Rebecca Black

On the opposite (read: wrong) end of the popularity pole is none other than 13-year-old 'overnight sensation' Rebecca Black from Anaheim Hills, California. Her YouTube 'hit' Friday has recorded more than 119 million views since February 10, 2011 (with an excess of 2.3 million 'dislikes' from users) - making her a 'viral star' in the worst possible way. My take? Leave the kid alone (and spare her the scathing remarks). If you don't like the song, then don't listen to it. Plain and simple.

Way of the Dragon

We know that when it comes to special occasions, Chinese temples will organize and conduct lively lion dances that almost always drums up the decibels. My question is, what about the relatively slower dragon dances? Because we rarely see them in action, I'm wondering when (i.e. under what circumstances) they're actually performed...

Too Tanned?

Hong Kong actor Louis Koo Tin-Lok is known for his artificial tan. Apparently, the 40-year-old wasn't famous when he was a fair young lad back in his TVB days and only found stardom after he sported bronze skin. If you ask me, however, I think he's a few shades too dark! (Just compare him with the female fan.)

Peace \/

There's much unrest in the world today - not due to natural causes, but human machinations. Look at Libya. Is peace so unachievable and insurmountable? No wonder contestants at every beauty pageant are championing it. Can't call them bimbos if that's what we yearn for, as well.

Will It Fall?

Hmm...didn't I read somewhere that the lopsided Torre pendente di Pisa is tilting x degrees every y years (meaning it'll eventually topple at some point in time)? Perhaps all that "corrective reconstruction and stabilization efforts" (including the applying of lead counterweights around its base) have paid off?

Monkey Bridge

Next to Ling Sen Tong is another Chinese temple called Nan Tian Tong (or Cave of the Southern Sky). Here, you can sight a picturesque bridge and pavilion perfect for photo-taking. But do beware of those fearless wild monkeys climbing and roaming everywhere (just in case they're harmful to humans).

Pontianak

Let's face it, Natre of Thailand's SHUTTER and Sadako of Japan's RINGU - along with the other long-haired female fiends of Hong Kong and South Korea cinema - are merely copycats of the Malay pontianak. And right here, I can even 'sumpah' to you that the Indonesian version of this mythological vampire was one of the scariest I'd witnessed on screen.

Baker Wu Products

Samples of walnut cookies lovingly baked by my friend from Hewlett-Packard, Marilyn Wu (nicknamed Baker Wu). Ended up buying a set from her ($8.00) and another three more (walnut, butter and peanut butter) on behalf of my ex-colleague Madeline Leong, who placed her order through me :-)

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...