Happy Chinese New Year!!

Been occupied lately. Better post up the CNY greeting before it ends.. lol!! :)

Gong Xi Fa Cai!! Hope it is a good one this year! :)

Christmas Prep

I admit I've been neglecting my life these days and substituting it with the unavoidable "work".So last weekend, it was all about Christmas preparation and shopping!

Down we went to Singapore... I thought I could at least buy some nice clothes or a bag for myself. Alas, no.. it turned out more to sightseeing and a shopping for Christmas! Look at the high-sugar shopping I've done!!

Somehow during our visit to Sentosa casino.. We dropped by Candylicious and bought all these sugar!! ;)

Hence, this year... guess what the presents are? lol...

Wishing everyone who happen to stumble on my blog, a very Meerrrryy Christmas! (Remembering the true reason of Christmas besides the festivity... ) And making Marley and Snoopy wish you like this!

Google Doodle for Christmas 2010

I'm beginning to like Google doodle more and more. I've highlighted about the Sesame Street Anniversary before. Now they have these 17 colourful images that is so festive! :) It makes googling for information for fun, being greeted with this doodle!

 

I've found an article online which describes each illustration in detail. Enjoy! :) It's great the designers were thinking of ending the year with a bang with this! ;) Matches precisely to my thoughts!

An illustration of Santa from “Up on the Housetop,” the much favored Christmas carol, was featured on Dec. 23rd’s holiday special Google Doodle along with 16 other holiday traditions, foods, and worldwide resorts.


Instead of a well-decorated trademark, today’s Google Doodle is made of 17 colorful hand-drawn illustrations put in elegant brown frames, reflecting a pleasant and harmonious holiday spirit. Clicking on each drawing will lead users into an enlarged image followed by a Google search of the theme.


The first image is Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow built in the 14th Century.

Then comes the delicious Bûche de Noël, a common Christmas sponge cake dessert in Francophone regions, followed by Nepali men, an Indian dancer, and a Syrian musician; in their ethnic costumes.

Surrounding them are the drawings of the gondola boats in Venice, the Great Wall in China, Kanga the African garment, and the natural scenarios of Chile.

Finally comes Santa Claus with a bag of presents: “Up on the Housetop” wraps up the holiday tale.

The creator of the doodle is designer Michael Lopez. He told the Wall Street Journal that he and his team planned to "end the year with a bang."

Review: Crazy Christmas 2010

Normally, when we drop by Singapore, we try to catch a show or a musical. This time, we tried watching a comedy, song cum dance in the National Library instead.

Crazy Christmas 2010 (I apologize first if I can any names wrong because I do not really know the Singaporean scene - actors/ actresses etc except for Selena Tan and Hossan Leong.

Apparently, there was also a Crazy Christmas 2008. This show was a combination of stand-up comedy, medley of songs (remix) and some silly sketches/dance to tickle the funny bone in us. There is also alternate sombre Christmas songs to give your funny bone a break.

Off hand, these are some of the parts I can remember...

The show started off with everyone on stage trying to sing Christmas songs then Beng Sebastian Tan starts off with a medleys of Christmas songs and Hokkien songs with a silly tale to make the audience roar with laughter. He dresses up like American Idol Adam Lambert with dark eye shadow and spiky hair. He make jokes like dark eye shadow to cover up his black eye and sing songs like "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" (got boxed up and lost his teeth)

Another memorable part is a sketch of Selena Tan singing "I am a Woman" and making fun about men relying on woman. She has quips like "Men have their mothers to buy underwear for them. Then their girlfriend will buy for them. When married, the wife will buy underwear for them."

Then the local acapella group, Vocaluptous was entertaining too! I think an added bonus for me who have never seen them performed or heard of them. Lol sorry

Somehow, there was a lull during some of the performances which my friends complained made them sleepy. I think they were expecting more comedy and laughter than traditional Christmas songs.

Oh yeah, there were a few parts which I didn't quite enjoy. I find the part where the vampire bat (not sure who is the singer) wishing to be part of Christmas a little overdone (as it feels fake) but on the whole it was funny. The banter between 2 high school girls in their tuition centre felt weird (I just find them a little old to be playing the part which made it more off than funny).

There's this singer lady, Michaela Therese who just released an album in the group. Sorry but I couldn't hear her words when she sang. It sounded like she ate the words. I was quite disappointed.

