Munchies & A Lil' Bit Of Everything

No I wasn’t in Italy – but the spouse was there and we had skype one morning while he was having breakfast and getting ready to go for a meeting with an associate.   People asked me all the time about this long distance relationship we have and I’ve often wondered myself how in the world did I survived.  Was it because I trust the spouse so much and have no worries that he is not here all the time or is it because the children occupies all my time? or I’m so confident about myself – there is no way he would stray and that I’m so good that no other woman would interest him intellectually and emotionally?

The children does take up a lot of my time but they are all almost old enough to take care of themselves and when they were younger I couldn’t just leave them with nannies or their grandparents – it’s just not in my upbringing and I loved my kids too much.  As for being so intellectual – or good in bed – I doubt so – so how do we survived?  I think it’s because he is a good person – and I don’t think he would do anything to hurt the family plus I think he too is too busy with work to even make an effort to woo another woman – afterall, you and I know that wooing a woman takes time and money.

Is the art of a relationship about trusting the spouse ?  I don’t think that is enough – as an expat wife, one should always keep track of what the spouse is doing and where he is.  As an expat wife, you should always be independent, you have to be smart, you have to know how to take care of yourself besides the family.  Never leave all your finances to your spouse because you never know if something does happen – you will be able to take care of yourself.  Always stay on top of what your spouse is doing and his work as well – and don’t forget his friends and co-workers.  And since my spouse travels so much for work, I try not to complain so much when we do talk – of course, that does not mean that you don’t tell him anything but you just have to time it right – when he is home.

I’ve seen men traveling for business in another country straying and having a another life altogether when they are on business – so once in a while you have to drop everything and go where the spouse is – or be in contact with the concierge there.  Lucky for me, being in the hotel industry for 15 years, I’m still very much in contact with some concierge internationally.  As expat wife, you have to have your antennae up all the time – yet not let the spouse see that you have your feelers up – a very tricky situation but even after being married for ages, I never let my guard down, I’m on top of things all the time.

Usually we dined at Pete’s Place at the Grand Hyatt because we have a long time friend who works there as the Sommelier – in fact, we met him when he was working in Paris in a tiny cafe there while he did his course in Hospitality industry.  Although his interest was in food and wants a Chef or Head Cook Jobs for the future – he ended up being so interested in wine that he is now a Sommelier in the Grand Hyatt.   But during his off days, we prefer to go to small cafes out of the city and play catch up.

This chic cafe was recently opened but the chef was definitely talented because we had the most tasteful dessert one can find – and it’s so reasonably priced that we’ve decided to make our weekly rest and relax session here.   The coffee, a mexican brand was pretty strong but I loved my coffee this way. I’ve always kept in contact with the people I used to work with in the hospitality industry and am glad that I keep in touch with them because they know exactly where to bring you for the best kind of dessert.

We don’t get many talented chefs or pâtissier around town but in the city, where jobs are a plenty – and if you know your way around – you can get very good desserts and food.  So if you have a friend in the hospitality industry – keep in touch with them – you never know when you will find a gem like I did every now and then.

I never thought I would see coffee art in Nova Scotia but I was wrong – this cafe in Dartmouth sure was surprising and lived up to its name for being the best cafe in Halifax.  I read about the cafe in the Coast and had meant to visit many a times.  I was finally up in the city and went to try out their coffee – although not as good as the ones I had in Paris – it was still excellent.  The next time I’m trying the chocolate croissant with it.   Two If By Sea is going to be one of my favorite place to be when I am in Halifax.

Yes! in New Orleans and yes ! i’ve tasted it – at the French Quarters – who can missed such heavenly beignets and coffee – yer tell me.   The beignets are so famous – people come from all over the world to get a taste of them at Cafe Du Monde – Original French Market Stand in New Orleans.   The cafe is always pack it seems whenever we visited – but no worries because it’s open 24/7 – so you can go any days you want during the week.   The one at the French market is open 24 hrs a day – so for those who wants to eat it more than once a day – you can go there for a night snack before bed.  Fried fritter don’t come any better than this.

I didn’t want just fast food mexican like burritos nor do I want the Tex-Mex food either – like Modesto when we were in Toronto – so the spouse went looking for a good cafe for me.  I loved my spicy chicken baked – in a small family restaurant in Yonge Street, unfortunately, for me – I was the only one craving for Mexican – so the rest of the gang had margaritas only.  Oh well – their lost!

I haven’t had a frappuccino for a long time – well ever since staying in an area that doesn’t have a Starbucks unless you head out to the city – or in Toronto or Vancouver.  The spouse tried buying some for me when he was up in the city – but by the time he got home from a 2 hrs flight – it was pretty much flat – well, I can’t say it’s flat – since they are not carbonated – but they didn’t taste good at all.

Well, Starbucks brings back a lot of good memories for me – since we only had Starbucks back home like 15 – 18 yrs ago – and when they first opened, we all found it very classy to be there sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee or fruity drinks and reading or better still having your laptop open and working on it.  I’ve spent many hours at the Starbucks at home with my god-daughters and I do miss them a lot and wished I was there for them when their father passed away.  Anyhow, I’m getting a frappuccino soon because I’m heading to the city to meet the spouse – who is returning on a trip.

My girlfriends and I combed the mall last weekend and we went for high tea, followed by dinner and a drink before heading home.  It was a fun day for us and I ate so much – you wouldn’t believed it.  But not to worry coz’ my girlfriend told me all about usplabs oxyelite pro if I needed it  – but for now – I don’t need to lose any weight fast – but if I keep at it – then that would be another story altogether.  Holt Renfrew is new in town and I want to be able to fit in their designer clothing  – my girlfriend bought quite a bit during this shopping trip.

I’m looking to get one of this coffee maker machine – for home but I would have loved to get one of those that grinds the coffee bean just before it drips the coffee.  I have been hunting for the same machine I had in my office – but never could find it here – what a shame.  The reason why I want a coffee maker is because I don’t want to get a big breakfast from Mac’s just because I want a coffee in the morning – that spoils my entire meal intake entirely.

But for almost $200 after tax – I wonder if it would be a good splurge?  because my doctor had told me that coffee may be the cause of some health issues – like palpitation of the heart.  As much as I would love to get it – I still think that I need my 3-in-1 tea from home – so would it be crazy to get an elite keurig coffee maker?  I have to check on the sugar content and also the calories for each K-cup before buying it – but I am going to make up my mind really soon – instead of looking at the machine for so many times – the spouse thinks I’m crazy doing that instead of just buying it. Oh btw, this machine makes coffee, tea and hot cocoa.

The wife calls this the Nazi Deli because of its Nazi chef but that was a long time ago, the current chef is nice and the Nazi chef although cooked excellent food is gone.  I was back for a business trip and thought I would drop in for some pastrami sandwich while the wife had onion soup and reuben sandwich with sauerkraut.

The Steeples deli is actually quite a nice cozy place but come lunch time, you probably don’t want to go there, it is too cramp.  Located at Tanglin Shopping Center, just off Orchard Road, it’s on the 4th floor and opens daily even on Sundays.  I guess we will always visit the Steeples deli whenever we are back in Singapore because my wife have been patronising this place since her college days.