lynettetan blogs

Recognise this man?

You may not now, but you certainly can’t forget that bright-orange logo in the background, much less his famous self-created rum rum raisin and mao shan wang durian ice cream.

Yes, he is Mr David Yim – the brains behind U.d.d.e.r.s – the premium ice cream parlour that has within a short span of 2.5 years, expanded from one humble location to four. Who would have believed that an ordinary school teacher like him would have risen the social udders, oops, I mean ladders, to receive the Emerging Enterprise Award in 2010 for his ice cream venture? Not that being a teacher means anything bad (I was a teacher for several years myself) – but the complete change of environment and focus – that certainly takes calculated deliberation and a fair amount of guts.

Armed with a plan to conquer the world, he is a man driven by foresight and a deep understanding of the F&B industry, having first experimented with ice cream making using liquid nitrogen in his own home for four whole months.  Necessary precautions were taken, of course, but if you understand the nature of liquid nitrogen.. one can never be cautious enough. So, word of caution here – don’t try this at home unless you’ve been a science teacher and know your compounds well.

After two enjoyable hours of just chatting about his expansive plan of world conquest, I began to understand that there was more to this man who named his upstart after a part of a cow. So, why “U.d.d.e.r.s”?, I asked.

His creamy creations are as fun as he is in person. David is affectionately referred to as the Chief Milkman and clearly well-loved by his staff. They were so enthralled by the fact that their boss was being interviewed and when told to pack some sample tasters for us, did so with such enthusiasm you couldn’t help but feel that there’s a mini-him in every single one of them. True to his core, two of his managers are in fact ex-students.

Anyways, what’s so unique about the ice cream at U.d.d.e.r.s and how does he get so many refreshing ideas for flavours? Well, he did the number one thing any marketeer would do: He asks his customers.

From the blackboard of suggested flavours that came with the customers’ votes, David then shortlists the ones he considers worth experimenting with and painstakingly creates as many as 20 variations before actually finding the right flavour and putting on as much as 7 kg just to do the taste-tests! That’s the extent David would go to ensure that what you get at U.d.d.e.r.s is well, udderly the best!

“We use only the freshest ingredients,” assures David, “and that’s why you pay a premium for our ice cream”.

Truth is, after having tried his mao shan wang durian ice cream, I really couldn’t tell the ice cream from the fruit nor the fruit from the ice cream. That’s how full-flavoured and well-textured his ice cream truly is. And the rum rum raisin? You just can’t believe how well soaked in rum the raisins are. Absolutely delish. You should also try the awesomely chocolate if you’re a big fan of cocoa. Overall, every scoop of U.d.d.e.r.s ice cream is indeed well-worth your dough and many more return visits. For more information on the flavours available, do refer to their website: http://www.udders.com.sg/our_flavours

R&D forms a huge part of what this 39-year-old self-made entrepreneur does besides running from outlet to outlet to oversee operations. In fact, he’s already thinking of collaborations with other F&B outlets to produce yet more flavours and grades of premium ice cream that will help him maintain the competitive edge and a healthy bottomline in a sector that has the real potential for thinning. The perennial question for him really is: Now what? In his world of easily available technology and knowledge, good products are easily replicated and improved upon, hence his need to constantly ‘mooove’.

Well, I’m certainly glad I was able to catch this busy man for an interview. For more on the hilarious exchange we had, tune into Symphony 92.4FM on My Favourite Things to catch the Chief Milkman himself, Mr David Yim, on his creamy exploits, his takes on good ice cream, and wonderful advice for keeping your ice cream fresh and yummy!

What better way to spend a long weekend than to go for a short overseas trip? And being the nearest and quite possibly the most value-for-money, Malaysia would be the best bet for most Singaporeans! That is of course assuming you’re willing to suffer severe traffic congestion across the causeway and long, snaking queues at the customs area just to get there in one piece.

So against the well-intended advice of my parents, my husband and I decided to risk a three-day sojourn at Malacca – the place where the history of Malaysia first began – leaving our dear little canine friend in the care of mum and dad.

The real tourist draw in this little town was Jonker Street or in their local term of reference, Jalan Hang Jebat, where you can find rows upon rows of quaint little shops selling crafts, antique dating back to the days of the original straits chinese, and a diverse range of local produce. Malacca is of course known for their cuisine as well, influenced by a hotchpotch of various cultures including the Dutch, Portugese, British, Chinese immigrants, and of course, the cultural legacies left behind by Parameswara, a Srivijayan prince of Palembang who fled from his Sumatran enclaves.

