Megamalls

Of course, VivoCity remains Singapore's undisputed king of megamalls. Others I can think of are Ngee Ann City, Suntec City and Jurong Point (which boasts the largest number of tenants). The thing about these megamalls is, once you've seen one, you've seen all. They usually have the same concept, same layout and - in most cases - same shoppers. So, what else's new?

This Christmas

...and may all your dreams come true. I know it all sounds cliche, but - hey - what to do? And by the way, the title of this festive post isn't trying to rip off Wham! in any way, just in case you're wondering.

Tour Europe

What's your dream holiday? Where's your dream destination? How about a tour of Europe? That's gonna cost. But think about all the world-famous landmarks you get to visit: Big Ben, Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Catacombs of Paris, ... Oops, scratch the last one :-X

Nature in a Bottle

As my Facebook caption for this picture goes, "trees can sport Afros, too". The symbol of Bottle Tree Park is - as its name suggests - this unique looking Calabash tree, which is native to Central and South America. Kudos to the Venue of Choice for cultivating it here.

Singapore Food

Look no further than within our own shores for delightful delicacies that even abroaders are so fond of. Chicken rice, fishball noodles and nasi lemak are only some of my many local favorites. And these don't cost you above $3.50 on the average. That's what we mean by eating smart and getting the best bang for buck.

Rebirth

The Chinese - rather, Buddhists - believe in the concepts of Karma and Rebirth/Reincarnation, which is why they always strive to do good (for fear that they may end up as a fish or tortoise in the next life). Does this explain why so many good people die young in this life? Because they were probably bad people in their past lives? I don't know. But don't ask Pastor Rony Tan for advice.

Where Art Is Born

Mr. Lim Mu Hue was an alum of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), and so is my friend Doreen Tay. Incidentally, I attended a free one-hour orchestral concert organized by The Esplanade (as part of their monthly Beautiful Sunday series) yesterday afternoon - and guess what? The cellist at the front row dropped her bow midway through a performance. I know it's no biggie, but the audience went "ooh...".

Dragon's Tooth Gate

Tucked away around a quiet bend of Labrador Nature Reserve is Dragon's Tooth Gate (or 'Ya Men', because of its shape), a replica of the actual rock structure that helped China's most feted explorer Admiral Zheng He navigate through Singapore's waters aeons ago.

If you ask me, I'd say it looks more like something for rock climbing :-S

Full of Myself?

Nah. I'll be the last person to be narcissistic and first to admit that I'm neither prepossessing nor photogenic. As such, I don't like appearing in photos - although I do like taking photos of others.

I wouldn't go as far to say I have a low self-esteem when it comes to my looks, but I know my limits - and I guess I'm simply camera-shy.

It Bites!

Lo and behold! It's the REAL catfish in full carnassial glory! Very tastefully done (and makes Tyrannical Mandy look like a total wimp).

Portrait of Chinatown

From pigtailed coolies to opium smokers, Sun Zhong Shan (center, all clad in white) must've seen in all during his intermittent visits to Chinatown from 1906-1911. Mewonders if he'd stepped foot into the Sri Mariamman Temple (sighted in the background)?

Most Trusted

In February, 760 Singapore residents took part in an online poll conducted by Reader's Digest magazine and voted for their most trusted profession. As it turned out (and not too surprisingly), firemen/firefighters from the SCDF were tops (because their jobs entail saving lives). I think doctors and judges were also highly placed.

Lawyers, on the other hand (along with politicians and real estate agents), didn't exactly win many hearts with their certain gift of gab. Hmm...

Eco-Friendly

There's this Saving Gaia campaign currently going on, which is undertaken by MediaCorp as part of their 'green initiative'. We, too, can do our infinitesimal part for Mother Earth by replacing non-essential lights with fluorescents.

Hmm...call me ignorant, but how does that help?

As Pure as Evian

I never had any qualms about drinking NEWater to begin with, and after my two-cent tour of its high-tech treatment facility at Koh Sek Lim Road, I'm more confident than ever that microfiltrated + reverse-osmosised + UV-disinfected water can be even purer than PUB's own. And that's the bottom line 'cause (our guide) Henry said so!

Bukit Batok Nature Park

Further away from the Town Park, in the vicinity of Bukit Batok East Ave 2 & 6 and Lorong Sesuai, is the scenic + serene Nature Park (they're not one and the same). More cliff walls, stagnant ponds and there's even a transmission tower. Hello, hello?

The Truth of Tao

I suppose two of the more burning questions in my mind right now - pertaining to national swimmers like Tao Li, for instance - are (1) why do these water waifs almost always look better with swim caps and goggles, and (2) are their underarms indeed 100% smooth?

I'll Be Back!

It appears I'm not quite 'fated' to visit Haw Par Villa the Chinese mythological theme park at Pasir Panjang Road. Why? Because it poured heavily twice I was there - both times curtailing my jaunt and dampening my mood.

Despite that, I'm not defeated. Once the Circle Line's up, I shall take an MRT train to West Coast Station and try my luck at the lair once more. Am taking a rain check on this for now.

Kara Forever OK

Apart from contending with sucky sound systems (read: haywire bass and treble levels coupled with interfering frequencies), there are also the tone-deafs, mic-hoggers and 'song-cutters'. Sheeshers. Wouldn't it be swell to have the whole box to yourself?

The Enrolment Machine

Meet Ms. Maureen Kathleen Robertson (guess which), our Senior Marketing Executive and Career Fair's ultimate enrolment machine. With a total of 11 sign-ups over 4 days, the 'top scorer' (in the appreciative Chairman's own words) has certainly made our classy island booth investment all worth it!

Congrats!

The Guides

Mr. Herry (above, third from right) and his dedicated team of tour leaders getting ready to receive guests from all over the world and then whisk them off to selected Polo Ralph Lauren stores for a cut of the commission, perhaps? You can't blame them, they're just doing their job. And please do tip them accordingly in appreciation of their hard work :-)

Penguin Express

After lapping up a simple plate of mee goreng (with a thin slice of luncheon meat added) @ HarbourFront Centre, 'twas time to check in and board the Penguin Express ferryboat (which was quite similar to the catamaran Falcon Princess) @ 8.30 a.m. Singapore time. Took a window seat and watched the Southern Islands pass by. There were two TV sets in front, but the reception was poor - and no one briefed us on how to use the lifejackets, either. LOL.

Golden View Hotel

Heading off to Batam for a 2D1N getaway from February 19-20. It'll be my first visit to Indonesia - my first visit to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, since childhood came only last month - and I hope the experience's worth the $115+ spent.

The so-called 'Total Relaxation' package - courtesy of Konsortium Express & Tours - includes 3 meals (two of which will be provided by the pictured Golden View Hotel), a day tour and 90 minutes of free massage thrown in just 'cause one Queenie Qi recommended it.

Akan Datang

Adidas is only an 'amuse-bouche'; next up, Burberry - hopefully!

The Great Singapore Escape

Speaking of losers, what about that charge d'affaires of the Romanian embassy in Singapore Dr. Silviu Ionescu whose Audi was involved in a double hit-and-run accident at Bukit Panjang resulting in two injuries and one fatality? And this douchebag had the nerve to feign ignorance/innocence - and even managed to hightail back to the Land of Vampires faster than we could say Roman Polanski. Pfft!

Rosie the Pony

When we visited Rainforest Kidzworld at the Singapore Zoo, Rosie the baby pony was sulking in her stable. I guess she must be feeling lonely all locked up like that. Poor horsey's gotta gallop in the open once in a while, ya know?