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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My 30-something Birthday
June 6, 2010
Another birthday, another reason to thank the Lord for His abundant blessings.
Last year, I had dinner at a Chinese restaurant with my family before going with them and a few friends to the Pussycat Dolls “Doll Domination” concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
This year, here’s what I did.
720 AM – Mass at St Peter & Paul near the Singapore Art Museum.
I wanted to start my birthday via a thanksgiving mass. Weekday masses start quite early (630 am!) so would consider this one as rather late. Had to wake up at 630am.
915 AM – Medical appointment at Gleneagles Hospital
When I was in Hong Kong, my left eye developed a condition called “subconjunctival hemorrhage” which occurs when a tiny blood vessel breaks underneath the clear surface of the eye (white part, called conjunctiva).
For those who saw me around early June, you would have noticed and asked. It’s when blood is trapped under that white part – may look frightening and painful but it’s non-contagious and harmless. Hmm… some instant medical knowledge for you there!
This appointment is the 3rd one (the 3rd doctor as well though this time a specialist) and as with the 2 other doctors I’ve seen, I was given the same message (Don’t worry, it’s just like a bruise on the skin. You just have to let it heal as it will disappear in 10-14 days. No medication required). At least, I was reassured.
Will spare you the agony of feeling sorry for me so I wont post any eye photo. 
Update (as of Sun, 20 June) – The hemorrhage completely disappeared last week!
11ish - Lunch at Chili’s then dessert at Applebee’s
Wanted to have brunch at Friven & Co but that meant waiting another 30 mins for it to open so decided to go elsewhere…. the ever-reliable Chili’s. I’m a fan of American diners so it was ok to pick up extra calories over lunch, at least on my birthday.
Chili's with my mom, Ollie, and Jomike
At Applebee's - Maple Butter Blondie. Ask for the cream to be served separately so you can decide how much to pour on your plate.
With the crew after they sang Happy Birthday and served free dessert
Chili’s (163 Tanglin Road, Ph +65 6733 3317)
Applebee’s (111 Somerset Road, #01-11/12 TripleOne Somerset, Singapore, +65 6735 9671)
300pm – Went to Orchard Midpoint to buy a few boardgames then near Chinatown to pick up my birthday cake. Rested at home.
730pm – Birthday Dinner at Nectar (Wangz boutique hotel)
I love boutique hotels and I plan to check out each one of them here in Singapore, or at least try their restaurant/bar.
In my family, I’m the only one gets value for money from buffets so had to go for a la carte. Food at Nectar was good, service was excellent. Also had a quick tour of their guest rooms. Spacious and modern interior. You can even book two adjacent rooms and hold a party over two balconies.
Nectar Restaurant, Wangz Hotel, 31 Outram Road, Singapore (Ph: +65 6595 1383)
930pm – Prince of Persia
I used to play this game when I was younger (hmm, maybe 20 birthdays ago, back when we used floppy disks to install software!!). I am happy that Disney came out with a movie version inspired by the game.
While this movie didn’t have good reviews (Jake Gyllenhaal’s sounding British in a Persian role?), I really liked it — in terms of visual effects, character development, and numerous stunts and parkour.
According to Wikipedia, parkour (PK) is the physical discipline of training to overcome any obstacle within one’s path by adapting one’s movements to the environment. Skills such as jumping and climbing, or the more specific parkour moves are employed.
Here’s a video of parkour stunts so you have an idea of what I CAN’T do. Haha.
Close to midnight – Blowing of birthday cake and more photos
We got these birthday candles from Hong Kong. When lit, each candle emits a different color.
See.. how nice right. I really didnt want to blow them...
... but I eventually did as I wanted to taste the cake.
Made of fresh ingredients (including the cream), really yummy
Also had a lunch celebration with Karl and Julu the next day over at Melt. (Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Singapore 5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039797 Tel : +65 6338 0066). It’s awesome to enjoy buffet over countless laughs and sumptuous food. Great to have caught up with them.
With Julu and Karl
Thanks to those who remembered to greet me personally or via mobile/email/Facebook. It was truly an awesome 30-something birthday weekend!
Gatherings
February 20, 2010
I’ve hosted at least 5 gatherings at my new place since I moved in mid-November.
I think I will continue to do this over the next 1.5 years such that the number of dinners/ mini-parties I host will be more than the ones held at Caribbean during my 3.5 years stay there.
It’s always awesome to have friends come and visit, chill out (without or without alcohol), sing a tune or two, and with reserved late night energy play Wii.
I guess I will have to find a better way of sorting out some logistical concerns like where to order sumptuous food (since I don’t cook) and having an amply supply of ice.
With the excitement of entertaining visitors, I occasionally forget to take photos. But here’s a party I hosted where I didn’t forget to bring out my digicam. Maybe because my guests are camwhores as well and inevitably I will be asked why I am not taking photos. Ha.
