SgZoo

Photography @ Sg Zoo
Last Oct, I went with me, myself & I.
This time, it's an impromptu photography outing with ym.

Discovered more. I realised I missed out Australian Outback the first time.
The same for both occasions: Afternoon Rain, & yes, even in Zoo, I thought of smell of Rain. (Can't wait for the dvd!)

Very focus on shooting that I didn't have time for lunch & animal info, so haha, some of the pic are posted without any description.
Ah Meng.

Camera-shy sun bear

Checking on Nutritional fact before consuming.

Bored...

3 little ones

Tea time!

Love's in the air









Forever Love

Maybe due to rain, can't see Tree Kangeroo & Sloth in Fragile Forest.

Here's my last capture @ the Zoo cos it's near closing time.

Playful Jaguar

"Chinese Brush tail"

Trapped?

Emo kangeroo

Pygmy Hippo

Desert Warthog

This one is taken @ the earlier part of the journey. Early noon was scorching hot, didn't expect it to rain.

In love with white tigers. I counted my collections, 39 photos of white tigers!

There's 3 of them!

Wining

I think Vanie will appreciate this: Winning a prize

I attended a training this afternoon.
Unfamiliar environment: Self introduction, playing games... just makes me feel uneasy, I'd react differently.

"Ice breaking game- Bingo"
20 boxes, a topic in each.
For instance, " reading Horoscope"- Jessie Tan. Required to obtain 2 names in each box. Win a prize upon completion of 2 rows/columns.

I didn't move my butt out of my seat throughout the session. What I did was to shove the paper to people seated beside, in front & behind me. They just filled up their names. The thought of facing everybody... oh no. I whispered to my friendly neighbour :"eh, I don't want to win."

I left with last box "Followed Singapore Idol" to Bingo. I feigned that I was trying to look for someone to bingo. Thinking that Singapore Idol was a matter in 2004 &06... I tried my luck, "Singapore Idol, who?" Was anticipating for silence, God knows, the boy behind me just said, "Aiyah, got lah- Taufik. Come, Chin Chai, I write my name."

He filled up his name. I checked my paper again:"right, really... shit" There wasn't any commotion around me & even my neighbour didn't realised it. I think I still can keep quiet about it. So, I took out my mobile phone, before I could replied to a sms... the trainer asked if I needed help & that was it- my plan failed, I got a mug.

Just like Vanie & me @ "Chuck & Larry" screening arranged by her school student council.
They pasted the star onto the bottom of the chair. "Whoever got a star, please come down & redeem your prize." Everybody got so excited & got up to search for their star. Vanie was searching for her star till she noticed my non-movement. I just refused to check & told her: "won't be so lucky one."

Apparently, the event planner knew the number of stars out there & I couldn't understand why they were so persistent about finding the last star. One of the lady walked up the aisle, stopped @ the seat right in front of me. I intended to turn to tell Vanie: " see?, not me". The lady had made a mistake, the star was pasted on my chair... they took a photo of me with my prize.

Ninjas'

Ninjas' gathering @ Marche
I like people to ignore me whenever I take photographs of them.

A liking for candid shots.

& when they realised & intended to pose, I'd say: "自然点"
It doesn't really work @ all times.

Some staring at the food, some trying to use their peripheral vision to check if I'm done & most just can't resist posing for me!

<= The result just amuses me.
From Joan's camera, here's a perfect example of candid shot.








The last we gathered as one gang of ninjas was on the charity show.

Not even a month, but it felt so far away.

Aaron complied selected pictures & created a 30 mins video. I like it so much that I repeated 4 times.

From Joan's collection.







Irrelevance

<= My Battle Station.

Smell of Rain

Countdown (self-talk)



20/05 - this is gonna be a good week, a good plan on Friday



21/05 - Checking calendar: wow, can't believe this, it's just 2 days away



22/05- Finally, I can say I'll be watching "X X X" tomorrow



& 23/05 - sms from Anne: "Today is the day!"
Staircase to Mount Sophia.

This is midway to the top.

Estimates: 9 X 13 steps

It's as though we were visiting some Religious Temple (have to climb a long way to show sincerity)

Done with the stairs, but where's Sinema?

It's getting dark, 20 mins to show time.

It's not that far after all, we are reaching soon!

Waiting outside the general office. We called the in charge to enquire on the exact location.

Probably due to miscommunication, we went out of OldSchool & went trekking round Mount Sophia & realised tht we went wrong direction.

The lady had to come out & pick us.

& it was just 15 - 20 steps from general office to the ticketing office.

Lucky, Anne bought me chocolate croissant to keep me happy along the adventure.

Theatre is super cosy.

Red lengthy sofa.

It started with an ancient movie thriller....so old tht the correct way of reading the words is from right to left instead of the usual way of left to right.

& Tad dahhh!!! & this is what I had been looking forward to.

