Happy 2015

It’s officially 2015!

May the year be filled with abundance of joy, happiness, love and peace!

Have a blessed year everyone!

 

 

 

 

Korean Watch from escoot.sg

I love Christmas.

Not so much of the fascinating decorations, glittering lightings, soul touching carols or scrumptious feastings but rather, the spirit and joy of caring, sharing and giving.

The festive also gives me a very valid reason to shop my heart out online and in the shops. I like splurging on my loved ones and love watching their faces gleaming with delight as they unwrap the presents of their desire on boxing day. It is easy bitsy shopping for close family and friends because you already know their preference and liking but buying gifts for those office party gift exchange with $20 budget or for those already-not-a-child-yet-not-an-adult teenage children of friends and colleagues is quite another story.

Well, the market is certainly not lack of budget gift items. Chances are you could find things like photo-frame, bath set, towel and chocolate boxes flooding everywhere calling for your dollars. But personally, I don’t appreciate these generic gifts and I don’t think the recipients of these thoughtless gifts would appreciate them either. I mean, how many of us will want to display an awkward photo frame on the desk or ditch your usual shower gel for a few days usage of the miniature size from the toiletries gift set that it is only available once in a year? Isn’t it odd to add a mismatched towel into the stack of color coordinated ones for the family? And it pains me to see those alien brand chocolates expiring in their box because no one dares to eat them.

Anyway, in case you are also struggling to find a good gift, why not consider giving your recipient a watch? It definitely outlives those toiletries set or chocolate box. It is more presentable and practical too.

escoot.sg

Isn’t this watch lovely? Pardon me that the lousy picture, I am not able to capture the sparkling tiny diamondlite on top of each numeric but their glitters will sure light up any gloomy day of the wearer.

escoot.sg

escoot.sg

Unisex and available in black and white, this fashionable watch makes an ideal gift for everybody. It looks good on a man’s hand and works well on a lady’s wrist.

on him

on her

In case you are worrying breaking your bank, fret not! Because the good people at http://escoot.sg/ who have specially imported this trendy watch from Korea, have priced this S$120 looking watch at S$12!

What a sweet deal, isn’t it?

escoot.sg

About escoot.sg:

Founded by former engineers, escoot.sg is passionate about new technologies, sharing their expertise about electric scooters and introducing cool and innovative travelling tools to enhance our lives. They are specialized in fun and powerful electric scooters, electric bicycles and kick scooters and they also supply other complementary devices as well as premium running gears, sports wears and accessories.

 

For more information, please visit: http://escoot.sg/ or drop them an email: admin@escoot.sg to a response within 24 hours.

Alive Museum

When I told a friend that we are going to the Alive Museum, he whistled over my above the knee sundress. “Lovely dress”, he said with a naughty wink, “but what a pity, it is going to spoil your experience.” Turned out that he did not have a good time during his visit because his girlfriend had dressed too sexily and found it awkward to pose with some of the paintings. Also, they have exhausted their cellphones at the very beginning and missed out the fun from the rest of the museum. So, his advice was: 1) wear pants, unless you don’t mind to be snapped as one of the attractions; 2) power up the camera, capturing, or rather, posing for the moment is bulk of the fun.

Alive Museum
Alive Museum is Korea’s original and the biggest chain of Illusionary Entertainment Museum. With a total size of about 10,000 square feet, the museum housed some 84 artworks that are hand-painted and hand-crafted by the artists from South Korea and is looking forward to increase the paintings to more than 100 by early 2015 through the Singapore 50 project.

Although the Alive Museum is here to stay, they will be changing 30% of the paintings in every 12 – 18 months as well as making seasonal additions during festive like Christmas, New Year…

Now, let the fun begins!

 

We were initially a little apprehensive about how to get it right but not to worry, besides an example at the side of each artwork to show you how to pose, there is also a photo point that supposed give you the best illusionary effect.

Such art pieces need you to down on the floor to get the desired effect,  that explains why wearing pants is more appropriate..

And our heartfelt thanks to the lovely crew who has walked us around and took these photos for us.

