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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Farewell 2010 – Personal Highlights for the Year That’s About to End
December 29, 2010
It just seemed like yesterday when I was going around the house to chase away the evil spirits of 2009 and usher in 2010.
File photo : Crossover from 2009 to 2010
I can’t believe the year is about to end.
As each year brings its unique sense of joy and disappointment (based on my experience), I thought I’d recap what I think made this year worth remembering. There are many more runners-up to this list but I need to keep it short and sweet.
In random order:
1) Got an iPhone
Yes, I joined the bandwagon and very happy I did. And I’m also glad I’m not addicted to it and I have remained very sociable!
Credit: Apple (taken from www.zdnet.com.au)
2) Joined Twitter
Julu “sold” the idea of joining this social network site to me earlier in the year. Switching to iPhone made sending tweets easier.
3) Travel
3 Countries, 4 Trips
Manila, Philippines – to attend Jak & Jolina’s wedding and catch up with family and friends
Jak & Jolina together forever
Taken at Krispy Kreme in Manila. It was also the time of Philippine elections during my visit.
Hong Kong, SAR – 2x
May 2010 with my sister -- Last time my sister went to HK was in 1988. She wanted Barbie dolls then. Now it's H&M.
Traveled solo in Nov 2010 - Also met up with HK friends
Shanghai, China – Business trip but managed to catch up with Daryl over dinner on National Day.
DP with his unique undercut hairstyle in August.
4) Church
Sang the Responsorial Psalm for the 1st time — Was nervous but my choirmates were very supportive.
Volunteered as a part-time facilitator in the parish kids’ camp
It’s been ages since I was involved in an activity for kids (I did a bit of volunteer work in early 2009 for kids with learning development needs). It’s great to see and feel the energy and enthusiasm of children — I felt younger at least for one day! Thanks Ben & Eve for inviting me to participate.
Helped organise my choir’s National Day celebration — Everyone had fun (adults & kids alike). My first National Day-related party / gathering.
5) Concerts
James Ingram
Show Luo – 3D concert
Jay Chou
6) Family & Home
Auleine’s timely graduation from her “Early Childhood Development” course — Now she is Teacher Ollie to a few (almost) 2-year old kids! Congratulations!
Sophie’s 1st birthday and dog training several months after
Celebrated Thanksgiving for the 1st time — Yes, we have a lot to be thankful for year in, year out but this is officially our first family Thanksgiving party. We’d like to set this as an additional family tradition every year.
The biggest bird that landed on our dining table in 2010
With Julu, Eugene, and Veria
7) Gastronomic adventures around Singapore
Food trips during weekends — Truly the best time to try new places and gain some calories. This collage doesn’t do justice at all.
Horlicks McFlurry — The best thing that ever happened to McFlurry. McDonald’s people, please bring this back in 2011!
Brunch 78 — 78-meter spread of delights on a Sunday afternoon with free-flowing champagne. Went 2x. Thanks Tina for introducing this fantastic event to me.
1st time was with Karen and Nat
2nd time was with Julu and Karl
8 ) Singapore : Home Truly
Integrated Resorts — I had no direct involvement with their construction nor opening but Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa opening their doors to the public is definitely a boost for Singapore tourism. I went to Marina Bay Sands SkyPark 2-3x this year!
Resorts World Sentosa
Marina Bay Sands
53A — Discovered the band during my rounds and they’re brilliant artists. Will continue to support local talent!
With Sara, Alvin, and Bani -- Taken during one of their roadshows to promote their 1st album "Settle the Kettle"
Moved to a new office (same company) – From 4 locations, we are merged into one office site. Modern facilities and conducive for agile working. Most importantly, closer to home (a few bus stops away).
I tried walking home during the first few weeks (10-minutes). I eventually decided to take the bus home instead and save time. Heh.
Opening of the Circle Line — Well, “half-circle” but this promises to be big by 2011. This is the first MRT line I’ve seen open since I moved to Singapore 4.5 years ago.
My sister and I tried a few stations when the Circle Line opened.
Hope your 2010 was memorable too!
Jay Chou “New Era” World Tour 2010 (Singapore)
July 25, 2010 — 3 Comments
I knew nothing about Mandarin pop when I moved to Singapore. The first Mandarin song I heard was “An Jing” (Silence) by Jay Chou in early 2007. Since then I got hooked not just on his work but also on Mando pop in general. Soon after, I found myself enjoying Canto pop too. All these without knowing how to speak/read Mandarin nor Cantonese!!
