My Time with Yen Lin

Morning kitties,

I had a busy morning yesterday. I trooped all the way down to 58 Marine Terrace (24 bus stops!) to visit Yen Lin at work. Her work is about 70% complete now,  and it is important that I see her work in its early stages so I can decide whether I should commission her for when I build a gallery wing in my chateau. It is something I simply cannot do without.

I arrived when she was still at an interview so I sniffed around the landing myself...

Confused, I didn't know how to ride this bike >:( 

Or how to enter this house >:((( 

Got distracted by the birds...

Waiting impatiently for Yen Lin to come...her prospects of decorating my art gallery are dim.

Yen Lin finally came and showed me where to stand so I got a better idea of how I was meant to look at her art work. 

Finally got on the bike! My legs couldn't reach the pedals though.

Me and Yen Lin's tape. She has used countless rolls of tape.

Me and Yen Lin posing before we enter the elevator. 

Siting on Yen Lin's head gave me a better view of her art work. I enjoyed the view so very much. 

With Yen Lin's help, I got into the house! Ah ha! 

The youngest artist of Openhouse, Yen Lin is currently in her 2nd year in NUS. She studies Literature for fun, and hopes to become a practicing artist one day. After Openhouse, Yen Lin talks of another art show combined with her art class, although they are not sure where they would like to hold it yet. (Hint hint, my humble abode at Evil Empire 48 Niven Road!) 

If I remember correctly, Yen Lin mentioned that she has... NO CATS!!! I was aghast. 

But I guess it is for the best. There can only be one cat in her life. I have decided that I will indeed be hiring Yen Lin to decorate my art gallery. 

Till the next time... 

Merry Christmasss!!

Sorry i've been a busy cat!

As you all may know, I have been on a search to find Marine Parades best restaurants so I can hire their chefs!

On a side note:
So what's this deal with Marine Paraders considering East Coast to be part of Marine Parade? If that's the case then I guess that would include Siglap and Katong too wouldn't it? I'm not entirely sure... anyway it doesn't matter to me because i'm just going to colonise the entire area and name it Cat's Chateau.

Someone educate me on this matter! I'm so confused.

Anyhow, I dug up a few potential chefs...

1. Katong Laksa 

Did you know that "Katong" Laksa refers to the style of Nonya Laksa that is eaten with just the spoon?  The most well known place to eat this is at the stalls around the junction of Ceylon and East Coast Road. Although there are many stalls that now use the name "Katong Laksa", I have found the original. Some (or most) people claim that this is the best laksa in Singapore! Now that's quite a feat. I wouldn't go around throwing sweeping statements about one of the most popular Singaporean dishes, but I suppose you will have to judge for yourself. 


Read the full story here: Original Katong Laksa


I suggest a hearty bowl before heading down to Marine Parade (proper) to house hop! I myself will be dipping my whiskers into some tasty gravy. ^.^

The address is at:

Katong Laksa
1 Telok Kurau Road
(Opp. SPC Petrol Station)
Open 8am to 3.30pm
Open Daily
64404585
98559401

2. Roland Restaurant
From an insider source, this ex-ACS boy used to be quite the rebel! Never good with the books, he sure made it with food. Roland is actually the *drumroll* FOUNDER OF CHILLI CRABS!

Mr Roland and Mdm Cher  (credits to ieatishootipost.sg)


I actually visited Roland Restaurant just 2 days ago, and I tried this amazing bamboo clam dish... Honestly I had no idea clams came in that shape. 

ISN'T THAT JUST SO COOL? 

Learn the history of Chilli Crab and Roland Restaurant here: Origins of Chilli Crab


This would be a great place to satisfy your hunger pangs after a good tour of all the OH houses! Courtesy of OH, we are offering a free shuttle service back to the Marine Parade CC, which incidentally is really close to Roland Restaurant. You might see me there eyeing some fish in the tanks... Really got my drooling the last time. 


The address is at:
Roland Restaurant
Block 89, Marine Parade Central,
# 06 - 750
Singapore 440089
6440 8205www.rolandrestaurant.com.sg


3. Hilmi Sarabat Stall: President Teh Tarik

It's been said that the presidents driver goes down to this very stall, da baos Teh Tarik and brings it back to the Presidents mansion! There are two shifts, the morning shifts Teh Tarik is made by some AMAZING anonymous man before 1230pm, and the one after by his less amazing partner. But still, probably very very amazing.