Thank you omy for the invite, we have had an evening of crazy fun!

Address: Suntec City Mall #03-372 (Between Tower 3 and 4)

Operating Hours: 10am – 10pm Daily (Last Admission at 9pm)

Ticket Price: $25 for adults and $20 for children between 3 – 12 years. 

Promotion: Book online at Alive Museum Website using promotion code – aliveopen at checkout for 20% discount

 

My little fairy

She may be a little chubbier for a fairy but nevertheless my most precious one!

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!

Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous 2014!

 Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Everything but the Brain

I know nothing about physics and much less about the Einstein’s theory of Relativity but that did not stop me from enjoying this comic play. 

 I did not sit through the play trying to figure out the constant of speed and time either, instead, I have sailed along with Elaine’s emotions as I watched her struggles trying in vain to prolong her father’s life though the theory.

Time did not slow down or stopped for that matter. It merely reversed and mirrored the sacrifices that she has made the way her father did for her in the past.

I could relate with Elaine and even feel her pains, because I too, have gone through the same. Being the sole caretaker, my life has pulled to a stop when my beloved kin was ill stricken. There were compromises and there were sacrifices to be made. I had to change the way I live to tailor the needs of the unwell and be there 24/7. While it was physical exhausting but what more unbearable was the emotional turmoil having to watch the health of my loved kin deteriorating yet I could powerlessly do nothing.

Re-staged by Sight Lines Productions, Everything But The Brain paints a father and daughter portrait that approaches the otherwise heavy subject with a touch of humor and lightness. And with today’s ageing population, this poignant play has delivered an urgent resonance for us to think about as our parents’ age. 

Clever and witty!  

Photo: Sight Lines Productions

*WINNER*
Best Original Script
Best Actor – Gerald Chew
Life! Theatre Awards 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE!

The last time I had the opportunity to watch NDP was back in 2009.

Pardon me for my ageing brain, I couldn’t recall much of the details already but I have immensely enjoyed every moment of it. I have sang along, waved our flag, cheered and clapped to every programme and I deeply appreciate the lengthy efforts that were putted in for the parade. I salute the hard work of each and every participant as well as the enthusiasm of every volunteer.

NDP 2009

I am so blessed to be second time lucky to watch NDP again this year, never mind that it was a preview and I have enjoyed myself as much as I did 4 years ago with the same appreciation.

Permit to entry

Again, I sang, waved, cheered, clapped and of course, took a few pictures for memorial sake.

After all, with the limited tickets so highly sought after, it is much an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch NDP live for ordinary folks like myself. Never being a lucky person, having a chance to win from the balloting system is as good as striking lottery so I would really want to preserve this precious experience in digital and hopefully, when my memory fails me, my hard disk will not.  

Having lived in this little island by all my life, I am ashamed to admit for taking everything for granted. I didn’t know how much Singapore has meant to me until our pledge and Majulah Singapura transported me down the memory lane. I was overwhelmed by emotions as the bits and pieces of history flashed in my mind and at that instance, I was thankful and felt so fortunate to being a Singapore child.

In any case, thanks to the good teaching and discipline from my early schooling years, I am who take our vow and our National Anthem very seriously. Personally I feel that even if you do not wish to recite the pledge, one should at least stand at attention when the National Anthem is being played. 

As much it irked me to see people refusing to get off their bum, talking and wriggling like they are ready for the dance floor, nothing pissed me off more than by these photo/video enthusiasts turning here and there trying to capture a 360^o  view  during this solemn moment. Worst of all, this man in front of me was still continuing chopping down his Char Bee Hoon like  he is eating in a crowded hawker centre!  

What kind of example is he trying to set for his child next to him? And don’t these people, whether they are Singaporeans or not,, have a little respect for the country that they are setting foot on, or at least have a little self-respect for themselves at all? 

To these people NDP is perhaps just an event for them to  practice their photography skills or a family picnic with the enjoyment free performance.  

Thank you for the lovely smile!

These youths’ enthusiasm are so infectious!