Think of Malacca and you’ll think of its famous chicken rice balls, chendol lavished with generous dollops of gula melaka, and asam dishes. So for us, the true intent of this trip was a gastronomical one. And all thanks to our favorable exchange rates, I got to enjoy a really lovely bowl of authentic asam laksa at this place called Jonker 88, at only half  of what you’ll pay here in Singapore! By the way, did you know that real chendol are pale green in colour?

Of course, things being relatively cheaper doesn’t translate to indiscriminate spending. That said, Singaporeans often find themselves buying excessively because it’s cheaper here (in Malaysia) than it is back home or simply because the things here (like the gula melaka) are perceived to be a whole lot more authentic. I found myself resisting the urge to spend but ended up with quite a few new items for my wardrobe, including a beautiful Nonya kebaya from the Nonya Heritage shop.

The locals have responded to tourist demands with a vibrant ecosystem that panders to our every want, complete with a pasar malam (night market) to end the weekend nights. What we noticed was the growth of shops that carried mass-produced local crafts, some of which looked like antiques but were in fact not by strict definition. A word with a shopkeeper who sold antique crockery and brick-a-brack left behind by generations of Straits Chinese revealed that even the items she carried were not always authentic. We were told that “the real plates can cost you few thousands while the cheaper imitations were only $200 on average”.

Fancy eating out of a $5,000 bowl left behind by generations of Straits Chinese? We decided to settle for a bowl of local wonton soup at a roadside coffeeshop instead, and that, even after we’ve had our fill of chicken rice balls. Think I put on at least 2-3kg from a three day sojourn. On the topic of chicken rice balls, there are at least 4 such shops within the Jonker Street area. Well, which is better? I guess it’s a matter of personal preference and perceived value; most of the shops are quite packed to the brim if that’s any indication at all of quality. Although I’m not a big fan of chicken rice to begin with, I can’t deny that the rice balls were really quite yummy. I didn’t like the chicken though. They were a tad tough compared to those we have in Singapore. I was to understand a little later on that the chicken served here in Singapore are tender because of hormone injections. Hmm.

Nonya food is a definite must-try when you’re in Malacca. Apart from Jonker 88 which serves fairly decent meals at hawker prices, one might also wish to pay a visit to the several Nonya restaurants located along Jalan Merdeka: Ole Sayang, Indah Sayang and several others. My husband and I have tried both Ole and Indah, and found the food fresh, the rustic ambience complete with marble table tops delightful.

Overall, the trip to Malacca was a memorable one. After all, it’s not everyday you get to spend alone time with your spouse, and that alone was more valuable to me than all the chendols, chicken rice balls, and asam laksas in the world!

So it was a weekend of concerts. It was Mozart’s the Magic Flute on Saturday and Victoria Concert Hall Closing Gala Concert (VCH) on Sunday. The more significant date to remember? 25th July 2010. The final concert at the VCH. She was going to be closed for a 3-year refurbishment. What would she look like afterward? Will it ever be the same? Where’s the organ gonna go? These were real questions that nobody had a definite answer to, as yet, but were thoughts I found myself ruminating on.  Afterall, was this not the place where I once spent a great deal of time twiddling my thumbs, a little bright-eyed girl in a blue pinafore, waiting for rehearsals to start?

For as long as I was with Singapore Symphony Chorus (SSC), that was how I spent my Monday evenings. I became so familiar with every nook and cranny of VCH that even the echoes in the hallways resounded with much familiarity. So, to be in the same concert hall for the very last time before it went for its facelift was, for lack of a better word, gratifying.

As I was mulling over the fate of the organ, the concert opened with Margaret Chen climbing sheepishly out from a little door in the wall of the organ and Bach’s hauntingly beautiful Toccata and Fugue in D minor. That wasn’t always the way organists at VCH take to the stage but since this was a closing gala concert, who’s going to begrudge the comical wit with which Margaret did her opening?

Lynnette Seah and Gulnara Mushurova’s were next in their collaborative repertoire of  Massenet’s Thais Meditation and Elgar’s Salut da’mour which added to the thick of bittersweet farewells and memories of a glorious heyday, taking the audience on what seemed like a journey back in time to the days of Victorian Revivalism.

The high point of the closing gala concert had to be Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture where the 3 choruses (SSC, Singapore Bible College Chorale and The Philharmonic Chamber Chorus) joined forces to bring the event to a rapturous high, prompting camera flashes, resounding encores and thunderous applause from a delighted audience, ending an otherwise-ordinary Sunday afternoon on a high note – pun intended.

