Amelia's Nest

Back in Manila I used to go to this favorite coffee shop of mine…where else…Starbucks. I used to hang-out to this place even if I am alone or with friends or with my ex-boyfriend now my husband and just grab a frappucino or a hot one, listen to music and read my book, a total sanctuary for me. Even when I was pregnant I still go to this place and grab one but of course I ordered for a non-caffeinated, my favorite then was the Vanilla Frappucino. And after giving birth I go back to my old time favorites…Java Chip and Mocha Frappucino, Iced Caffe Latte and Caramel Macchiato and a Hot Cappuccino. I even have a tumbler, mug and calendar book.

So even here in Singapore I make it a point to visit a Starbucks shop whenever we go to a mall and even in Kuala Lumpur I really stopped by to the coffee shop and grab one. Addict? Not really I just liked the blend of their coffee and cream, not so strong and bold. I have tried other coffee shop like The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Gloria Jeans, Figaro, Mrs. Fields Cookie Café, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts and Mister Donut, even here at Donut Empire only coffee at Starbucks feeds my senses.

I simply love the taste and the aroma of their coffee. And even here at home I got to taste those coffee. Every week my hubby never fails to buy me two bottles of mocha frappuccino. Why only two? He told me you need to consume only two bottles a week since it will add fat in your body (argh!) no just kidding….well he told me that there are messages in that two bottles; one is, "I love you" and the other one is "Thank you for loving me back". How sweet my hubby is. Thanks to that lovely messages. I got to taste the coffee that I love and got a lovely messages from my husband. I usually pair this to my homemade ham sandwich, kaya toast and peanut butter sandwich. And so every time hubby hands me that two bottles of frappuccino I always thought of those messages. Lovely! I love my husband and my coffee!

My kids was due for vaccination last July and September for Ralph’s Hepatitis A (2nd shot) and Ria’s MMR (1st shot) respectively. But it was only today, October 25 that they were given such vaccines because I find it hard to look for a pediatrician.

Since it’s our first time I prefer Filipino doctor because they are technically good and of course we all know that Filipinos are well in-deed the best in medical care (sounds a patriotism in me? LOL). And I am also hesitant for others because of culture and practices. There a lot of Filipino doctors here in Singapore but they are practicing in hospitals and unfortunately they are not allowed to practice outside of hospitals nor have their own clinic here. Thou I found two or three Filipino doctors and all of them are working in a hospital and they do have clinics inside but all of them are based too far from our place. I checked again for other possible doctors, I enquire at Raffles Hospital, men the consultation fee was too expensive not a practical choice. Then checked with East Shore Hospital, price is reasonable but not really satisfied since the pediatrician is an Indian and Chinese. And so I decided to check on the clinics outside of these big hospitals. Luckily I was able to have the listing and checked on the clinics near our place because it’s one of the things I have to consider, the location. I called four clinics and one of them was able to meet my so called “qualification”. And so it took me more than three months to search for a pediatrician and end up with a Chinese one who again was able to meet my “qualification”.

And so I scheduled the kids for their vaccination. Around 11am we arrived at the clinic, Kai Clinic at East Coast Road. The doctor owns the clinic, he also has a drug store and a typical clinic who uses index card for patient’s records. Hubby noticed that the doctor looks like my son’s pediatrician back in the Philippines at Manila Doctor’s Hospital. The clinic is presentable enough and they are giving reasonable price compare with others. The staffs are kind and they assist us all through out and very systematic. The doctor explains things very well and he is kind (he was able to establish a good rapport with us). Ria was the first one to have the shot then Ralph, both given at the buttocks, Ria at the left side and Ralph on the right side and both shows bravery thou they cry but just for few seconds. And after the vaccination one of the staff gave us a medicine for fever in case it shows up and it’s for free.

The waiting was paid off. I was able to have a good pediatrician for my kids. Hubby and I were very satisfied and happy with our kids first vaccination here in Singapore.

Last October 4, 2008 me together with my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law and niece went to Batam, Indonesia for a day tour. Since my in-laws want to visit other place aside from Singapore so I suggest we go to Batam. It’s my first trip that I didn’t have my husband with me. Because hubby choose to stay at home with the kids than to be stressed-out with the day’s travel. We got the service of a travel agency in China Town here in Singapore since this is our first time and it’s better to get a tour package. The package includes a seafood lunch, a tour in an authentic baker’s centre, a visit to Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple, it’s the biggest temple in Southeast Asia or Thua Pek Kong Temple is the oldest and historical temple, Polo Shop Factory, Local Produce Shop, Kuda Lumping Magic Show and Batam Shopping Mall.