I did not bothered to watch the much circulated youtube  video‘ One Singapore starring Stephen Chow’ when someone sent me the link some weeks ago so I have heard ‘One Singapore’ for the first time at the parade. While watching the performance, it never occur to me that this is the theme song and I had went home asking around, “why there isn’t any theme song for this year’s National Day?” 

The song was over ambitiously long and unmemorable. I couldn’t relate to the lyrics and the tune has failed to catch my attention. Besides that, I don’t appreciate the ‘whooahh..whooahh..ah and the awkward rapping in between.

Hmm…shall we bring “Home” back the next year? 

Nonetheless, I applaud to the efforts and here’s the link to this year’s theme song in case you are interested:

NDP 2013 Theme Song – One Singapore

Happy Birthday Singapore!

Random

Came back with yet another set of identical basic in different colors. That’s my sick habit of buying clothes with the same design in different colors but last time was even worst, I buy them in same color, one to wear and another to keep 😦

 

The Fullerton Bay Hotel

I have passed by a huge Cai Shen with the 12 horoscope prediction for the year 2013 near the Rochor Food Centre at the beginning of the year. Being born in the year of the pig, I headed over to the pig’s section to read my fortune out of curiosity. According to the prediction, it isn’t promising for the pigs in this year of the snake but I shrug and thought, ‘Oh never mind, I am not a pig, I am a wild boar anyway.’

Time flies and taking a good half of 2013 along with it at a blink of the eyes. Looking back at the past six months, I saw myself waking up smiling on some good days and frowning at the setbacks on bad days. i have my fair share of happy and not-so-happy moments but overall life has been good and I count my blessings to enjoy a little beach holiday retreat in Phuket in March, a pack and go trip to Taiwan in April, a stayaction at Fullerton Bay Hotel in May and last weekend, took my sister and her two little ones on their first trip to Genting Highlands in Malaysia.

Singapore is a tiny island and it probably takes less than an hour to drive from one end to the other but Singapore is also a beautiful island with lots and lots of hotels peppered within that makes escaping from the usual scene and holidaying at our own backyard very tempting. I love stayaction and have greatly enjoyed the hospitality of Wangz Hotel, Park Regis Hotel and Orchard Hotel but then stayaction can sometimes be even more expensive than hopping over the neighboring country for the weekend and thus, I especially treasured this precious opportunity indulging the weekend at The Fullerton Bay Hotel.

the walk towards the hotel

view from the rooftop pool

The Fullerton Bay Hotel
Strategically located within the CBD, The Fullerton Bay Hotel  is being named one of the World’s Best Hotels by Travel + Leisure USA and the Best New Business Hotel Worldwide by Business Traveller UK magazine. Stylishly built alongside the spectacular view of the Marina Bay Waterfront, we were pampered luxuriously by the hospitality of the hotel.  We simply love our plush and  spaciously comfortable room and especially enjoyed the quiet moments watching sunrise and sunset by our balcony that overlooked the glittering water of the river.

With Marina Bay Sands, Marina Square, Suntec City, The Esplanade and Raffles City all conveniently around the corner, shopping and other activities outside the hotel vicinity are aplenty but who would want to leave the comfort of the hotel when there is a luxuriously self-contained room, an immaculate rooftop gym, swimming pool and jacuzzi pools that offer a glorious city scrape view, plush restaurants for exquisite dining experience and wireless Internet access anywhere within the hotel all awaiting for your access? Seriously we don’t and we have enjoyed every single minute of staying in.

love the bed!

fun time

Clifford Restaurant

With the grandeur of very high ceiling and plush interiors, Clifford luxuriously serves European, French and Western Cuisine with a view overlooking the waterfront and we have the pleasure of enjoying a set dinner and breakfast here.

Our set dinner had scrumptiously consists of:

Bread basket – besides the warm mini baguette, we love the generous portion of tuna spread. 

Appetizer: Lobster & Scallop Carpaccio w Lime Black Truffle Dressing & Fragrant Shiso –  the thinly sliced lobster was good but the raw scallop takes time to appreciate.

Soup: Soupe d’Onions Gratinee – a rich and tasty traditional rich onion soup with melted gruyere cheese croutons. 

