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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First Time Visits
February 1, 2009
17 January
First time visit to… School of Art, Design, and Media – Nanyang Technological University
I have several friends who studied in NTU so I’ve always looked forward to visiting their former campus at some point. A few Saturdays ago, I had a valid reason to travel west where it was located. My friend Zihan was using one of the studios there to shoot his forthcoming film, “Threshold” so thought I’d drop by and see what happens behind the scenes. Also caught up for a bit with Junfeng (also a filmmaker in Singapore) on my way out of the building.
Threshold shooting
31 January
First time to… Yishun
I have always wanted my random bus rides to take me to the north but been unsuccessful. Last Saturday, I tagged my sister along for a mid-morning adventure around Singapore. Took a bus that went all the way to (drumroll) Yishun interchange, a journey that lasted almost an hour from Orchard.
Where is Yishun?
Some images along the way and when we reached Yishun.
Lots of signs. Which one do I look at?
Not really sure what this is
I think this is a lake, unless I got my "bodies of water" incorrectly.
There's a $10M Hong Bao draw in early Feb. This drew a long queue from heaps of people.
Lunch at Northpoint mall - Lemon Chicken & Pattaya rice. I was told Pattaya rice is usually wrapped in fried egg and has lots of pepper. True, true. But I don't remember it from a previous trip to Pattaya.
"Excellence Together Singapore Forever". Might make uncle Rick Astley smile.
31 January
First time (in a long time) to… Holland Village
I arranged to meet up with Wallace but he was running late so I walked around the area first. It’s been a little over 2 years since I last went – I think it was with Sean and Ryan over dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Holland V attracts a mixed crowd — locals and foreigners — and offers lots of dining options (from coffee shops to high end restos). Nearest MRT station (10 minute walk) : Buona Vista.
Had afternoon tea with Wallace at 211 Rooftop Terrace resto (211 Holland Avenue, Holland Road Shopping Centre, #04-01 Singapore 278967Ph 6462 6194).
Updates from Previous Weekends
November 9, 2008
Several friends have been asking what I’ve been up to for the past few weekends. Here’s a quick rundown.
1) FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup 2008 (Singapore Sports School)
The FINA/Area Swimming World Cup happens every year in a few countries (just like the F1). It’s an international meet whose participants have either competed in regional/world championships or just about to get into them (hence, the preparation).
I first caught it last year and learned a few things about swimming (unfortunately, still haven’t picked up the skill), i.e. flags are placed above the pool shortly before the backstroke event so swimmers know that they are a few meters away from turning over; that the swimming assistants (the ones that carry clothes basket) enter after the swimmers have gone to the pool.
This year, I watched with Auleine and Vincent. Lots of events but the longest one was the 1500m race which lasted for 20 mins or so.
Vincent, Auleine, and me
Tao Li (Singapore)
2) Dinner at Project Shop Cafe
Had dinner with Ben, Jeremy, Duncan, Desmond at Project Shop Cafe. With this visit, I can say that I’ve tried all PS Cafe’s in Singapore. Good food and chat ; ended around 1130pm.
PS Cafe (Palais) with Ben, Jeremy, Duncan, Desmond
3) Theater Weekend
I spent several hours in the theater during the weekend of 8-9 November.
“Gemuk Girls”
The Necessary Stage
Synopsis
Kartini and Juliana are not your typical mother-daughter pair — one loud and overbearing, the other straitlaced and on the threshold of entering politics. Together, they are Gemuk Girls and proud of it (Gemuk = fat)
One day, they receive shocking news about Kartini’s father who had been arrested and detained in the 1960′s. Suddenly the floodgates of the family’s emotional past are thrown open. Can a family survive as they struggle to reconcile the past with the present? Will Kartini and Juliana continue to be Gemuk Girls?
Gemuk Girls is a bold and often darkly humorous look at family politics and the politics of the day.
I was amazed with the execution of this production, including the production design and multimedia effect. The performers were effective in their respective roles and I would say very witty in delivery.
