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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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.
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)
