1 Out of 7 Billion
The world is getting smaller everyday but a lifetime is not enough to explore it. My adventure starts in Singapore.
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New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2008 — 3 Comments
Let me start this entry by telling you how I would normally prepare for and celebrate the crossover into the new year :
1) Turn on all lights, open all closets and drawers to drive away evil spirits.
2) Jump like crazy at the stroke of midnight to grow taller (??!!)
3) Clasp (money) bills in one pocket and play with coins in the other — and yes, while doing #2
4) Go around the house with a party trumpet or a cover of a frying pan + utensil (to make some noise)
5) Spend time with the family and have supper after all the choas of welcoming the new year.
For 2008/2009, I didn’t do any of those. Ha.
With family being away, I had a different yet meaningful way to say goodbye to 2008 and say hello to 2009.
First, Fanni, Kristy, Wee Siong and I had dinner at Oosh over at Dempsey Road (22 Dempsey Road Singapore 249679; Phone +65 6475 0002 ). I had lunch at Zen Dining many months back (part of the same complex) but don’t remember seeing how beautiful Oosh was then. Booking a table for the 31st on Monday night 29th was easier than expected. I had this feeling many places were fully booked by then.
Too bad you couldn't listen to the background noise. This place has a spa feel to it.
With Kristy, Fanni, and Wee Siong (Missing Wilson & Lynn -- they couldn't make it)
Last dinner for 2008 - Australian rib-eye steak. After 20 mins, only the garnishing and sun-dried tomatoes were left on the plate.
Promise to become more fit in 2009 instead!
Around 1030pm, we went to have champagne at the bar while deciding where to do the countdown. Dempsey was too quiet for us.
I'm not really good at drinking champagne. I drink it like water or ice lemon tea.
We decided to spend the crossover at… St James Power Station. Yes, it’s last minute but there was still time to make a grand arrival.
Really thought we will be spending the countdown at the carpark!! Very unglam.
So lucky to have squeezed through the crowd ; luckier to find a spot in Boiler Room to even have this shot taken!
You're right. They look ecstatic since we have just crossed over to 2009!
With all the gentle pushing and jostling for postion in the crowd, do you actually think I could do #2 and #3 (above)? :p
Securing a table is a requirement for a longer stay at St James but obviously we could not get any. So the alternative was to walk over to my place and resume our drinking session… Also played boardgames, watched a bit of TV, ate again, drink more. Ended close to 4am.
Why did I have a lot of drinks and mixers during that instant gathering? Because the friends I hosted several days back were too responsible — remained sober on a Saturday night. Haha.
With Ben, Jeremy, Duncan. Ben and Duncan truly praised my instant coffee. :p
Julius also didn't drink that night. Maybe he wants to be a sober passenger. Haha.
Happy New Year everyone!
Farewell 2008, Welcome 2009!
December 30, 2008
Time flies so quickly – another year is about to come to an end.
A lot of things happened to me this year. Let me share with you the most memorable ones.
2008 Highlights
1. Met close to 150 people (at least 60% I will likely reconnect with, and out of such 60%, at least 30% I have managed to meet up twice or more)
Here are some of them:
2. First time visit to India and Taiwan. Overeas trips to China, Indonesia, Thailand, HK, Australia.
3. Went up Taipei 101 (world’s tallest building) and Eureka in Melbourne (tallest residential building in the Southern Hemisphere). Saw the Taj Mahal (one of the 7 wonders of the modern world).
Melbourne photos (Eureka)
4. Watched concerts of international artists (Maroon 5, Kylie Minogue, those who were at SingFest like Rick Astley, One Republic, Jason Mraz, Alicia Keys and Pussycat Dolls) and even Mandarin pop stars (Jay Chou, Nicholas Teo, Wang Lee Hom).
Jay Chou
SingFest
5. Developed a greater appreciation for the arts through events held in Singapore — local and international theater and film.
Singapore International Film Festival 2008. I consider this as one of the most important art events I attended in 2008.
6. Appeared in a feature article for “Her World” magazine (Singapore, Dec 2008) ; “Dudes in the Hood”
With the "Her World" team
7. Got invited to three (3) weddings in Singapore. First time since I moved here.
Dean & Rebecca's wedding (my very first in SG)
8. Explored Singapore extensively by random bus on weekends.
9. Joined a church choir and have been able to attend regularly.
Taken during Christmas (midnight) mass
10. Obtained Permanent Residency status in Singapore.
One of the most memorable days of 2008 was when I received this letter from the ICA.
A few highlights from 2007 which I can still remember (only because I didn’t make a similar report for 2007 haha):
1. Won a photo contest for the first time in my life (saving the environment theme) and was awarded an iPod
Never intended to enter this photo in a contest but thanks to Thib for being an excellent subject. Taken in Tagaytay, Philippines.
2. Moved to a new “decade”. Sang in public for the first time during my birthday celebration.
"When You Say Nothing at All"
3. Established “regular customer” status in a popular entertainment complex in Singapore.
Together with friends who first brought me to St James.
4. Joined a Catholic youth ministry that meets every Saturday.
My first session with Youth Arise Ministry (YAM) in January 2007. I looked very young then, don't I??