In short, it was entertaining for a nice evening show by a well-formed group; before we had to rush off to check out the casinos in Singapore.

***
Further commentary found online:

Entertainers of all inclinations, from actors to DJs and cabaret comedians will come together to give hilarious re-interpretations of classic Christmas carols and to parody everything from popular TV shows and music, to iconic figures.

Crazy Christmas 2010 is brought to you by Dream Academy, the performing arts trendsetters responsible for Singaporean classics like Dim Sum Dollies and the stand-up comedy productions of Kumar and Hossan Leong.

Accompanying the laughs will be the sonorous vocals of a capella ensemble Vocaluptuous. So come and celebrate all the good things about Christmas with some of Singapore's brightest talents.

(taken from http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/apps/eventdetails.552.html)

Dream Academy has once again lined up some of the biggest names in Singapore theatre for this third edition of the holiday celebration. Two of the Dim Sum Dollies who have been haunting your morning commute – Selena Tan and Pam Oei – will be gracing the stage, along with The Full Monty’s hunky stripper George Chan. RJ Rosales and Robin Goh, whom many still remember as Chang and Eng, Broadway Beng Sebastian Tan and Singapore Boy Hossan Leong will also have their names featured on the bill.


But the icing on the Christmas cake this year comes in the form of drag diva Kumar, who will be performing in four ‘adults-only’ shows and bringing to the stage her distinctive blend of glamour and thigh-slapping comedy. In case you’re wondering, the rest of the programme is still entirely family-friendly.


For those who have caught the two previous editions of Crazy Christmas, you already know what to expect. All of the stars are going to be doing what they do best – whether it’s singing, acting, standup or dancing – and with some members of the multitalented cast, it’s all of the above. With witty skits and tongue-in-cheek Christmas carols, it’s just what you need to get into the holiday spirit – or help give the grumpy grinches reason to smile.

(taken from http://eventful.com/singapore/events/crazy-christmas-2010-/E0-001-034875936-6)

What is Earth Hour to you?

No offense, I find Earth Hour a good attempt to be kinder to Mother Earth but in the end, I find it just a gimmick for some retailers to earn more money.

I was flipping through the papers on Saturday and surprised to see the event marked with celebrations, promotions and merchandise. I thought to myself, "Hmm... looks like a gimmick to earn more money".

Restaurants creating special promotion, hotels having special dinners and to my surprise, (because it sounds fun), air-balloon ride in a college! I even caught a glimpse of the advertisement saying National Geographic channel will be suspended an hour during the Earth Hour. (Didn't switch on to check if it's true.. lol)

Earth support: Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower disappearing into the night as Malaysians observed Earth Hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm last night (main picture). — EHFAN SHAH / The Star

 A ‘before’ picture taken from Bukit Permai shows a much brighter Kuala Lumpur skyline. — EHFAN SHAH / The Star

How many of you really took part in this event honestly to pay respect to Mother Earth? How many of you went out with friends just for fun? How many of you went out to buy Starbucks tumbler for the free drink during the Earth Hour? There are many more examples but this is just some I could remember off-hand.

I still think Earth Hour is every hour, every minute, every second. It takes every single one to realise the impact of everything they are doing daily. It's like the analogy of going to the island and just leaving footprints and not garbage. But do you know, our footprints left there has an impact on Mother Earth already.

I wish the goverment would just enforce directly that there will be no more plastic bags use in shopping malls. I've noticed despite making Saturday a no-plastic-bag day, some malls are still giving out bags freely. I wish that they will enforce the people to separate the garbage - waste and recyclable. I wish they can reduce the cost of PV cells so everyone can harness solar energy. I wish that everyone will go back to cycling around instead of driving and producing fumes and poison to our air. How I wish for so much more but wishful thinking is just in my mind. It takes action to make a difference.

There are many other thoughts and different opinions out there. But take a look at the polls www.thestar.com.my conducted as of today at 11a.m.:


Do you think that events like Earth Hour actually help raise awareness on global warming?

Yes, definitely		48% (1171 votes)
No, it is just another clever gimmick		52% (1293 votes)
Total 2464 votes

What have I done? A simple individual like me could only bring shopping bags, try to separate the recyclables and waste, switch off the lights when not in used (or don't switch on if the natural light is sufficient) and perhaps advocate the use of renewable energies for new development. In the meantime, I'm curious to see how GBI (Green building index) will be fully implemented to Mother's Earth benefit!

Lights out!