Smell of Rain

Characters: Xiao Qi , Li er & Kong Long

& one abusive father (whom I think is too young to be a father of Li-er)

The legend- "light up the darkness"

Letters from Iwo Jima- "Everything happens in 3 times"

I have my favourite phrase/questions/statement from Smell of Rain too.

"What are you afraid of?"

"No reliance, no expectation" "no expectation, no pain"

Featured song: 到达

Can't find the one by Nat

Here's another version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LkSyNtVZ-o

"My Ranting"

The rain is my solace

Silence is my world

Believing is what I need to believe.

The smell is my reminder

Familiarity is my fear

Hiding is what I do to resolve.

She bears the same name.

Is this fate, coincidence or a challenge to face my fear?

你是不喜欢我, 还是不敢喜欢我?

Shokudo

Lunch with Vanie: にほんりょうり
Shokudo @ Raffles City Shopping Centre.
Anime on wall are deco of kids' corner.
Japanese restaurant with Marche concept. They also have western food like burgers & Vanie's love: Rosti.

Curry rice, assorted sashimi, Rosti, Chawamushi & Sliced pork omelette.






Food are average, better ones can be found @ Central & Liang Court. But If you like the idea of "shopping ard for food"or getting thrilled by Japanese style/words/ambience like me.... you may give it a try. So this won't be under "I Recommend" category.




& Here's I Recommend 3.

If you are a 抹茶 lover like me, Ocha Ocha is a paradise.

A whole list of beverages, all available in freeze (ice blended) or rocks (just ice).

Must try: Too excited tht I had forgotten to take note of the dessert name.

It's pudding: Creamy & smooth, not very sweet & has an uber strong green tea taste.

However, service staff were disorganised. Forgotten abt the green tea cotton cake & worse was one of 'em just put (not serve) the pudding on an uneven surface.

It's been a sinful week, I'll go for jogging tml morning!

Dora's Pirate

Charity event: Dora's Pirate Adventure Party for children

2 hrs event, Nickelodeon, the National Library Board & Starhubbers help to facilitate the birthday party.
I was a little worried of not able to handle this task yet I wanna help.

Didn't attend the briefing held on Friday, I was even uncertain & jittery.
Phew! Awesome Emcee demonstrated the games & activities, highlighted what to take note blah blah blah. Conclusion is be happy & play with the kids!!!

Most Kids are adorable. We asked if they want to wear their kerchief from goodies bag. Because there were so many of us... we didn't know, one of the kido got a little fed up & said:"You're already the fifth person asking this." & I went "oopz, sorry." Haha. (Anne was the fourth)

I enjoyed the games! I went up stage & joined 'em. As mentioned by the emcee: "Kids like to watch & follow what you are doing." , so we were the motivators... gesturing what to do, like saluting or putting both hands on hip... when emcee said: "Pirates, Dora. etc" Everybody got so excited! I think I was part of them... cos i was giggling none stop.

They were required to imagine "walking on sea of rocks, butterflies, darkness!" Ooh! I love " 1 - 5 & freeze" all of them were so serious when they were "freezing". Also in the game, they had to find their so called treasure (it's costumes). They had to sing & dance.. & I followed. I never knew I could sing & dance to Children song! At that moment, I felt like one of Hi-five characters!

For the last segment, they had to make their own pirates' flag & hat. We had to help them with the double sided tape, markers, stickers.. & basically, making sure the everyone was okay & doing the right thing. I was seated besides a grp of kids while they were decorating their hats. There was this little cutie called Wen Qian. She turned to me & asked: "Teacher, can i write Dora is pretty on the hat?" Woah, Teacher... I tried to use my most encouraging tone of voice & said:"Sure" =D

The Finale was cutting the huge birthday cake. I've never sang birthday song in this volume. I was practically sing-shouting... to make the children happy & it works! That moment sharing the joy & laughter is priceless.

They were dismissed as according to their hat colour, for refreshments. We helped out to make sure everyone got their drinks & cakes. Kids with traces of chocolate cream on their mouth, just melts my heart.

Cheers to all teachers, I think i can understand your passion.

It felt like a mini gym work out.

*No picture to share. As you can see, there was no chance to hold a camera.

Sunset way

I Recommend 2: Exploring Sunset way.

The Daily Scoop.

Great savings!
1 scoop + waffles/brownie =$5.20

Similar to Tom's palette & Haato's concept. They have interesting flavours like cherry brandy, surprising coconut, Chendol etc.
Sunset Tavern's Mocktails & Cocktails

Lychee mint

Midori

Sunset Tavern

Blue Bird Paradise

Chocolate Haze

(starting from top left, anti-clockwise)

The drinks tht we tried are not as fantastic as it sound.
However, ambience, choice of music & friendly svc staff are the pulling factors... Maps & Reviews


My Mum's favourites!

Traditonal butter cream cakes from Balmoral Bakery.

They also sell pies (chicken, beef, curry etc)

























Celebrating Germ*'s birthday @ Rong Guang BBQ

Yummy!
Must try: Sambal Stingray.