Singaporean expat mum in Madrid: 2014

Monday 29 December 2014

Lunch treat with SGP govt representative

This post is over due long ago... .. Yes, In August! I got an email from Contact Singapore, a government body station in London. Terrence's colleague has arranged and host this Singaporean get together lunch. And this is all the Singaporean we've got in Madrid but I believe there are more hiding somewhere... yet to find out.

We had a great lunch at The Garden 2112, a Thai restaurant along Arturo Soria. For your information, I have stayed in Madrid for 4.5 years but this is the first time a representative from SGP government contacted us for a meet up session.

We wish to have more of such meet up session organised by our government.

Lunch with Terence Ong (second from right), Regional Director of Contact Singapore

Thursday 13 November 2014

Bag with a dilemma

Have you bought a bag which you think is cool and nice but your partner think otherwise?

Ever since Michael Kors launch into the market and gets popular, I don't really like any of the design until in October, I went to Las Rozas Village outlet while helping my sister to get her bag, I saw this white bag with studs and crystals on it. It was on a special discount and for a moment, I decided to try it and I fell in love with it as I do not have a white or light coloured bag. Therefore, I gave my credit card at the counter and walk out of the shop happily. The happiness did not last long.

Once I reached home and am excited to show my hubby, the first thing from his mouth is 'This bag is so Ugly, the studs is ugly and it make the bag looks even uglier' I almost lost my balance and got so pissed with him. He tried to convince me to change it. We went back to the shop on another day and he wanted me to change to other model that is in black (which I already got a few black bags) which is not the type that I would even consider about. His taste is very mature designs. In the end, I stay firmed and keep my white crystals and studs bag which I think is fun and cool to carry.

I am sure, when I take this bag in future, he is going to comment again. I believe, I will not use this bag when going out with him.

Tuesday 11 November 2014

In love with Pretty Ballerinas

I used to wear high heels most of the time and maybe only 2 pairs of flats but when I had my first baby, I switched to flats. I was so crazy that at the end of my pregnancy I owned 10 pairs of flats. Not to say for my second pregnancy. Ever since we moved to Madrid, I have been aiming for Pretty Ballerinas shoes as I was already a fan of theirs when I was in Singapore but it was just too expensive for me to buy it Singapore.

When I first came to Madrid, I joined as a member with Las Rozas Village, a outlet and once or twice a year, I do get additional discount on top of the outlet price. I started with two pairs about two years ago. With the additional discount in July, I invested another two as it is just too comfortable and two more in October.

You may think that I am crazy but comfortable shoes is one of the most important outfit for me. When I used to work, If I wore a new pair of shoes and it caused blister, I would buy a new pair of shoes during lunch time to replace it and that pair of shoes will be blacklisted immediately. I really cannot stand shoes that caused me that ugly blister.

click here about PrettyBallerinas

Thursday 30 October 2014

Probably the worst Churros in Madrid

You have probably heard that when you are in Spain, you must try the churros with hot chocolate. Generally, churros is one of the most common and popular food for breakfast. It's good for tea break or anytime as you wish.

My family love it and I never fails to bring my guests to try them. So far, the best is from San Gines located at Pasadizo de San Gines, 5. It operates 365 days , 24 hours a day. The worst is the one located inside Mercado San Miguel, Horno San Onofre. The texture of the churros is really horrible. It is too hard, I do not know how to describe it but it just taste horrible. Even my children did not like it after the second bite!

I am very disappointed with the standard. I thought a stall opened in San Miguel which is a tourist spot would be at least of the normal standard to showcase to the tourist how does the churros taste. I have tried many others churros in other bars/ cafes, they are of average standard but this Horno San Onofre's churros is the worst, the hot chocolate cannot make it too.

I am just sharing my comments after tasting the churros. It's up to you to believe or not.

Friday 24 October 2014

Valencia, Spain

I am delighted to received my Very Important Guests with her family at the end of September. As usual, I was the local tour guide and also planned a weekend road trip.

We spent a few days in Madrid to shop and tour the city along Gran via, Sol and Callao. Not forgetting Serrano and Goya too.

When visiting Madrid, I would recommend some dishes that you should try. Churros at San Gines is a must. It is opened 24hr by 7days. Next is to try Paella, the ones with rabbit meat, you probably have tried but not aware of it. It taste like chicken. The one with black squid ink is very delicious too. Apart from all these, you should also try the Cochinillo asado (roast piglet), Chopitos (fried baby squids), Bocadillo de calamares (deep fried squid sandwich) and many more. I believe you can find all the information on the internet easily.

As we have three young children, we decided to drive to Valencia to visit the Oceanografic of the City of Arts and Sciences. It is the largest in Europe. Click for more info

For nice paella, please head to the beach. Many said that the ones along the beach are nice but the there are many and we just chose one based on our guts feel. We had our dinner at Restuarante La Murcian. I strongly recommend this restaurant, the food is so nice that we returned the next day for lunch and their service is good too

We left Valencia with a big smile. Our children enjoyed the aquarium and adults filled our tummy with the delicious paella and more. See pictures below. We returned to Madrid while my friend and her family took a train to Barcelona before returning to Madrid for her last minute shopping.