It will be a long while before such hullabaloo will ever be witnessed again in this place.

Fare thee well, Victoria Concert Hall!

This is the second leg of our journey from Sydney to Brisbane. Along the way, we stopped at Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coff’s Harbour and Gold Coast (of course). We decided to give Byron Bay a skip this time around because we needed to get to Brissy by an appointed day. But if you’re in the Gold Coast area and are seeking alternative locations for a visit, Byron Bay may make a good pit-stop, especially if you’re after a good photo opportunity of a sunrise over the bay area.

So really, we selected the four stops largely out of expedience and consideration of time. Our end destination was Brisbane and that is approximately 950 km away. Everything else along the way would be a bonus. That said, we must admit that having experienced Sydney to the fullest and having stayed in Brissy for close to three years, the cities in between along this much-touted tourist drive route may pale in comparison.

Also, since much of the driving took place inland along the Pacific Motorway, you won’t get to see much of the ocean unless you took a deliberate detour along the more scenic but winding road along the coast - that is if you’ve more time on your hands! However, there were no regrets for the long drive down the Pacific Motorway which availed to us some pretty slick landscapes and an opportunity to just take it easy. After all, what is a real road-trip without endless stretches of bitumen, asphalt, and nothing much else to see?

Newcastle has still retained its charm as a beachside town. We were walking around in the city centre, and with the rain beating down on an easy Saturday morning, the only occasional laughter and merriment came from some local kids in their wetsuits, barefoot, with hair wet from their surfing forays. Darby Street – touted to be one of their main shopping strips – is nowhere near St Kilda’s in Melbourne. Guess we were there at the wrong time. The only saving grace at Darby Street is the Darby Fresh Bake which sold minced beef pies for as cheap as $1.00. We had a deliciously-peppered one and another which had bacon bits and cheese. For $1.50 each, one couldn’t complain but truth be told, they were comparable to the ones that we bought off Fredo’s along the Pacific Motorway many miles down.

 
Anyway, have you ever wondered how much nutrition goes into a pie? Check out this nutrition chart for a cheese and bacon pie that’s available on the Darby Fresh Bake website:

Speaking of which,  Australians are really fond of their pies. They even have nation-wide competitions, complete with gold  and silver standards that are awarded to deserving bakeries that come up with the most delicious pies.

Having had our pies, we drove on towards Port Macquarie which was another sleepy seaside town that had nothing much else except beautiful beaches and coastal drives. Port Macquarie was also a place where one could take a leisurely cruise out into the open waters to catch sight of a whale or dolphin or both. Do check with local knowledge though what’s the best time to catch those underwater behemoths on their migration journey. We learnt that end of May is just not it. 

Apart from whales, there are some really beautiful beaches in the Port Macquarie surrounds that deserve a pit-stop.

This was another spectacular beach in the Port Macquarie area that boasted great surf and breathtaking coastal views.

Before we finally left Port Macquarie, we stopped over at a tomato and strawberry farm and some markets. Check out the pictures of the fresh produce which is so typically available at agriculture-based economies like Australia. It’s so nice to be able to retire in Australia with a farm of your own, lots of wide open spaces, good weather, fresh clean air, and enjoying the fruits of your own backyard labour.

While we were browsing through the old and new wares at the country-style markets, I came across this food for thought and went away challenged by its simple yet profound message that reminded me of the biblical mandate on love: that it suffers long and is kind; does not envy; does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails”.

The final pit stop on this leg of our journey was Coffs Harbour. It was a really pleasant destination, with several tourist draws like the Big Banana theme park. The main harbour area was really the big draw for us because of the fish and chips. After a long arduous journey, the beer-battered chips were certainly a great way to end the day and so was the really yummy chilli squid. They’re really getting better at replicating Asian cuisine, these Aussie blokes.

This week we’ve been speaking about fathers and the special place they have in our hearts. In fact, I ran a search on the internet and came across this:

“Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad”. Rightly said.

Born in a family of three uniquely vivacious girls, my dad had to contend with our whims and fancies, fluctuating temperaments, and off-the-handle sibling rivalry that have come to characterise a typical day in the life of a dad with more than one kid.   

It’s amazing how he managed to cope.

But no matter how busy he was, he always had time for me. In fact, I had the luxury of having daddy all to myself for six years before my second sister came along. He taught me a lot about life, about the importance of personal responsibility and the virtue of dilligence. He has a whole arsenal of wise sayings to remind me of how important it is to work hard: “If you don’t work, you don’t eat”, “There is no substitute for hard work”, and “time and tide wait for no man”. The list goes on and on.

