we learn something new everyday
i was at the suntec convetion centre today and came across a networking session called “the 17th cochrane colloquium”.
there were many small numbered table with groups of people gathering around them. each table had a different topic and one basically will go to the table that is of interest to you.
me: what’s that?
james: don’t know, interesting networking session i guess.
me: what’s cochrane colloquium?
james: don’t know.
me: what’s cochrane?
james: don’t know.
me: what’s colloquium?
james: don’t know
me: ………..
a quick search on google.
colloquium: an informal meeting for the exchange of views
the cochrane collaboration: a global network of volunteers dedicated who provides up to date information about the effects of health care.
very cool.
14 august 2009 : sentosa day 3
goodbye, day 3
we had a light breakfast at the resort before heading to the beach to eat our cakes. we sat by the beach for quite a while, enjoying the breeze and the sunshine. jenice being the sunlover that she she is sat in the open while i chose a spot with shade.
it was pure bliss – sitting at the near empty beach, with coconut trees at each side of me and plenty of cargo ships (my favourite) for my pleasure viewing. couldn’t help but be reminded of a picture i used to draw when i was in my teens – coconut tress, nearly empty beach and a boat – it was the epitome of peace for me and it still is.
we soaked our feet in the seawater – walking against crashing waves and sinking sand – until it was time to leave.
sure, it wasn’t tioman and we didn’t exactly leave singapore but it was still fun, especially for me because i’ve never really explored sentosa before. 
and you know what?
room 724 → 7 + 2 + 4 = 13.
hahaha.
13 august 2009 : sentosa day 2
hello, day 2.
the goal was to explore sentosa as much as possible!
breakfast @ siloso beach resort
the exceptionally friendly service staff actually surprised me.
i guess being a pseudo tourists makes all the difference? haha.
the staff offered to take pictures for the both of us.
i was wow-ed by the sweet gesture.
a common sight at the resort.
so cute.
we decided to get some sun at siloso beach.
the beach tempted me to be tanned but i reckon i would look funny when tanned. 
the skyride.
i lack hindsight. it didn’t occur to me what it will be like once i cross the first tower (i.e. what the horizon is like after crossing the last tree in the pictue) so i bugged jenice to get on the skyride.
my whole body went weak after this picture:
i kept very still. i grabbed the handles and jenice’s arm tightly. i kept quiet.
jenice on the other hand “wah!!! so nice!!! see, the view so nice!!”
and i responded wimpily “is that so? i don’t dare to move….”
the ride brought us to “imbiah lookout”.
the 131m above sea level tiger sky tower that allows you to take in a 360 degree view of the island’s skyline.
the next big thing under construction : resort world
i think it would be quite nice to come here for drinks on a breezy evening.
images of singapore – visit if you want to experience singapore’s colourful history through award winning images.
we, as pseudo tourists, didn’t visit.
the sentosa nature discovery centre is a place to learn more about the island and it’s habitats.
the elevated board walk behind the sentosa nature discovery centre – greens after greens.
the butterfly park
a display of butterflies at the reception counter.
the evolution of living creatures on Earth
i love butterflies because they seem like such mystical creatures to me. i especially love the especially big and dark looking ones because they are spooky in a beautiful way.
stepped out of the indoor gallery to the outdoor area.
i used to have a turtle like this at home.
a hundred times smaller, of course.
i was really delighted to see this – the toco toucan!!!
so bright and so beautiful.
live butterflies
the other creatures in the outdoor area: -
i don’t know who they are but they just kept starring at each other while circling the cage.
parrots
roosters
and us. haha.
there were giant cockroaches, snakes, lizards and scorpions but i don’t feel like letting them grace my blog.
hee hee.
♣
we took the skyride back down to where we first started. i was still afraid but less so.
then we took the sentosa express to vivocity because 1. we wanted to try out all the transport available on the island 2. jenice wants to buy havaianas slipper (the most comfortable slipper in the world).
afterwhich, we took the cable car back to sentosa after a light lunch at macdonalds.
i was totally excited until i saw….
the light at the end of the tunnel becoming clearer…
my body went weak immediately again when i realise ropes and a floorboard was the only thing that separated me from the sea.
a delighted jenice – she does not fear heights (maybe that’s why she is my good friend. haha.)
an uncertain chloe – she fear heights (maybe that’s why jenice is my good friend. haha.)
resort world
i couldn’t wait to reach the tunnel!!!!
we dropped by the cable car souvenir shop and bought 2 singapore t shirt. haha. just doing our best to be pseudo tourists. took the tram back to the resort because we needed to wash up before we explore sentosa further. the smell emitted by the tram stinks.
after a quick wash up, we took the bus to the underwater world.
i love sting ray – the hat fish – beautiful! the bigger, the more beautiful. however, i didn’t dare go near or touch it.
hi hi.
i went crazy when i stepped into the viewing gallery.
the -OMG!!!!! THE (insert sea creature name) IS SO BIG/UGLY/BEAUTIFUL- underwater world tour:
i was so delighted i asked jenice whether it was ok if we go for another round of viewing. naturally, she agreed!
peacocks outside the underwater world.
strange. haha.
next stop – dolphin lagoon to see pink dolphins! best to go early because you can barely see them unless you’re in the first row.
or you can wait till the end of the show and hang around the shore as people take turns to take pictures with the dolphins.
or better yet, pay $15 to stand beside the dophin.
we took a walk along palawan beach after the dolphin show.
my camera battery died on me at this point so we headed back to the resort.