Above: Oceanografic

Above: Dinner at Restaurante La Murciana

Above: Me and my V.I.Guest

Sunday 12 October 2014

Hispanic Day, 12 Oct 2014

It is also known as the National Day of Spain. The sky was clear in the morning and we thought, it will be great to bring the children to witness this event. It was drizzling for a while but it did not stop the audience from cheering and applauding for the forces. Both boys enjoyed a lot and keep clapping their hands when the forces marched passed them.

We were at Plaza de Colon around 10.45am and it did not start until 11.30am. It started off with the Air show and followed a a military parade. We went off after the after the parade ends as there isn't much performance after that.

Watching the 'ang mohs' in their uniforms and marching with their head high is so MAN. They look so smart and charming. Oh there are ladies too, they looks as charming as the guys.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Little friends at our house

We broke the news of going back to Singapore for good to Enrique about a month ago. He was a little disappointed as he enjoys going to school and had made some good friends here. He asked me if he could invite his friends to come over to our house to play. Being a mum, If I can do it, I will try not to disappoint my children's request.

I promised to him that I will invite his friends to come for a FUN time before we return to Singapore. He is so excited and kept asking me when can he play with his friends. He cannot wait till November. Therefore, I decided to do it on last weekend.

There were total nine children and 10 adults. They were mostly Spanish and one siblings from France and us, from Singapore. The FUN time starts from 5.30pm and ends at 9pm. Can you imagine how much fun the children had and of course how messy my house was.

Most importantly, I kept my promised to my boy and both of them had lots of fun. Parents had also enjoyed a lot too. I got to know them better with my little spoken Spanish.

Hope to arrange another session before we leave for good.

Sunday 21 September 2014

How I spent my 17th 'park tall' anniversary

I have longed shared with him that I would like to revisit Toledo on our special day. As usual, it was not fulfilled. How many of you have the same experience as me? Maybe not too many, I guessed.

After so many years together, I know him too well. As I am also down with flu and cough, I had no energy to bother about this anymore. My approached was 'take it easy' and see what he has in mind on this day.

Our Special Day

In the early morning, our children woke us up and hopped on to our bed for the weekly weekend family bonding. I must say, it felt so good as all of us spent quality time talking, playing and cuddling each other. That's HAPPINESS.

At 10.00am, we headed for our breakfast near our place. Nothing special, children had their churros and we had donut and toast bread with tomato and olive oil.

While we were walking back home, Eduardo said 'kaka, kaka' (poo poo). We were immediately in panic mode as he is undergoing toilet trained for the last two weeks. I carried him and walked as fast as I could and the two were trying to catch up. I kept telling Eduardo to hold on and asked if he wants to pee or poo. He replied poo two times and I am almost sure that he really meant it as he was on his track to toilet trained. When we reached home, he did his business. I am glad that he is able to differentiate the difference between pee and poo now.

Closed to lunch time, my man suggested that we go the style outlet for shopping and have our lunch. It was a good suggestion! I thought he would suggest to go to the park or something.

With the children, it is impossible to have couple time, so Eric suggested that for dinner I should cook Vongole for us and he will fried the lamb chop. I prepared spaghetti with sausages for our lovely boys.

Personally, this is happiness, blessing and wonderful feeling. Doesn't mean going to a posh restaurant or receiving an expensive gift is happiness. Sometimes, simplicity is joy and happiness.

Oh, by the way, my man showed his initiative to set the table with wine and candles but my boys love to blow them and .......yes, we have candle light dinner but just a short while.

Cheers to both of us and wish many good things will come and our life and all will be smooth when we get back to Singapore in the coming months.

Our anniversary dinner, Vongole and lamp chop
A gift we prepared for each other

The boys using their new plates and cups bought just now

Real Jardin Botanico, Madrid

We have lived in Madrid for so long and yet we have not visited the Botanical Garden of Madrid. It was not in my 'to visit' list actually but last Sunday, we were bored and running out of ideas to what to do on a lazy Sunday. I was thinking of doing something get closed to the nature as the weather is good. Botanical Garden just came to my mind and off we GO.

It is located at Murillo Square, just in front of the Prado museum . The entrance fee is 3 euro.

As expected, it was not really worth a visit for me as there is nothing that WOW me. We spent about an hour and decided to walk around the perimeter of Prado museum since we never been there. Overall, at least my kids got to see the plants of Maize, tomatoes, chillies and etc. Therefore, it meets my 'Get to the nature' theme for the day.

If you are looking for a very relax and quite place to read or past time, you may find it pleasing compared to the bustling Retiro park.

Monday 8 September 2014

Mid Autumn Festival in Madrid 2014

Yes, we do celebrate Mid Autumn festival in Madrid. We did a pot luck session last night and I have also invited my british friend to join us.

We had fried bee hoon, tofu patty, curry chicken, pork stewed, jamon and paella. Not forgetting our star dessert- the moon cake from Bengawan solo and chinese tea.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to Everyone!

。祝大家中秋节快乐。

France (Bordeaux and Saint Emilion)

In June, I wrote about our road trip to Sans Sebastian. From there, we continued our journey to France, Bordeaux and we returned to Madrid passing through Bera then Pamplona.

We reached Bordeaux in the afternoon and spend the day walking around the town centre. The next morning, we drove to Saint Emilion for a unique wine experience. The small town is incredibly beautiful.