Main: Signature Duck Confit with truffle potato mousseline, black garlic sautéed broad beans field greens

Desert: Lemon Tart with Lemon cream, black berries, Italian meringue

Petits Fours:  Kueh Lapis, Mini Macarons, Black Sesame Chocolate and TWG Tea 

The gastrointestinal dining experience aside, my husband was extremely impressed by the attentiveness of one really sweet and beautiful waitress. This dynamic Korean lady was one of the waitress serving our section during dinner the night before and we were quite surprised to see her doing her round during breakfast the next morning. With the restaurant almost full and so many guests to handle, we didn’t expect that her to remember us, yet she had cheerfully stopped by our table for a quick chat and greeted us by our first name!

the beautiful Korean waitress – hubby’s nomination of the best service award

the night is still young..

The Spa Artisan

No stayaction is complete without a pampering spa retreat and we were blessed with a couple’s Japan Spa Journey at The Spa Artisan over at the historical The Fullerton Hotel. With fresh plants lining the walls of the hallway and soothing music piping at the chic and cozy lounge area coupled with the skillful hands of the masseuses, it is little wonder why The Spa Artisan has been awarded the Best Luxury Boutique Spa from the World Luxury Spa Awards 2013.

After choosing the essential oil for our massage, our 2.5 hours Japan Spa Journey began with feet soak, a head to toe scrub, shower before falling asleep under the healing touch of the therapist to conclude a memorable weekend at the hotel.

Taipei ~ 台北之行

名字叫台湾

四月十五日二零一三年，中午十分的我满怀期待的踏出挑园机场。托着行李在机场公车站等着车的当儿我赫然发现台北的天空並没有很蓝，人们也没有想像中的亲切但空中飘来的冷风卻令我振奋非常。

在接下来整个钟头摇摇晃晃的车途中， 我望着窗外，脑海浮现的是林青霞、秦汉、秦祥林的＜我是一片云＞的电影片段、岑凯伦以及琼瑶唯美言情小说的各个情节；而耳边也仿佛响起了潘安邦的＜外婆的彭湖湾＞和追着＜阿美阿美＞的刘文正。毕竟我是产于七十年代的孩子，而这些就是我对台湾最初的认识。尽管经过岁月的洗礼、时代的变迁，台湾始终是我自懂事以来最向往的地方。

 

爱客发酒店
在上机下机、上车转车，下错站、走错街折腾了大半天后，终于抵达了下榻的旅店。座落在西门町的爱客发商务旅店在网上广受好评，而当初选择这旅馆的理由就是贪图它的地点方便。虽然刚踏进门时对于无窗无柜的房间感到有些许无所适从，但逐渐习惯了以后就觉得living in a suitcase 其实也没什么。人的基本需求其实可以很简单，房事原来可以是一张被单一张床就足够了。

 

台北夜市

去台北怎么能不逛夜市呢？我们到了台北的第一站就去了士林夜市。从西门乘地铁到台北车站再转站到剑潭， 我们到达士林夜市时以是夜幕底垂，人潮汹涌而逛夜市的指定动作就是吃小吃，所以我们入乡随俗，沿街边买边解馋；把蚝仔煎、蚝仔面线、豪大大鸡排、胡椒餅、炸章鱼等著名街边小吃通通往嘴里送。在绕了一圈又饮了仙草、泡泡荼饮料等，后很快的我们又发现原来那里还有个底下美食坊！唉，只可惜这时我们的肚皮都快涨暴了！

在台北第二晚我们也去艋舺夜市逛了一圈；尝了综艺节目介绍的甜不辣也体验了在街边吃牛排的滋味。与士林夜市相同，街边小吃多，游戏档子多，人潮旺，但这一区似乎有更多年长者在活动。

著名的甜不辣

NT130 的街边吃牛排, 还附送汤哦!