Here’s a clip of “An Jing” so you have an idea. It’s a stylized version of the original, performed in a HK concert in 2006.
I guess that’s how it is for people who love music. It doesn’t matter what language a song is expressed in. To me, what I like about Chinese pop is the way it’s sung — a lot of passion and emotion. If you go to KTV, the music videos are also awesome. Make the rhythm faster and the choreography also looks great.
Here’s Elva Hsiao performing “Biao Bai” (Confession) :
Some people find it strange that I spend money buying C-pop albums and tickets for concerts. I must tell you – I have no regrets forking out a few hundred dollars on these sort of stuff. I think it’s the same as listening to French, Spanish, or Latin music — you like it even if most of the time you have no clue what’s being sung!!
I’ve seen a few Chinese concerts and this is the 2nd time I’ve seen Jay Chou perform live (in Singapore). I’d say the Jan 2008 concert was better in terms of song selection and production, including the opening (it was also fairly easy to get tickets then). However, there were visual effects in the 2010 world tour that are quite fascinating. You will know what I mean when you see the photos.
New Era World Tour poster (template)
I almost didn’t get to watch this concert. OCBC cardholders were given priority during ticket sales and I didn’t have an OCBC card. When the SISTIC website opened purchase to the general public, the website could not handle the volume and the queues were long for those who braved the “manual” approach. Tickets were sold out minutes after they went on sale. It was really frustrating that I had to post my disappointment as a Facebook status update.
When I was about to lose hope in securing at least 2 tickets, Marvin forwarded to me a message from a colleague who was selling his tickets after having purchased seats in a better section. A few days after, I found myself owning 2 tickets — 2 out of the estimated 24,000 tickets up for grabs! The show ran for 3 days. Thanks Marvin for the “lead” and Percy for selling the tickets to me!
The album “New Era” contains several good tracks. My favorite (track 2) is “Shuo Le Zai Jian (Said Goodbye)”. I think Jet Li is featured in the music video. Jay performed this at the concert as well.
On with the photos…
More concert photos on my photo website . Download as you please (for free) but let me know if you publish them somewhere ok.
Welcome to Beijing!
August 8, 2008 — 2 Comments
As far as I can remember, I’ve never been THAT interested in the Olympics.
I remember buying Olympic souvenirs though while living in Sydney in 2001 but that was after the games. Haha. That doesn’t really count as supporting the games, does it?
I think I can trace my lukewarm affinity to the summer games to the fact that there wasn’t much coverage in the Philippines when I was living there. There were only a few events that get shown on TV — boxing and basketball — and more often than not, the viewers would need to stay up really late and sleep in sorrow.
I’m trying to recall how I began developing an interest in the Beijing Olympics. Hmm.
1) The VISA advertisements in Golden Village cinema ? First, it was this famous Chinese hurdles champ Liu Xiang, then the one that features Jackie Chan.
Liu Xiang’s ad
2) 5566? They performed at the Asia Beatbox Championship and sang “Welcome to Beijing” which a lot of people seemed to know. I bought their album because of that song but here’s the video. I must admit I attempted to follow the Sunday variety show-inspired dance moves!
3) All the controversy surrounding the torch relay in Europe and the US? Olympics have a political angle too. So it was refreshing to see HK stars (and a few showbiz wannabees) battling it out to carry the torch.
4) Publicity generated by modern Olympic venues?
(Photo courtesy of Guo Lei/Xinhua) Bird's Nest / Beijing National Stadium. Took 5 years and US$500m (S$683m) to build. Capacity of 91,000 pax. Exterior built of steel.
National Aquatics Center or Water Cube. Cost : US$200m. It is the largest structure to be fitted with ETFE (lightweight version of teflon which allows more light penetration and heat absorption).
Interior of Water Cube. Has three swimming pools and a seating capacity of 17,000.
5) Official Olympic merchandise?
Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow
I also have a copy of the official Beijing 2008 Olympic Games soundtrack. Contains 2 CDs. My favorite track is Jay Chou’s song, “Over My Shoulder” / “Qian Shan Wan Shui” (video below).
We are moments away from the Opening Ceremonies (happening 08.08.08 at 08.08pm). Directed by filmmaker Zhang Yimou. I’m sure it will be a grand spectacle that gives justice to the rich Chinese culture and heritage.
Enjoy China’s “Coming Out to the World” party!
My TV guide and DVD recorder are ready. “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (faster, higher, stronger). Let the Games begin!
Official Beijing Olympics site
Mediacorp TV Olympic coverage schedule (Singapore viewers only)
