Lunch Date with Wong Li-lin

*StarStruck!*

I remember how the show Triple 9 made James Lye and Wong Li-lin so famous in the 90s.  One pretty face, one handsome one, what better combination can there be on TV screen than this?  That was really when I started to notice Li-lin.

Over the years, she gradually 'disappeared' from the screen except for occasional news I read in the papers.  When The Leap Years was released on the big screen in 2008, I even went to watch.  And the scene where Li-lin, the bride who ran across the bridge in her wedding gown, fully drenched in the rain, was simply beautiful.

All these years I have never seen her out of shape.  She has been lean and fit all along.  I am so envious.  By chance, I came to know that she has a Facebook (FB) fanpage and an Instagram (IG) account, and I started follow her.  I like her fitness and food posts in particular.  She advocates regular exercising and eating well.

And soon, I saw her IG video below, and of course, I did not hesitate to participate.  Who knows? I might win myself a chance to lunch with her, right?

And this was the dish I submitted.  Clean eating without heavily processed food. And you have guessed it, it got me the Luncheon date! I am no domestic goddess, so this piece of news really meant a lot to me. Yippee!

The night before the feast, she posted the slow braised beef cheeks she has cooked.
On boy! It was soooo delicious.  The meat was so tender that it melted in my mouth!
If you would like to have the recipe, it is here. 

Finally, the day came when I got to meet her face-to-face at La Galerie De Dietrich kitchen.  She was cooking in style on her 3-inch heels.  She looked stunning, no doubt.  With porcelain clear skin, looking lean and fit, Li-lin, even at her 40s, still looked so beautiful!  She has absolutely no airs, and she welcomed us promptly, making us feel at ease at once.

Photo credit: Li-lin's FB Fanpage

Here's the appetizer to start the ball rolling! Yums!
Photo credit: lynnlly.com

Here's my plate, of which I cleaned up!

The one-and-a-half hour luncheon went past so fast.  We talked about motherhood, parenting, healthy eating/cooking, fitness and exercise, etc, all topics of my interest.  She shared her struggles to wake up early to run, when the food she cooked was not fancied by her children, experiences that are all so real to us normal mothers. Just goes to show that a celebrity's life is not too different from the rest of us, at least in some respects.

A shot with the star!

A group photo to end the lunch.

As if a luncheon with Li-lin was not enough, I have also ordered her latest book (separately) to make sure I do not slack!  If you would like to place your order for this book, please visit http://wonglilin.com/6weeksreboot/

If you want to stay connect with Li-lin, you may follow her on her website, FB Fanpage & IG account, and here they are:
Website: wonglilin.com
Facebook: facebook.com/wonglilinsg
Instagram: @lilinwong

Kids Fiesta - Funtasy Adventure

[Sponsored Post]

Kids Fiesta is back; TWICE the size and THRICE the FUN!

I'm so glad that the 1-week school holiday is 4 weeks away.  AJ has so much homework from school that he has to spend an average of 1.5 hours daily every weekday just to finish up the work given by his school.  It's crazy, I know.  And he is only Primary 3 this year, I can't the kind of load beyond that.  He certainly needs a good break, he needs to unleash his energy, to be able to play and enjoy activities that he likes.

How wonderful it is to know Kids Fiesta is back!  What's more?  It is now 2x bigger, 3x more fun!  And it is happening right at the start of the March school holiday! Yay!

Kids Fiesta 2015: FUNTASY Adventure is pumped up with adrenaline!  While the admission is free, your children will need to get a FUNTASY Passport to enjoy all the fun activities while making discoveries outside the classrooms!  Boost his motor skills and coordination as he explores the Orbitor and Island Maze Island! Your child would not want to miss the meet-and greet sessions with Pikachu, Dora the Explorer and Batman too. PLUS! Get Kids Fiesta’s customised ice cream from $3.90. There’s complimentary candy floss for grabs too!  The usual price for the Passport is $25, but there is an early bird sale at $20 until 27th Feb 2015.

What’s in for FUNTASY Passport holders?

Each FUNTASY Passport entitles the holder to:

1) Any 5 FUNTASY rides

• Western Train
• Inflatable Obstacle
• Pirate Ship
• Orbitor Cars
• Laser Maze

2) Any 4 FUNTASY activities

• Glitter Tattoo
• Balloon Sculpturing
• Photo Booth
• Face Painting

3) A goodie bag worth $50 (while stock lasts.)

4) A lucky draw chance

• 1st prize: The Wall Story Customised Wall Mural worth $2,000
• 2nd prize: Wave House Customised Children’s birthday party worth $1,000 
• 3rd prize: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, Singapore 1N Deluxe Pool View Room worth $585

5) Exclusive Promotions from Kidz Education City (KEC)

• Climb Asia

Let your kids be Spider-Man for a day and try rock climbing at $10 per pax. 