He taught me how to iron my pinafore, help around the house, and look after my two little sisters. Being the eldest in the family, I learnt a lot about sharing, accountability and the importance of role-modelling. And being the eldest also means many personal sacrifices and having to bear the brunt of parental reprimand. 

But dad always tries to be fair. Over the years, I’ve learnt that he believes in the balance of power and responsibility. For the berating he gave - due to my occasional non-compliance and collective misbehaviour of us three daughters – he gave me much more in return, echoing the truth behind what what Ben Parker once said to Spiderman: 

“With greater power comes greater responsibility”.

Despite his own unique set of idiosyncracies and his occasional nagging, he had undeniably played a big part in shaping my life.

So, as we gear up for Father’s Day, I just want to wish my dad and all the fathers out there… A blessed Father’s Day.

To all our Friends of Symphony 92.4FM,

Here’s a video of my experience at Kim Robinson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuUC88a_7e0

Enjoy and I hope to see you there soon!

Truth is, I miss Australia. Having spent a good three years there in Brisbane as a student, I must confess that I really miss the idyllic places and leisurely paces that have become a hallmark of life in the land of wandering wombats and crisp morning air. There are always uncrowded places to go over the weekends and scenic environs that are as pleasurable to the eyes as they are nourishment to our souls. And what I really enjoy most about the place is the length of time that you get to spend just being by yourself and unwinding.

So, as deep calls unto deep, my husband and I went back to Australia for a short but well-needed two-week holiday. People around us often wonder why we’re going back to Australia again, and why we’ll rather spend the money in a place we’ve already “been there, done that and bought the tee-shirts”. Well yes, travelling is about seeing the world.  I would venture that travelling is just as much about re-connecting with the circadian rhythm of life and we’ve found Australia to be just the place for it.

Our every visit to Australia is memorable. A leisurely drive along the Margaret River and its surrounds, the aroma of freshly baked Yatala mushroom and beef pies over at exit 38 on the Pacific Motorway, the picturesque  meander of the Great Ocean Road, the lush hinterlands of Launceston dotted with lazy grazing cattle, exciting weekend markets at Salamanca (now that’s what I call a REAL market), the gigantic strawberries at a farm headed towards Sunshine Coast, the gorgeous sunsets over Cottesloe Beach, the many craftshops (scrapbooking enthusiasts’ dream come true) … there’s just no end. 

Anyway, the Pacific Coast drive from Sydney to Brissy and back is one downunder journey we’ve often heard talked about by friends. It’s a good 950 or so kilometres. And if you’re the sort who thinks in terms of time, well, a drive like that would set you back 12 long hours. Or if you’re like us who just can’t take long distances for extended periods, break the journey up into a three or four day one, and you’ll find yourself enjoying it much better!

The Pacific Coast drive is certainly one worth taking, especially if you’ve always dreamt of driving great distances with the wind blowing in your hair and not having to stop then and again due to motorway congestion. Along the way, there is much to see and a lot more to savour. Starting out at Sydney where you get The (historical) Rocks, Darling Harbour and the amazing views of the famed harbour bridge, we made four overnight pitstops at Newcastle, Port Mcquarie, Coff’s Harbour, and the Gold Coast. These all turned out to be very interesting sideshows that made the whole roadtrip a really great experience. Well, since we’ve got a long distance to cover, let’s get started with … Sydney!

There are loads to do at Sydney and we made sure to get out early to maximise the short winter day. The Rocks is a really fascinating place, with quaint shops inconspicuously tucked into corners and passageways, with specialist shops that sold things like lollies.

We also found some great restaurants and cafes that serve really excellent grub in such massive portions. As you’d expect, I came back to Singapore a few kilos heavier.

Tea was one thing no one can resist, not if you happen to be strolling past these gorgeous bakeries with their cakes and biscuits displayed right out the shopfront beckoning to you.

Another treat we enjoyed thoroughly is the Tiger Pie that we bought off Harry’s Cafe de Wheels. All thanks to my colleague Sin Yee, my husband and I walked what felt like a thousand miles to Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo just to get to it.

That said, the long distance was worth it. The pea and potato mash on juicy peppered beef pies and bratwurst on sauerkraut and bun were really good and for less than AUD20, we were well-fed, well-quenched and satisfied. So, who says good food can only be had at sky-high prices?