5. Visited Hong Kong after 20 years.
With William and Ron, two of my good buddies in Hong Kong (taken May 2007)
Thanks to those of you who were part of the above or have expressed enthusiasm in hearing about them.
May 2009 bring you success and happiness!
Modern Day Vampire Love
December 6, 2008 — 2 Comments
Not a fan of “Twilight”, in fact I only know a few things about it — (1) it’s about vampire love, (2) there’s a book about it, (3) the film version is about to be released in Singapore.
I came across a profile summary of the characters over Yahoo! so thought I’d share for the benefit of those who are interested. As glamorous as “Gossip Girl” but with more characters that I gave up trying to remember them.
EDWARD (Robert Pattinson)
Full Name: Edward Anthony Masen Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: June 20, 1901
Date of Transformation: 1918
Special Abilities: Mind reading, Super-speed, Extraordinary strength
“What if I am not a superhero? What if I am the bad guy?”
BELLA (Kristen Stewart)
Full Name: Isabella Marie Swan
Status: Human
Date of Birth: September 13, 1987
Special Abilities: Accident prone, Attracts bad luck, Immune to mind reading
“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him… that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”
Jacob (Taylor Lautner)
Full Name: Jacob Black
Status: Human Quileute
Date of Birth: 1990
Special Abilities: Fixing cars
“So do you think we are a bunch of superstitious natives or what?”
CARLISLE (Peter Facinelli) and ESME (Elizabeth Reaser)
Full Name: Dr. Carlisle Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1640s
Date of Transformation: After 1663
Special Abilities: Compassion and the ability to resist the thirst for human blood
“Please do not take offense, but we would appreciate it if you would refrain from hunting in this immediate area. We have to stay inconspicuous, you understand.”
Full Name: Esme Anne Platt Evenson Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1895
Date of Transformation: 1921
Special Abilities: Loves passionately
“You are what he wants. It will all work out, somehow.”
ROSALIE (Nikki Reed) and EMMETT (Kellan Lutz)
Full Name: Rosalie Lillian Hale
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1915
Date of Transformation: 1933
Special Abilities: Beauty
“What is she to me? Except a menace — a danger you have chosen to inflict on all of us.”
Full Name: Emmett McCarty Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1915
Date of Transformation: 1935
Special Abilities: Strength
“He is no match for us, Edward. He would not be able to touch her.”
JASPER (Jackson Rathbone) and ALICE (Ashley Greene)
Full Name: Jasper Whitlock Hale
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1843
Date of Transformation: 1863
Special Abilities: Able to feel and to manipulate the emotions of those around him.
“I can feel what you are feeling now — and you are worth it.”
Full Name: Mary Alice Brandon Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: Around 1901
Date of Transformation: 1920s
Special Abilities: Can see the future
“Some things are more certain than others…”
JAMES (Cam Gigandet)
Full Name: Unknown
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth/Transformation: Unknown
Special Abilities: Tracker, Super-speed, Extraordinary strength
LAURENT (Edi Gathegi)
Full Name: Laurent
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: Around 1755
Date of Transformation: Unknown
VICTORIA (Rachelle Lefevre)
Full Name: Victoria
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth/Transformation: Unknown
Special Abilities: Skilled at escaping
“I am the one with the wicked curve ball.”
—-
Vampires According to ‘Twilight’
1. Vampires do not have fangs.
2. Vampires have pale skin.
3. Vampires are more beautiful than humans.
4. Vampire skin, when in sunlight, sparkles and throws rainbows, like a diamond.
5. Vampire skin is hard like a diamond; they cannot be shot, stabbed or staked
6. Vampires are superhuman in their speed, strength, ability, coordination, and all senses.
7. Vampires can only be destroyed by tearing them into pieces and burning the ashes — which can only be done by a vampire or werewolf.
8. Vampires only need to feed twice a month to be in control of their thirst.
9. Vampire eyes change based on how much blood they have consumed recently. Black: Thirsty. Red: Well-fed on human blood. Gold: Well-fed on animal blood. As they become thirstier, the color fades to black.
10. Vampires have circles under their eyes that get darker as they get thirstier. When they are well fed, the circles are almost erased.
11. Vampires are invulnerable to traditional methods of killing them such as garlic, crosses, holy water, stakes, etc.
12. Some vampires have supernatural abilities; Edward reads minds, Alice sees the future, and Jasper controls emotional climates.
13. Vampires dress in light colors to deemphasize their pallor.
14. Vampires do not eat human food — if they do, it must be vomited up later.
9. Vampire eyes change based on how much blood they have consumed recently. Black: Thirsty. Red: Well-fed on human blood. Gold: Well-fed on animal blood. As they become thirstier, the color fades to black.
10. Vampires have circles under their eyes that get darker as they get thirstier. When they are well fed, the circles are almost erased.
11. Vampires are invulnerable to traditional methods of killing them such as garlic, crosses, holy water, stakes, etc.
12. Some vampires have supernatural abilities; Edward reads minds, Alice sees the future, and Jasper controls emotional climates.
13. Vampires dress in light colors to deemphasize their pallor.
14. Vampires do not eat human food — if they do, it must be vomited up later.
“Twilight” starts on 18 December 2008 in Singapore.
