Around the world in four hours

The first time I went on a trip around the world, it only took a couple of hours and didn't cost a thing. Since then, I have taken many a journey - curled up in a comfortable chair with a good book. Today, I was reminded of that simple pleasure.

I took a train to Orchard Road this morning and entered Borders Bookstore at 10am. It's one of my favourite places in Singapore because it's full of books, magazines and music, and customers are welcome to chill and browse to their hearts' content. Worming my way round the store with a basket in hand, I piled up on books and magazines that looked interesting. Then I settled into my favourite seat (in the Art section) and took a trip around the world.

• The Economist confirmed that cash is king in today's credit-squeezed world. It also mentioned that Asia is likely to weather the financial storms better than anyone else.
• Tony Wheeler took me to the Best Places to Travel to in 2009. These include Algeria, Georgia, Bangladesh and Oman. Plus it had a write-up about all the countries in the world. What a bargain for $30!
• Batak Sculpture brought me face-to-face with my Northern Sumatran heritage for the first time. I learnt about their fierce demeanour (how true!), xenophobia and how all clansmen can be traced to a common ancestor named Si Raja Batak. There are also six distinct groups namely Mandailing, Angkola, Toba, Pakpak/Dairi, Simalungun and Karo Batak
• 1001 Paintings to See Before You Die reminded me of gentle Vermeer, horrifying Goya, fascinating Mondrian, while introducing me to new artists like Georgia O Keefe.

Four hours later, I walked out of Borders a richer person - despite spending over a hundred dollars :-)

There's a fine, fine line..

...between brilliant and coarse; risque and tasteless. Avenue Q the musical takes all the uncomfortable facets of adulthood, mixes it up with innocuous puppets mouthing expletives and what do you get? Sesame Street for adults!

The musical is currently playing in Singapore and yesterday, I spontaneously got tickets five minutes before the matinee show, slipped into the theatre and was magically transported into a world of fun-filled realism.

It was a highly-entertaining mix of catchy tunes and adult themes like racism, pornography, homosexuality and full-frontal (puppet) nudity. It could have been a disaster but with brilliant writing, comic lines and a talented cast - it completely bowled me over. After all, it did win a Tony for Best Musical. So, go and catch it if you're heading to New York or London or if it appears at a theatre near you.

Vote for Obama

Nov 4 is finally here. And I'm grateful to be here in America watching this historic election. If I were able to vote, it would be for Barack Obama. His book, The Audacity of Hope, is one of the most thought-provoking and inspiring books I've read in a long time. His multicultural upbringing and steady measured approach to diplomacy is exactly what the rest of the world needs America to be. It is also a turning point for America, where a man can finally be judged not by the colour of his skin, but by the content of his character.

RIP Dr King.
GO OBAMA!

Everything is bigger in Texas

- especially the food! So get ready for another culinary adventure with Aunty Jo Jo.

Julie & Joanna having an old-fashioned hamburger at Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe @ Austin

All the burgers in the world (yes, even the ubiquitous Big Mac) can trace their beginnings to a humble truck stop diner somewhere on the highways of America. So when the we heard about Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe on the I35 in Austin, Julie and I headed there for dinner. There is really nothing more satisfying than a burger made from quality beef, french fries and gherkins, washed down with a cold Texas beer...aaahhh...

Breakfast of huevas rancheros (blue plate) and fajita tacos (white plate)

Now, it's time for a confession. I LOVE TEXAS BREAKFASTS! It's so good to wake up to a power meal that's loaded with flavour. The huevas rancheros is a Mexican classic with fried eggs, tomato-chili sauce, re-fried beans and fried potatoes. Breakfast tacos are equally amazing - I could eat one everyday. Take a flour tortilla and fill it with eggs, bacon/sausage, cheese, tomatos, spinach or whatever else strikes your fancy. Top it off with salsa. What's not to love?

Enjoying a Tex-Mex feast @ Chuy's

Food always tastes better when you're with friends. I was very fortunate to have team members who took me to their favourite Tex-Mex restaurant, Chuy's - three times in two weeks! This unique regional cuisine is a marriage of Mexican-Anglo recipes and a common feature is the combination plate. My No.6 plate, as featured above, is a yummy feast of enchilada, crispy taco and chicken chalupa, served with a side of re-fried beans and chile rice.

All said - Texas is a great place to enjoy great food. Yee-ha!

San Antonio Surprises

San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the United States but it's so cozy and laid-back, you'll hardly notice it's size. It is a city that has a deep Hispanic heritage which it embraces with ease and is evident from the architecture, food and culture. So while it was the Alamo that drew me to San Antonio, there were other delights that threatened to keep me there.

Morning scenes along San Antonio's Riverwalk

The Riverwalk was San Antonio's biggest surprise for Julie and I. We stayed at the Drury Inn that's right on the river and we thoroughly enjoyed our morning stroll along San Antonio river. It is strangely reminiscent of Venice in the morning, and Vegas at night. With shops and restaurants lining both sides of Riverwalk, it's the perfect place to observe tourists in their natural habitat. We also enjoyed an evening boatride, sandwiched between a Halloween party boat and a mariachi band. I could hardly hear our boat captain so please don't ask me what he said! :-)

Julie & Joanna enjoying the outdoor and indoor exhibits at the McNay

Another gem that we enjoyed was the Mc Nay Art Museum. It was built by Marion Koogler Mc Nay, an heiress who bequeathed her entire art collection, Spanish villa and 23 acres to create Texas' first modern art museum. I was stunned by the elegance and quality of the collection - Chaggal, Pissaro, Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh, O' Keefe and Mondrian - amazing. And the outdoor patio and grounds were equally stunning. To top it all off, we visited it on a Family Day so entrance was free. Heaven, I'm in heaven...