Winter Olympics

I'm just a hermit but I'm happy to see google search engine informing me subtly of worldwide event. It's banner shows this and I know it's the winter Olympics! ;)

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 12: A fish eye view of the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics at BC Place on February 12, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Happy Chinese New Year 2010!

Another year is here again. Lets usher the year of Tiger (2010) with a loud bang and big appetite for all the delicious dinner!!

Happy Chinese New Year to all my dearest friend! :)

If you're not going back to your hometown which is few hours away, have a nice restful holiday too! :)

O Valentine, where art thou...

It happens to be Valentine's Day tomorrow. What special surprises have you planned for your loved one?

However, for the chinese, coincidentally it falls on our Chinese New Year whereby most families will gather together for one big reunion dinner on the eve.

Hence, does it mean we forgo the V-day for customs? Or vice versa?

I'm one of those who thinks V-day should be everyday. If possible, everyone must (which sounds like a job in the end) show their love to their loved ones every opportunity they can get.

For example, of late, my brother's friend was killed in a car crash. His friend was a young doctor who is filial to his family and had a bright future ahead. Then, my brother's other friend's mum was involve in another car accident as is currently in a coma in the hospital.

If you have closer friends or relatives who suddenly passed away, it makes you think carefully of your lives.

As I age, I notice the "death" rate of someone I know is creeping closer to my circle and it makes me ponder. I wish I can just say "Carpe Diem" and do everything I really want to, but my brain will ask me to be patient or give many excuses as usual.

I know this is a little reflective post when it should be a lovey-dovey one but I feel the most important gift anyone can give to their valentine is to show your love (in whatever love language which makes the other person feels appreciated).

Hence, just say, "I love you" sincerely and give a big bear hug for now if you really can't get anything. Have a memorable V-day everyone! :) Muaks & hugz!

My first experience with a Book Launch

I will be posting more entries suddenly because I had lots of activities end of last year. Need to blog about it before I forget.

My friend invited me to attend a book launch:Farish Noor’s “WHAT YOUR TEACHER DIDN’T TELL YOU: The Annexe Lectures Vol.1” sometime in December.

I was curious but not really interested because I didn’t know the author. I’ve not followed the local scene or updated my reading list with newer authors. (Stuck in school time.. haha) Anyone else can recommend me good books to read?

We went to the Annexe in Central Market, KL. Again – I haven’t been there ages since I don’t take public transportation to Pasar Seni / Klang Bus Station there any longer.

It started with a little cocktail – finger food, drinks and a counter with books for sale. The book that was going to be launch would be slightly cheaper on that day compared to retail. The book was being sold for RM100 for 3 books. I got one for fun – literally and it looked interesting. (Yes, this is the time I bought books I don’t need) My friend thinks I bought it because I could get the author to autographed it… haha.. what do you think? ;)

The event started with introductions to the publisher, Amir Muhammad of Matahari Books, who was also throwing in his birthday celebration that same night (cakes was served later).

There were 3 performances that night : a guitarist from Little Black Tie (sorry I can’t recall your name), a pair of performers who recited poems accompanied by music effects on the keyboard (first time watching a performance like this)

Then the person in charge of Annex read from the book. He only read the footnotes which was half a page!

The night ended with the author, Farish Noor sharing a little about his experience. One thing worth highlighting was his comment that he is surprised an academician can be a “celebrity” in Malaysia. The book was launch with a little girl, Sara known as “Fairy” who cut the ribbon to officiate the event. Cute…

My friend who was a fan, was a little shy to take a photograp with the author but I asked her to at least get the autograph. So we started queuing and created a snake line of people waiting to get an autograph from the author. Hehe. A thing to note – it was hard to decipher his writing! ;)

In short, it was interesting experience and I got hold of another book before we left because not of the author (sorry no offense intended), but I love the movies by the late and talented Yasmin Ahmad especially the movie, Sepet.  Thanks Miss A for bringing me along! :)

Then – we were off to Chawan, Bangsar for late supper and drinks. Amazingly among the 3 of us ladies,we ate 2 big portion of rice: Nasi Briyani with lamb rendang and ... another which name I have forgotten - what is this call?

Recalling this, makes me hungry for food!

p.s. I have not read the book! lol

Party anyone?