• Cristofori

FREE $30 cash vouchers and $200 off every piano purchased upon enrolment.  Colourful ukeleles from $28.

• Dancepointe 

Bring a friend along and enjoy 50% discount on 1st term school fees for both!  Savings up to $210!

• Genius R Us

Little Bakers follow your noses to Genius R Us booth and learn to shape, bake and decorate your own Sweet Treat Cookies at only $15 per child + a bonus treat! 

• LEAP SchoolHouse

Sign up for a trial class at only $38 (UP $60) and receive a Free Gift plus enjoy 15% off your first term fees!


Here are the details of the event:

Date: 13-15 March 2015
Time: 11am-9pm
Venue: Suntec Convention Halls 401 and 402
Ticketing: $20 (UP $25) Early bird sale ends 27 February 2015.
Website: www.kidsfiesta.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KidsFiestaSg

For purchases of FUNTASY Passports and enquiries, visit www.kidsfiesta.sg, e-mail kidsfiesta@mediacorp.com.sg or call 6357 5165/ 6357 5166/ 6357 5272/ 6357 5190 from Mondays to Fridays, 9.30am to 5.30pm (excluding public holidays).

Wait!

I have got a giveaway contest here with 3 prizes to be won.  If you win, you'll get to choose:

Option 1
An Airport IQ Game (for age 8+) and a Kids Fiesta FUNTASY Passport worth $25

Option 2
An Airport IQ Game (for age 8+) and a Suncoat Girl Natural Nail Salon Kit worth $26.90

To qualify for the contest, you will have to do these 5 steps:
1. Answer the question, "When will Kids Fiesta 2015: FUNTASY Adventure be held?"  Please indicate your answer and your email address on this blog post as a comment;
2. Like Kids Fiesta Facebook page;
3. Like Mylilbookworm Facebook page;
4. Share this blog post on your Facebook wall and set it on public status for verification purpose; and
5. Please enter your entry on Rafflecopter before 24 Feb 2359 to facilitate the draw.  Winners will be announced on 25 Feb.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions
1. This contest is open to Singaporeans and permanent residents only.
2. Prizes are not refundable or exchangeable for cash or prizes of any kind.
3. Kids Fiesta reserves the right to replace the prizes with other items of the same value.
4. The judges' decision on the winners are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

All the BEST and have fun at Kids Fiesta!

==================================================

The winners of this giveaway are here!

I will email your email addresses to the organiser (MediaCorp).

I did painstakingly check every entry to ensure the integrity of the draw.  Quite a few of them might have shared this post on their facebook but were not set on public status so even if your names were drawn, when I go into your facebook profile to check, and I didn't see the post, it will disqualify you.  Please do take note of this in future draws.

SAF50@VIVO - On Board RSS Endurance

[Media Invite]

I woke up earlier than usual this morning because there was an important appointment.  Yay, I have gotten an invitation to sail on LST 207 RSS Endurance starting from Changi Naval Base to Harbourfront where it would be docked for 5 days for the SAF50@VIVO.  Have you sensed my excitement?

Beautiful sunrise at Changi Naval Base

LST 207 - RSS Endurance at Changi Naval Base

The round disc on the rope is meant to deter mice from coming on board.
Simple device yet ingenious invention (me think!)

Ready to go on board!

Bye bye Changi Naval Base!

As we departed from Changi Naval Base, we were given a tour of the vessel.  This is my second tour on a LST because last May, AJ and I went on board RSS Persistence.  They are identical vessels, and Singapore Navy has 4 of such: RSS Endurance, RSS Persistence, RSS Endeavour and RSS Resolution.

The kitchen on ship, which is called Galley, where the chefs prepare food to feed the hungry.

When we were at the Bridge, we had to observe complete silence because it was
the moment when the vessel was preparing to dock at Harbourfront.
The atmosphere was very tense as she entered into the narrow waterway,
precision in steering the vessel to ensure safety of everyone was utmost important.

This is the outdoor Side Bridge

These are the 2 Fast Craft Utilities (FCUs) at the bottom deck of the vessel.
If you got balloted in for the ride, this will be the one.  Enjoy!  It is really fun!

As we got nearer to Harbourfront, this was the view.
You can expect the same if you have the chance to board FCU! 

2 tug boats were engaged to aid the vessel to dock.
I have learnt that it takes a lot of experience to steer a big ship in a narrow waterway and/or busy port.
Quite a lot of resources have to be deployed too!

Hello VivoCity!

A photo with these hunks who took good care of our group on board.
They are not just good looking, they are extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Ask them any questions regarding sailing, they have no problem answering you at all.

