pseudofashionist

Passion for everything British spilling over!

2011-05-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

I have been exposed to British things since I was born. I moved to Serangoon Gardens, a suburb whose street names are British. I remember having learnt to bake Queen Cakes, Butterfly Cakes, Sardine Sandwiches and Victoria Sandwich Cake during Home Economics class in secondary school. These are essentially British food. I remember seeing one of the Art teachers wearing a hat to school. It made her unique from the rest of the school teachers, and she did it with such finesse. She was not conscious of being the only one to do so. Somehow it seemed to fit her hairdo too :) Since Singapore was a British colony, my first language is English, whose written version follows that of British English.

My exposure escalated as I embarked on my English Literature degree. The works I studied had British texts and where more suitable to get the degree from than the University of London? My favourite authors were Alexander Pope, Richard Sheridan, William Blake, John Keats, Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Tennyson. I also got to study the history of England, which still fascinates me even till today.

Graduating was not the end of English Literature for me. The degree only served to boost my love for the English authors. I have a nostalgic feeling for the English poets and have developed a fanaticism for Jane Austen, especially her characters of the Darcys. Agatha Christie and her detectives is also a favourite of mine. I love even more British television programmes, both in quantity and quality. My favourite accent is definitely the British accent. It sounds very cultured to me.

I have gone to England four times now but it was the most recent trip that caused my passion to overflow. I got to finally go to Bath which is associated with Austen. As a result of this trip, I have cultivated a love for English country cottage decor, my latest craze. I have also relished in the delights of English fashion and food. In my journey of appreciation, I have discovered that my exposure to the latter is far greater than I thought. I remember having eaten Quality Sweets, Butterscotch sauce and Peach Melba with ecstasy as a young girl.My second trip was a catalyst for tennis as one of my favourite sport to watch. I had been a spectator at The Queen's Club for a Stella Artois Tennis tournament. Watching it 'live' had me blown away, as I soaked in the atmosphere.

Reading - convenience versus real pleasure

2011-03-05T17:50:00.000-08:00

This is my second entry on e-books versus real books, but the former has become so dominant in people's lives that it brings a fear to my loyalist heart that beats for the latter.

Parents nowadays are already exposing their young kids to the former. Granted, the kids are still enjoying the reading and learning process. However, they don't have the opportunity to fully do so.

I agree with the article by Huang Huifen. The e-book may make it easier for parents to ensure their kids are occupied but the reader of the e-book is not the parent. As a result, there is not enough bonding between the family members. It is as if the kids are merely watching a movie. I do acknowledge the benefit of the interactive games that will help the kids better understand the story though. At the same time, there are other ways to occupy the kids. Parents can give them colouring/activity books, jigsaw puzzles or building blocks/playdough. These toys enhance the creative and mental aspects of the kids' development, far better alternatives to a technological option.

Indeed, real books spark the kids' sensory development through the accompanying features of sound and touch complementing their understanding of the world around them. This form of development is more important to their growth, since it is the most basic one. Also, it is chilling to note that older kids' imaginative skills are compromised due to e-books. The novel and poetry industries will have fewer outstanding writers to come as a result. How will traditional literature continue to survive through the ages? On a note which is closer to home, it is no wonder that the essay content of kids in school suffer. The plots they come up with are too simple, since e-books unfold the plots for them with the interactive features.

I am impressed by a parent who uses both tools to teach her kids the English language. Most parents nowadays use just the e-book. Another parent really hit the nail on its head by saying that reading real books teaches patience. To add on, it enhances the real pleasure of reading via increasing the anticipation of how the plot will proceed. For this to occur though, the power of the language used must be potent enough; the descriptions of the settings and the emotions of the characters must 'speak' so convincingly to the reader that he becomes part of the story and can't wait to live it out.

Dressing according to age

2010-09-16T09:55:00.001-07:00

Women are advised to wear what is appropriate for their age range. According to Urban, those in their 20s are to wear preppy designs, those in their 30s are to wear ladylike outfits and those in their 40s are to wear classic, clean lines.

I am in my 30s and this suggested trend appeals to me, since I love feminine clothes. However, I dread the time I reach 40 years old and above. The suggested trend seems too plain for my liking. Now I understand better the reason why a participant on How Do I Look protested against some of the clean lines her accomplices chose for her. If those outfits have feminine details, I will not mind it so much. Hence, I plucked up the courage to try on a tube dress for the first time. Though I am not used to wearing it, knowing that I have at least tried to wear it is satisfying. I used to find ruffles too girly, even for me. However, I just bought a feminine blouse with ruffles on the front and Georgian-like sleeves. :)

Also, my age range is one where I can look "naturally beautiful" with makeup, unlike the earlier range which has a fun makeup look and the coming range which shows one's lines more clearly. I love natural makeup, that which brings out my natural looks. Thus, I go for sparkly eyeshadow in pastel shades and pink itself.

I feel as if I am really in the best age range of my life, based on these revelations. :D My fashion tastes have certainly changed with the passing of time. They have become much more feminine and I love the evolution!

Singapore's unappreciated "tourist attractions"

2010-08-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Jamie Yeo's blog mentioned a few shopping malls in Singapore that she doesn't like. I don't really agree with most of the ones on that list of hers.

Lucky Plaza may not be good for shopping due to unscrupulous shopkeepers who cheat customers of their money, but it houses good Asian food. It is very well-known for Filipino food and also Indonesian food. Minang House, Resto Surabaya and President are three outlets which serve really good Indonesian dishes.

People's Park Complex has a huge shop which sells beauty and skin products that are uncommon. I was trying to look for a particular brand of soap and after looking all over the island, I finally found it at this shop.

Parkway Parade is one of my favourite malls. The huge Borders is the highlight for me and the service staff at Jack's Place are really friendly. As a regular customer, I am blessed to have them know exactly what I want to order each time I go there :) Jamie Yeo mentioned the parking problem in its carpark. For those who are not in the know, there are spaces in the areas of P5 and P6. They aren't too far off from the entrance to the mall. Yes, I like the Cold Storage outlet. There is a bakery in it that sells absolutely luscious Lemon Lust, a type of pastry with lemon curd. It is tangy in taste; sweet and sour at the same time. There are also outlets like Famous Amos and Auntie Anne's. Giant is also there. Some other favourite outlets of mine are Pastamania, Isetan, Four Leaves, Banquet foodcourt, Best Denki and Harvey Norman.

The effects of Facebook

2010-04-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

Facebook is not only popular with students but also with their parents. The reasons are varied. Some parents are truly curious about the fad and its attractions. Other parents are worried about their children and want to keep tabs on them via this website. I may not be a parent but I am a teacher. As such, I do see things from the latter's perspective.

If Facebook is merely used to play game applications and chat with existing friends, the harm is not so great, though the exception is when violent games like Mafia Wars become part of the students' realities. The danger lies where there is acceptance of friend requests from strangers, despite the fact that the strangers may be friends of the students' friends, or where their privacy settings are not edited such that malicious strangers are privy to their profiles. This is especially rampant in America and a movie was made on it. This girl went to a chat channel out of curiosity and almost fell prey to a paedophile, if not for her mother's intervention.

Another type of danger is where they click on third-party applications which may unknowingly contain computer viruses that can either wreck their computer systems, or capture their personal information without their permission and cause their accounts to be hacked into. These third-party applications may also conceal pornographic or unhealthy links.

Of course, I understand why there is irritation in some students when their posts or comments are misinterpreted. They are done out of fun but as a conservative person, I frown upon them. Ever since a friend of mine talked to me about it, I have not been so rigid about it.

The writer of a letter on this topic mentioned how his parents insult his friends. I really hope it was not done on Facebook itself. That would be a big taboo. At the same time, parents would rather keep tabs on their children online because there is a possibility that the children would lie should they be asked. Also, parents are worried about the friends their children make because they don't want their children to get hurt from having made the wrong ones. It is out of love that they show anxiety. As a teenager, I was irritated when my mother kept telling me that my best friend was not a good person. I felt she did not understand my best friend. However, her instincts were correct. I fell out with my best friend and it got so bad that the principal was called into the picture. Through it all, my mother was with me and she was kind enough not to say, "I told you so."

Still, I concur with his view that parents should educate their children about the dangers of the Internet prior to allowing them to use it. Perhaps it would be a good idea if the computer were to be placed in the living room where the parents can subtly supervise their children's Internet habits.

Singapore's first casino

2010-03-02T04:58:00.000-08:00

A report on how Singaporeans as well as foreigners have been affected by this new attraction, was featured. There were initial problems on its first day but these are in the process of being resolved. For example, signs warning patrons about a long waiting time have been put up to counter the unexpected waiting period of 2 hours on the first day. Also, the food outlets are now open at all times as opposed to those who could not provide enough food then.

The negative effects are the way some Singaporeans exhibit such extreme xenophobia and the addiction some foreign visitors show towards gambling in the casino, to the extent that they leave their children outside the casino for a long period of time while they indulge.

The views of some locals towards the presence of foreign workers in the casino repulses me to no end. The possibility that they lose their hard-earned money is not the business of the locals. In the first place, do they truly care about that or is that just an excuse conjured to oppose the presence of the workers?

A few locals find it unfair that they are charged $100 as an entrance fee while the workers are exempted from it. This fee is really for our own good. It is our government's way of looking out for us. It deters us from getting addicted to the vice. Perhaps they are getting addicted and hence complain about it? A comment that bigger players a.k.a those who fork out a lot of money gambling, should be catered more to, confirms my previous statement.

They are also unhappy about the workers taking too many drinks. The drinks are free and so any patron has the right to take as many as he wants. The casino has clarified this point. I think the locals are just being prejudiced towards the foreign workers. I do not hear them complaining about the foreign tourists. Besides, there are locals who exhibit bad behaviour as well. Some local gamblers verbally express themselves in such a way as to cause more civilized patrons to cringe. The complainers really know how to choose their battles.

Thank goodness there are also mature locals who feel differently. The casino is for anyone who meets the requirements imposed on its guests, regardless of nationality. The foreign workers work very hard for their families and need to find ways to take breaks from their tiring jobs, so as to reenergise themselves. Why make it difficult for them by such complaints? The spokesman from the casino said something which summarises things best. He implied that foreign workers are the foundation stones beneath our buildings, specifically the IRs. In this case, there is no reason for us to be so biased towards them.

Some foreign patrons regard gambling as more important than their own flesh and blood. It can be that this vice has a very strong grip on its addicts but I prefer to believe that their self-discipline is sorely lacking. The worse thing is that some children have no adult to look after them. If anything should happen to them, it is the parents' fault. It is heartbreaking to read about them feeling bored and only coming alive whenever performances are held. In order to pass time, some played with the plants nearby. Can anyone blame them? They are forced to wait till night in some cases. Thankfully, RWS has included a kids' club to cater to such cases. :)

Shopping malls

2010-02-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

Rohit Brijnath wrote an article on how he prefers the old way of shopping ie. wet markets and small shops. It strikes a poignant note with me, as I am a nostalgic person as well. He mentions shops which sell bales of fabric amongst others. Toa Payoh is the place I always think of with regards to these shops. They have been there from the time I was a toddler.

At the same time, he injects humour and original descriptions into his article. He is a riot to read :) I agree with his rant over the lack of seats in malls. Sometimes, visual and physical fatigue takes over after a long time of browsing. That is when we really long to rest our legs. Just as he knows men who like malls, my god-brother likes to shop in them too :)

I feel poignant whenever I walk past the wet market in my estate too. My mum used to take me to the wet market whenever she needed to prepare for the day's meals. I remember covering my nostrils whenever we walked past the fish stall. I could never stand the smell of uncooked fish and still cannot. I remember anticipating the end of her purchases as that would indicate her walk to the barbecued pork food stall to buy barbecued spare ribs for me. That was my favourite snack. I have not eaten it ever since I was a child. Perhaps it is a subconscious way of retaining the sweet memories associated with it, albeit in an different way. It is as if I don't want to touch their precious fragility and want to encase them in a glass dome forever, afraid that they will disappear if I approach them again. It is like wanting time to stand still.

He yearns for real interaction and friendship between customer and salesperson in the said industry. Yes, it is a rarity being able to gain such a genuineness, since most salespeople merely do their job of selling the product to the consumers. I am blessed to have had got this in a shop at Centrepoint. I entered the shop to look at the clothes but ended up falling into easy conversation with the salesperson. That was the start of a special friendship despite our different races. I would drop in each time I went to the mall, since she was the only one there. We are still friends to this day :)

Branded bags

2010-01-29T22:27:00.000-08:00

Jill Alphonso bought a Charles and Keith handbag because it was light to carry around and yet could hold an abundance of things. However, she was initially conscious of carrying it around. She was afraid that the sight of its logo brand would cause people to have a low impression of her. Upon reading it, I was annoyed. This materialistic product cannot be brought with us into the afterlife. Whether it is Louis Vuitton or Charles and Keith, it must stay in this world. What is the point then of possessing such expensive bags? Nonetheless, I am glad that she finally realised that a cheaper brand is just as good. :)

"Personal style refers to someone who has confidence even if they wear a paper bag." I am not saying that we should wear only paper bags when we go out. I mean that confidence is an essentiality that complements our clothes. She seems to be hinting too that branded goods are merely bought for the purpose of showing others that one can afford to possess them. Strangely, they instill confidence in their users. Confidence should not be obtained via a material good but should be nurtured through life's experiences.

At the same time, I find myself developing a liking for tote bags. I am becoming more of a woman :) I like them because of their roomy depth which allows me to put many things in. This is definitely one of the things on my list of Christmas presents :)

The effect of developing technology

2010-01-29T18:09:00.000-08:00

Brad Stone wrote an article on this, which brought out the frightening results of such a phenomenon on the future generations. His toddler daughter had labelled his e-reader as a book. They are worlds apart. The former is merely a visual book and the latter is a real, physical book. His niece too, had received a robot hamster and perceived it as a real pet hamster. Technology is now so dominant that such inaccuracies come about.

Such children will not learn to value personal contact between two people, the smiles seen on people's faces and the times spent physically together. All they will know is the images and voices of their loved ones on the video or web camera. It is the same for the type of games they play. Computer games have replaced classic board or physical games like Monopoly, Cluedo, Five Stones, Zero Point, Skipping rhyme games or Eagle Catching Chickens. It is such a sad thing to behold.

The frightening thing is that even though I was born in the 70s, I have iGeneration tendencies. I pay less attention to television. I used to watch so many more programmes.

He cited a psychology professor as saying that there will be a demand for instant reception from their surroundings. They practically overlook the fact that we are humans and not robots. As such, we will lapse in such instantaneous output. If we are instant in our responses, we will not think before we do or speak anything, and this impulsive nature in us will cause hurt on ourselves and others. Is that what we want to see our future hurling towards? Who else can we blame if that really happens?

We must do something right now to prevent this. We must ensure the younger generations are exposed to the simpler and classic ways of living while growing up, which are usually the truly valuable. Parents and teachers, do your part!

Dress for your age

2010-01-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

A 52-year-old boutique owner was featured on the back page of Urban last month. One would expect her to dress sensibly but she was dressed in a sparkly bodice and a short skirt. The outfit may have been chosen according to her preferences and worn with a blazer to give it a professional look, but it certainly does not suit someone of her age.

It does not make her look young, if that was her intention, but it makes her look foolish and slutty. I apologise for using such a harsh term but that is truly what the outfit seems to make her look. She may be divorced but that is no excuse for dressing like that. Seriously, the blazer barely helps the outfit to look professional and her face still betrays her actual age, which cannot complement the outfit.

It gives the impression that she cannot accept her true age and thus she has insecurity issues. Age is only a number, and it is really the youth you have within that truly brings it out. I should know. I am 34 but people think I am much younger. It is not because of the way I dress but because of the inner childlikeness(and sometimes childishness) that I possess.

Hot Pants: trendy or indecent?

2009-11-28T22:45:00.000-08:00

Most wearers of such a fashion item are young girls and reading what one of them said appalled me."I know they encourage us not to wear...but you don't have to listen." It smacks of wilfulness on her part. I hope that she is the exception.

Seeing young pre-teenagers wearing it is still acceptable in my eyes, as I am giving them the benefit of the doubt in assuming that they have no intent to use it to flaunt their sexuality. However, knowing that a 34-year-old woman wears it to work is simply flabbergasting. She is a retail assistant and that is somewhat of a professional job. How can she be so nonchalant when she is asked about it?! It is one thing to see it as practical but it is another thing to wear it to work. It certainly degrades her professionalism and casts an adverse effect on her retail outlet. She is not a part-time worker at this age, I reckon.

Another equally shocking knowledge is the fact that VCH and the Esplanade are rather lenient with dress codes. I have performed in VCH a few times and I would not want any member of the audience to wear such an outrageously unsuitable item to my performance! As a member of the audience at Esplanade, I make sure I wear something decently presentable like pants or a dress as a form of respect to the performers. The theatrical operators may not seem to mind but this is merely proper theatrical etiquette to me.

I know that it is a vastly different situation in London because watching musicals is a common activity among Londoners. A man was wearing a singlet to the performance of Sister Act and he was not stopped at the entrance. It is not a common activity but a form of luxury for we Singaporeans though.