I’m dying to throw a Christmas party but my place is still being constructed and the other units are still wall-less. Have to wait at least 2 more years? *Sniff*

I’ve attended some nice get-together over friend’s place and dinners for festive celebration or just for fun. Imagine holding a barbeque or just having simple pot-lucks with close friends or family in your own place (don’t think about the backscene of preparing and cleaning for now)

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a nice big well-equip kitchen like all those chefs (Jamie Oliver, Martha Steward , Nigella, etc) and cook lovely delicious meals for your parties? (assuming whatever you cook turns out yummy).


Then like the series: Party Planner, you create a theme to decorate your place with the right colour for napkin and baubles plus nice door gifts. Then you even have time to create handmade invites in lovely cardboard with nice stenciling… Don’t forget those cupcakes that it’s in the craze now. Perhaps you can even whipped up a few dozen of those delicate cupcakes. If only..

Now, I’ve resorted to eating in posh-expensive restaurants (which are over-rated sometimes) with my friends to test the food and have a nice time together. Besides burning a hole in my pocket and leaving such a huge crater, I sometimes wish for a simpler dining setting which is friendly to me and my pocket.

Mind you, eating out is great with the nice ambience – no frills of preparation, cooking and washing. But sometimes, I wish I can try it out myself. I admit, I’m not really a cook – the last I cooked was when I was in university just for myself and occasionally for some friends.

I have only cooked Chinese food which is normally food I like to eat. I have yet to try others – as students, it’s mainly to fill your stomach and cravings. I had a craving once for eggs – so I bought a dozen and cook all sort of egg dish for that week. I had fried egg, half-boiled eggs, French toast, scrambled egg, egg salad, etc. and not all in a day, mind you! ;)

I wonder, when my place is finally ready, would I really sit down and prepare all those just to throw a party? Hmmm… in the meantime, keep those invites coming and I’ll be honoured to be your happy guest to contribute to the fun and noise! ;) (Thick skinned enough to self-invite… haahaha) Merrry Christmas!

Christmas Shopping: Tealight Candle Holder

‘Tis the season to be jolly.. Fa la la la lah… la la la lah..

Are you in the Christmas mood? I dread this season. It’s raining all the time, money flies out my pocket and I have to eat lots! Sound like a pouting child?

Well, just kidding.. Obviously, I like this season especially now… It’s the end of the year!

Usually, we have a number of public holidays in December i.e. Christmas & New Year! Coincidentally, a few public holidays fall on every Friday in 4 weeks in a row this year! :) My ideal figure for a weekend – 3 days!

Everyone is busy shopping for presents, preparing festive meals and going for long holidays. I regretted not buying extra stuff to be given as Christmas gifts…

I’m keeping all these 3 tealight candle holders for myself. I got them in one of the shopping malls in Singapore (can’t recall which as I was too tired carrying my luggage and shopping).

Isn’t the painting of the Christmas scene just "divinely lovely and Christmasy"? (sorry, out of adjectives.. haha) I was taken by the cute little angel. Santa could have been cuter but I guess this one seems more artisy.

But pause for a moment, didn’t we celebrate Christmas not too long ago? Another year has gone by? It’s time to check my list of resolutions to see if I have accomplished anything. If not, I will continue to carry forward my resolutions to infinity...

I know a few resolutions I have been carrying forward… will reveal next time!

Sesame Street invades Google

Have you seen Google’s latest image on their search engine?

Cookie monster greets you when you open Google search engine in conjunction to Sesame Street 40th Anniversary.Google is giving the ultimate 21st-century tribute: a series of Sesame Street-themed logos on its search page.

There was a period with Ernie and Bert. (last week)

Now, it's Elmo waving at you.

This brings me back to my childhood to Sesame Street days. These puppets were created by Jim Henson.

Which is your favourite muppet? (The list of the muppets can be found here.)

The mature, smart Big Bird? The green Oscar the Grouch popping out from garbage can? The bright blue glutton Cookie Monsters who gobbles up cookies messily? The cute bright red young Elmo dancing happily around? There's just so many memorable characters to name!Take your pick and remember the lessons Big Bird would teach us. Those were the days…

Kids these days are spoilt with choices of education programmes to watch. Which are your kids’ favourites? Do you like them more than those your generation?

Whatever it is, it’s evident Elmo’s a success with the Tickle-me-Elmo plush toys who laughs and fall laughing as if its tickled by laughter.

And of course, when he sees a plate of cookies, Cookie Monster would go: “Ccookies!!” *Gobble gobble* Lol.

This makes me hungry for cookies. ;)