Batam is an island in Indonesia near Singapore; it's just a 45minute ferry from Harbourfront. It’s the largest island in Riau Island Province of Indonesia. Batam is the only island in Indonesia which is tax-free. Cars and other products is cheaper compare to Jakarta.

In our itinerary we have to be at Harbourfront and checked-in by 7:10AM since the ferry will depart by 8:40AM but to my dismay the ferry is delayed by one hour. We reached Batam Centre at around 11:00AM and meet the local tour guide. It’s only then that I learned that Singapore is an hour ahead of Batam. So for them it’s just 10AM. First stop is at the local store where you can buy Indonesian produced foods like fish balls, green mango preserves, chili prawn crackers, wooden displays and etc. Then had a taste of Kek Lapis and freshly brewed coffee/tea at the Authentic Baker’s Centre (ABC). During the trip the tour guide explains that Indonesia has three different time zones. The Sumatra, Java and West & Central Kalimantan are 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+7) – one hour late of Singapore and Manila. While, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, South & East Kalimantan and Sulawesi are 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8) – same time with Singapore and Manila. And the Irian Jaya and Maluku are 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+9) - one hour ahead of Singapore and Manila. And it is only then that I know the currency of Indonesia. They are speaking of thousands, example 1 Singapore Dollar is equal to 6,689.68 Indonesian Rupiah, as of this writing. And what amazes me is that Philippine Peso has a value, this is the only place so far that I have been to that Philippine Pesos has a value and so your 1 Philippine Peso is equivalent to 206.596 Indonesian Rupiah, as of this writing…nice!

We had our lunch at the Golden Prawn; it’s a big restaurant that can hold a thousand of guests. The food is okay but not that I expect it to be. Then the tour guide asks who wants to have the traditional Indonesian massage and so I grabbed the opportunity since massage in Singapore is so expensive. Thou the massage are not part of the package. You need to pay S$20 for a 90minutes massage. My in-laws didn’t have the massage since there are a lot in the Philippines. The tour guide brings us to this IndoThai Massage. I gave two-thumbs up rate in that massage centre. After that they bring us to a local shopping mall where I meet my in-laws. They say they have been to the Polo Shop factory and after that 1 hour shopping we are supposed to be go at a temple but we don’t have enough time. We need to be at the Batam Centre by 5:30pm to catch the 6:30pm ferry back to Singapore.

Our Batam day trip was an experience to cherish, it’s only then that I appreciate more of my own country the Philippines. Most of the sales clerk doesn’t know how to speak in English. Unlike in the Philippines sales clerks know how to speak better or I should say good English. What I like in the trip was the massage. Awesome!

It was October 03, 2008 me and my husband had our first night out here in Singapore together with my two sisters-in-law. Thanks to my mother-in-law who stays with the kids at home during that time. We went to Clark Quay, a place for bars, night clubs, lounges, cafes and restaurants. We saw the The Clinic, a bar that uses hospital equipment like the wheel chair, dextrose, etc. and mind you the bartender and waitress are in scrub suits. But we didn't stay there.

Since we want a live band. We end up in the bar called Crazy Elephant. The bar was full since it was a Friday night the only available spot was the table in front, no choice but to sit there. We ordered Zombie, Tequila Sunrise, Baileys-on-the-rocks and some beer and of course some food to match the drinks. Though I really don't know the genre of the music the band is playing but still I had a lot of fun. The music was a mixed of country and rock. We stayed for an hour or so and move to Hooters.

At Hooters, we sat on the riverside. I like the ambiance, the river is clean, lights are great plus the fact the waitress wears so sexy sexy outfit, I even saw foreigners who really stare on the butt of those waitresses. We had some beer again, onion rings and hooters barbecue. Had a short talk and headed ourselves back home. My husband and I had a really wonderful time together. Just the two us having a great time, it's as if we are still single, a time-off with the kids, and not worrying about them.I love our first night out and looking forward for the next to come....