I am heartened to note that Les Amis does not approve of such dressing. Kudos to their discreet yet effective measure of providing appropriate outfits to counter this.

It is strange how some wearers are aware of the unwanted attention they get on their bodies when they wear hot pants, but they still do not opt out of wearing it. Though not every guy gives them lecherous looks when they wear it, the looks do make them feel uneasy. What harm is there then in wearing a more decent fashion item? Should they continue to wear it, the lechers may mistakenly think that they really are sexually easy to prey on. When that happens, it would be too late to harbour any regrets.

Double standards towards fashion etiquette

2009-11-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

A viewer showed his verbal disapproval towards a newscaster's choice of dressing on Deepavali. Her silver-gray dress was unfortunately intensified in tonal colour on television such that it appeared as black. It is ironic how no one else filed a similar complaint. Even the president of a Hindu temple acknowledged that different settings give allowance to different codes of dressing, and the practical setting of a news bulletin complemented the colour of the dress. The viewer seems to have overlooked this.

Now that it has been proven that it was due to the camera that the dress appeared darker, it would be good if he extends an apology to the newscaster. Contradictions are noted in his comment to the media when he said that he "had moved with the times" and didn't care about the dressing on Vesak Day. If he truly has, then why is he complaining about the newscaster's dressing? He seems to be implying that he is thinking of the interests of other viewers by writing in but they did not express any negative opinions towards her dressing. Strange, is it not?

Lindsay Lohan's attempt at fashion design

2009-10-22T02:49:00.000-07:00

Her collection for Ungaro was met with harsh criticism and I can see why. She designed dresses which were very short and tight. They make me think that wearing them is equal to not wearing anything at all. Also, there were blazers worn as blouses, unfastened over tight strapless bras. These are extremely fantastical.

Let me go to the graphic prints now. They were made of mostly hearts and glitter. It surely does reflect her own tastes but she had forgot that the brand she was designing for counters them, specifically the hearts. They seem more suitable for little girls' fashion, besides her pink dresses.

Reading from books versus from the Internet and audio

2009-09-13T01:40:00.000-07:00

Tradition has maintained that reading means doing so from books, whether paperbacks or hardcovers. I've never strayed from this physical entity.

Though audio books are available in the market, they cost more than real books. Their attraction is the bringing to life of the writer/ narrator's thoughts which had been done so in word form. Reading becomes a whole new experience. At the same time, Siva Choy brought up a very valid point. The spelling of students will suffer due to the fact that they are unable to read the words and see them on pages. Listening to the words being read aloud will improve merely their oral pronunciation of words.

With the advent of Internet technology, e-books have been created. Words appear on a screen instead of on a page. This effects the probability of causing one's eyesight to deteriorate, as he strains his eyes to read the e-book. Moreover, it requires more effort to use, as the reader has to scroll down to the bottom of the screen in order to read a page. In addition, it is in greater danger of being stolen due to its high monetary value. Lastly, an e-book disallows literature students from making notes next to, or highlighting certain parts of, the text for simultaneous reference and study purposes.

Both audio books and e-books present the opportunity to read on the go but in my personal opinion, they dilute the traditional and real experience of reading from books in the physical sense.

Ms Singapore Universe's national costume

2009-08-19T03:44:00.000-07:00

The ultimate choice for the costume was a pink gown with orchid petals attached to the back. There are critics who are deadly against it. I think it is simple and yet outstanding, as compared to other countries' costumes, like that of Panama's. In comparison to last year's Merlion costume, it is prettier. I am not really passionate about the scale-like design on last year's. It does showcase our national icon but it looks bizarre.

Ion Orchard: a dazzle!

2009-07-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

Life ran a full-length feature on its highlights and perks. Looking at the picture of its public loos already leaves me bedazzled. I do not mind not being a VIP who can gain access to the $10 000 restrooms. Even though different terms are used for the same place, the public ones are very spacious and the huge mirrors in the middle definitely makes one's vanity checks more luxurious. :)

I am enticed by the fact that the architectural design was inspired by Orchard Road's history as a real orchard. Its history has been resurrected through Ion! I also am happy to note that all the shops are easily visible and reached. I am not a consumer who goes for designer brands and so I will immediately go to the basement levels.

I am very excited about the food outlets. Canton-I seems to be as good as Crystal Jade. I must go and try its food. :) I know my mum would have looked forward to eating there. I will go on her behalf then. ThreeSixty Marketplace has Fortnum and Mason products on its shelves. I am ecstatic! It is the English queen's grocer, for your information. I went to its original location in London. Its products are gourmet in nature and its cakes are the traditional kind! I was so excited to see Victoria Sandwich cakes. Its wedding cakes are those worthy of being at a royal wedding. Its window displays will cause you to take a second glance at. Ginza Bairin's tonkatsus and Katsu sandwiches sound delicious, and so do R Burger's Asian burgers. Ooh, what about Tsukiji Gindaco's takoyaki balls and AOBA Ramen's shoyu ramen?! I will wait till the crowds die down though. I hate crowds.

The Sunday Times featured an article on the food offerings in Ion. There has indeed been a long queue for Tsukiji Gindaco's takoyaki balls, since they originate from Japan. difference though is that they are crispier than takopachi balls. The latter, which can be found at outlets like Junction 8 and Bugis Junction, is still soft on the outside, and I prefer this. Also, I prefer its smaller serving of 3 balls, as compared to Tsukiji Gindaco's 6. Thus, I guess I may not try this new fad after all.

The picture of Ginza Bairin's Katsu sandwich is enticing. The pork cutlets look pristine white in the centre, indicating they are well-cooked, while their breaded batter looks crispy. My tastebuds are reacting to the picture! The sandwich comes as finger portions and costs $9.10, a tad expensive for my pocket. Modern Peking Duck serves its duck skin slices in crepes at $6 for 5 pieces. This is a rather reasonable price but the health factor of this delicacy is on a low level, to be frank. The Chicken fenugreek tikka kati roll from Go India Express has the same issue with me. It is more expensive at $6 for 2 pieces and using prata as the roll decreases the health factor of the dish. The Taiyaki falls into the low health factor category as well.

I went to the supermarket ThreeSixty Marketplace and it is full of exotic products. In the deli section, I saw an unusual pre-made dish which merely needs to be put in the oven before eating. Bell peppers are filled with minced beef and shredded cheese. There are unusual canned products as well, in the form of butter beans and refried beans. I spent a rather long time in the baking needs section, where I bought ready-made graham pie crusts. I hope to make pies and cheesecakes with them. There were more varieties of Hawaiian Host chocolates, for example, Jewel. Exotic fruits and juices were also displayed in their various sections. The last attraction for me was the huge single portions of cheesecakes and brownies, as well as the exotic desserts served in covered plastic cups. Of course, their prices are expectedly high.

High heels and flip-flops per se

2009-07-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

I've never liked stilettos because I know that despite their ability to make women look taller, slimmer and sexier, they cause long-term damage in a physical sense. To compromise my bodily functions for vanity is not worth doing. I love kitten heels though. They may not be as sexy as stilettos, but they are better for my legs. I have to wear flat shoes due to my arthritis, but I disagree with Sumiko Tan's opinion that they make me look old. I love them, as I feel like a ballerina in them.

It is true that regardless of brand name and price, high heels still do damage to the wearer's legs. I especially like A.A.Gill's humorous opinion on high heels. They are the modern version of the feet-binding which women in ancient China had to endure. Sumiko Tan equates the act of forgoing high heels for a month to let her legs recover to a short-term sacrifice, and the wearing of stilettos to a long-term pleasure. I hope she is just being satiric here, as the short-term sacrifice should really be forgoing high heels for lower ones, and the latter be maintaining healthy legs.

Like stilettos, flip-flops are harmful for our feet. However, Trove Tkees supposedly makes them look better. The range is named after makeup essentials, and seek to enhance our feet's appearance. Though flip-flops offer comfort to their wearers, they have thin soles, which give very little support to our feet. Again, is comfort worth obtaining at the expense of health?? Also, no matter how comfortable they are, they are definitely not suitable for formal occasions such as meeting the State President, even if their designs are sparkly and pretty. Blame the Y-shaped straps they have as their basic design.

The price of vanity

2009-07-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

A housewife was found dead after having consumed a slimming drink. It caused her to physically weaken as a result. Andrea D'Cruz needed an organ transplant after having consumed slimming pills which had an adverse effect on her body.To maintain a good figure, it seems that one must destroy one's body in the process.

I have heard of slimming drinks that strive to be appealing in taste, by introducing delicious flavours such as chocolate. The truth is that we need food from all 3 groups for our body to properly develop. If we fear putting on weight, we can reduce our carbohydrate and meat intake, while increasing our consumption of fruits and vegetables. Believe it or not, sleep helps us lose weight too. I am a personal testimony to this truth. When I sleep enough, ie. 8 hours, I actually lose weight and vice-versa. Science has advocated the fact that we burn about 70 calories an hour as we sleep.

Perspiring shoppers

2009-06-12T23:16:00.000-07:00

A girl was stopped by a shop's staff member from trying clothes on because she was perspiring after her exercise session. As a result, her sister who was with her, expressed her unhappiness on a forum. I feel that there is no justification for this rant. If the girl was a considerate customer, she would have freshened up or brought clothes to change into.

Even if she was allowed to try the clothes on, it does not mean that she was doing the right thing. The staff member was probably too polite to say anything. It is so true that she would leave her perspiration and even body odour on the clothes. It would be so repulsive for other customers after her. After reading about this, I feel disgusted at the thought. How many businesses will send their clothes for laundering at the end of the week, so that customers can try the clothes on with no fear of such dirt sticking onto their skin? With the H1N1 virus so rampant in the world, this is social irresponsibility! The staff member has the right to tell the customer to refrain from trying the clothes on, albeit in a polite manner. There will be other customers going into the shop, after all. She has to think of them too.

my London itinerary‏

2009-06-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

20th May: check-in at Millennium Gloucester Hotel, Gloucester Road station
dinner at Burger King(just landed, tired)

21st May: breakfast at Java Bean Coffeehouse, Gloucester Arcade, Gloucester Road station
Westminister Cathedral, Victoria station
Waterstone bookshop and Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross station
lunch at Golden Dragon and Imperial China, Gerrard Street, Piccadilly Circus station
Covent Garden Market, Marks and Spencers, Covent Garden station
dinner at Thai Taste, Cromwell Road, Gloucester Road station
Sainsbury supermarket, Cromwell Road, Gloucester Road station

22nd May: Waitrose supermarket, Gloucester Arcade, Gloucester Road station
lunch at Malaysian High Commission Students' Hostel, Bayswater station
Book Warehouse, Notting Hill station
Clarks, Ferrari shop and Caffe Concerto, Oxford Circus station
Whiteleys shopping mall and Tesco supermarket, Bayswater station

23rd May: breakfast at Richoux Tea Room opposite Harrods, Knightsbridge station
lunch at Harrods and then to Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge station
Hard Rock Cafe, Burlington Arcade and Fortnum & Masons, Green Park station
Whiteleys shopping mall and dinner at Gold Mine restaurant, Bayswater station

24th May: Westminister Cathedral, Victoria station
lunch at Giraffe and then to Waitrose supermarket, Brunswick Centre, and then to University of London, Russell Square station
Emirates Stadium, Arsenal station
dinner at Bugis Street Brasserie, Millennium Gloucester Hotel, Gloucester Road station
Holiday Inn hotel, Gloucester Road station

25th May: breakfast at Hung's chinese restaurant perpendicular to Gerrard Street & then to Little London souvenir shop, Piccadilly Circus station
The Science Museum, South Kensington station
lunch at Thai Taste, Cromwell Road, Gloucester Road station
Waitrose supermarket, Gloucester Arcade, Gloucester Road station
dinner at Bugis Street Brasserie, Millennium Gloucester Hotel, Gloucester Road station

26th May: Leeds Castle
lunch and to Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury
Dover
dinner at Bugis Street Brasserie, Millennium Gloucester Hotel, Gloucester Road station

27th May: Southbank Centre and Royal Festival Hall, Embankment station
W.H.Smith bookshop, Charing Cross railway station
lunch at Rasa Sayang, Macclesfield Street and to Claire's and HMV, Piccadilly Circus station
Borders and The Plaza, Oxford Street, and Liberty, Regent Street, Oxford Circus station
dinner at Cape Town Fish Market restaurant, Argyll Street, Oxford Circus station
Sister Act musical at Palladium theatre, Argyll Street, Oxford Circus station

28th May: breakfast at Richoux Tea Room opposite Harrods, Knightsbridge station
Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington station
lunch at Bugis Street Brasserie, Millennium Gloucester Hotel, Gloucester Road station
Java Bean Coffeehouse, Gloucester Arcade, Gloucester Road station
dinner at Tai Ka Lok, Gerrard Street, Piccadilly Circus station
Haymarket and Little London, Piccadilly Circus station

29th May: breakfast at Duke of York Square, Chelsea, Sloane Square station
Waterstone bookshop and Peter Jones, Chelsea, Sloane Square station
lunch at Bugis Street Brasserie, Millennium Gloucester Hotel, Gloucester Road station

(Editor's note: my photographs are in my albums on Facebook)

Do Singaporeans dress badly?

2009-06-01T03:43:00.000-07:00

The first thing that comes to mind is how we dress down on Sundays. People in bermudas, shorts, T-shirts and flip flops litter Orchard Road. Some ladies wear more decent-looking bottoms via mini-skirts. Perhaps this is our way of letting loose after a hectic working week. I join in this 'trend' as well, albeit a skirt and sandals/shoes instead. To wear flip-flops and shorts seems rather too casual, I feel. This is especially outstanding, in a negative way, when we enter restaurants.

On the contrary, we tend to dress up for a musical at the Esplanade or Victoria Theatre. This type of event deviates towards the cultured in its nature, hence the more formal attire donned by Singaporeans. This is in contrast to how the Londoners dress for one. I had recently watched Sister Act the musical in London and saw a male member of the audience in a tank top. I guess this is due to the fact that watching musicals is part of their lifestyle. Look at the number of musical theatres London has!

Wearing PJs out is a definite taboo. It should be reserved for home. Even other nightwear like nightdresses or sexy lingerie worn on its own, is within this category.

Upcoming shopping malls

2009-03-20T01:35:00.000-07:00

There are 7 new malls in the making and at least 2 malls which will be revamped. I understand that the government wants us to spend more so that the economy can recover, but the crux of the issue is that most of the retail businesses are international fashion brands. How many consumers can truly spend their money on such designer wear like water? I quote Mr Foong King Yew's view to support my stand: "In good times, consumers are freer with their purse strings...".

I feel that it would be more practical to have lower-priced retail outlets for the consumers. After all, many retrenchments have taken place. Such people are just using their savings for their expenses. There are some mid-priced outlets to be included in the new malls but more of these would be ideal. More people would patronise the malls and actually purchase things from them then. Perhaps low-priced outlets like This Fashion and FOS can be included too.

Ageing well and pink courtesy of New Paper 15th Feb

2009-02-17T23:49:00.002-08:00

1) A good skincare routine: tight skin means excessive cleansing.
I've experienced tightness. Guess I must let my skin take a break when that happens.

2) Wear less make-up.
I'm probably an oddball who doesn't put makeup before going out but now I can safely advocate this point. :)

3) Sleep well, drink more.
Yes, sleep is essential for glowing health, and for losing weight. Each time I weigh myself after having slept late the night before, my weight increases. Water too, is a miracle elixir. It cleanses our body system and gives us good skin.

Yeoh Wee Teck likes the colour pink too and I am reinforced in my liking of it. I've felt negative vibes towards my liking of this colour. Does it make me too cute and childish? Who has the right to comment on and dictate my tastes? See, even a guy likes it. He even recommended an Adidas watch in bright pink, which is similar to one I have and looks so cool. Eat your heart out!

National Geographic Museum

2009-02-17T23:38:00.000-08:00

I went to this museum at Vivocity. It is a place of wonders, filled with history, landscapes and portraits. Little photography exhibitions and archaelogical discoveries are testimony to that. They even sell equipment meant for children, so that they can participate in the studies pertaining to the world's hidden wonders. Children can be egyptologists, scientists and underwater explorers through these.

I saw an exquisite medicine cabinet used to store Chinese medicinal herbs as well as photographs on the frog world. The latter was so visually spellbinding with their vivid colours and larger-than-life dimensions, courtesy of the photographers' skills.

This brings me to Solomon Lim's article on discovering. He laments on how locals go for tangibles and bargains as compared to enriching exhibitions on the wonders this earth has. I remember how people were goggle-eyed at the Siamese Twins and even at executions in ancient times. Being amongst the few appreciative people in the museum made me feel cultured but more importantly, it was a fruitful visit. My mind was exposed to the wonders of history and the natural world. My eyes beheld such awe-inspiring physicals and I learnt so much more about our earth. I definitely agree with him.

Aunty Elaine's house: full of treasures

2009-02-08T23:35:00.000-08:00

A hanging ornament reminding me of a childhood game which used paper to tell my fortune; somewhat like origami. I like the patterns on the paper, very Japanese.

A Chinese knot ornament: the fan shapes make it more elaborate and unusual.