Welcome Julu, Ben, and Karl…
Julu belting out high notes on the Magic Sing with my sister
Mostly Philippine cuisine
Halloween 2009 in Casual Clothing
November 2, 2009 — 2 Comments
I don’t recall Halloween being so much fun until we had a mini gathering at Ken’s place on Saturday. As he had mentioned in his Facebook message to us closer to the party, it will be “cozy” — and it was.
The sudden downpour on a Halloween night left me competing for a cab around dinner time. For the first time in my not so many years in Singapore, the cab hotline service tested my patience. But that didn’t dampen my party mood. Sadly, I arrived late and delayed Ken, Julu, and Karl’s desire to nourish their bodies with food. (Sorry guys!)
Ken did not fail to impress us as a superb host — from his lovely home, to the Halloween accents, awesome desserts + liquor, and the Halloween MP3′s (which I think scared the hell out of Karl haha) — he really made sure all of us had a great time. Thanks Ken!
That was the roundest pumpkin I've ever seen in recent memory
Yummy - biryani, curry meats, western appetizers and desserts, Japanese skewers
I also bought two (2) boardgames to keep our minds active on a rainy night.
Instead of drawing on paper with clues on cards, you use whiteboard markers on the Pictionary Man and a few other objects. The mystery word is displayed electronically at the foot of the P-Man.
Ken's artistic impression of "Little Red Riding Hood". We were teammates and I blurted, "The Exorcist" Haha
"Eye Exam" by Julu. Quite clever huh.
For this game, two teams compete at the same time within 90 secs to get as many "letters" along such A-Z strip to their side by naming a person/item based on the category. Julu and Karl did well on "class subjects" ; Ken and I did well on "int'l hotel chains". Hmm, there goes the age difference.
Play the above boardgames + a few others next time you visit my place. But until then, Google these — they are very entertaining.
Other camwhoring photos, quality check done by Julu, the MBA camwhoring grad.
Ken, Karl, Julu's aerial shot
Julu and Karl bullying Ken. Such ungrateful guests! :p
Ken and I and a 20+ year old man in a secondary school boy body.
Later that night, we stumbled upon Ben, Duncan, Jeremy, and other friends in their costumes.
I was telling Eugene and Veria, two friends I had lunch with earlier on Saturday, that I can’t stay up beyond 3am anymore. That’s why I couldn’t believe why I managed to last until 5am. Well, Halloween only happens once a year so I’m glad it was truly worth remembering… and I didn’t need to dress up so much for it.
Hardly Home but Enjoying Life Outside of It
March 29, 2009
I have been hardly home the past few weekends.
Let me tell you why.
1) IT Show
No sign of recession at Suntec City. People were going out with flatscreen TVs or printers on strollers or carrying semi-bulky boxes of hardware.
Don’t know if it’s just me but I think this show drew thousands of people more than previous shows I’ve caught. It was so difficult to move around that I kept thinking whether I will push or get pushed. In the end I just went with the flow as there was hardly room to take strides, only little steps.
I’ve heard so much about the Mac that this year, I seriously thought about shifting to a Mac environment. I was told it was not as multi-functional as a PC so I postponed my purchase. Maybe I’ll make a decision by mid-year.
Had some good purchases from the show: (1) HP Laserjet printer, (2) Linksys Wireless Router (works brilliantly so my home is now wireless), (3) Nintendo Wii (an impulse purchase but happy that I’ve increased the entertainment value of house gatherings/parties with this game console).
2) Birth – Singapore Poly Grad Show 2009
Two of my friends had their works showcased during their grad show held at Marina Square so I visited the exhibit to catch up with them and see what their classmates have done too. Congrats Marvin and James!
3) Dinner at Double Bay Resto
Had dinner with Wee Siong and Kristy at Double Bay restaurant in Raffles City. It’s an Aussie resto that serves predominantly fish main course meals.
I asked the waiter where Double Bay is located and he couldn’t answer me. Later on, I figured it is in NSW and remembered being there during one of my trips, either through Ben or Adam.
Sticky Date Pudding - yummy - try it
Would recommend this resto and will surely come back when I have the chance.
Double Bay (252 North Bridge Road, #01-22 A Raffles City Shopping Center, Singapore ; Ph +65 6334 6530) Nearest MRT : City Hall . Upon reaching Raffles City, look for Timberland on the ground floor and exit through the door next to it.
4) i-Weekly Roadshow
i-Weekly is a Mediacorp publication. It’s both a TV and lifestyle weekly guide. It’s in Mandarin so I buy the English equivalent instead (8 Days).
i-Weekly is changing its layout and introducing a 2nd magazine for the same price so it had a roadshow at Bugis Junction one Sunday.
