This blog post is overdue, as I have been caught up in a lot of plans and meetings recently. I met up with some single friends (and their friends) for drinks last week at 1-Altitude. It was a super cool night (cool because the wind was blowing relentlessly). The view was good from the top but well, it’s just that. Maybe I expected it to have a little more oomph so I was a tad disappointed.
Anyway, I met 2 interesting chaps in their late 20s-early 30s who are intelligent, holds decent conversations and are in good old stable jobs, travelling to exotic and far flung places such as Brazil and Russia on tax payers’ money. The topic pretty much moved on dating escapades sin Singapore once they found what I do for a living.
Decent men do have some standards. One of the guys was hotly pursued in (their own words) by a “Hot, chio babe”, whom he met while on a car-buying excursion.
Apparently she was very into him, and asked him if he liked her within the next day, and for the next couple of days tried all ways and means to “get” him, even going to the extent of appearing at his house at midnight wearing a short short shorts and a tight tank top. However apparently nothing much happened according to him.
My girlfriend’s first reaction was, “What’s Wrong with You? Seriously.” While we joked and teased the poor guy mercilessly,I think that this demonstrates clearly what I termed The Fear of the Decent Men - that He (The smartest, Most Intelligent, Most Capable Man alive) is just next in the line of ahem…public toilet users.
When a woman, especially one as Hot as they claimed, came on as strong as she apparently did, Men are going to THINK with their right head (for a change) after the inital rush of lust and attraction. The guy friend used words such as “crazy” to describe the Hot girl – he did not have any physcial relationship with her (even though I’m sure the other head is yearning to), because he was afraid of the consequences.
In his words, he said “What if she want had wanted me to marry her after we had sex? What if she kicked up a big fuss at my office as she has my name card?”. In other words, She was sizzling red hot affair-material but not WIFE material. She was probably good for a tumble in bed (in this case, the tumble didn’t even happen because she was deemed too unstable and crazy), but not as the mother of his kids.
It was an interesting conversation. At least my female single friends can take comfort in the fact that there are actually more decent men (who think with their right heads at critical junctions) around than commonly assumed. Respect and love yourself and you can expect the same from others. Public toilets are like canteen food – we would much rather be served in our own kitchens.

Had some of the best bread and pastry for a long time and I ate most of it before remembering I was supposed to take a photo for the blog! Arrghhh…. The owner, Sophia, is a long time friend – I stayed with her family who took great care of me when I was studying in San Francisco years ago. It was great catching up with her! I have always remembered her as a wonderful cook and baker and the many hours of fun we had in the kitchen and restaurant.

We lost touch after I came back to Singapore, and Sophia and her family eventually did moved back to Singapore a few years ago. Hence it was no surprise that Sophia, after finishing her Le Cordon Bleu Training in Paris, decided to set up a French Patisserie here. Mirabelle (meaning “Great Beauty” in French, as well as the name of a yellow fruit favored by Sophia when she was a student in Paris) threw open it’s door six months ago in a nondescript corner along Mackenzie Road.  

I did some quick search on the Internet, and found that her croissants were touted to be the best in Singapore by many a food blogger including Chubby Hubby at www.chubbyhubby.net. And Mirabelle was also featured on 8 Days and Simply Her as a little haven of Paris right in the midst of Singapore.

Even Beth, who don’t like sweet things, wolfed down the whole Sweet Potato Bun after taking her first bite when she was supposed to share with me. Luckily I have got Sophia’s mobile and I’m going to order her croissants (and that charcoal custard bun which I wolfed down in a minute) before I dropped by again….mnm….will tomorrow be too soon?

Tip for Couples: Buy some pastries or try the famed croissants to sweeten the hearts of your loved ones!

For the past few days, the girls at The Dating Loft have been stuffing ourselves silly with the goodies we have been receiving from members! On Monday, we received chocolate biscuits from a really sweet member who went to Japan for Holiday and remembered us!

On Tuesday, a really cute member brought us almond cookies and some really yummy almond pastry from Hong Kong! It was almost totally wiped out. And yesterday, we received a BIG hamper of goodies from a member who dedicated it to Sharon! We didn’t care if it’s addressed to her, we just happily dissembled the whole package and devour the goodies. My favourite is the Almond Roca!

Thank you all for the yummy goodies. We truly appreciate it! One Great Dating Tip to be learnt: Bringing a little gift (chocolate or flowers) will brighten up your date’s day and warmed him/her to you!

A simple summary of the little tips on things to look out for during your first date!

Have a First Date Backup Plan
No matter how many time you confirm plans, or how solid you think something is, anything can happen on a first date. Maybe one of you runs into an ex, or the show you’d planned to attend was canceled. No matter what plans the two of you have created for your first date, make sure to have a backup plan, just in case.

Plan a Short First Date
No matter how well you think you’ll get along, a first date can change everything. Why be stuck on an all-day wine tour with someone if you aren’t feeling the sparks? Try keeping your first date to no more than one or two hours. Then, if things are going really well, you can always extend the date longer, later.

Don’t Be Late To a First Date
There is nothing worse than sitting waiting for a first date to show up, not knowing whether they’ve stood you up or are merely running a bit behind. So save everyone the extra stress – since first dates are stressful enough – and make a point of being there on time.

Agree on First Date Attire
This first date tip could be as simple as ensuring both of you are on the same page clothing-wise so that no one shows up inappropriately dressed for the occasion, to letting each other know about one piece of unusual clothing that will make you stick out in a crowd – because having to ask several people if they are your date isn’t at all fun.

Offer Appropriate First Date Compliments
If the person you’re on a first date with has something about them that appeals to you, don’t hesitate in saying so. But anything more than a compliment or two will make you sound desperate, and that’s not the kind of first impression you’re looking for. As well, be sincere, honest and flattering, but try to keep the first date compliments to things you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable about if your mother overheard them.

Drink Responsibly on a First Date
Several dating disasters shared by other single readers have focused on overflowing alcohol as the main source of conflict during a first date. So to avoid these kinds of issues, keep your intake to a minimum if you do oblige.
Spend Equal Amounts of Time Talking and Listening on a First Date
Ever been on a date with someone who didn’t know how to listen? How about a person who had nothing to say for themselves? Either situation can spell first date disaster. For more shy folks, prepare yourself with some conversation starters, while those who are a bit more outgoing are responsible for making sure they aren’t the only one talking.

Groom Yourself for a First Date
It should go without saying, but unfortunately many singles still complain about first date grooming mistakes, such as meeting someone with food stuck in their teeth, bad body odor, or clothing that is way too revealing for a first date.

For the full article on dating tips, go to http://dating.about.com/od/firstdates/tp/firstdate.-0Uo.htm

Or, so says a study undertaken by Northwestern University researchers, which has yet to be formally published. They followed heterosexual speed daters to determine the differences in attraction when women sat and the men changed seats, and then when the men sat and the women changed seats. Their conclusion?

When the women remained stationary and the men moved from speed date to speed date, the guys  are more attracted to their dates than the women were to theirs. As well, the men chose more women to pursue for further dating interactions than they did in any other scenario. But when the roles were reversed and the women moved around, the number each sex wanted to see again was about the same.

So how can you use this dating tip and research to your benefit? Favor speed dating events where the men roam and the women stay seated, or when trying to meet someone new, allow the guys to approach, first.

Check out the full article on dating tips at http://dating.about.com/b/2009/04/08/a-new-law-of-attraction-have-them-come-to-you.htm