This was on a calendar and its simplicity struck me. The lilac background contributed to the simplicity.
"Chun" means spring and youth.

Bath, in England, is where the character the Wife of Bath in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales was based on. I would love to go there, a place so rich in literary history.

Another Chinese tasseled ornament: the paper lantern is reminiscent of CNY decorations my classmates and I used to make in school and those my late mum used to make for our home. She had always been an artistic lady.

Another Chinese ornament: like the pink flowers.

During CNY, the host uses her most beautiful cutlery for her guests and Aunty Elaine's no exception. This is really a small fork holder with small forks inserted into it. This is in the shape of a banana. I found it intricate and cute. Even the forks are designed in the shape of bananas!

These are in the shapes of a custard apple and a mangosteen!

My Chinese zodiac sign: a rabbit. This is one of the 12 animal ornaments she bought from Chinatown to decorate her pussy willows. According to the Chinese zodiac calendar, there are 12 years in a cycle and each year is allocated to an animal. People who are born in a certain year have certain characteristics of that animal and these can determine their future.

Another Chinese tasseled ornament: "Fu" means luck.

A CNY plant: pretty in design and colour.

Art gallery onboard Legend of the Sea!

2009-02-08T01:01:00.000-08:00

A glass of champagne but painted amidst bold colours and graphics in the background, in an avant-garde fashion.

The death of Jesus and His Mother's grief portrayed in a sketch-like manner.

Love this landscape, so realistic, and the flowers look especially pretty. The ships in their cove look like a hidden paradise.

This looks so beautiful with the flowers adorning the place. Guess I have this thing about flowers.

Elegant ladies playing their musical instruments and sharing their melodies. I like the fashion in which this scene was painted, the colours give a New Orleans feel to it.

A very ethereal muse, in all her features; the purity of her face, the baby's breath in her hair and the chiffon sheath on her.

Appropriate for Valentine's Day, with hearts in the background highlighting a couple slow-dancing. The graphics used to paint the hearts make this painting post-modernist in style.

The colours combine to form this landscape, which is just so striking and gives off a velvety feel.

Such colourful flowers and clear blue skies surrounding a fountain; an idyllic landscape.

Yet another landscape painting where nature takes precedence. Love nature and so this painting is eye-catching. Wordsworth would second my opinion, I'm quite sure.

A different side of Earth

2009-02-08T00:05:00.000-08:00

The horizon of the sea, made up of the meeting between the sea and the sky. Such a combination of blues can only be created by God. Seems like evening time, since the tones of blue are not so bright.

An even more beautiful view of the sea, as if the waves are rolling in their foam.

A lone vessel on the waters amidst a perfect alignment of the sea and sky.

A huge ship with its funnel spewing out smoke, which is something
we neglect to admire.

A trail of ships "playing the game Follow the Leader". Such an adorable thing to behold. :)

Towel folding class

2009-02-06T23:45:00.000-08:00

A rabbit, my Chinese zodiac sign! :)

A dog, and I'm nuts about canines! Sigh...

An elephant, realistic! Like this one.

My disastrous attempt at an elephant. :S Obviously, I'm not the artistic type. Can't help laughing when I see this. Haha.

An alligator, apparently the simplest animal of all to fold.

Facilities onboard Legend of the Sea

2009-02-06T01:16:00.001-08:00

Mini golf course

Spa pool: the umbrella-like shelter gives it an unusual touch and one of exclusivity.

Casino: money either to give you or to get from you. lol. We got a voucher for US$8, which could be redeemed for the cash. Our CNY present!

Bar counter stocked with cocktail ingredients

Video Arcade: this machine puts in value into your passcard for you to play the games

Video Arcade game: shooting bears with a gun. It was difficult.

Video Arcade game: getting stuffed toys with the claw. It was difficult. How did the Amazing Race Asia players get it done?

My bed in the cabin: comfortable; slept so well. We took a Larger Interior Stateroom.

Mini-bar in our cabin: I took about 2 bottles of mineral water, costing US$1.95 each

Nightclub for teenagers

Club especially for children: parents can rest assured that the people in charge are experienced and qualified. Saw a group of kids embarking on an excursion.

Ben and Jerry's ice-cream parlour: orders are not free though.

Internet corner: spent about $50 on the internet, blogging and checking emails. More expensive than my monthly bill. Looks like I am addicted to it. :S It costs US$0.55 a minute and you swipe your passcard to pay.

Live music provided at Romeo and Juliet Dining Hall: the melodious and soothing tunes enthralled me.

A therapeutic-looking water feature to beautify the ship.

My trip to Phuket

2009-02-06T00:26:00.000-08:00

The last time I went there was back in 1983. It has been16 years.

The view from the cruise ship

The view of the hills from the cruise ship

Patong Beach with shops and eating outlets galore.

Patong Beach full of sunbathers. I even saw topless Caucasian women.

A rural area opposite the temple with the largest Buddha statue.

Central@Clarke Quay

2009-02-05T06:34:00.000-08:00

Unusual seats for tired patrons to rest on. Feel like I'm sitting on a stationary merry-go-round. :)

CNY's decorations

2009-01-21T18:36:00.001-08:00

Jumbo Seafood Restaurant's decor: Chinese scroll with the character for luck on it. It is so rare to see such a traditional emblem, with the ornate border and the calligraphic prose.

Hooked on Heads restaurant: Japanese bamboo lamp adorned with Chinese knots.

Japanese cranes at Central Mall, Clarke Quay to usher in CNY. They represent peace in the world, so apt in such times as these.

Fukubukuro Bag offered by Clarke Quay for a certain amount spent. Pretty!

Lanterns and beads hanging from the ceiling of Clarke Quay, so daintily pretty!

Tung Lok's Chinese lantern, so traditional-looking with the yellow peonies on it!

A Chinese lantern onboard the Legend of the Sea cruise ship: so Hong Kong-like with the Chinese junk on it.

This year is the Ox year and this metal sculpture caught the attention of many passengers who posed with it for photos

Calligraphy scrolls with a pom-pom flower ball dangling off the railing of the staircase

A table of mandarin oranges and sweets to usher in the Lunar Chinese New Year in the Romeo and Juliet dining room

Balloons in jelly colours to be released at the CNY countdown on the eve of the season.

Vincent's house: like these red baubles and tassels, so versatile for Christmas and CNY.

Clinique's makeup

2009-01-12T18:20:00.000-08:00

Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Fresh Rose: it looks so pretty on the model, not as red as what you see here.

Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo: the light pink colour is so sweet and feminine. Blended with the darker yet muted colour, it will look heavenly!

Fresh Bloom Allover Colour: I like the flower design on the powder, so pretty! Peony and Plum Poppy are nice colours to have.

First Blush collection: I absolutely love pink makeup. It makes one look so sweet and feminine. I especially like the eyeshadow and the blush but I guess this whole look is better on those with fair skin.

This is the makeup used on the model above: I like the pretty eyeshadow in Cherry Blossom.

This is the writeup on First Blush: "sweet and simple". :))

Striking things at Compass Point

2009-01-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

I like the combination of colours in this table set.

The combination of my favourite colours beckoned to me and the effect of the silver beads made the whole thing so attractive in my eyes.

The sign outside Breadtalk, that indicates the word "Bread" in different languages throughout history.

Evading the tricks of retailers with my shopping style

2009-01-07T06:52:00.001-08:00

The December issue of Her World ran an article on how retailers try to lure shoppers with offers. After reading it, I am more careful with my purchases as I keep in mind the methods they use to make me spend more.

I had the chance to avoid temptation while shopping at NTUC and Borders. I had bought Knorr Chicken Stock Cube with no added MSG at $1.40 for a pack of 6 cubes. At the payment counter, the cashier was kind enough to inform me of getting another pack which offered 2 free cubes at the same price. I declined to take up her offer, remembering that this is one of the methods used by retailers. I really don't need so many.

At Borders, I saw paperbacks sold at an offer of getting an additional copy for buying 2. I don't need so many books and none struck me. Besides, I have so many unread books waiting for me at home. So what if there is an offer? The question to ponder over is whether I actually need all of the items on offer.

These questions as I decide on my purchases help me save money. Even though we are urged to spend more money to help the economy recover from the recession, that can happen only if we have enough to spend.

Parkway Parade, must go!

2009-01-07T04:47:00.000-08:00

As you can see, the vast number of shops makes it difficult for me to take the whole directory board. There are 7 floors with food outlets, supermarkets, shops like Isetan, Borders and Watsons, a furniture mall, a medical centre and a fitness area. I had to zero in on the places I wanted to go to, after perusing the board, and even then 2 hours was not enough!

The blue, pink and white crystal decorations were the first things that struck me when I entered the mall. Love them!

I love the big roses on top of the greeting. They are in my favourite colours and the combination has a good visual effect!

So retro, this paper bag from Isetan! It has been a long while since I last got this for my purchases. I am glad Isetan is giving this bag design again. :)

My favourite makeup

2009-01-04T02:18:00.000-08:00

I put on makeup only once a year, on the average. It is really for performance purposes. I do have the urge to do so at other times of the year but am rather lazy to do so. Hehe. I strongly believe that makeup clogs the pores of the skin. Having to use makeup remover before bedtime is also cumbersome. Nonetheless, I still update my makeup when necessary and these are some of my favourite items.

I have favourite brands too. The primary factors are the price and the attractiveness of the colours. I recommend Silky Girl, CanMake and In2it for the cheap prices which even younger women can afford, and Maybelline for its products.

CanMake Clear Mascara: I am not confident with using coloured mascara, even the normal black one. My hands are shaky and mistakes are usually visible.

Maybelline Eyeshadow palette: I am absolutely passionate about shimmer eye shadows. The shimmer comes out more than the colours and this does not make it obvious that I am wearing makeup, which is fine by me. :) I learnt from my friend how to put on eyeshadow with my finger which is so much easier but I still have to work on my proportion of colours when I combine them. I also tend to neglect the outside corner of my eyes.

Another eyeshadow palette from Maybelline: I love the different colours provided, from pink to brown to blue in various tones. I use the darker blue for stage makeup and the lighter blue for pageant makeup. I blend them with biege.

Maybelline Blusher: This is rather unusual in packaging since it comes in a round compact rather than the rectangular compact. At the same time, it is easier to use for application, since it does not share space with a brush and thus has more to spare. Of course, this means that the brush must be bought separately.
Magazines have advocated cream blush over powder blush but the former is not as easy to blend into the skin as the latter.

In2it Pressed Powder: I prefer to use just this on my face before applying blusher and the rest of the makeup. In the past, I would use liquid foundation but I found that it created a layer on my skin and it seemed rather unnecessary. Hence, now I skip foundation and use 2 layers of pressed powder in place of the foundation.
I also love the baby blue compact. :)

Wet N Wild Lip Expressions palette: I got this as a free gift from an overseas teens' magazine. Magazines such as Shout, Mizz, Gurl Power and Bliss give freebies, and some freebies are makeup items like mascara, lip gloss, face wipes or in this case, lip colours.
The colours have good staying power and there is an additional MegaGlo colour for highlighting the face. I learnt from a magazine that using the finger to apply lipstick makes it look like a stain and more natural as a result, and I practised this tip on my concert night.

I found this blusher from Daiso and so it is obviously $2.
This is the front view. It has the texture of a lipstick though and is not powder blush.

This is the side view of the blusher in the previous picture. It is easy to use because it can be left intact in its case and directly applied onto the face, by holding the base of the case, after removing the cover.

This is what Daiso looks like. It is the branch at Vivocity.

This Clarins Eyeshadow palette was a Christmas present and I was over the moon upon receiving it. I have never received such an expensive brand of makeup and fell in love with the compact case too. Look at the amethyst on it! It looks so luxurious!

This is the inside of the Clarins palette. The eyeshadow colours are mainly brown, which is the present trend. There is a highlighter as well, to make your eyes bigger.

Bam! Just artistically hits me in the eyes!

2009-01-04T01:39:00.000-08:00

This is very Christmas-y in design and colours. The flower is seen at Christmas; is it a holly? Green is a Christmas colour. This bench is under a block at Serangoon Avenue 2. According to Celeste, the flower has a batik feel to it too. :)

The Christmas tree at the linkbridge from Basement 1 of Tan Tock Seng Hospital to Square 2. It is decorated in a very 'fresh' style, with green ribbons and butterflies, and yellow flowers. Nature has come alive here!

The Christmas tree at the entrance near the pharmacy of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. It is decorated in a Japanese style, with mainly red and white flowers as well as red and orange butterflies. The flowers remind me of the cherry blossoms in Japan. :) Unusual!

Two porcelain figurines of a snow couple at the drinks counter of SRC's Poolside Cafe. So adorable!

More dolling up!

2009-01-04T01:18:00.000-08:00

Audrey's silver long dress which is so boho-chic and trendy. Though she told me she bought it six years ago, it still looks new and more importantly, good on her. The choker she teamed it with completes her whole look. :)

Andrea's skirt is interesting because it reminds me of a patchwork design and this design works on a practical basis. Patchwork is usually seen on quilts. I think it is 'cool'!

Geraldine's pretty pretty nails in candy colours of red, yellow, blue, green and pink. Nail colours have come a long way since the standard ones of red and pink!

A pretty pretty turquoise shawl from Bangkok as my Christmas present. It is two-toned in light and dark turquoise, and the dark tone has a pattern on it. There is also an accompanying netted shawl that makes the whole effect more glamorous and formal-looking. :))

Never tiring of Coral Isle.

2009-01-02T23:20:00.001-08:00

I like the bright colour and the beaded embroidery at the neckline as well as the long sleeves make this blouse look glamorous. It has an Indian-like design. It is one of the latest arrivals too.

I like the bright colour and it is very suitable for Deepavali. Though it is very simple, the lilac and bright pink embroidery at the hem make it look very sweet.
:)

The focus is on the brown long dress. The orange border at the neckline makes a difference to it and the flowers at the bottom give it a feminine touch. I do like it so!

The focus is on the long dress. It is made up of a dark blue and black colour scheme. The lace panel at the top with the ribbon below it makes it feminine and yet formal-looking. I think it is rather suitable for Christmas. :) The blue embroidery at the hem contributes to the sweetness of this outfit.

An Indian shawl that looks ultra-glamorous due to the shimmery embroidery at the bottom as well as the satin material. It can be worn at Deepavali or at Christmas.

This is from the kids' collection, made up of a blouse and a skirt. The white blouse looks like a cheongsam top with its Mandarin collar, and has colourful flowers and butterflies embroidered on it, so that it does not look so 'unlucky'. The short red skirt has an unusual design made up of a plaid panel in the middle. Together, this combination can be worn by your young daughter for Chinese New Year.

This is from the kids' collection, a sweet-looking long dress where there are flowers embroidered on the top portion while the bottom portion has little flowers closely scattered to one another, so pretty! The red ribbon tiers also make it pretty.

This is from the kids' collection, a long dress is simpler in design than the one above but the pink ribbons on it make it still look sweet and the pink embroidery on the top portion make it stylish. It can be worn for Christmas, in my opinion.

These are from the kids' collection. They can be worn for casual occasions like shopping trips and Chinese New Year. The red blouse may look plain but it has plaid borders and worn with the short plaid skirt, has a new look. It looks "very Burberry". The skirt on the left has a embroidered pattern made up of flowers at the waist, which does not clash with the plaid pattern but complements it, surprisingly. The blouse on the right has a embroidered logo-like pattern made up of birds and flowers and worn with the plaid skirt on the right, looks stylish. The skirt is rather unusual too, with a bow at the waist and embroidered flowers at the poufy hem.

Kids' hair accessories which are pretty and striking enough for Chinese New Year, especially the red ones and the bright pink one at the bottom. They range from clips to ponytail holders. My favourites are the yellow and light pink clip on the top left corner and the pinkish-purple beads with the flower on top, on the bottom right corner. This accessory is versatile enough to be either a ponytail holder or even a bracelet. :)

Incense sets are also sold and they come in a range of different colours, so pretty!

A close-up view of an incense set. It includes 2 flower candles, incense sticks and a porcelain tray. The flower candles are sold separately too, besides the normal type of candles.

Trinket boxes made of plastic. The designs are very Chinese in nature but I especially like the blue one. The cobalt tone is very striking.

More of Coral Isle!

2009-01-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

Another one of my favourites, with its three-quarter sleeves which had ribbons at the sides and its gathered waist to make it so lady-like. Suitable for Chinese New Year visiting.

Suitable for Chinese New Year visiting, with its Chinese knot embroidery at the neckline and yet so decent. Relatives will not be able to find anything wrong with it! :)

A camisole made of pure Indian silk. Its quality is obviously good because I can see the shimmer of its gold threads. It is in the boho-chic style, the trend for this year. Why not wear it under your sari for Deepavali, my Indian friends out there? :)

A simple, sweet blouse, primarily because of its frilly sleeves. It can be worn for the office under a cardigan or a jacket.

This long dress can be worn in cooler weather and it looks feminine due to the colour and the embroidery beside the buttons.

A pair of culottes which is unusual in its design. The material is thinner, unlike the typical denim, and the pink ribbon at the waist makes the culottes look sweet and feminine. Another factor which makes it striking is the embroidery at the side. (Front view)

Side view of the same culottes as shown above.