*****************************************************************

On a side note, we were briefed that RSS Persistence and this Merchant Vessel (MV) Swift Rescue (MV Swift Rescue has underwater search capabilities) were sent to Indonesia in search for QZ8501.  Over 400 Navy staff were deployed in this mission in a very short notice (as short as a few hours), most of them volunteered to be on this mission.  I am very impressed with their commitment because they went in not knowing how long they would be away from home.  Most of them were away from home 2-3 weeks in this mission.  One of the guys I have met on board this morning was Simon Chew.  Salute!

MV Swift Rescue (Photo from Navy Facebook)

With Simon Chew, 1 of the many volunteers who went on the search mission.
If you happened to see him on board, do say 'Hi' to him! :)

*****************************************************************

Seen here: RSS Endurance and 2 FCUs
SAF@Vivo (8x bigger than past Navy@Vivo)  12-15 Feb 9am-9pm  VivoCity

The RSS Endeavour is now docked at VivoCity Promenade!  Here's your chance to board the vessel and have a tour or participate in the many activities lined up for you at VivoCity.   Visit the 4 zones – SAF50 Stories Zone, Capabilities Zone, Experience Zone and Engagement Zone and learn more about our SAF. You might also walk away with exclusive SAF50 giveaways!

Some of the activities you can expect:

1) Military Equipment Display and Stimulator Games

2) Interactive and experiential SAF50 exhibition

3) Ah Boys to Men 3: Frogmen "Meet & Greet" Session with the Cast on 14 Feb 11am to 12nn

Meet the cast on 14 Feb 11am-12nn

4) Littoral Mission Vessels (LMV) Ship Naming Competition

These vessels will be launched middle of this year to replace the current patrol vessels. A naming contest will be run from 12 Feb to 15 Mar.  All you need to do is to contribute 8 names and you'll stand a chance to win cash prizes ($3000, $2000, $1000 and 20 x $100 cash vouchers).

Do remember to drop by the Navy's recruitment booth within VivoCity to collect the limited-edition Navy figurine plushies! A total of 12 designs to be collected. 100 pieces will be given out every half an hour. Check out the timings and queue for the ones you like!

There are really loads of fun lining for you and your family.  Do come down to VivoCity to experience it.  And if you plan to board the RSS Endurance, the Navy has passes and draws to the tour to be issued on site.  Who knows?  It could be a once-in-a-lifetime kinda of experience for you! 

Take note of these!

Children Little Museum

I don't have a time machine, I can't bring AJ back to my childhood time to see what kind of life his mummy has led.  I did share with him some of my old photos, bring him to the place I lived in my childhood days and visit the secondary school I have been to. He has a vague idea but I hope I can do more.  I do think that the more a person knows about your life, past or present, the more the person is able to connect with you.  It creates the bond, deepening mutual understanding and strengthens a relationship.

So when we had a free Saturday in the beginning of the year, we brought AJ to this Children Little Museum.  It is a privately owned museum that sits fairly inconspicuous in one of the first few 2-storey shophouses in front of the Sultan Mosque. It is located in 42 Bussorah Street (Kampong Glam, near Lavender MRT station).

You won't miss this adult-sized robot mascot along the five-foot walkway.

I remember having this kind of study desk at home in my kindy days.
Mine was slightly nicer, painted in blue and had some cartoon drawings on it.
It was a sheer joy just to know that I could keep books and stationeries when I flip the cover of the table.  

I showed AJ the stationeries we used last time.
You know, that kind of glue which you need a brush to 'scoop' it up from the container.
Also, the no-frill sharpeners.

Oh these! The familiar water bottle, F&N soda drink bottle, 看图拼字 (Words & Pictures) and the report cards!
They just bring you fond memories, dont' they?

AJ had fun reading this composition and insisted that I must take a photo of it.

He loves this manual typewriter

and had been busy typing on it for at least 15 minutes.

I had the 'briefcase' school bag and the canvas school bag!
I played with these toys too, even the army troop!

Hanging on the wall are these pram, stroller, tricycles, rocking horses, etc.
Did you spot the bicycle without chain?  AJ asked how does it work, haha.

Many of these brands are still around, except, the packaging of their products have all changed.

With the celebration of SG50 this year, I reckon that there will be more opportunity for me to see these oldies.  I guess, besides creating memories with our children, one other way to bond with them is to bring them back to our memories?  If you would like to visit Children Little Museum, the contacts are stated below.


Children Little Museum
Address: 42 Bussorah St, Singapore 199460
Phone: 6298 2713
Opens everyday, 11am-9pm
Entrance Fee: S$2 per person
http://www.timeout.com/singapore/things-to-do/children-little-museum