty after.




And with some craving for staples, I think this was a good to share dish. It tastes like Paella with lots for chicken/pork pieces.
Felt that the kimchi taste was a little missing though. Maybe they should sprinkle the kimchi on it after the dish is made. (just a suggestion)


 And of course Ssam, which was yummy. Its like pork ribs. Though a little fatty, I like the mix of sauce.. Though I don't see how this is korean. haha.... specially with the Pau.
Fusion?


And this Mandu. Ermm. A nono for me sadly.
When it came to me, it was cold and hard. And the mince meat inside held no uniqueness.




After the Mandu, I was craving for something great to re-light my buds. And the dessert did justice to it. I love these 2 dishes of desserts.

Red bean fried pancake with caramel banana? What else do I need to say.




And different wheats' lava flowing with strawberries.
My kind of thing.




Dear friends, new place to hang out the next time we meet.
Near my place :)