It is in the boho-chic style, the trend for this year. It is simple but the embroidery at the v-neckline makes it trendy.

It is in the boho-chic style, the trend for this year. I have a similar skirt and wear it with a white feminine blouse that has white roses at the three-quarter sleeves and a frilly gathered neckline.

Coral Isle rocks!

2009-01-02T06:13:00.000-08:00

Coral Isle on the 3rd storey of Centrepoint is having 20% and 50% discounts off its items. Go for the dresses and blouses on the racks. The salesperson is friendly and such genuine service is rare indeed. The shop will operate till 24th January. Here are a number of products that are striking:

This cloth bag costs $20 after 50% discount. It is simple but I like the blending of colours in a tier effect. It is just like one of my shawls whose colours are blended in a vertical effect. It has a zip to put my things inside and its material is thick enough to hold them. It is versatile enough to be brought everywhere, even to my workplace.

I love this light blue bag. It costs $20 after 50% discount too. Its material seems to be woven, which is thick, and its handle, plastic but giving the impression that it is wooden. It makes a suitable accessory for the upcoming Chinese New Year visits, good to impress your traditional relatives, and to put in oranges and red packets.

This long dress is one of the latest arrivals. It is definitely suitable for Chinese New Year. It is maroon in colour, a more subdued tone of red. To make it more decent so as not to incite frowns from your elders, a caradigan or a shawl can be thrown on. The embroidery makes the dress less drab and more lady-like; sweet-looking, with its pink flowery design.

This long dress is one of the latest arrivals. It is simple but the white flower design makes the dress less drab and more lady-like; sweet-looking.

The yellow long dress is very ethnic; very boho-chic, which is the trend for this year. It is the way the design is embroidered on the dress. The design also looks just like a huge choker.
The red dress next to it is pretty, and most suitable for Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day. The neckline makes the dress look decent with its gathers, and it has a little ribbon. The best thing is that its short sleeves enable it to be worn on its own.
The pretty dark and light pink flowers at the bottom make it romantic. I would wear it for a
date or a day wedding. :) It costs $45 after 50% discount.

This sleeveless blouse is one of the items from the Chinese New Year collection. Its light pink colour coupled with the light yellow embroidery at the v-neckline makes it suitable for Valentine's Day too. A camisole can be worn inside to make it more presentable when visiting your relatives. I like it!

The short dress on the left is made up of two different print designs. The flowery portion gives it its sweet aspect while the plaid portion gives it a trendy look, like the Burberry style.
The white long dress next to it is one of my favourites and one of the latest arrivals. It is simple and sweet with the pink flowery embroidery at the bottom. I would wear it for Christmas if I want to dress down for a change. :)

I especially love this white three-quarter sleeved blouse. It costs $25 after discount. It is very decent and is not transparent unlike white blouses in other shops, because of its thick material. It looks sweet with the embroidery on the top half. I would wear it to work as it makes me look approachable to my students.

This yellow spaghetti-strapped dress is another of my favourites. It is sweet and its flowery embroidery on the top half contributes to that. The bottom portion seems to be made of crinkled material.

Again, this long dress is pink but in a brighter tone. Yep, I love pink. The design is made up of squares. Wearing it with a cardigan on Chinese New Year would make it the perfect outfit.

This white long dress is one of the latest arrivals. It is simple but the blue embroidery makes it pretty and sweet.

This light beige skirt is one of the latest arrivals. It may look simple but there are little pretty touches to it. The ribbon belt and the white embroidered lines at the bottom make it less drab and more lady-like; sweet-looking. It is most suitable for work.

Yikes! Fashion Don't!

2008-12-31T18:49:00.000-08:00

I saw a middle-aged lady wearing a bright pink top and a green bottom. The prints clashed too. Is this the latest trend and am I unused to seeing it actually followed here in Singapore? No, I didn't take a picture. It would have been too rude.

I remember calling someone who wore red and green all over, even in her jewellery, 'Christmas Tree'. This lady was a semblance.

Then I saw a Caucasian lady wearing a white skirt with her blue underwear visible! My gosh! She was not aware of it. I wonder if it was on purpose or it was in ignorance.

Post-Christmas Sales at Centrepoint!

2008-12-30T00:44:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that Robinsons's having its Traffic-Stopping Sale and yes, the prices are low after discount. For instance, blouses from Le Range cost about $55 after a 20% discount from the original price of about $70 and some Embre blouses cost $33. Pollicini bags cost $20-30. There are some Pashmina shawls too. To me, the discounted prices are still too expensive but Robinsons has always been outside my league of shops. These brands are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Marks and Spencers too is having a 50% discount off its prices. Hush Puppies is having a 20% discount off and Club Marc has some items costing $5-20. Dano is having a 20% discount off its prices and Mango is having a 70% discount off its prices. These are on the 2nd floor.

Some other places on the 3rd floor should not be forgotten too. There is a pushcart selling Turkish handicrafts and it is having a closing down sale. Some items are rather unusual, like carpets and belly-dancing costumes. One of the costumes costs $89, just to give an idea of the prices.

My first camera, as you should have known by now.

2008-12-29T10:15:00.000-08:00

I bought the pink one as it looked the nicest and is my favourite colour. I've been using it a lot and uploading the pictures on my computer. :) It is the newest model PowerShot E1 at $319.
The image is taken from the Canon website: www.canon.com.sg

Striking Christmas decor(2): Joshua's house

2008-12-27T23:12:00.000-08:00

So simple, this crib set, but, is what makes it outstanding. Helped me focus on the spirit of the songs when carolling.

Candy-like tree with its plastic baubles.

Wine charm on the base of the glass, so classy-looking! It is a colourful wedgy flip-flop in blue and pink pastels. Reminds me of the bright pink slipper pendant I have.

Striking Christmas decor(1)

2008-12-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

The best so far in Vincent's
years of Christmas decor
for SFX Parish:truly magical
with the lights, and of course,
bringing out the TRUE meaning
of the season:Christ is born,
Alleluia!

Vincent's crib next to the sanctuary,
which never fails to fill me with awe
and which prepared me for the
Pageant before I went for the
technical run.

Vincent's "Robinsons' Tree"
outside the entrance,
ornamented with decorations
from the anchor store.

This is Vincent, my cousin.

Some Christmas outfits I found striking

2008-12-27T21:49:00.000-08:00

Andrea's outfit is simple, decent and yet trendy for girls her age. I wish I were her age so I can pair my strappy tops in this way too! Instead, I pair them with cardis. :S

Tricia's blouse is ethnic and so boho-chic, the upcoming trend for 2009. At the same time, it is suitable for Christmas on a more informal basis.

Mr Men has come back again! It was a popular cartoon and book character back when I was a kid, about 25 years ago. This is Theresa's top.

Mr Men has come back again! It was a popular cartoon and book character back when I was a kid, about 25 years ago. This is Marcus's top.

Christmas is popping out!

2008-11-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

There are more and more semblances of Christmas in the shops. Marks and Spencers has its recommended gifts for all ages and types of people, its cards and wrappers at its Centrepoint branch.

Early Christmas!

2008-10-29T22:45:00.000-07:00

It's only late October and yet I see little touches of Christmas popping up around town. Oh, this sounds so literary! It can be the first line of a poem!

I first heard about Christmas rearing its head from my cousin who told me that Robinsons has its trim shoppe up. I went to the one at Centrepoint and I felt like a little girl all over again. There were musical boxes, train sets, trees, ornaments, tinsels, cards. I had a wild time walking through the section. A certain ornament caught my eye and I looked at it more than once. It is a handspun glass chandalier in a black box with a transparent plastic cover. It costs $19.90. It was so intricately designed, "so pretty" as my best girlfriend Gi would say.

I was at Marks and Spencers yesterday and christmas themed candles are up on its shelves! The outlet at PS has 2 scents: Mandarin, Clove and Cinnamon, and Frankincense and Myrrh. It is a big candle, with scented wax filling a glass holder. I had been waiting for them for a long time. My excitement was evident when I saw them. The same scents are available as room sprays and potpourri too. Then I went to the one at Centrepoint. It has more candle scents like Spiced Apple and Winter Frost.

Wedding Stickers

2008-08-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

A girlfriend asked me where to get wedding stickers and I chanced upon this shop named Sunshine at People's Park Centre. It sells the word "Xixi" in sticker form and there are various sizes too. The shop also sells traditional tea sets and other accessories for Chinese weddings.

Living stylishly

2008-08-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Ways to enjoy life without spending a cent:
Get engrossed in a good book.
Taking scenic drives
A massage from a friend after a hard day's work
Having friends over for tea
Being creative
Snuggling under the covers in bed on a cold, rainy day

If it is your treat at a posh restaurant, make it lunch instead of dinner. Lunchtime set meals and buffets can be almost a third cheaper than dinner, saving you a bucket of money.

Ways to get things for free:
Take part in every contest available to win that dream car, condo or holiday.
Look out for goodie bag giveaways at exhibition and product launches.
Ask for anything nicely, with a "please" and a smile.
Swap or barter with friends.
Get free makeovers at cosmetic counters and ask for samples afterwards.

Things to do:
Bond with your pet.
Watch a ballet
"You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world." Little sparks of kindness can build a roaring fire.
Write a journal entry every day.
Indulge yourself by hosting a "Night of Guilty Pleasures" for you and your closest friends. For entertainment, view DVD films, play games and take many photos.
Go for vintage books, scour second-hand bookstores for classics at much cheaper rates.

Sun Plaza

2008-08-22T02:12:00.000-07:00

This shopping mall in Sembawang estate has been there for a very long time but I explored the place rather thoroughly for the very first time today. It is a rather good place to be at for the whole family.

There is a cineplex on the top floor while Kopitiam and Sembawang Community Library are on the floor below, which are juxtaposed with shops like Sembawang CD store, 2 gift shops, Yamaha and Mount Zion Christian Book Store. The stalls in the food court sell various types of food. I recommend the Roasted Delights stall. The Roasted Duck Rice is a good choice. The only thing lacking is Malay/Indian food. The CD store is having a sale, like its other branches in other malls while the Christian Book Store is good for Christian literature and inspirational cards/ bookmarks. They are selling 3 Pass It On cards for $1.

The library is way too noisy for adults to have a good read or relaxation there. Students from the different neighbourhood schools flock to use the computers there. They make such a ruckus by playing or talking loudly to one another, oblivious to the irate stares of the people around them. Their parents stand near them but are indifferent to their antics. They probably think it is the librarian's job to get them to keep silent! Such useless parents. I was so close to getting them to shush. The librarian spoke to two of them to ask them to leave. I heard one of them scolding his friend for getting him into such a situation even though they were outside. Also, the magazines on display are rather limited in range and the teenage as well as adult collections are located in shelves seemingly cramped together and yet in a haphazard manner, in the middle of the library.

The storey below has shops like Popular/CD-Rama, This Fashion(a rather small and cramped shop though), Singtel and Sakae Sushi. The 1st floor is not very impressive while B1 has outlets like Central Bakery, Fast Food Delights(the Otah smells so fragrant and there are items like Kueh Tutu and Cup Corn), Eu Yan Sang, Mr Bean, Bangawan Solo, NTUC, and Guardian Pharmacy.

Chinese New Year 2008

2008-08-22T02:10:00.000-07:00

Lin Ying, this is for you. :P I like a rather quiet Chinese New Year and this year's season was just that. I don't like having many people gather at my house which isn't very big, and having to serve them with drinks and goodies. Being the daughter of the family means having to help my parents do this.

We had our reunion dinner two nights before Chinese New Year and this is really more convenient. We get to order food from the menu and not a meal made up of many courses, when there are only 5 of us in our family. We save on price and quantity in this way. Raw Fish Salad was obviously one of the items.

On the eve, I had dinner with my parents, since my brother and sister-in-law had to go back to her family for reunion dinner. We had Peranakan food since my dad is a Baba. Then I watched the annual variety show by Mediacorp. This year's show was really dull and even the other show on Channel U sponsored by Carlberg was dull too. I noticed some celebrities appearing on both shows. I wondered how they could rush to both shows when the shows were filmed at the same time. Perhaps the venues were near to each other.

What I like to notice in this annual show is the outfits they wear as well as the festivities at Chinatown. These two segments didn't really disappoint. I try to stay up as late as possible due to this belief that it will give my parents a long life. I know it isn't true but I still do out of filial piety. I stayed till after 3am. I watched a period drama movie starring Cecilia Cheung and Louis Koo. This love story was really moving and it brought me to tears, being the sentimentalist I am.

On the first day, I went for mass to pray for blessings. It's usual to wear new clothes too. I wore a dress I had bought from China. I felt elegant as I went out in it. Then upon reaching home, I gave my parents a red packet. Though I'm unmarried, it is filial to give one to them. I spent the whole day at home just watching television programmes and surfing the Internet. It may sound boring to some people but I like this type of quiet celebration. My parents went to their friends' place in the night but as I dislike crowds, I refrained from joining them. The wonderful thing is that I still got many red packets via my parents.

On the second day, I went for lunch with my parents and we ate another round of Raw Fish Salad. Then I went to my cousin's place and I had a greedy time gobbling down New Year goodies. :P I liked this visit because it was a small group of 4 people. We stayed for dinner before going home. I got more red packets on the third day when I went for choir.

I also shared some of my own goodies with my non-Chinese friends. It is a joy giving. All in all, I am glad I maintained the total amount of money I have always received from my red packets, even though I am older now.

Different cultures are used to different codes of dressing

2008-08-22T02:09:00.000-07:00

A half-naked foreigner was seen at a MRT station and this evoked various reactions. Perhaps Singapore, being an Asian country, is unused to such 'free' and "casual" dressing. I have a friend who is residing in Perth and he told me that some of the men over there do take trains with merely their bermudas, due to the extremely hot and dry climate. I guess personal comfort takes precedence over codes of dressing for them.

Numerous degrees

2008-08-22T02:08:00.000-07:00

Mr Alvin Tan has at least three to four degrees under his belt. He studied for another after having attained a double-degree. He then did another one before he stepped out into the working world. He is just another one out of the graduates who have more than one degree as their qualifications.

I had the intention to obtain another degree after my Literature degree. I wanted to either go for a Masters' degree in the same course, do a Linguistics degree, a History degree or even a Psychology degree, since I deal with children and youths. Certificates in Teaching were also on my agenda. However, I think I have to give this up since it requires finance, time and effort. I don't have the luxury of the former, which is really the essentiality here.

The power of books

2008-08-22T02:06:00.000-07:00

Tan Shzr Ee wrote in the Straits Times about her intense passion for books. I share the same passion and I devour most genres, like chic-lit, spirituality, cookery, self-improvement, legends, mysteries, horror and fairy-cum-princess stories. I even venture into Chinese books, primarily on self-improvement. This is excluding women's magazines. As a result, I have acquired a great sense of knowledge which I share with others when I feel the need to.

She brings them with her to cafes and I too, must have at least one book or magazine when I go out. I take them out to read when I am on the bus or train, and when I eat alone. It helps me feel less insecure especially when I eat alone. I especially love reading magazines when I'm waiting for my turn at the doctor or dentist, and while I'm having my hair styled at the hair salon. The issues range from a couple of years to a month back. I usually go for the local ones though. The foreign ones seem exactly that to me.

She has some unfinished books and that makes two of us. Some books I buy look interesting only when I chance upon it while browsing but when I actually read it at home, it is too profound. Others are bought as a rash decision and later evoke regret in me. She also mentioned no obligation to pursue these relationships but as I'm a serialistic learner, I feel the obligation to. I can't read more than one book at one time and even if I attempt to do otherwise, my unfinished books will haunt my mind. I must finish one before embarking on the next literary journey.

When I read the same book another time, I discover new insights and the narrative becomes clearer. Mysteries become easier to unravel. It is more convenient for her to have a buffet of books but due to my free time, I can be a serialist. I like it this way.

A Dickensian Christmas and a technology-free decision

2008-08-22T02:04:00.000-07:00

A Christmas party was held at Raffles Hotel and the theme was really brilliant. Victorianism as a literature paper is my favourite to read. The dress code was restricted to the era which Charles Dickens lived in, the fare was Victorian food and even the games were classic, including a quiz on various well-known figures in literature and the mass media. I wish singing traditional carols together could have been on the agenda though. It was a Victorian way of living.

Low Shi Ping made the decision to be without technology and she chronicled the process in an article. It led me to wonder how we had managed to survive without pagers or handphones 20 years ago. It probably helped us to instill more self-discipline within ourselves when we arranged outings with one another. We had to ensure we were punctual for our appointments. In a way, now that we have handphones, we have the liberty to change the time or venue anytime we wish to.

I remember turning off my handphone on a few occasions and people complaining that they were unable to reach me. Somehow, it gives me a sense of freedom not to expect to pick up calls or answer messages, and yet it makes me feel too that people do not bother to contact me. After a short while, I turn it on again so that I feel thought about. My insecurity wins the day. :S I am thrilled each time I check my emails or turn on my handphone, and discover many messages or missed calls.

I never fail to check what emails I have and which friends I have online on MSN each time I log on to the Internet. The former is more urgent now that I am expecting replies from employers.