♣
back at the resort, the doorbell rang.
a very unexpected guest turned up with cakes.
i just OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG away.
we had dinner at the always lovely coastes.
after dinner, we went to buy a bottle of beer to drink simply because we have not done this together before. haha.
a day so well spent
and a night in good company.
thank you for dropping by with cakes
even when you were sick!
both of us were so pleasantly surprised!
singapore art show 2009
i searched high and low for the singapore art show 2009 video where various artists were interviewed on what art means to them.
i first caught it at shaw theatre. i thought it was hilarious and what the last artist said left an impression on me but i couldn’t remember what he said after the movie ended.
it was still an impression! just that my memory sucks.
i finally found the video on youtube but it is the full version – 10 minutes of it – and i waited forever to find the line that left an impression.
i’m so glad i found it.
funny, when i first heard it in the theatre, i was really wowed. now that i have searched high and low and waited 10 minutes for that one liner, i am not as wowed.
i guess the frustration kinda killed the wowed factor. haha. still, i am glad i found it!
but still, here is what visual artist, robert zhao ren hui said in the video:
“to me, art is basically helping me make sense of the world.”
heavenly cream loft
i explored all 9 levels of orchard central yesterday. the place reminds me of central @ clarke quay. the mall was quite empty but i think singaporeans will dig the eateries and restaurants the mall has to offers.
i still like ion – it screams young and it screams hip.
♣
2 things caught my eye
#1 – this pink sign at “more than words”. i thought it was so pretty! like a magnet, i was lured to it.
they should have added “can say” and it would have been perfect : -
“i love you more than words can say”
#2 – heaven’s loft – it’s a chill out place with food, beers and my favourite ben and jerry ice cream!!!!
i am a daydreamer
so i would want to be here
and if i had a lover,
he would be with me,
eating ice cream and drinking beer.
hahaha.
peace out.
the ben and jerry ice cream peace symbol.
peace and ice cream in a heavenly loft.
perfect afternoon bliss.
booksactually
i would have loved to visit these 2 places with you but time is not on our side.
haha.
books actually @ 5 ann siang road (have to visit before 12 october because they will be shifting in to 86 club street)
polymath & crust (sister of books actually) @ 86 club street
a nice write up of books actually & polymath
i am going to visit them next week after my pilates class….
can’t wait, can’t wait.
i read in a mag yesterday that it’s open by a couple – they personally handpick (i.e. reading and reviewing) the books that will be displayed in the store…
isn’t it nice to be in love with somebody who loves book as much as you?
pure bliss.
prologue
popular bookstore is getting really hip.
first, they created “urban write” @ tampines one and orchard central, which according to this website is a trendy paper and craft lifestyle concept store that offers products such as art paper, scrapbook accessories, fancy stationery, greeting cards, gift sets and more from around the world.
now, there is “prologue” @ ion which promises to “innovatively take book retailing to a whole new level with a lifestyle ambience and complete sensory approach”.
can’t hardly wait for prologue to open it’s door!
dunkin’ donuts
i was so thrilled to see dunkin’ donuts in singapore when i visited ion last month – finally, i can indulge in dunkin’ donuts without going to malaysia.
bought a suagr raised donut while waiting for jenice yesterday. it was so delicious.
how much do i love dunkin’? well, i refused to eat donuts of other brands even when the donut hype was all the rage in singapore last year.
that’s how much i love dunkin.
or maybe that’s how much i love donuts. i love them enough to not see the need in eating them more than once in a few years.
the dead sea scrolls & the ancient world
anyone wants to go see this exhibition of the dead sea scrolls @ the art house?
from 27 aug to 20 sep 09.
da vinci exhibition
who wants to go?
$15 per person @ singapore science centre.
the cookie museum
turtle brought us to “the cookie museum” for high tea last month.
it was very pricey, by my standards – we ordered 2 sides and 3 teas. the bill came up to almost $90. i will only go back there if i’m feeling rich and generou or if i’m craving the quiche badly.
i must say, the sides were absolutely delectable.
1. chocolate melt with cheese. the strawberry with icing sugar was yummy.
2. ham and cheese quiche. this was an absolute delight. the orange was so refreshing.
i had a very exotic cup of chocolate tea. turtle had something that smelled and tasted like earl grey and jenice had rose tea.
i think we enjoyed the short quiet moment at esplanade very much.
over tea and pastries and desserts, turtle talked about rose tea and the selection and origins of rosebuds if we want a cup of good rose tea.
turtle is so english and so refined.
haha.
