I must have appeared too enthusiastic (and too yao gwee) when I rushed to speak to Leslie (Ong, Director of UnUsUaL Entertainment) last night. I gave him too firm a handshake and gushed, “Thank you so much for inviting me. The food! The foie gras! I can’t get enough!” He was happy to know that I was having a good time. Hahaha.

The kitchen was helmed by Alvin Leong from Hong Kong, who has a Michelin star to his name, and Robert Mondavi Winery kept everyone thrilled with their fine selection of whites and reds, as well as champagne that accompanied the desserts. I don’t take much alcohol usually, but I polished off each and every glass of wine that was offered to me.

Wakin was in the house with a Jazz repertoire- Fly Me to the Moon, Mona Lisa, What A Wonderful World, and his own classics like 风雨无阻、让我欢喜让我忧 and 明天我要嫁给你。The finale song 朋友 had me sniggering though. I half expected him to hold his thumb and pinkie to his ear and go, “Please call the donation hotline 1900 … …”

I hardly attend such events, and I was more than convinced that I don’t belong to the ranks of the elite. Thirty minutes after I devoured the foie gras and other delicacies, I threw up at Raffles City Shopping Centre. We had sneaked out to get a Coke. (Stop rolling your eyes about the Coke bit.) I muttered I felt like puking, and walked to the gents immediately.

I suppose the food was too rich. It wasn’t the alcohol, definitely. My sincere apologies to the chefs.

Let me stick to $2 chicken rice in the meantime.