The address is at:
Hilmi Sarabat Stall
Marine Parade Food Centre
#01-146
5.30am to 11pm


So now I really need to hire the Katong Laksa man, Roland, and the anonymous Teh Tarik maker!!! How much would it take to steal them away from their business??? Nothing I can't afford. Alright, all this talk of food is driving me insane... must bug office girl to give me snacks. 

Cat Marx has discovered ...

BEAN CURD TARTS!!

The healthier alternative to egg tarts.

Me looking elated with Le Cafe Pastry Bean Curd Tarts. 

**Note dejected egg tart I bought earlier. Ew

Holding in my excitement.

Be very jealous!

Food coma...

Have you guys seen my really cute icon on www.ohopenhouse.com? 

I'm adorable. Really.

xoxo Cat Marx

N-Day Marine Parade!

Hey guys,


check out this video of the early national day parade held this year in Marine Parade.







SM Mr Goh Chok Tong, suggested Marine Parade organise a parade for residents who would not have the chance to participate in the Parade at the Padang.


In an open car park at Marine Terrace (where one of OH houses is located!), uniformed groups made out of girl guides, scouts, members of various MP resident committees, marched proudly for the crowds.


The parade ended with a bang with a 5 minute display of fireworks! 


'I have never been to the real National Day Parade, so I am happy that I got to experience this parade here. It even has fireworks.' - Aishah Mohamad Isa (source: Straits Times)






So nice of Mr Goh Chok Tong to organise this event for his community. Now that I know how talented the residents of Marine Parade are, I should expect a welcome parade for when I make my first appearance on 8th January! (that's when OH begins)


In case you didn't already know, tickets for OH can be purchased from the Marine Parade CC Plaza on the day itself. Do come! I love all the houses and the art works being put into it. I'll give you a preview when I can. :) 


So it's monday morning... i'm up too early. I just needed to bring this nugget of information to you! Back to my cat nap. 

SHOUT OUT!

Hey kitties!

one of our dearest bloggers have featured OH 2011 on her website! Check out the link below to read more:

Thanks SG Girl Next Door! 







XOXO
Cat Marx

Pablo Picasso, what a nice man.

Pablo Picasso's hidden works?

"Suspecting that the works were stolen, Mr. Ruiz-Picasso contacted a lawyer, who filed a lawsuit on Sept. 23 claiming that the works were “stolen goods”; investigators seized the art from the Guennecs’ home in the South of France two weeks later. The inquiry is continuing, and it is unclear what will become of the artworks." 

“He kept everything: letters, Métro tickets, tickets for the theater or bullfights,” Mr. Ruiz-Picasso told Libération. He said many of the 271 pieces were undated.

“He always dated, signed and dedicated his gifts,” Mr. Ruiz-Picasso said. “I leave it to the justice system to shed light on the matter. We ourselves are certainly not acting for our own profit. We’re not in need.” - New York Times

What do you guys think? Personally I believe the man. How on earth did an eldery french couple go about stealing 271 works? Did the investigators have any right to seize the works? 

Maybe i'm just a romantic. I would like to believe Picasso left Mr Guennec a treasure trove of art works because he knew that it would be worth millions in the future. He loved Mr Guennec so much that he wanted to provide him with enough money (and more) for his and his wife's retirement and have extra for their children's inheritance. Mr Picasso, what a nice man. He probably wanted Mr Guennec to buy himself a nice cottage in the country side, next to a sprawling wheat field where his children could paint and have picnics everyday...

Onto Openhouse, we've finally got our volunteers! Thanks guys for being there for us. We've got our volunteer workshops on the 4th and 12th December, 4 to 7pm. Feel free to drop by if you decide last minute that you would like to take part in our reallllllly cool event. It'll be at our headquarters, 48 Niven Road of course.

In the wise words of Picasso, "Action is the foundational key to all success". So we really need you guys to take action and help us make OH! 2011 a huge success! Mreowwww 

Namaste!

Namaste my little ducklings!

Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale...