She mentioned how she could not inform her interviewee that she was in a traffic jam and thus would be late. We probably had this problem too 20 years back but I believe traffic was not so congested and heavy then. There were fewer vehicles on the road as people were not so well-off and the economic situation was not so rosy. We had more chances of being on time for our appointments.

She is staying loyal to the technology that is such a dominant part of our lives. I can understand her reason for that but seriously, a handwritten card is more personal than an e-card, and spending time with someone or talking to someone on the phone is more intimate than sending messages to him.

Wedding celebrations (2)

2008-08-22T02:01:00.002-07:00

Lately, the rising costs of living have affected wedding costs too and this means a bigger red packet for wedding dinners. $100 has now become the average amount.

I agree with Nelson Quah's letter that some expenses in terms of time and money, pertaining to a wedding, do not have to be incurred. I think it is the feelings shared between the couple that is the essentiality. Yes, they want to announce to the world out there that they have found each other and to share their joy, but the love and joy that radiate from them are testimony enough, don't you think?

I have attended some 'Oscar-worthy' wedding celebrations and they deserve to be mentioned.
At my sister-in-law's sister's wedding dinner, it was simpler than the normal ones, a reflection of the couple's simple and mature characters. Though they were egged on to give a long kiss, they gave a short one in order to please those who asked for it and yet to respect the elders present. The bride spent more time with her family at her table and after the mass toast on stage, they just took photographs with the various tables. The games and performances usually seen at dinners were done on an earlier day or even omitted.

At Ting's wedding lunch, though the solemnization was held too, it was informal and intimate, a perfect match of qualities. There were only 3 tables. When she came into the room, it was not in a processional manner. She had time to mingle with us before the exchange of vows. The lunch was a buffet with all the courses offered. She did not even go for a change of gown and so she had a lot of time with us after the ceremony. It was in a private setting, as such she could take many photographs with her guests. There were no speeches, toasts, games or performances.

We really got to spend time with her, which is highly unusual during a normal wedding dinner, and even managed to arrange our next outing. Due to the close proximity of tables, I got to know someone who was from our former company too. Her mum even warmly thanked us for our presence and we could actually look at her photo album with her while giving our comments. She also plans to have just the customary wedding without a wedding dinner. Couples, sit up and take note!

A woman's body worn on a man's body

2008-08-22T02:01:00.001-07:00

This title sounds illogical but it is based on a T-shirt that Rain wore to an award ceremony. He had worn a T-shirt that showed the upper half of a woman's nude body.

The point here is not that he as a celebrity created a scandal by his choice of fashion, but that anyone with such a choice in clothing is really mentally sick. Yes, I am a female and hence am more affected by this than if I were a male. It is an insult to the female gender, isn't it?

It's bad enough that we see females already flaunting their real bodies through low-cut tops and plunging gowns. This T-shirt just adds to it.

Proud of having orthopaedic problems??

2008-08-22T02:00:00.000-07:00

Urban ran a feature article on wearing high-heels and the solutions to wearing them with comfort. There was a side story on this user who wears them very often. I felt repulsed upon noting her reaction to her feet problems. She actually feels proud of having the same situation as Hilary Clinton.

Her problem is not a small issue. I'm having a foot problem too but it's due to a contrasting reason. I wear slippers too often. The pain can be excruciating. I won't want to risk vanity above my mobility.

A 'White Christmas' in Singapore?

2008-08-22T01:59:00.002-07:00

When the year is about to end, we see Singaporeans dressed in jackets and cardigans. It's rather ironic given Singapore's tropical climate but coupled with the rainy season, the air-conditioners are switched on at full blast. We get to experience a 'wintry cold' Yuletide season as a result.

I remember having to endure an air-conditioned working environment of the lowest temperature on the remote control. There was no way we could permanently adjust it because each time we did, it would be returned to the original temperature. Out came my jackets and cardigans to cope with the cold environment.

Our little island is so artificially cold in not so crowded shopping malls and eating outlets too. I need to whip out my cardigan whenever I enter one. Now that my immune system is not so normal, I get cold more easily and have to bring a cardigan with me whenever I leave the house. This also means I must include cardigans on my shopping list as well.

Power dressing through colour choices

2008-08-22T01:59:00.001-07:00

Recruit had an article on image pertaining to job interviews, which was written by Elaine Heng. She included a column on colour symbolism and I would like to share with you the colours which influence my fashion choices.

I have included bright colours in my wardrobe, which create a contrast to the light and basic colours I have in there as well. I am now open to yellow and orange tops. I feel that yellow especially, puts me in a happy mood. I've never liked red though. I find it too glaring though it can be paired with black to tone its brightness down. I've a black gypsy skirt but it can be rather formal and cumbersome. I seldom wear it as a result. I usually limit black to either bottoms or dresses. Besides the black pants which are versatile and have a slimming effect on my legs, I have a black dress which has a special significance to me. I have never bought another one.

Funnily enough, my taste in fashion has gone through a rather tremendous change with age and even Yianlin was astounded at it. Hehe. Instead of being inclined towards more practical designs and colours in their classic nature, as my age accords me to, I have deviated towards girly, sweet and feminine clothes. I'm not trying to look younger here but I just like clothes like this. I can't even figure out when my tastes had changed but I actually have been in this phase for a long while. :)

My all-time favourites are blue, white and mint green. My Christmas outfits are usually made up of these colours. Blue is very soothing while white represents purity. I do have brown tops but somehow I think I look dreary in them. I have gray and lilac in my wardrobe too. Thank you for reading my colourful tale of Fashion in my Closet!

Theme businesses

2008-08-22T01:58:00.001-07:00

There has been a recent sprout of such service outlets especially in the Asian region. The latest one that is being built is a hotel in China. It is located in a cemetery, which is the basis for its death concept. The rooms are similar to vaults and the bed in them are coffin-like. There are no amenities like those found in normal hotels. Guests merely go to their rooms to sleep.

In Taiwan, there is a restaurant which has a toilet concept. The seats are shaped like toilet seats while the dishes which the food comes in are shaped like urinals. There is also another which has cells for the patrons to eat in, with bars to make them look like gaols. The third one is like a hospital where the drinks are served in bags with tubes attached to them, such that the patrons seem to be fed via intravenous drips. Unique or bizarre? Only time will tell.

We'll never tire of the 80s

2008-08-22T01:57:00.000-07:00

Tabitha Wang wrote an article on 80s music at the same time as David Turner had done last year. She mentioned Rick Ashley's music and yes, he is one of my favourite singers. Now my radio station is preset at 90.5 FM instead of 95.0 FM. It plays more of 80s and even late 70s music, which I grew up with. My Youtube account has such music as part of my favourite videos too.

She backs her love for nostalgic music by citing from Psychology Today, that nostalgia is good for us. It can make us more cheerful. I think it also makes us yearn for a past that is gone. The level of cheerfulness can be reduced by the inclusion of sorrow caused by this knowledge.

I am looking forward to the Star Awards Drama 25th Anniversary Show this Sunday. It'd be good to reminisce over the Chinese dramas I grew up watching. At present, I watch reruns of Mystery Night, Zero to Hero and the local version of X-files starring Edmund Chen, Ivy Lee and Nick Shen. The former still gives me the creeps.

Chic fashion at hypermarts

2008-08-22T01:53:00.000-07:00

Pearlyn Tham wrote an article on how hypermarkets stock up on clothes as well. I've been to Giant as well and have found some rather stylish separates and outfits at very reasonable prices there. I bought a purple long-sleeved blouse with an ethnic design from Giant at Turf City. I look forward to going back there again. Unfortunately, that branch as well as the one at Vivo City(see picture below) are rather far from my place. Now there's one at Parkway Parade too and the clothes there are a little different. There are more nightdresses for one.

Coping with higher costs of living

2008-08-22T01:48:00.002-07:00

Singapore's standard of living has been drastically rising with time and the costs of consumer goods are much higher at present. There are so many different varieties of the same products being offered now.

Bread was used as an example in an article pertaining to this. Sunshine is a good brand in terms of price and quality. I don't think it loses out to BreadTalk. In fact, it is much cheaper. It can be found in supermarkets, since the writer frequents them. Such basic goods have risen in price though and this reminds me of the post-war period.

The different brands of a product are differently priced. When I shop at the supermarket, I go for the item with the lowest price. With an essential like cooking oil however, it's health versus price. Olive oil costs much more than normal vegetable oil but it is healthier. I usually buy a blend of canola and olive oils, which has an average price.

The suggestion of shopping at wet markets and provision shops instead of supermarkets, to cope with the increased prices, was also given. I should consider this option. I guess I've been so used to the clean and comfortable conditions(alliteration!) as well as the organized structure of the latter.

Now I've learnt that I can get the precise amount of ingredients that I need and pay for that amount at the former. I've always thought wet markets are dirty and smelly. Still, this fact doesn't overwhelm the cheaper prices and more exact proportions of ingredients I can get there. When I get my food from the supermarkets, they come in portions that exceed what I really need, especially when I'm cooking for just one person. I usually have to either throw or give the remainder away.

The writer mentioned how she doesn't mind paying the peak-hour surcharge when she takes a cab. I have to take cabs for the moment due to my arthritis and encounter this too. The other day, Frances suggested waiting for 20 minutes to avoid paying the surcharge. It is a long time and cumbersome but I get to save money, now that my funds aren't really as much as before.

A reader sent his view on this article to the New Paper. Elvis Ng mentioned considering the usefulness of something before buying it. That is a very good habit to cultivate. Yes, it requires self-control and a rational mind but it helps save money.

I try to enforce this habit when I shop. Even though I go to cheap places like This Fashion and Popular, where I can get further discounts with my membership cards, I still do this. I'm trying to use it to deal with my weakness for books though it is very successful with my purchasing of clothes.

The true meaning of clothes

2008-08-22T01:48:00.001-07:00

Hong Xinyi had written an article which appeared in last week's Life. She mentioned how clothes are portrayed by the arts as depicting the particular time periods they are worn in. Once the book or movie is understood in its chronological context, with the help of the clothes the characters wear, it can be fully appreciated. An example is: the female characters are dressed in power suits with shoulder pads within them and this tells the audience that the story is set in the 1980s. Thus, the audience expect notions associated with that era to surface as they continue to get to know the story.

Sadly, the type of clothes worn by people in reality evoke biased judgements on them. If a lady wears an outfit that is not in sync with what is fashionable at that moment in time, she is seen as someone who is not trendy and thus is gossiped about. Do the clothes one wear determine one's true beauty, from within herself? Are clothes intrinsically linked to beauty? We were born without clothes, in case we have forgotten that. Our real beauty comes from the light within us, of all that is good.

Xinyi included a story entitled A Pair of Silk Stockings in her writeup. To me, the story is on the perils of consumerism and how it is strong enough to tempt one away from the important priorities in life. She gave a different perspective on it, that it can be a form of escapism that one can flock to when one is tired out from the burdens of life. It is a powerful story that affects people differently.

Proper etiquette

2008-08-22T01:46:00.000-07:00

My friend and I were out for dinner and I had Grilled Chicken Chop. I was actually teased a couple of times by other friends for the way I hold my utensils and cut my steak. This time round, I was complimented by Frances for the dainty and tidy way I ate.

Another thing about etiquette which irks me is the dressing of guests at wedding masses. I'm not referring to those ladies who wear spaghetti-strapped or strapless dresses. Yes, it is definitely inappropriate for a place of worship. In this entry however, I would like to write about those who dress too casually for the occasion.

A friend of mine and I dressed as we thought fit for a wedding mass but were asked by our friends why we were so formally attired. He wore a long-sleeved shirt and pants with dress shoes, while I wore a similar combination with heels. No, it wasn't planned that we would wear something alike. I was wearing it for practical purposes and he for etiquette reasons.

On the contrary, our friends wore jeans/capri pants and t-shirts, rather unbecoming, I feel. They didn't feel there was anything wrong with it though. We had to assist at the mass and our roles were more important, yes, but our attire really shows our degree of respect for the couple. Ironically, they actually dressed more formally for the wedding dinner. What a joke!

Wedding dress designs

2008-08-22T01:42:00.001-07:00

A bride I saw was very pretty and I loved her gown. It had cap sleeves and silver beads on it, and was slim in its design. It has become one of my dream gowns to wear but of course, it looks expensive. So that's an important factor to filter in.

I saw this video on Youtube where 98 Degrees' I Do (Cherish You) was set to Paige's wedding in Charmed. The dress she wore is yet another type I would like to wear. It has short sleeves made from lace and the lace makes up the material around the collarbone too. The dress itself is a modest satin design. It made her look pure and virginal, very 'girly'.

My holiday week

2008-08-22T01:37:00.000-07:00

I'm having a long break from tuition lessons since all of my students have finished the relevant papers for the mid-year examinations. I had 0ff-days from Monday to Thursday. I spent the time catching up on my reading and visiting the library. I am absolutely crazy over Bishan Library.

I am slowly progressing in my perusal of the December issue of Female magazine. I also bought 4 pairs of shoes to replace those I had broken with time, 2 pairs of slippers and 2 pairs of heels. Each pair costs only $21 on the average. They are a few of the prettiest pairs I have ever bought.

The heels were bought from BHG. One pair is in mint green with horizontal thin straps across the front and a blackish-silver butterfly at the side while the other is in white and has gold rims and is not so open-toed with gathers to make the front look like a bow and magenta swirls on it.

The slippers were bought from Charles and Keith and were on promotion. One pair has white and silver straps, with 3 bronze baubles in the centre while the other is pink with pink and purple roses at the side of the straps.

I'm still having relaxing schedules for my lessons and I intend to go to the library more often during these free days. :)

Office Slut?

2008-08-22T01:35:00.000-07:00

This may seem a harsh label to be placed on someone but there is a justification for it.

This working girl met someone for the first time at a Chinese restaurant and as I observed her as well as those at the table, she was the only girl inappropriately clothed for work.

Her blouse was short enough to expose her midriff and her extremely short skirt was made of denim with pleats at the hem. Though she wore high heels, the shoes certainly can't overshadow the fact that her dressing is more suitable for a shopping trip, a sexy date or an informal gathering.

That is definitely not the proper dress code for work! Yes, it may make her look sexy and show off her long legs but the occasion is undoubtedly wrong for her to attempt that style. She's definitely not in the world of The Devil Wears Prada, working for Miranda. If she is not an office slut, then what is she?

SPH's compilation of New vs Old Nostalgia

2008-08-22T01:34:00.000-07:00

The newspaper on Chinese New Year's Eve was awfully (in an archaic sense) interesting to read and I had a revelling time doing so. From cover to cover, memories came flooding into my mind as I lapped up detail after detail of days gone by.

Bras Basah Complex was the place where I flocked to when I wanted to find my literature texts for my degree. I did books that were on the Canon list and thus not popular with most people, since those that are, are usually 'trashy'. The hard-to-come-by gems of reading were also obtained cheap and I managed to find some guide books as well. Cliff's Notes with its signature yellow and black striped cover was the norm. They are inexpensive, expansive and good to refer to.

Cameron Restaurant has wooden booth seats for its patrons to sit at while eating. I remember eating at Swee Kee Chicken Rice as a child and if I'm not mistaken, there were booth seats there. I enjoyed the fragrant rice that came with the chicken. It is now brought back in the form of Rui Kee. I also remember sitting at such seats at coffeeshops I frequented when much younger. The banging and squeaky sounds made when I moved in to sit on them are still clear in my mind. The marble top tables with their wooden legs are still firmly etched in my mind's eye.

Dr Wu's house was featured and a picture of his living room brought me back to my younger days. I remember my grandauntie's house which had a glass showcase of ornaments. I was always fascinated with the ornaments inside the case but I could only gawk at them because I was forbidden to touch the fragile intricacies.

I also remember a black storage cupboard I had in my house. There was a shelf on top of a cabinet. On the shelf were banned items like Quality Sweets in its circular tin as well as plastic deep and round containers filled with either raw 'keropok' or freshly fried ones. I was a greedy child and used to steal lots of them to eat when no one was around. There was also a blue circular tin of butter cookies made in Denmark. I used to eat them in their various designs, one of each, after giving in to the temptation of opening the tin. In the cabinet were boxes of biscuits like Ritz crackers, the big ones, and Chicken in a Biscuit, the darker green package as well as the 'terong saji' used to cover food with.

One of the articles was on Chinese New Year of long ago. Happy Families was one of the card games played by children then. I remember playing this game when I was a child and it taught me to be polite in the process. I had to ask for the members of the families I lacked from other players in this manner: "May I please have Mrs.../ Do you have Mrs..." That was one of the childhood games I enjoyed playing.

The worth of following trends

2008-08-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

A Hong Kong woman clung on to her Louis Vuitton handbag when confronted by robbers. She was beaten up in the process and though they were frustrated enough to give up on it, she had to be warded.

She may have gained the satisfaction of retaining it but it was at the expense of her physical health. Was it worth doing that? She cannot bring it to Heaven when she dies.

Also, the thieves were attracted to her branded clothes as well. If dressing well brings such unwanted attention, then it seems foolish to dress so well, unless she desires such attention. This may be true since she still wants to dress in designer togs even after that scare.

A woman's leg was trapped in the gap while boarding the MRT train. It was due to the heel of her boot. As a result, metal plates had to be inserted in her leg.

