Life is a never ending learning experience...You stop learning at your last breathe...No one really knows what every decision they make will lead to...slow down...breathe in...move on...
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
99 things about Singapore
This is about a mini project that I started - pictures of numbers related to to Singapore.
The idea came about after I saw a thread on a local forum about pictures with numbers.
The rules are very simple: 1. The picture must contain a number from 1 to 99 2. The picture must be related to Singapore. 3. The picture must be taken using either a camera phone or any digital camera; it must not be downloaded from internet or other source. 4. Each picture needs to be accompanied with a short sentence describing the picture - to give context to the picture.
There was an accident outside my office on Thursday evening peak hour, involving a Hyundai Getz and a motorbike. No one was seriously hurt, I believed.
I sms about this to a fellow colleague, who also ride a motorbike.
I finally decided to catch 881, the local production of the year (and top grossing Asian film of the year in Singapore), on the big screen. This is the first time I am watching a movie directed by Royston Tan, a local director with multiple accolades for his short films.
The movie tells the story of 2 female getai(歌台)singer, the Papaya sisters, done in Moulin Rouge/Chicago style. It has a fascinating display of colorful stage costumes and strings of famous Hokkien songs, known to Singaporean heartlanders. I found the film a bit too draggy (110 minutes long) at times. Nonetheless the movies has its fair share of songs, laughter and emotional moment.
With Singapore Dreaming leaving quite an impression on me last year, its inevitable to compare the two. Both has its touching moment. 881 has more comedy and fairy tale elements in it, and special effects leh (gulp). Singapore Dreaming was more down to earth in storytelling. (Coincidentally, YeoYannYann acted in both)
But then again, I found myself humming the song even after I left the cinema. So was it successful?
Found out about this local female vocalist by chance - Tay Kewei. Apparently she was in the final 24 of Project Superstar 2006/2007 but had to drop up because she has to be the backup singer for David Tao!
Below is her rendition of 爱爱爱.
Look out for her, she has the potential to be bigger than any of the Superstar winner.
I finally managed to catch up with my busy buddy Alex on Friday night. He suggested we meet at some place in Dempsey Road, which has been reinvented as Tanglin Village. I heard a fair bit about this enclave so was eager to find out more.
The first impression I had of the place as I drove some 100 meter into Dempsey Road was - what a mess. The signage only offers block numbers that were previously used to identified the CMPB blocks before they vacated the place. Some part of the roads were in need of illumination. Parking lots were scarce at 10 pm, as most were taken up by dining patrons.
After making one big round around the small lanes, I finally found Alex. We waited for his new found 'brother' Ben, from Hunan, before proceeding to meet the rest of the company who were dining at Wine Network; Evelyn and her bf, Emily and hubby and another girl named Eve.
They had already opened up a bottle of Sauvignon from New Zealand, so we help them cleared what was left. ;-) I quite like it because of the fruity taste.
I ordered a 2005 German Riesling which the waiter claimed is more fruity than the Sauvignon. I beg to differ, but the fragrance left an impression on me.
A word of caution for those who wish to go check out any of the places there, checked out the map first to know where you are heading. It helps, trust me.
You should live in Paris. The city of lights will appeal to your appreciation of beauty and romance. You are a lover and a poet by nature, and Paris' sensitive charms will be a perfect match for yours.
A few of us treated the birthday gal (Chun Ling) to chinese food @Royal China. The Peking Duck was very nice. I could not remember when was the last time I had such nice 片皮鸭.
Peking Duck
咕咾肉 (Sweet & Sour Pork)
The sweet and sour pork looks simple but yet the meat texture was just nice, not too tough. The steam fish (红斑) was nice too. If I don't remember wrongly, there wasn't anything left on the plate, including the head and tail!
Definitely worth going back to try out their other dishes.
Sometimes, one shouldn't speak too soon. I just got an email about wining the South African 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP lottery Award International programme held in Zurich, Switzerland.
The lucky numbers are 11, 13, 26, 34, 44, 48. Bonus number 2.
Well, at least I know what to buy for Toto for tomorrow. Hang on, Singapore pool Toto only have 45 numbers leh! Okay, maybe I just replace 48 with 45. ;-)
...provided this email that I just received is genuine. ;-).
But then again, I rather try my luck at Toto. Thanks Frank.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Frank Falschau.ESQ Lome Togo West Africa. Telephone. +228 981 16 23.
URGENT INHERITANCE CLAIM STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
I am quite convinced of the fact that this will come to you as a surprise, however I am writing you based on the privilege information i gathered about you in internet during my extensive search, for urgent and confidential transaction which we will both benefit from, though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and look worried.
I am Barrister Frank Falschau, a solicitor at law, personal attorney to Mr.Morgan Tang, a nationality Of your country,who worked with Togo Shell Development Company in Republic of Togo, Here in after shall be referred to as my client On December 26 2004, my client and his wife and their only daughter unfortunately lost there lives in the earthquake tsunami-ravaged SriLanka, and since then I have made several enquiry’s to your embassy here to locate any of my client extended relatives, this has also been proved unsuccessful to my effort to locate my late client relative.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name to locate any of his relatives hence I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the fund valued at US$20.5 million left behind by my client before it gets confiscated or declared unserviceable by Karem Security Company in Lome/Togo my residing nationality country by birth where this huge amount was deposited in a trunk box under the coverage of family valuables, The said Security Company has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have this box confiscated within the next twenty one official working days as they don't know the content of the box.
Since I have been unsuccessfully in locating the relatives of my late client, I seek your attention to present you as the next of kin deceased of my late client, so that the proceedings of this box can be transfer to you, Therefore on receipt of your positive response, we shall then discuss the sharing ratio and modalities for transfers as I have every necessary information and legal documents needed to back you up for claim.
You are related with my late client or not, all i need is your urgent respond so that we can both achieve this aim together undue advantage of the trust I have bestowed on you before contacting you, your last bearing name related to my late is the most important and legal information we need mostly to present to the Security Company, apart from the legal documents of my late client with me.
All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through, I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law, i don't want third party with us, this should be secret between me and you, if we are fast, we will not spend less than 14 working official days.
I await your urgent response through my e-mail box or you call me on my private cell number, +228 981 16 23.
Or reply me to my private e-mail box. f_falschauchambers1@yahoo.com
(Drew Barrymore) I've been living with a shadow overhead, I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed, I've been lonely for so long, Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on!
(Hugh Grant) I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away, Just in case I ever need them again someday, I've been setting aside time, To clear a little space in the corners of my mind!
[Chorus] (Both) All I want to do is find a way back into love. I can't make it through without a way back into love. Oooooh.
(Drew Barrymore) I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine, I've been searching but i just don't see the signs, I know that it's out there, There's got to be something for my soul somewhere!
(Hugh Grant) I've been looking for someone to shed some light, Not somebody just to get me through the night, I could use some direction, And I'm open to your suggestions.
[Chorus] (Both) All I want to do is find a way back into love. I can't make it through without a way back into love. And if I open my heart again, I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end! Oooooooh, Ooooooh, Ooooooh.
(Drew Barrymore) There are moments when I don't know if it's real Or if anybody feels the way I feel I need inspiration Not just another negotiation
[Chorus] (Both) All I want to do is find a way back into love, I can't make it through without a way back into love, And if I open my heart to you, I'm hoping you'll show me what to do, And if you help me to start again, You know that I'll be there for you in the end! Oooooooh. Oooooooh. Ooooooooh. Oooooooh. Ooooooh Ooooooooh. Ooooooooh.