北投温泉
从北投到新北投的捷运不但外观鲜艳逗趣，每个包厢都有不同的主题，真的好kawaii！

 

北投温泉区的温泉旅馆与澡堂众多，我们卻选择了千禧汤作为我们的泡澡初体验。较便宜的费用倒是其次主要还是为了想真实的体验一下当地人的平民生活情趣；毕竟旅行的意义就在于此嘛！公共温泉的设备很简单，就仅有有一排淋浴室、一排排自助寄放箱以及数个不同温度的汤池。少了隐私，不识水性又非常在意满身赘肉的我其实要在众目睽睽下穿着泳衣泡汤实在感有点变扭，所幸几乎每个人都沉浸在自己蒸气腾腾的世界里而亲切友善的工作人员也让人感觉很自在。浸泡在40度c的汤池里，我一边享受悠闲的泡汤之乐，一边看着工作人员穿梭在来若不绝的访客中，友善的向第一次光顾的顾客讲解须知、热情的和老顾客们寒暄，感觉很温馨。

 

离开温泉时天色已渐晚所以错失了观赏北投林泉内里和湖山里的温泉源头的机会让我有点小失望不过我还是很庆幸体验了有生以来第一次的在露天温泉池泡汤饿滋味。

新北投的捷运站

千禧汤

淡水
因为张淸芳的＜men’s talk＞，让我对淡水满是期待。

去淡水那一天没有太阳；天空朦朦的，有种雾里看山的诗意。走在淡水街道上，我发现这小镇布满了异国风味浓厚的建筑物而这一座座古建筑物都彷彿在诉说着一个故事，一个历史。徒步到了提边，正在钓鱼的老伯伯笑问我从那儿来，我要他猜，他猜了老半天也没猜着。我说我是新加坡人，他却睁大眼睛摇头说没可能。哈！

相较于台北夜市，淡水的小吃更趣致；特长的冰淇淋、各式口味的铁蛋，还有黑黑的墨鱼香肠、口感特别的虾子香肠，这么不叫人垂涎三尺呢！看着在河边公园嬉戏的小朋友和悠哉溜狗的居民们，这样的淡水我好喜欢！

在提边钓鱼的老伯伯

冰淇淋巨无霸！

 

渔人码头
说实在的我对于渔人码头没有什么深刻的印象，或许是因为我们到访的时间是中午而没法目睹它在黄昏，在夜晚的美吧。感觉在渔人码头

跟我们自家的Punggol Marina 有点相似。我倒很喜欢那段从淡水到渔人码头沿途的风景线，很小镇、很实在。

九份

九份，因为电影<悲情城市>而成为一个广受欢迎的观光景点。我没有看过<悲情城市>但我却在从台北乘火车到瑞芳再换乘巴士到达观海亭后就即刻爱上这个山城迷人的景色。

 

沿山路徒步往基山街；发现这頂蓬店宇相接，店与店紧邻，4米不到的老街，其实蛮商业化的，做的是游客的生意。既然来到九份怎么能不尝一尝赖阿婆芋圆和其他具有特色小吃呢？不过说实在的其著名的芋圆或是花生冰淇淋都能有满足我挑剔的味蕾；我倒是喜欢在沿街而上那里的许多茶坊以及边饮茶边赏景的乐趣，而从茶坊居高临下望出的那幅美如画的夕阳五彩的黄昏浪漫美景也让我久久不能忘怀。

往基山街的路

依山而建的小城

美如画的景色

著名的赖阿婆芋圆

花生冰淇淋

 

后记
基本上我觉得台北城市的生活和我们的没差，同样的行色匆匆也个个手机不离手。不过我倒觉得台北的人们在公共场所很自律；比如说会在乘自动浮梯时会靠右、在等捷运时会排队、不舒会带上口罩，超赞！台北人的环保意识强，街道和洗手间都很干净、交通系统也很健全方便，我尤其喜欢中央商业区的自行车出租的概念！一点令我纳闷的是为什么像西门町这么热门的旅游旺区里的商店都迟至11、12点才开门呢？

中央商业区的自行车 

虽然这一趟我终于圆了我逛诚品书店一梦，但我始终对没能在那有限的时限里游览更多的地方感到有点懊恼；所以我更期待九月份再次游台湾。

诚品书店

台湾我们到时再见咯！