The boots were newly bought and cost her $70. She may have been trying to catch up with the latest fashion trends but they were too expensive and nearly cost her a leg. Besides, it is impractical to wear boots in such a warm climate as ours and high heels are not beneficial to our feet. What looks nice may not be good and practical for us. It's really vanity that drives us to do such foolish things.

Again, was it worth wearing those boots to look pretty and getting injured in the process? Fortunately, she had learnt her lesson and decided to throw them away. In comparison, she's not as stubborn as the Hong Kong lady.

A spoilt generation

2008-08-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

Mindy Tan wrote in the New Paper that some parents are willing to spend $3K on their kids' parties. To them, it is a move that creates a balance with their kids' academic stress. Some parents claim that $3K is a "conservative estimate" and think that it's "ok to spoil them for a few years". However, this amount is too excessive and such enjoyment will just lead to the kids taking finances and their parents for granted. Thank goodness some parents are contented with having a McDonalds' party and some even throw parties for the less fortunate to teach their kids to appreciate their own lives.

It is the same rationale that can be applied to parents' excessive spending on toys and the latest technological gadgets for their young kids. Will the kids truly appreciate their parents' hard-earned money which has been used on them? They will ultimately get tired of their possessions and throw them aside, only to hanker after new ones.

My favourite music era - the 80s

2008-08-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

David Turner wrote an article on being stuck in this era and indeed, I'm guilty of such love in the first degree, since that was when I grew to love listening to music.

English sentimental hits or Chinese xinyao songs accompanied my schooldays and I still have a nostalgic feeling towards any song which belongs to one of these categories. When I search for music midis on the Net, I never fail to zero in on love songs of the 80s. I also have a cd set of television serials' theme songs from this era, as well as cassette tapes of ballads belted out by the singers most popular then.

Somehow, Chinese songs have a greater impact on me. I remember Ng King Kang's album entitled My Friends, My Classmates, Everything I Love The Most. I can even remember how the tune of this song goes! Jeff Chang was and still is my favourite singer. I love his ballads and his tenor voice. When the Campus Superstar contestants and Kelvin Tan sang 3 theme songs from the television series of the 80s era during the celebrations after the Star Awards, it was poignant for me too.

Gift exchanges

2008-08-21T10:42:00.002-07:00

This exercise is a common occurrence at Christmas and the most prevalent occasion for me is after mass. There is one thing that I can't do despite trying to. I may not like certain people but I still can't exclude them from my gift list. After all, to do so defeats the true spirit of Christmas.

I remember attending a Christmas party where there was a gift exchange with an alloted budget. I got a present that obviously cost more than the given budget and it showed the giving nature of the giver. He made sure the recipient would be fine with his gift, even if he had to spend more. It was a cushion in my favourite colour and it was adorable, really. Thanks Eric, for being so thoughtful. :)

I enjoy receiving practical gifts and Lydia is one of my favourite persons for that. She gives practical and well- thought-of gifts like body sponges and candle holders with candles inside.

Festive hampers are suitable for family recipients. They can be based on certain themes. I got one from St Michael's for a family. I could choose a few items within the given budget to put in a gift box. Nowadays though, I think food items are equally suitable. Getting a presentable box of chocolate biscuits or a log cake can satisfy the family too.

The wrapping of the gifts is important to me. Though I'm not an artistic person, I try to wrap my gifts well enough. I resort to wrapping them in a paper-bag style when I'm pressed for time or have problems with awkward-shaped gifts. It never fails to work.

Wedding celebrations

2008-08-21T10:42:00.001-07:00

Tan Dawn Wei wrote about the "fake-cake wedding(s)" she had attended. It was quite a dismaying fact to know that couples waste their finances on styrofoam cakes accompanied with slits for the knives to fit into.

It is true too, that people don't really admire the numerous gowns worn by the bride at the dinner and even if they do, it doesn't usually last for beyond a second glance. This also costs the bride her dinner, as she doesn't get to enjoy the dishes like the rest of them. Even the groom has that opportunity! One gown should be it and worn till the end of the dinner. At the most, intermittent touch-ups of her makeup can be done.

I've attended a few weddings that have seared themselves in my mind. I remember my friend who let her long hair loose in her wedding gown. That was a refreshingly simple alternative to hairstyles that require the brides to do their hair up and thus cause unnecessary weight on their heads through the accessories. Another friend of mine had her makeup done too excessively, such that she appeared ghastly.

I am repulsed by wedding dinners that include sabotage games organized by the couple's friends for the couple. They should be kept to personal entertainment, after everything has ended. Not everyone is into these and they can get too kinky for my liking.

The arrangement of guests at the various tables can be an issue for contentment as well. Putting incompatible people together can make the event very boring for them.

The food is yet another issue. I know of a wedding dinner which was different in this aspect but guests did not feel filled up. They were offered spa cuisine, which was served at very long intervals in between. This resulted in the guests rushing to gobble up the desserts served buffet-style, of which some were more filling than the earlier courses.

Eve-Wee-Ang wrote in to reply to Dawn Wei's article, sharing on her own wedding celebrations. Her celebrations seemed spontaneous and unrestricted. I wonder if other brides can be as fortunate as she was, considering the fact that cultural heritage is an essential factor in our society. She could wake up at 1pm for her ceremony.

Her dinner is the type of ideal yearned for, where there were speeches from the heart and a live band. It doesn't seem too rowdy. It is simple and yet unforgettable.

Condoms were given to guests at a wedding. How can they be appropriate as favours? What is the couple trying to advocate? Yes, safe sex but that may lead to promiscuity for the singles and adultery for the married people. It may be in the name of fun but that's not a socially good enough reason.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...as the song goes

2008-08-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

The place to be at during the Christmas season is Orchard Road, where it is decked out in decorations that bring out the mood of this occasion. Of course, the area around City Hall station is also decorated but the decor is simpler, with red balls intertwined amongst the lights.

I went down last week to have a closer look at the decorations that have been raved about by my friends and in the media. I like the Enchanted Forest theme thought of by Dick Lee, especially the coloured jewels hanging amidst the trees. Somehow, the theme brings back memories of having read magical tales weaved by Enid Blyton.

I fell in love with the 4 lighted trees situated at the junction where Hereen is. They are in colours of red, blue, green and yellow. They are really made up of fountains and coloured lights. They were beautiful and magical, a gaping sight to behold.

Those who have not gone down to take a look at Orchard Road, please do. It is worth doing it.

It's also exciting to look at the Christmas goodies sold. Cold Storage and Marks' and Spencer are my favourite places to go to. There are stollens, puddings, chocolates in Christmas-y packagings and Christmas cakes to name a few.

An appreciated break

2008-08-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

I am having a long break for this week, with no lessons to teach. So I'm trying to use the time to spend time with my parents, catch up on my reading, as well as prepare for my lessons, which I enjoy.

I'm also doing early Christmas shopping but in the process of doing so, I clash with students who're looking for their prom dresses. I've not gotten my dress yet but I've bought my shoes. :D I've bought most of my presents too. :) Well, I still have time to source.

Innovation in shopping malls' carparks

2008-08-21T10:35:00.002-07:00

In the past, every driver would be straining his neck for any spaces to park his car in when he enters a carpark.

In the present, looking for a parking space is much easier and faster. Electronic devices situated after the entrance barrier give information on the number of available parking spaces, based on the various areas in the carpark. Also, vaccant parking lots have a green light overhead while occupied ones have a red light.

Drivers just look at the number of available spaces upon entering the carpark and head towards them, narrowing their focus to green lights as they scour for spaces. Once the driver parks his car in the vaccant lot, the light changes from green to red and vice-versa.

Bishan's Junction 8's carpark is an example of such a technologically innovative carpark. Drivers, rest easy when you enter it. :)

National costumes still on the run

2008-08-21T10:35:00.001-07:00

The re-opening of Parliament brought a colourful sea of ethnic dressing to the surface of society. It was however limited to only the ladies. The men decided to play it safe. Indeed, women are more adventurous in fashion. The various racial costumes were showcased, such as the Sari, the Cheongsam and the Sarong Kebaya.

This makes me think of the festivals celebrated in Singapore. Ladies wearing Baju Kurong on Hari Raya Puasa are a common sight. The Sari is also fondly draped over the bodies of women during the Deepavali season. Christmas brings out the phenomenon of Western outfits of all manners and designs. What is sorely lacking is the Cheongsam a.k.a Qipao worn by females during Chinese New Year visits. At the most, Cheongsam tops or Mandarin collars on Western blouses are worn.

What's wrong with the Chinese traditional wear that we seem ashamed to celebrate it on festive occasions? What makes it so repulsive as contrasted with the Sari or the Baju Kurong? This is just a thought.

Chinatown's quaint stalls

2008-08-21T10:33:00.001-07:00

I was on my way to a teahouse with my friends and we walked past souvenir stalls. Though they were evidently pertaining to tourists from abroad, we still lingered at a few if something caught our eye. Intricately designed snuff containers and ornaments shaped like peacocks were some of the outstanding items we saw.

Then we proceeded to a Chinese bakery selling dim sum and mooncakes to buy some snacks.

Do visit Chinatown and browse at the stalls littering the roads! :)

Memories of MPH Stamford

2008-08-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

I was reading the blog entries on yesterday.sg and the latest entry evoked nostalgic thoughts in me. It was on the former MPH Bookstore occupying the Stamford Road building.

I remember going to the Literature sections to look for my texts, since I was majoring in Literature for my degree. I also remember going to the counter to make reservations for the texts or pay for my purchases. I patronised the children's and SATS exam guides sections as well.

A most poignant memory concerns the cafe on the second level. I used to have study sessions with my classmates while we ate our dinner there. The food was good, especially the Earl Grey Tea. I will not forget it for a long time because it was so potent that I stayed up the whole night. I fell asleep at only 10am the next day!

There was also a public phone just outside the cafe. It was the orange-coloured type. I used it to tell my dad about my study sessions. Handphones weren't so rampant then.

Shoes fanatics, DMK's 'the brand'!

2008-08-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

I had to get a replacement pair of slippers for the one which had its heel broken. I went to Junction 8's Seiyu's shoe department to take a look. I was very much attracted to those of the DMK brand.

Their prices are very reasonable and close to my allocated budget, whilst their designs are appealing. I bought 2 pairs of slippers and since my tastes have deviated towards those of a feminine type, I chose a blue pair with a furry pompom on each slipper as well as a white pair with colourful flowers at the side. I love them to bits. :)

I'm not sure if Bugis's Seiyu has this brand but do check it out when you are at Junction 8's Seiyu!

A modification to local itineraries?

2008-08-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

Nelson Quah suggested making pasar malams as part of the local itinerary for tourists who visit Singapore in Today. What a good idea. It should have been carried out long ago. It boosts both personal and national economy, as well as creates a unique experience for the tourists as well.

Though it can be stifling hot, that's part of the experience. The smells emitting from the food sold at the market can be foreign to some of us but we learn more about the types of food in the process.

I remember going to night markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Hangzhou. They are unique in their own way. Ladies' Market is full of ladies' items like clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories. There are also indoor food stalls to fill one's stomach. Shanghai's market is known for its branded goods. Though they aren't genuine, they are cheap and durable, after bargaining with the seller of course. Hangzhou's market has mostly food and some unusual but personally unappealing items are sold there like Smelly Doufu and Dog Meat.

Catalytic thoughts at the hairdresser's

2008-08-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

I went to have my hair washed and trimmed, which led to some thoughts as I sat there in the salon.

Umpteen years ago, I was a small, shy girl tugging at her mum's arm as she entered the salon, and flipping through 'Sisters' pictorial magazines while waiting for her mum to have her hair styled. I used to wonder what those huge 'helmets' hovering over my mum's head were. I guess that they were for styling purposes.

My mum's hairdresser has now become mine as well. She has seen me grow into a woman who's more feminine, since I decided to leave my boyish hair long at 17. She knows what degree I majored in, my first job as well as my current one. She knows about my family situation and asks after my parents. I feel so familiar with her and if a new hairstylist were to replace her, I'd feel awkward. She's not only a service provider but also a family friend to me.

Her initially small and crowded salon has now been renovated into a spacious and modern one. It incorporates facial and manicure services as well. She has come a long way in her own enterprise and in her relationship with us.

The things I look forward to each time I set off for a haircut are that my hair is in the safe hands of someone I trust, I get a soothing massage when I get my hair washed, since she does it more thoroughly, and I get to read the latest women's magazines for free! Haha, I'm a magazine freak.

Obsession with fashion trends

2008-08-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

Ladies are known to be in sync with the ever-changing trends of the fashion world more than men. There are more magazines catering to ladies than to men and all of them feature glossy pages of what is the 'in' thing with fashion at the moment. Still, there is a noticeable pattern of deviation in each magazine's version of the popular trends in society. Subjectivity still rules in the media. "What is fashion? Is it the vision of a select group of people who decide what the world should be wearing?"

Pradeep Paul wrote an article on such an obsession of ladies. We dress to impress, whether we are going for a job interview, social gathering or on that all-important first date. The media encourages that too with how-to tips. He says that there is really no compulsive need to do so so immaculately. Appearances aren't everything. Clothes are really meant to retain our modesty, according to the Bible and to allow us to fit into occasions which impose codes on our sense of dressing.

What ladies fail to realise even after so long is that what looks good on the models doesn't always look good on them in reality. Different people carry the same outffit differently, depending on their body structure. Also, what is visually appealing may not be fuss-free to maintain with time. Lacy, crinkled, velvety and satiny fabrics are more difficult to iron than normal fabrics like cotton and linen. Functionality is what should matter. "Show me one true wrinkle-free non-iron product in cotton and I'll buy a dozen."

Ladies want to look stylish with the pursuit of such trends but really, personal style is what makes you look good, not what looks good on others. Also, your sense of personal comfort is essential. If tube dresses are in vogue but you are uncomfortable wearing them, being the conventional sort of person, then why force yourself to wear them? Pulling your dress up each time, for fear of it slipping down even with a snug bra underneath, will make you look un-stylish on the contrary! You can look just as good in dresses with cap sleeves, because you are comfortable wearing them and can walk in them with secure confidence. That's true style. "We eventually arrive at a place where we are comfortable with who we are and what we look like. If we carry it off with confidence, that's style."

Of course, ladies take the trouble to dress up when they meet their special someone. Their reason for doing so dictates their character however. Desiring compliments makes them seem vain while desiring to show love to their partners casts a more positive light on them. Still, not all men look at merely appearance or dressing when looking for a stable partner. Character and chemistry supercede it.

Indulgences that deplete my finances

2008-08-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

People spend money on various things in life and the usual ones are on basics like food and transport. However, some go on to spend on indulgences like clothes, shoes, bags, entertainment, decor and technological gadgets. My weaknesses are books and magazines, and wherever there are discounts or sales, my eyes and legs never fail to draw me there.

My bookcase is already full due to my extensive collection of literary texts as an undergraduate. Ever since chic-lit came into the market, I've bought scores of books and despite the pile of books that I've not even unwrapped from their plastic covers, lingering on my table, I fall into temptation to buy new ones. Sigh. I've also started buying Chinese books on self-improvement. I have actually graduated in taste from books on days of long ago in various countries. Oh, how am I going to squeeze my new books into the bookcase?! I think I've to create a top layer on the existing piles.

I also get enticed by magazines. I used to buy local ones which are cheaper but with age, I've started to buy foreign ones as well. My magazine racks are full now. So when I do buy, I give them away. I try to control my buying rate by being more critical of the content featured on the covers. If it's irrelevant to me, I don't buy it.

Yes, foreign magazines are more expensive due to the exchange rates but I buy the cheaper ones. Still, I find that local magazines are trying to catch up with them in terms of content, which is more mature and yet immoral. Though it is the order of the day with progression of minds, progression can also be decadent as well, because it embraces liberality of attitudes. I'm forced to buy magazines suitable for the younger age group as a result.

The Restoration period was known to be licentious and we seem to be harking back to it with the type of content found in magazines nowadays. This is definitely history repeating itself!

I rented a few dvds for my viewing pleasure and they included the collection of the British comedy 'Mind Your Language'. It is about a group of foreign students who learn English from their teacher and the madcap antics they do, peppered with linguistic jokes. It really brought out the guffaws in me. The collection, together with other dvds, certainly cost me a bomb.

Thus I've promised myself that I won't buy any more books till I've finished the ones I've bought and any more magazines or dvds for a long time. What is more, I still have my literary collection to peruse. I didn't do every single text in it when schooling, since we had the liberty to pick and choose our texts.

My bank account total has been slowly but surely decreasing with each purchase I make. It's quite heart- wrenching to see that. I'm trying to be more controlled in my spending nowadays and as far as possible.

I often go to the library and take advantage of the DEAR campaign each year. I also patronise second-hand book sales at Thomson Plaza, The Concourse and Bras Basah Complex. They are much cheaper than new books but the thing about new books is that they are really interesting and are those on the literary market.

Accessories

2008-08-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Shoes - most women go crazy over these dainty footwear items. You see them swarming shops like Charles and Keith or Pretty Fit as they ooh and aah over the latest shoe designs before preening their feet in front of the mirrors to see how the shoes fit on their perfectly pedicured feet. To think that back in ancient China, women had wrapped their feet in binding cloths before squeezing them into porcelain shoes that reduced their foot size for good, as compared to women nowadays who are spoilt for choices in the shoes department that cater to their foot size!