Another place for good food was a chance encounter at The Rocks. It was a German restaurant called Lowenbrau Keller that boasted good brew and beef. It’s a little more pricey though. I had this really melt-in-your-mouth dish affectionately referred to on the menu as Cheeky Beef which is really beef cheeks tenderly stewed in Lowenbrau beer and it was really superb! I’ve never tasted beef that good. Every bite was a wow. You can try the beef goulash too which is really comparable to the ones I tried in Budapest years back. It’s got enough zing, bite, and whiff. And my husband just loved the pork knuckles!

Ok. Before I get too far ahead of myself, Sydney isn’t just about food though. It’s just that my husband and I both love good food. Sydney’s also a great place and city for shopping, with Queen Victoria Building so well-connected to Pitt Street Mall through an underground pass. And with the Direct Factory Outlet conveniently located at Drummoyne, there’s just no lack!

Sydney is also an enjoyably scenic destination. We enjoyed just walking around and taking in the views of the harbour, taking photos of the eclectic union of old and new architecture and just soaking in the great wintry weather. It was drizzling time and again when we were there, but despite getting soggy feet nearly every day, the time spent was really a breath of fresh air.

After three exciting days at Sydney, we decided to zoom up to the Blue Mountains in a rented car. The journey took only a short 2 hours and the roads are easy to access and good to drive on. It wasn’t our first time at the Blue Mountains but it certainly felt so. We visited a few of the usual touristy spots like the Three Sisters, Katoomba Township. What I was really happy about was the two nights we spent at the really lovely Kurrara guesthouse which was a historical relic in itself. The entire place was decorated with memorabilia of days gone by, old faded photographs, a really quiet atmosphere punctuated with the occasional crackle of wood toasting in a real fireplace and the sound of gentle footsteps on creaking floorboards. Everything there felt very homey and back in time.

Although Katoomba is probably the most visited part of the Blue Mountains, there is so much more to see beyond this little town. Regrettably, we didn’t have that much time on our hands, and had to settle for the immediate surrounds like Leura and Wentworth. Wentworth Falls was actually worth a leisurely pitstop if you wanted a quick bite. We had this really mouth-watering beef pie and blackforest at the Conditorei Patisserie Schwarz‎ bakery, easily located on 30 Station Street, Wentworth Falls.

Of course, Blue Mountains is the sort of place you’ll want to go to for recuperation, relaxation and retirement. The air is fresh, the walks are therapeutic and life there slows to a close halt – which is really good given that I had been really busy prior to the trip. So, when you’re there in Sydney, do visit the Blue Mountains. Take time to enjoy the crisp mountain air, be visually inspired by the flora native to the region, and greeted by a sense of timelessness every morning you wake up to the call of garden birds.

It’s not everyday that big opera stars like Andrea Bocelli and Sumi Jo grace the stages of Singapore.  But over the last week or so I had the privilege and honour of being up close and personal to not one… but two of my favourite singers.

It was my first time watching Andrea Bocelli. I mean… I knew about him. In fact, I knew all about how he always had problems with his eyesight even as a kid and how after an accident at a soccer game, he lost his sight completely to congenital glaucoma. Here was a man who had overcome insurmountable odds to be where he is today. I was familiar with the music he sang although I never saw him live in concert. I could even recognise his distinct voice anytime but when he was first led on stage by conductor, Eugene Kohn… my heart went out to him. I thought I knew what it meant to be visually handicapped but for the first time I understood the limitations that he had to face…everyday. Even getting on and off-stage was a challenge for him and he had to rely on people to guide him. He always had to feel for the mic stand with his hand and he would feel for the microphone with his face to ascertain its position before breaking into a bashfully, sweet smile. The smile that would indicate to the conductor that he’s ready to sing.

It’s amazing too that despite not being able to interact with the conductor and orchestra through body language and eye contact, there was such connectedness and synergy between Bocelli and the orchestra that it was obvious they were following closely and complementing every nuance of his performance bringing it to its complete glory. Singing famous opera arias to crossover pop music, every note that Bocelli sang was heartfelt.

He may not be able to see the audience with his eyes;  he certainly did so with his heart.

 
Heartfelt too was the phone interview I had with Sumi Jo during midweek. I’ve always watched and admired her from afar. She was the beautiful, glamourous and amazingly talented singer the world has ever known and here she was talking with me, over the phone, like a good ol’ friend. I relished every moment. We had a great time chatting about Korean and Singaporean food and how she would stay away from spicy food just before a performance. She also said that she loved looking glamourous on stage for all her performances but deep down, she’s just a girl-next-door who loves wearing jeans and no make-up. Well, that was quite hard to imagine especially when I think Sumi Jo, I usually think of her dressed to the nines in her splendid array of picture perfect outfits.