What a beautiful monday morning! The sea breeze, sound of children playing in the distant background, dolphins frolicking in the lagoon, the tinkling tunes of wind chimes, friendly neighbours greet you as they walk by... you get the idea.

Meet Anthea! She's one of the house owners for OH 2011! I had the privilege of attending one of Anthea's yoga classes (a private class at that!) in her humble abode.

This is me and Anthea stretching, it sure was tiring... felt like eating some roti prata soon after. 

Me and Anthea meditating the wonders of what OH2011 holds.

Good day. I'm off to the kopitiam to talk cock and shake leg with the Roti Prata man.

By the way! The openhouse website is finally up. Here you go: www.ohopenhouse.com

Tell your friends!!! (It's an order.) 

Tea with Mr Lee

Hey kitties,

This is what has been happening in the office lately...

Evil Empire is hosting May Oon's new exhibit "Tea with Mr Lee".

Do come down and check us out at 48 Niven Road. The paintings are done in Oil on canvas or Charcoal on canvas...

Really interesting! Here are some pictures:

AHH! Don't step on me! >:(

Protection from the rain :) 

Me posing with Huangwei artworks! Reminiscent of OH! 2009.

**Cat Marx was superimposed on the following "Tea with Mr Lee" paintings. They are in no way representative of the original art work. The original art works omit Cat Marx and are much more beautiful in real-life. All paintings by May Oon. Do check out the exhibit yourself.**


Tea with Mr Lee
48 Niven Road
Tues - Sun
2 to 8pm

I'm a dancing queen!

Hey guys, check out my dance moves here:

Cat Marx : Michael Jackson look-alike

TEEHEE!

All About the Community!

Hey, so I was thinking... where would I house my tennis court, theatre and disco? I was looking for a perfect recreational pavillion and I think I have found it.

Marine Parade is big on art! I really mean, BIG! I think it's great that they fuse recreation and social events with art... Marine Parade minions are so cultured. Just SO cultured!!!

Marine Parade Community Building

The commissioned mural, called the “Texturefulness of Life” is Singapore’s largest piece of installation art, measuring 63 metres by 12 metres!

I didn't even know it was a piece of art, I just thought it was part of the building exterior. It's interesting to think that a building exterior could be considered as a piece of art! I guess definitions are ever changing and now more or less infinite as to what Art is.

Did you know that this mural was designed by Thai architect Surachai Yeamsiri? There used to be Thai wording on the installation piece but it was eventually removed due to criticism about its relevance to Singapore's official languages.

In the words of the architect:"a mix of materials to reflect the eclectic mix of traditional and high tech environments in Singapore."the artwork made use of a variety of materials such as glass and wood. The artwork's centrepiece resembles a huge human eye plastered on a wall, made up of tiny mosaic tiles arranged by computer-aided design.

I think this building is quite fitting... I will definitely have to preserve the exterior, but perhaps an extension wing to include my new bowling alley... What say you? 

TIME WARP

Hello minions, i'm back with a vengeance! I have been doing some research on Marine Parade in order to better acquaint myself with my new surroundings for when I build my Chateau. It is important to look back to understand the present. Didn't your teacher tell you this?

This is what i've dug up so far.

MARINE PARADE - BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH... THE CHILDREN ALSO DO THEIR BIT, HELPING THEIR ELDERS TO CLEAN THE VOID DECK

Notice the children scrubbing the floor of this void deck? Yes, I myself realise that today's technology-driven cleaning devices are usually slip shod and do not provide the meticulous nature that is distinct to manual labour. Vacuums, electric mops and the like do not cut it for me! It is for this reason that when I build my Chateau, I will only employ helpers with the following characteristics:

1. Penchant for cleaning

2. A keen eye (my floor must be immaculate)

3. Do not question my resistance to modern cleaning devices

I am so thrilled to know that the residents of Marine Parade possess these qualities and take pride in the surroundings they live in. I will be so happy in this neighbourhood! Especially so because I am ordering tiles direct from France and I will not have dirt and scum stuck between said tiles. It is unhygienic and will taint my sensitive and delicate paws. 

MARINE PARADE - STRETCHING IT OUT, AN EXERCISE TO STRENGTHEN THE LEG MUSCLES

MARINE PARADE - KEEPING FIT AND TRIM... A MASS RHYTHMIC EXERCISE IN PROGRESS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE HALL. THE EXERCISE HAS PROVED TO BE HIGHLY POPULAR WITH THE YOUNG AND VERY YOUNG

My lovely minions of Marine Parade. 