I've always been one who is attracted by open-toed footwear, especially strappy slippers and kitten heels in earth colours. They allow the feet to 'breathe' better. However, I've now expanded my tastes to more feminine designs like floral and pink-coloured types, though I balance them with muted tones. I would like to share some of my favourite pairs of shoes here.

I had a pair of earth-coloured slippers with flowers of the same colour on the straps and now this simple pair of muted pink slippers. I just bought two more pairs of slippers and one of them is absolutely gorgeous. The lavender slippers are adorned with small purple roses on the straps. It cost only $16.90 from DMK at Seiyu Bishan. I've not gotten down to wearing them though.

I had a pair of brown kitten heels with a floral pattern of brown and white on the fabric strap, and now another ivory pair with little ribbons at the side of the strap. I also have a pair of low wedges in white and yellowish-green with a bow in front. I just bought another pair of muted pink wedges with sequinned flowers and the open-toed cut is unique. It cost $20 from Bata Thomson Plaza. I've not gotten down to wearing them as well.

I fell in love with 2 pairs of heels adorned with purple roses on the straps but had to forgo them because of the price and the height of the heels. Oh well, I already have the slippers and that's better than not having any at all!

I've a different purpose for each type of footwear. I wear slippers for weekdays except when I go for mass or concerts, and wear heels or wedges for weekends when I go for mass. Still, I am proud to proclaim that all in all, I've only 6 pairs of footwear in total unlike so many other women. Hehe. I do have a pair of black high heels but that's only worn during my choir performances as part of the dress code.

Handphones - technological gadgets that initially guys hanker after but now even women cannot seem to do without them. There are sweet colours to catch the eye of the females. There are also pictures and patterns on the cases for those who indulge in buying them.

I own one of these at a time and I'm not one who changes handphones with the latest trends. What I've had so far are old models. Just the basic features of ringtones, call register, contacts, messages and an alarm clock will do. However, my current one is a camera phone and I'm ecstatic with the phone as a whole. I've taken 2 photographs so far.

Digital Times published an article on 5 creative uses for the cellphone and 4 are using the camera. This suits me just fine since I've a camera phone now! To adapt from it, I can send a photograph of the product to my mum if I'm not sure what brand of groceries she wants when running errands for her. I'm not very street- savvy so I can take photographs of landmarks when I'm in a foreign place so as to get my directions right. I can even take spontaneous shots of whatever catches my fancy while out!

I never fail to wear a new outfit every Christmas and scout around for one closer to the date. Sometimes, I've difficulty choosing among a few, since I shop on my own. I can take shots of each one and show them to my girlfriends for their opinions before actually buying one! Owning a camera phone is really awesome! I'm so grateful for it! :D

Night markets or pasar malams

2008-08-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

Images of bustling crowds, cheap and fascinating products, sticky and sweaty bodies nearby, good and unhealthy food, boisterous sellers and long waits are conjured up in my mind by the utterance of this term on my lips. Despite the negative connotations, each time a pasar malam is set up at an estate near my house, I flock to it. The best time to browse through its wares is at around 8pm.

I went to one at the Serangoon Interchange area. It was really alive with people thronging the stalls amidst the sweltering heat that comes from our humid climate. I had a mission in mind - to get as many stickers as I could for my students. I headed straight for a stall that sold Disney merchandise. It was selling stickers dirt cheap. There were long packets sold at 5 for $1, medium packets sold at 2 for $1 and small packets sold at 10 for $1. I bought 20 in all and I was even given another 2 packets free! I spent only $4.50 for the above! It was such a good deal!

I came across other enticing wares such as potted plants, children's educational software, bedlinen, stationery, clothes, toys and accessories. A word of caution though: try not to buy handphone casings as they may not be original. I saw some pastel-coloured long skirts. They were really pretty and sweet, which drew my eyes immediately. However, the clothes sold at pasar malams may not be cheaper than those sold at shopping outlets.

There were also game stalls and a corner for amusement rides catering to the kids. The Bumper Cars were especially attractive as I had ridden in them when I was younger. However I find them rather violent in impact due to the fact that my friend had hit another car and caused my glasses to fly off my face in the process! Thank goodness I found them after the ride.

Well, I certainly enjoyed myself just browsing through the stalls even though I was not with anyone else. Go visit it if you can, before it completes its lease period and stops operations!

My shopping spree

2008-08-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

I went on a shopping spree at NTUC and bought more things than necessary due to greed. :P The good thing is that they are healthy products.

I had initially planned to get only my favourite brand of yoghurt which is on offer - Meiji Yoghurt at $2.20 for 3. However, I got tempted to go to other shelves and bought tuna snack, herbal jelly with mint, aloe vera, cereal and instant soup as well. Sigh. Oh well, I'll take it as stocking up for the future then. :P

Budget Tai Tai Tabitha Wang wrote an article entitled Supermarket Sweepstakes. She finds that she tends to buy more items than she planned to each time she goes to the supermarket. I like to go to the supermarket too. My favourite one is NTUC for its prices and Cold Storage for its Christmas range of products. I do have the tendency she wrote about.

I just went to NTUC over the weekend to shop for my meals. My parents will be away for the week and I plan to cook my meals for a change. Though I did have a rough shopping list, I bought other things which weren't on it. I had a feeling that I would spend above my budget of $30 even though I chose items of brands which had the cheapest prices. Thank goodness I spent only $3 more. Still, it's a happy feeling shopping in the supermarket as I plan for my meals. I seldom get to do so and cherish the feeling I had then. :)

Travel preferences

2008-08-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

There was an article in the newspapers that mentioned Malaysians' travel preferences as eating and shopping. This is notwithstanding the fact that Malaysia is bigger than Singapore and has natural reserves, waterfalls and farms for tourists as well as locals to visit. It seems more justified thus that Singaporeans' pastimes are the same.

Travelling in itself is a glorious activity to carry out. One is exposed to historical sights, cultural attractions and intriguing lifestyles in the process. I would like to travel back in time(no pun intended) to my past holidays and share here some of the special moments I've spent overseas.

On my first holiday, to Malaysia when I was four, I vomited twice on the way. I had motion sickness and from then on, I lived in that knowledge. Thus I would take preventive medicine to counter it before a flight. It was not until a few years ago that I thought that it may be psychological after all. I attempted not to take the medicine and indeed, it was just a phobia I had been nursing all those years. I'm now happily surviving flights with prayer, which is really the best preventive measure of all!

On my second trip, to Manila and Hong Kong, I was P2 and I remember this pretty lady who was really our tour guide then. She still is to me after all this time. I have her photo in the album. Her smile radiates with sweet beauty. I went on my first cruise after that, to Phuket. I went with some family friends and was treated very well, being the youngest there. I remember this white and pink dress I wore on the ship. I still have the photo. It was a sleeveless dress with a vest thrown over it. The background was white and the knitted roses on it were pink.

On my next trip to Europe when I was P3, I roamed around with a childhood friend and in those days of innocence, I was not afraid of anything. My parents were my protectors. I remember I hated wearing jeans but was forced to because it keeps me warm. I was so happy when I could finally wear a dress in France. I felt I was my true feminine self. The dress was an Angelcake one, who is a friend of Strawberry Shortcake.

On my next trip to USA after my PSLE, I was beginning to be aware of guys and thus felt awkward with my childhood friend who was once again my playmate. We managed to shrug off our discomfort halfway through the trip. As I grew into my twenties, my vacations became more frequent and occurred at shorter intervals. Travelling became family times and breaks from stress, for me. It also renewed my appreciation for God and my country.

There was an exception though. I went on my first and only trip without my family, to Cameron. I went with some close friends and it was a time when our friendship and love were strengthened. We looked out for each other in the process. We were also divinely protected because upon returning, we heard that our hotel is haunted. We had spent every night in prayer, fortunately. I thank God for that trip.

My parents had retired when I hit my 20s and were freer to go overseas. We travelled the globe, literally. Our London trip evoked in me a love for tennis as my dad brought us to the Wimbledon Tennis Museum. The history of the game was explained in an interesting manner and to top it off, we were spectators in a live tennis match between Pete Sampras, one of the greatest players of all time and Britain's hope, Tim Henman. The supporters were ardent in their cheers and we were swept up in its wave.

The Canadian Rockies was a chance to thank God for his creation and revel in wonder at the mountains amidst the lakes. The colours of the water in the lakes overlapped in shades of blues and green. So mystifying they were! Such wondrous beauty we beheld! Our Scandinavian trip made us tired of eating Norweigian salmon for a little while, though the shopping on the cruise ship was fantastic, probably due to the neon lights used to decorate the shops! The trip to Japan was when I really went all out in shopping. I bought a teddy bear bag and a lavender coloured pendant, things which I don't hanker after. Somehow we tend to spend lavishly when overseas, as compared to when we're back home. I was close to being Becky Bloom in the Shopaholic series.

I went to Genting with my church choir and it was a time of strengthening in bond with them after my nine-month hiatus. It was a time of God's mercy and kindness unto me as well as a reliance on His power. We learnt about humility, trust, friendship and love too. I got to know someone better, who is now my god-brother. He gave me a teddy bear that I still treasure because it's soft, fat and cuddly. Also, it's suitable for asthmatic me , as it has a smooth surface. :)

My trip to China made me swear off stepping into it a second time. The oily and salty food, plus the unrefined civilians turn me off. I'm not the only one who thinks this way apparently but it's actually their upbringing that brings about the uncouthness. The Great Wall brought out my height phobia because the steps are really steep. It was also my first and last time being exposed to the smell of Smelly Beancurd, an apparently favourite dish of the mainland Chinese. We fled back to the bus because it smelt like the contents in a toilet! No offence here but that is what it is to me.

Special occasions

2008-08-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

My birthday wasn't a perfect one initially because my mum threw away my favourite pair of heels without telling me, as they were slightly worn out. However, I could still wear them actually. I screamed at her but then reconciled with her after that. It was not really her fault. Next, I fell down along the road while walking and sprained my ankle. :S Thankfully, I met my best friends for a dinner treat and this made my birthday much better. She even wore my birthday gift to her! :)

While waiting for them, I went to read at Times. This has always been my hobby since young. I enjoy reading children's books of today as they are so different from those of my time. They are more interesting. I read one of the Princess Diaries' books on how she was waiting for her best friend and boyfriend to come to her Christmas party and how the party went.

They treated me to Japanese food, my favourite! It is an expensive restaurant though. A Don item costs $15, as opposed to other restaurants'. I felt bad for letting them pay. To top it off, they bought me a present too! Thanks Gs. However, we were given a big room to ourselves, though we didn't ask for it. We tried barbecued seafood with miso paste on a leaf which is not supposed to burn but guess what, it did! Useless claims! We wasted our money on that item though it was a new experience for us. Then they went to eat dessert but I refused to order anything because I didn't want them to spend anymore on me. Besides, I was full from the dinner. They even sent me home after that. :)

I had a quiet Christmas and New Year, spending time at home, just reading, surfing the net and watching television. I had functions to attend but I am uncomfortable with the people there, which is really an understatement. I went out with some old friends for dinner on New Year's Day. We just went to a coffeeshop but it is a nice feeling being with people you don't have to put up a front with.

I did receive quite a few presents from friends over Christmas. Some were unexpected and thoughtful at the same time. Some cards I received contain warm and touching words, which affirm me of the positive impact I have on people. I received 2 presents which cost a lot in monetary and sentimental terms. It was in appreciation of my friendship. They touched me since true feelings were expressed.

Ending my American trip at San Francisco

2008-08-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

We then took a flight to Frisco. It was an hour and I enjoyed the brainteasers we could do on their television screen. This exercise bonded my father and I. After having landed, we went on a city tour. We went to Golden Gate Bridge and walked along it. We also went to the area where gays and lesbians live in. We learnt that when there is a rainbow flag flown outside a house, that is an indication that its occupants are not straight. We went to a high vantage point of Frisco and gazed in wonder at the city's view.

We then went to Fisherman's Wharf to eat crab and calm chowder. We ordered crab cakes and they were delicious. I was initially sceptical about eating them because I had a bad experience of vomiting them out a few years back. The calm chowder was too but a little salty though. Then we ate crepes at Starbucks. There are sweet and savoury fillings sold. We made friends with an American couple and their grandson. We then took a cruise around Frisco. It was really cold and noisy on the upper deck but that is where the best view is too. We managed to see Alcatraz too.

We also saw the sun set for the second time during this trip. It is such an indescribable gift from God. There are colours of red, orange and yellow along the horizon. A disgusting thing happened at dinner time. We were seated at 2 tables and the other found a fingernail in one of the dishes!

We went to take the tram on the second day. We went to Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world. It winds all the way down, is long and steep. I am afraid of heights and was holding the railing while walking. We did not finish climbing it. We went to Fisherman's Wharf again. We ate boiled crab, salad, fish and chips as well as seafood pasta. There is a bakery called Boudain where the bread is made into diff shapes. There are shapes of crabs and teddy bears!

Then we went to Union Square, Singapore's Orchard Road. Macy is the anchor store there but the prices are steep and the fashions are too trendy for my liking. My mum spent a few hours but bought only 2 outfits eventually. My dad was a little grumpy having to wait for her but made friends in the process. They were also husbands waiting for their wives! The Christmas Trim Shoppe is lavishly awesome, with all the ornaments and tinsel based on different themes and colours. I was so entranced by it.

On the third day, we took a day-trip to Muir Woods and Sausalito. The trees there are straight and tall, a rare occurrence in the field of botany. It was awfully cold there and we were chilled to the bones, not with fear though. We sought shelter in the cafe but silly old me spilled hot chocolate on my dad's pants. You can imagine how hot, wet, sweet and sticky he felt. After that, we went to Sausalito, a coastal and artistic town. Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung had acted out a love story movie there. We saw a group of Filipinos picnicking there, eating their local food. It was a good feeling seeing fellow Asians in a foreign country.

On our last day, we went for morning mass at St Mary's Cathedral. We actually met a fellow Singaporean family at the bookshop! It was a blessing in disguise as we had originally planned to go to another church. They are from Holy Family Church and guess what, they know one of my choir aunties! It was such a small world. The bookshop's range of products is quite narrow though. The church is aesthetically beautiful but for me, the first thing I look for is where God is. I flock to Him in a foreign church so that I know I am safe because He is around.

There are representations of our Lord's and our Lady's lives in the form of sculptures. What nearly reduced me to tears were the Assumption and the Crucifixion. We got to attend mass with a choir leading, another blessing! The cantor's voice is way better than any of my choir members' voice. It is really operatic and clear. The homily was so inspiring. The priest compared the Church's version of Christmas with the secular version and also linked the story of A Christmas Carol to our Church's teachings. That was a plus point for me, as this is my favourite story and I never tire of watching its various versions over and over again.

We also went to an open-air market in front of City Hall Building and then Chinatown for lunch. The barbecued pork's so hard to chew, different from our local version. We took a bus to a theatre. That was an unforgettable experience! The people behind don't move in for the people in front to have more space. My dad was scolded for not doing so when it wasn't even his fault! People adamantly squeeze into the bus even when they can see there's no more space and refuse to go out till they are badgered for a long time. Youths try to avoid paying bus fares by squeezing into the exit door, thus obstructing people trying to exit.

We booked tickets for a musical White Christmas at the theatre. It gives the story behind the famous Christmas song of the same name and is a love story between 2 couples. I liked it and almost cried during the happy ending. We had a huge buffet at a Chinese restaurant near our hotel. There was so much to eat but we did not have much time. I had to be selective with my portions and items. Sigh.

We also went to Borders and Disney Store. However, the latter is really selling useless stuff. My dad was really in paradise at Borders. He got to buy old movies and musicals which he had grown up with. Oh well, he finally got to buy something he wanted a lot, not just fridge magnets. :) There are many homeless people along the streets and we felt rather unsafe while walking. I was so scared that I kept praying. Timid old me!

We flew back the next day. As we ate at the airport, that was the only time I really enjoyed my meal, which is pathetic. I had Japanese food and it tasted authentic! Soon it was time to board the plane and I spent my 18 hours on Singapore Airlines reading, sleeping and watching movies. I watched Kungfu Mahjong, Beauty and the Beast, Wedding Crashers and a Hindi ghost story. The food was getting unappealing and I was yearning for local food, so I opted for instant noodles for one meal. I tried the Indian set and that was a delight though.

When I arrived home, I took 3 days to recover from jet lag because of the time difference of 16 hours. I also suffered from rashes and dry lips due to the extreme change in climates. I got souvenirs for my friends but one of the most heartening remarks was from my friend who said the earrings I got for her is something pure and as if it had been meant for her. She said she felt happy wearing it. :)

My US vacation: on to Vegas now

2008-08-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

From LA, we travelled onwards to Las Vegas. We stayed in a small town called Laughlin before reaching it. The difference between this casino town and Vegas is that this consists of mostly senior citizens while Vegas consists of mainly younger people.