I happen to be in the area after Sunday afternoon errands so stuck around for a bit and left shortly after the downpour started.
Bugis Junction -- If a funnel of dark cloud extended from the sky to the ground, I would be running for my dear life!
Local celebrities don’t get much attention here in Singapore though, either because people are busy to watch TV or because celebrities remain down to earth and simple they easily blend in with the crowd. Both a good and bad thing I guess.
I only recognise Patricia Mok (red shirt) in this photo.
Belinda Lee (white), Dai Yiangtian (black), not sure who was wearing yellow
5) Veria’s surprise birthday party
Eugene organised a birthday surprise for Veria over at their place. It’s great when surprise birthday gatherings actually surprise the celebrant. We hid in one of the guestrooms and greeted Veria when she discovered where we were.
Veria's girl friends
Rodin, Daryl, me
Veria about to discover our hideout
Happy birthday, Veria!
Veria with loving hubby Eugene by her side
6) Kumar’s show + Chillout at Keppel Island
Watched Kumar’s show, “Stripped, Bare, and Standing Up” at the Esplanade with Julius, Karl, and Wish.
1.5 hr show — laughed most of the time and got majority of the local jokes. Haven’t seen Kumar perform in any of the bars he frequents. Finally glad to have done so. He’s one of the most popular cross-dressing stand-up comedians in Singapore.
Guess who laughed the hardest
Show ended around 10pm so most of the places nearby were filled with people. Decided to go to Prive Bakery in Keppel Island for supper, dessert, and some (ahem) modeling. Ha.
Milkshakes - so thick and creamy we could finish only 90%
I managed to complete this entry after a lazy Sunday afternoon spent at home. Relaxing especially since it’s raining heavily outside.
Weekend
March 8, 2009 — 2 Comments
Saturday
After the usual Sat morning errands, I headed to Harry’s Bar over at Chijmes for lunch. Karl was tied up elsewhere for a school meeting but good that Pierre managed to join after his trip to the gym.
First time to visit Chijmes during daytime.
Usual afternoon shower in Singapore
Pierre and I then walked over to Waterloo St which was only a few blocks away to meet up with Julu and Karl to watch “Imelda’s Boys”. It’s a one-man comedy show featuring the men in Imelda’s life (well, fictitious, of course) — her hometown neighbor, shoe stylist, bodguard, and the show’s main (and only) character Filo — and their impression of Imelda based on their personal experience with her.
Found the show generally entertaining with only a few boring moments (maybe “corny” would be a better term). When I bought tickets a few weeks ago, I was expecting it to be a typical play with several characters. It was a welcome change though to see such type of production. Must be tough to be alone onstage and keep the audience engaged for at least an hour.
Students of Camwhore Course -- Pierre (First Honor), Karl (Second Honor), Julu (First Honor), me (Second Honor)
We decided to chat for a bit at a nearby cafe after the show but could not help but take a few shots along the way…
Karl really looks young with his new hairstyle.
From the Bugis/Dhoby Ghaut area, I headed south to meet up with Patrick and Jen for dinner. Jen visits twice or thrice a year so was good to have caught up with both of them. Been awhile since I last had a meal at Hog’s Breath Cafe in Vivo (Aug 2007) so was surprised that they now have a live band (and a relatively good one too). Food was just right ; satisfied my craving for baby back ribs. Yummy, but sorry forgot to take a photo of what we ordered…
With Sentosa Integrated Resort (IR) construction in the background
Patrick and I would like to believe that they are from the Philippines.
Feeling terribly full after a good meal, I met up with my sister for “Watchmen” which turned out to be very disappointing.
According to Wikipedia, the story is used as a “means to reflect contemporary anxieties and to deconstruct the superhero concept. Watchmen takes place in an alternate history United States where superheroes emerged in the 1940s and 1960s, helping the United States to win the Vietnam War. The country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union, freelance costumed vigilantes have been outlawed and most costumed superheroes are in retirement or working for the government. The story focuses on the personal development and struggles of the protagonists as an investigation into the murder of a government sponsored superhero pulls them out of retirement and eventually leads them to confront a plot by one of their own to stave off nuclear war by killing millions of innocent people.”
It just didn’t feel like a superhero movie to me. Visually appealing film with all the effects but felt I could have spent my 2.5 hrs and money elsewhere.
Sunday
Got excited with the sight of Philippine food during “Imelda’s Boys” (shown as video) so decided that for the lunch I was hosting today for local friends, I would get some dishes from my home country.
Top to bottom: pork BBQ, boneless milkfish, spring rolls, pork in vinegar/soy sauce (adobo), oxtail + beef with vegetables in peanut sauce (kare kare)
Most of my friends have not tried Philippine cuisine before so I’m glad they liked it.
Always great when friends come over and visit.