12 May 2010. 7.10, 7.25,  7.50… 8pm. Time was crawling… as I watched the clock… I wanted so much to catch a glimpse of Sumi Jo’s gala performance.  And so immediately after my shift, I zoomed over to the Esplanade Concert Hall only to learn that I had missed the intermission, was denied access and had to watch the rest of the concert from the viewing gallery. But even that was pleasurable. I was the only one there. I was most amused and entertained by Sumi Jo’s rendition of The Doll Song from Tales of Hoffman. And so were the audience. Admittedly, hers was a much better performance than some others I’ve seen. The usher who was assigned to accompany me in the viewing gallery must have found my giggling somewhat unnerving.

Sumi Jo ended the evening with the memorable encore piece O mio babbino caro (Oh my dear papa) an aria from the opera Gianni Schicchi (1918), by Giacomo Puccini.

I’ve always thought that music has powerful effects on one’s mind, mood, memory and energy level. In fact, can you recall a time when a song actually stirred within you really strong emotions? Well, I’m a firm believer that good classical music (like those played on Symphony 92.4FM) not only soothes the soul, it can also: 

a. Improve memory
b. Control pain
c. Reduce anxiety
d. Boost IQ
e. Enhance creativity
f. Increase motivation

Below is a list of classical tunes that could accompany you on your next cardmaking and scrapbooking adventure…

Chopin: Nocturne No. 1
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17, finale
JS Bach: Prelude & Fugue No. 1
Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, 4th mvt.
Haydn: final movement from The Creation
Holst: “Mars, the Bringer of War” from the Planets
Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun
Schubert: Ave Maria
Wagner: “Ride of the Valkyries” from the Valkyrie
Bizet: “March of the Toreadors” from Carmen

Enjoy! And by the way, have you ever wondered what you get to see in our Symphony conty?

Lunch was a little special today. Instead of the usual Mediacorp canteen food. I opted to scoot down to my favourite haunt – Junior de Artist, for a mid-day respite. Well, it’s a respite for me because it’s away from the usual humdrum. Junior de Artist is my favourite craft shop not only because it’s near my workplace but largely because they are well-stocked with Hero Art stamps, Quickutz dies and every kind of cardstock imaginable.

It wasn’t so when I first stepped into the shop in 2000. They were just starting out with craft punches and limited supply of craft paper. Ten years on, still tucked away in that same little corner at Novena Square, this unassuming craft shop has been given a facelift in the range of supplies they carry, the shop layout, and the level of clientele they have.

Most scrapbooking enthusiasts go back to the same shop for their purchases for largely personal reasons. What’s mine then, for becoming a regular at Junior de Artist? You could say that the staff here are really helpful and personable. There are no airs about them, and you can risk appearing silly asking about the most basic questions on scrapbooking. They will gladly make time for you, do some demonstrations, and provide practical solutions to your scrapbooking problems. Even the boss himself, Mr Freddy Yip (a down-to-earth, scrapbooking enthusiast who knows his business well and has his techniques right down to the jot) takes time to sit you through a quick session on how to maximise your scrapbooking efforts to amazingly creative ends! I’ve come to realise the distinction between shops that provide scrapbooking solutions and those that sell scrapbooking supplies. I’ve made my choice. How about you?

Well, one of the items Freddy carries at Junior de Artist is probably the most ingenious inventions of the scrapbooking world. The Cricut Expression is really an automated die-cut machine that gives you perfect shapes from your 12″ x 24″ paper minus the human effort. Just power up, slot in the cartridge, press the right keys out of the 98, and watch that baby go!

Along with the paper leaf that’ll look really great against a contrasting backdrop, Freddy showed me some other pieces he produced using the Cricut Expression. Have a look at these and imagine how they can easily be a part of your collection of paper scraps for artistic creations!

This entire process will take a lot less effort than if you were to do it manually. The Chinese have a saying for this: 事半功倍 which when translated really means minimum input for maximum output . And yes, Freddy has been so kind as to have sponsored one of these babies (worth about one grand and comes with two free cartridges) as the top prize for this week’s contest on My Favourite Things!

So, what are you waiting for? If you haven’t been tuning into My Favourite Things on weekdays 5-8pm, do it now and give yourself an opportunity to win prizes from Junior de Artist!