Our hotel is a casino hotel and that means there is a casino in our hotel. There are also musical performances by celebrity impersonators who really do not seem fake, in the box theatre. There is a video arcade for the kids and even spa machines. The breakfast buffet is fabulous, seeming more like lunch, with the wide variety and stomach-filling nature of the items. The television programmes, however, are really boring since the town strives to encourage gambling above anything else but at the same time, they are sexually explicit.

It was on to Vegas after our stay there. The town uses countless neon lights to attract travellers and thus consumes a lot of electricity. It is made up of many hotels, some gorgeous and jaw-dropping. There are casinos, shopping and eating places, live shows which really exploit the female body and a thrilling ride that drops you from a great height called the Stratosphere. Of course I did not take the ride.

We spent our time visiting the various hotels, either by walking or by taking the public bus. Luxor is built in the Egyptian style. Models of the Sphinx and a pyramid are outside the entrance of the hotel. Hotel Paris has a model of the Eiffel Tower outside and Hotel Venetian has a model of the Rialto Bridge as well as a gondola which is open for tourist rides. Aladdin is built in the Arabian style while Excalibur is built like a medieval castle. The newest hotel Wynn is also another architectural wonder. New York New York has a model of the Statue of Liberty outside.

We also saw magnificent shows that encompass water, lights and fire. Bellagio Hotel has an outdoor display where the water is "set on fire" after a volcano has erupted. Another hotel has one too, where the water, together with lights, "dances" to piped-in music. Three other hotels have indoor ones. Aladdin has a simulated storm display on its ceiling, MGM has colourful computer images "dancing" to piped in music and yet another hotel has lights and smoke effects accompanying a mythical presentation, portrayed with life-sized statues and voice-overs.

The bad thing about Vegas is that it is extremely smoky, not due to the display shows but due to inconsiderate smokers. The air is cold enough and a smoke-filled one reduces the oxygen available for our lungs. I was feeling a little dizzy and breathless as a result. I was also extremely irritated.

I bought a T-shirt bearing the logo of CSI since that place is the setting of the original season of the series. While doing so, my father and I noticed a guy loitering near us. We were extra wary as a result and left the shop quickly. Thank goodness he did not follow us any further, as he had done at 2 shops we patronised.

We had dinner at Tony Roma's and the portions are big. I ordered a calm chowder and asked for an empty plate so that I could share my parents' food. The waiter thought that I was on a diet. Haha. The service crew was extremely hospitable towards us, probably cos we were tourists. It was obvious to them based on our race, accent and dressing. I wonder if our local sales industry treats tourists just as well...

A much appreciated break, starting with LA.

2008-08-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

I was stressed out over preparing my students for their exams, especially those sitting for major exams. I had also carried some negative feelings pertaining to certain situations within me. Thus my parents suggested a holiday for me.

We went to USA for 2 weeks. We went along the West Coast, consisting of LA, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Sausalito and Muir Woods. Our tour group was 20 people big, an ideal size for me. However, since it was a conducted tour, we had to adhere to the schedule and we had to wake up at 6am on the average for most of the days.

We went to Universal Studios to see how films are made. It was a great place. We watched Shrek on 4-D, Honey I Shrunk The Kids and A Bug's Life on 3-D, my favourite shows. We also went to a museum on Lucille Ball and I was glad to be there. It was a nostalgic experience as I had enjoyed watching I Love Lucy when younger. We also took the tram around the various movie sets and got to experience an "earthquake" in the process, as well as coming face to face with the plane crash in War of the Worlds and Jaws the maneater!

Spongebob Squarepants was around to say hi to us and we saw apples coated in peanuts, chocolate, icing, fudge and caramel in the window display of a store. The scariest ride there is Back to the Future, for a timid soul like me. We were jolted abruptly and thrown forward without warning in the dark! I confronted my phobias of height and darkness as a result. I was so scared at travelling so quickly and "plunging down into the abyss of hell" that I kept praying that I woudn't die! My parents' lives were also on my mind but we came out all right. Phew! Unfortunately, we left our bag inside and had to wait for the staff to retrieve it for us.

Then it was Disneyland and a new park, California Adventure directly opposite it, the next day. We could eat only fast food such as hot dogs, burgers, fries and ribs there. It was only our second day but I was getting sick of that type of diet. We took scary rides again, like Indiana Jones. I felt the same way as when I took Back to the Future. I didn't have a choice because our tour guide recommended them and she said they weren't scary! Of course, I learnt slowly that we could opt out of those rides. So I didn't take the Mummy, Jurassic Park and Space Mountain.

There are slower and more enjoyable rides like Pirates of the Carribean and It's a Small World. They are smoother and not so scary. The surroundings are very pleasant to behold too. The former is on the way pirates lived, drooling over the treasures they had found and over the women they saw in the pubs. The figurines are cute to look at but the ride ends all too soon. It is the same for the latter, which showcases the different cultures of the world. However, the additional dimension is the different ways in which Christmas is celebrated in the world. The surroundings are beautiful to gaze in awe at but there is barely enough time to do so. Of course, the latter is accompanied by the song It's a Small World. There's also Haunted Mansion, where Halloween and Christmas meet.

We had a chance to behold the Fantasy and Christmas parades. It was majestic and beyond words man! There are the Disney characters and princesses in the former and characters like snowmen, toy soldiers and the Clauses in the latter. It was so colourful and I snapped many photographs. I felt like a child again. I also got to know this American family and we enjoyed the spectacle together. It was cold though and we were shivering. We then waited for the fireworks display which my friend had recommended. It was cancelled after a long time of teeth-chattering though due to bad wind conditions. :(

I did lots of shopping there as there is a huge emporium selling Disney products of a wide range. I was so overwhelmed with excitement in the megastore! We went back to the hotel after a long, tiring and awesome day at the Happiest Place on Earth. However, I realised that this is just an accolade really. Happiness's not being in a place or setting but created within yourself and with people around you, as a decision.

Star Cruise - Superstar Virgo

2008-08-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

I went on a cruise for 3 days. It was a good break, since I was overwhelmed by the preparations for the concert at ACM. It was my first time on board the ship and that of my parents too. We boarded it at Harbourfront at 8.30pm on Wednesday, 29th June. To my surprise and annoyance, as I hate crowds, there were many passengers boarding it even though school had just reopened. Most of them were from India. It was probably the school holidays for the children there then, since there were some as well. We were lucky to have checked in two days in advance with Citibank and have obtained our cabin keys. In this way, we could avoid queuing up at the check-in counter and board the ship immediately.

After clearing Customs and the baggage counter, we were welcomed by the Star Cruise stuffed mascot and two females dressed flamboyantly in yellow and pink, as part of the welcome crew. We took photographs with them and were informed that we could buy them on board the ship. I was not used to this gesture because I am rather shy but still went along with it, hiding my discomfort. I feel pity for the person in the stuffed mascot though. It is sweltering hot in the costume and he does not get to show his real self to people. The good point is that shy people will feel that this job is suitable for them. We were also welcomed by Garfield and Odie, again people in costumes, as well as given free cocktail drinks.

The lobby-cum-reception area on Deck 7 was gorgeous with beautiful chandaliers and was decorated in a grand style. The outdoor deck of the ship surrounded it all around. We went to put our baggage in the cabin. It was on Deck 9, where the oceanview balcony cabins were. These are different from the normal cabins where there are double-decker beds and a porthole. These have a balcony with a sitting area and a double bed, a sofa bed and a television set with Disney and Discovery channels as two of the available channels. Then we went to explore the ship's facilities.

It is easy to gain access to the different decks of the ship. There is either the lifts or the staircases to use. I recommend the latter since they are less crowded and they provide exercise for the legs too. We first went to have supper at the Pavilion Chinese restuarant, one of four 'free' restaurants on board, in the sense that the meals taken there are charged as part of the tour price each passenger pays to stay on board. I paid $260. It is rather cheap, I feel. The food was fine, not much impression while the service crew had problems understanding our requests, probably due to the language barrier between us. The crew on board is an international crew, with people from different parts of the world like Finland, Vietnam, Philippines, India and Thailand. We then walked around the deck area and saw teens playing basketball in the games area of it. We also went to visit the other facilities like the library, the activity centre, the parthenon pool, the hair and beauty salon, the spa and the movie theatre.

I then separated from my parents who waited for Oasis Casino to open an hour after the ship set sail at midnight. It can open only when the ship is out of Singapore waters and into international waters. It is a 24-hour outlet. I went to the video arcade. It is huge, has many types of video games to play and is spacious. I was entranced by it because it was not crowded due to its exclusiveness to only the ship's passengers. I could not play however, as the games require tokens that are to be bought with money. I was too lazy and tired by then to get the money from my cabin and then go back to buy the tokens to play the games. I went back to my cabin to watch television and learn my music for the upcoming concert before falling asleep. It was 1.30am.

I skipped breakfast the next morning due to supper the night before. We ate at Bella Vista, a Western restaurant. The staff is friendly, very and it was a joyful experience we had while there. I loved the food there. The Chickpea Fritters with Pita Bread and Yoghurt Dip made an impression on me. We were there on time and got a good seat, with a view of the sea. I then went to the library to read magazines and to shop for souvenirs. The shopping is horrible and pathetic. There are only two shops. One sells designer goods and the other sells stuff that did not really appeal to me. There is also a counter selling hand-made goods but they are expensive and more ornamental in nature. I bought only three things altogether.

Then I went back to watch my favourite television programme on Discovery channel before going to watch National Treasure starring Nicholas Cage. The show is really good and kept me rooted to my seat throughout. Unfortunately the other movie-goers spoilt the experience for me. They walked in and out of the theatre during the show and blocked my view as a result. No one could stop them as they were passengers on the ship, as I was.

We had dinner at Noble House and I ordered my favourite dish, Deep-fried Prawns with Mayonnaise. My mum told me I'd get pimples if I ate it. She was right. I did get one at an obvious place and size. I not only disregarded her advice but I also ate about 3-4 pieces. My parents wanted to join me at the video arcade. This time I had money to get tokens. My dad wanted to try out the soccer game and my mum the mahjong game but the games were probably too fast for them to grasp. I spent a maximum of $35 there, I think. Each game usually takes 2 tokens to play. I enjoy playing the shooting and fighting games. I tried my hands on the fighting game my god-bro loves and I didn't even get past the first round. Haha. *blush*. I played till my hands ached. Then I headed back to my cabin to watch more television programmes before falling asleep. I was too tired to learn my music.

It was our last day on board. I skipped breakfast, watched television programmes and packed my bag. We made sure the cabin was cleared of our things before checking out. We had lunch at Bella Vista, after which I went to the video arcade to pass the time while waiting to go back to Harbourfront. My dad came to tell me that they would wait for me at a different place and not to meet them at the original place as planned. I felt bad for having to make them wait without anything to do and so I gave about $6 out of the $10 tokens I had obtained, to a white girl who was also playing. She was obviously delighted at getting so many free tokens. I did feel a pinch but I told myself that I was making someone's holiday a joy. That made me feel better.

Soon, we reached Harbourfront and disembarked from the ship. It was 2.00pm, Friday. Some Filipino dancers saw us off as part of the farewell crew. We walked pretty quickly to catch a taxi to go home. The queue was really snaking on Wednesday. Thank goodness we got into the railings defining the taxi stand. It was around 3.00pm when we reached home.

On to Sydney, ending off our New Year spent overseas.

2008-08-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

We flew to Sydney and upon landing, went on a city tour to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, familiar landmarks associated with the area. We then went to a tower that allowed us a bird's eye view of the whole city. We also went to the Aquarium where the marine life of Sydney is showcased. We got to see seals, sharks, crocodiles, fishes and corals most prevalent in the Australian waters.

We had a complimentary 'yu sheng' thrown in for our dinner, since it was the first day of the New Year. Just like the previous one, the fishy taste made the dish unappealing to me. I learnt much to my surprise that 'yu sheng' is a dish invented in Singapore and Malaysia. China, where the festival originated from, does not have it. After that, we walked through the street stalls set up for the festival, selling interesting food. There was even a carnival area where one could play games to win prizes, commonly being big stuffed toys. We found a Bee Cheng Hiang stall there as well! A home away from home, I would say.

It was off to the Blue Mountains the next day. The world's steepest cable car is situated there but we opted out of it because we had already taken it on our last trip. Anyway, the souvenir outlet was beckoning me into its arms laden with scores of merchandise. We went to visit the Three Sisters, a rock formation with an aboriginal legend behind it. Due to erosion however, there are only two rocks left for visitors to admire. We ended off our itinerary for the day at Telstra Stadium, where the 2000 Olympic Games were held at.

We went to Darling Harbour for dinner, where the shops open till 9pm, as opposed to other places' which open till 5pm. Then we walked around Chinatown before heading back to our hotel. By the way, our hotel Vibe has the 'wow' factor in my opinion. It looks just like an Ikea showroom! The colours are vibrant and the lines are clean. The rooms are spacious with luscious fabrics thrown on their furniture.

On our last day, we went to the shopping district at George's Street. There are a few renowned malls to peer into like Queen Victoria Building(QVB), Midcity Centre and Pitt Street Mall. We visited a discount outlet, Borders, Coles which is somewhat like Carrefour and DFS Downtown. QVB is a very neo-classical building, with gothic-like architectural designs to marvel at. The things sold there however, are expensive and window-shopping is best. QVB is huge though and is linked to the other two malls mentioned above. We went to a food court for lunch and the sushi I bought from the Japanese food counter was fabulous in taste. The Gado-gado my dad bought from the Malaysian food counter is different from our local version. It consists purely of vegetables unlike ours which includes 'ketupat' and potatoes too. The peanut sauce topping the salad was thankfully authentic in taste.

Belated greetings from Australia, starting with Melbourne.

2008-08-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

I went Down Under over the New Year period, for one week. It was a good trip though there were a few hitches. Our flights to and fro were delayed for a couple of hours each and the food of both airlines was horrendous. The inflight entertainment system for the second airline was not set properly, to my annoyance too. The queue at the immigration and customs counters was extremely long and grouses could be heard from time to time, irritating me no less, it being Australia's National Day when we arrived.

We went to Melbourne first. As is customary, the first thing I do was to scrutinise my tour group so that I was aware of their faces. It was made up of solely families, which's more to my preference. We even had two foreign ones, from China and Sweden. Our tour manager was a bubbly, cheerful and overall excellent leader to us.

We went on a city tour and then to a cattle farm. At the farm, we tried home-cooked food before embarking on a guided tour to meet lambs, cows, sheep and a sheepdog. It was scorching hot but I still enjoyed myself. We got to feed the lambs, milk the cow, watch a lamb being sheared as well as a sheepdog leading the sheep. The highlight was learning to use whips to command attention from the sheep and sheepdog.

Then we travelled to Philips Island for the Penguin Parade. The island is a couple of hours away from Melbourne. It rained suddenly when we were there. The island is a place where the locals relax at and since our hotel faced the beach, we saw campers and swimmers there. We got to eat the local lobster, which was juicy but difficult to extricate for consumption. I was tempted to use my hands but didn't want to appear uncouth.

We went to The Nobbies, a place where the scenery is spectacular and the Seal Rock is. However, we could not see any seals due to the distance. The visual imagery around us was paradisal though. The waves crashing against the rocks and onto the shore, creating foamy masses swirling towards the golden sands as well as the sunlight kissing the waters and creating shimmery-like diamonds in the sea were stunning in their beauty. I also managed to catch sight of a few baby penguins in their burrows!

Then we went for the Parade, which occurs everyday after sunset. We waited along the bridge near the sea for them to come out of the water. They would line up in a vertical manner and walk back determinedly towards their homes, fighting courageously against the waves pushing them back into the sea. It started to rain without warning for the second time so we walked alongside them on the bridge before going into the shops.

On our second day, we went to a strawberry farm where we got the chance to pick strawberries directly from the fields. It was a novel and memorable experience for all of us citydwellers. We also got to sample strawberry ice-cream. We proceeded to a winery next to sample different types of local wine. There was one which got my attention. It tasted somewhat like cherryade, pretty good. It was on to a lavender farm where we got to know about the different kinds of lavender and their specific uses. We tried lavender cookies and tea but disappointingly, the cookies did not taste any special, as if there was no lavender flavour in them at all. We had dinner at Chinatown and ate lobster for the second time.

It was our free day. We went for mass and I went mad at the bookshop next to the church, buying books and magazines. Then we went to Melbourne Park, where the Australian Open is held annually. We mingled with the crowd, bought some souvenirs and managed to take a few photos of the arena, where the ladies' singles final was to be held that day. It rained again, this time cats and dogs. We went to Crown Casino, the biggest hotel-cum-casino in Australia. There is shopping, eating or gambling to choose from. I went crazy at the huge Warner Brothers' Store, the only shop within my monetary league, since the rest are designer stores. It faces the Yarra River and the view is marvellous, with a fireworks display every night to match.

We ended off the day with our reunion dinner at Chinatown, since it was the eve of the New Year. We ate 'yu sheng' and somehow Australia's version doesn't appeal to my palate as much as Singapore's does. There is no lime juice and so the fishy taste of the raw fish is not masked. Also, the varieties of vegetables pale in comparison to ours. We got the privillege of watching a lion dance and hearing firecrackers too, especially since the latter is banned in Singapore.