I went with Pierre who had acted in several productions including at least one at The Necessary Stage theater over at Marine Parade Community Center.
Pierre knew the people in Gemuk Girls.
Najib Soiman, Alin Mosbit, Siti Khalijah
“Avenue Q”
Esplanade Theater
Synopsis (from www.allmusicals.com)
Avenue Q is about real life. It’s about finding a job, losing a job, learning about racism, getting an apartment, getting kicked out of your apartment, being different, falling in love, promiscuity, avoiding commitment, hangovers, internet porn, and discovering the world.
Here’s a video from a live performance/promo at the West End (length 6 mins 30 sec)
This is the 2nd time I’m catching this musical. Still laughed a lot and so did Pierre and Levin who joined me that afternoon.
Levin and Pierre
4) Lunch at Jones the Grocer
9 Dempsey Road
#01-12 Tanglin Village
Dempsey Road
Singapore
Ph +65 6476 1512
Been here a few times and one Sunday, I had brunch with my sister. The fudge and cupcakes continue to be the highlight of the meal. Yummy!
Fudge (Jones the Grocer, Dempsey)
What I Did During the Hari Raya Holiday
October 1, 2008
Since the holiday fell in the middle of the week, I can’t help but consider today as a Sunday.
940am
Left my place for Takashimaya to claim what I was told to be a complimentary massage or foot spa at True Yoga. After a few calls by one of their staff, I didn’t have any choice but to confirm at least one hour that I can drop by such place. It’s free anyway. I arrived at 10am.
Welcome Lounge
I haven’t had a massage in ages so I chose to have that instead of the foot spa. It was just weird having a 50+ year old auntie sit on my back to do her thing (of course, in a professional way). As with any reputable spa, there was a thin cloth that prevented her hands from directly touching my skin (same set up as The Spa in Manila, Philippines).
I then prepared myself for the post-massage sales talk. The sales consultant offered me a package worth approx SGD 5,000 for 2 years (2 massage sessions + 2 foot spa + 1 facial treatment per month). Knowing how lazy I am in setting up appointments with places like that, I really could not be bothered spending that much for it. It’s also a big investment which I would rather spend on traveling, shopping, or topping up my insurance. Sensing that she was offering me something on a “you need to sign up now ” basis, I decided not to waste her time and mine. It’s so priceless to see a salesperson’s facial reaction suddenly change when he/she hears the hard and painful truth… Sorry, nice try though.
11.00 to 11.30 am
Grabbed a healthy snack from one of the stalls near Heeren then decided to go on a random bus ride. This time, I was bound for Yio Chou Kang.
11.30 to 12.45 pm
SBS Bus 162M left Orchard and traveled through the city hall area, back to Orchard (!!!), Novena, Bishan, Ang Mo Kio, then finally Yio Chou Kang.
National Museum of Singapore
Ngee Ann City / Takashimaya
Chinese temple
Temple #2
Singapore streets are soooo clean.
Ang Mo Kio (AMK) Hub
During the journey, I enjoyed being a cam whore and took multiple self-shots since there weren’t a lot of passengers in the bus.
One of the many shots taken during that hour.
12.45 pm
I alighted at the YCK bus terminal, walked a few meters (near the area where Nanyang Poly was located), and took bus 72 which was bound for Hougang MRT. I went down to get some lunch at a nearby hawker center. Had more than enough for a meal — noodles + (black) carrot cake. Could have done away with the black carrot cake but that’s my fave so had to get it.
The "Roasted Delight" had the longest queue.
2.00 pm
I was hoping to take the MRT from Hougang to Harbourfront but decided midway to take a cab from Potong Pasir (a station I have not exited from).
3.00 pm
Saved a few minutes, reached home, fixed some stuff, then went to Vivo to have my hair highlighted. Sorry, only “after” photos are available.
Highlights
New Hairstyle from 1st October
5.00 pm
Made a few rather impulse purchases in Vivo before buying dinner and deciding to stay home for the rest of the day.
What a relaxing yet productive Hari Raya holiday for me.
Singapore MRT/train routemap