Pictures above demonstrate their dedication to fitness, as well as their love for the arts. Look at them "work it" while sporting attire reminescent of "Flashdance". Case in point, not only are my Marine Parade  minions avid health fans (perfect as they will need the strength for when they are cleaning my sprawling Chateau), but they are also well equipped to entertain me! 

(Flashdance, for the ignorant)

**Note similarities in work-out attire.

Last but not least,

GROUP PHOTOGRAPH OF TAO NAN SCHOOL PRIMARY

Tao Nan Primary School

This is where I will send my little kittens for when I meet my perfect mate. (I am not a hopeless romantic! I am not! I am single by choice!)

This prestigious institution is 104 years old, and is home to Mr Lee Kong Chian. Mr Lee taught there when he returned to Singapore after World War II and it is only right that my little kittens breathe the very same air as he did. As they walk through the hallowed halls, by diffusion will my kittens become one of the brightest minds in Singapore. May they own many rubber plantations and engage in philanthropic work for The Cat Welfare Society when they are well endowed!

It is Friday night, I bade thee farewell. I'm going to drink myself silly with one of the office girls now. Remember children, creative juices best flow in moments of drunken stupor.





**Credits to National Archives of Singapore for pictures
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/picas/public/internetSearch/

Cat Marx goes to Marine Parade!

My domination in Niven road has been, to say the least, unsuccessful. The office girls do not listen to me when I speak, they do not cater to my every whim and fancy. They certainly do not adhere to my demands. They are incompetent and useless.

Exhibit A: Office girl blatantly ignoring me.

Nevertheless, my plans for world domination will eventually succeed. This year, OH is going to Marine Parade, and what better way to suss out new territory and potential minions by making the neighborhood believe I am one with the people! (only to make them my slaves after.)

So I voyeured to Marine Parade last Friday and I was astonished to find my carriage in waiting. I am glad they realize the gravity of the situation, that is my arrival. However the tuktuk man was no where to be found (curse these lazy, lazy humans!) so I made one of the office girls, specifically the new intern because she is gullible and has yet to encounter my ever demanding ways, bring me around in true parisian style. 

Note the canned drink. It is a human contraption used to relieve feelings of fatigue and as respite from the unforgiving weather. I will order a million of such contraptions when I take over Marine Parade, and store them in my parlor for my own perusal.

Two things to note. 

1. There are other like-minded creatures that aspire to hold the reigns of Marine Parade. This is cecil. He has chosen not to disclose his real name for obvious  reasons. (for those who do not know, it is because humans choose the most ridiculous names for their pets. for example, Fluffy.) He and I were thinking of collaborating our plans in the near future. Of course i would take 80% of the assets simply because I am smarter and my plans are better. 

2. Human food is, as much as I hate to admit it, beautiful to my palate. It is tasty, tantalizing, and treacly. Despite it being obstacle to my world-domination plans (in that it feeds and nourishes the humans, making them immune to my tactics), it is definitely something I must train the humans to cook for me, as opposed to devouring these foods for themselves. 

Bengawan Solo

Blk 58 Marine Terrace
#01-69
Business Hours: 8am - 9pm

This is Bengawan Solo. I will colonize this store and order all franchises to be within a km of my residence. It is important that a leader is well fed.

Funny thing about Bengawan Solo. It is actually the name of the longest river in the Indonesian island of Java. And this river also has its own song! Why don't I have my own song??? I must bring this up with the office folk.



Anyway, the very first Bengawan Solo cake shop in Marine Terrace was founded in 1979 by Anastasia Liew, an emigrant from Indonesia. Anastasia began with an unlicensed home baking business of her Indonesian delicacies in her HDB apartment, until the Singapore Ministry of Environment caught up with her. Alas, Bengawan Solo was born!

Marine Parade is all well and good, but I fear I must go. I need to work on the blueprint for when I transform Marine Parade into my chateau. Anything less is an insult to my gentry. Fairwell minions. Till the next time. 

CAT MARX RETURNS

ITS MY BIRTHDAY TODAY! bow to me!!!