::Full Steam Ahead::

Full Steam Ahead is no more.

2010-03-13T16:27:00.003+08:00

It's time for a change. A new look and a new name.

So, to Live & Love Boldly, visit http://liveloveboldly.blogspot.com/.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://liveloveboldly.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

I'll be discontinuing my designindigo.com service from August 2010.

A change is coming...

2010-02-21T15:24:00.000+08:00

Oh wow! What a year it has been! So many things, so many moments, so many people have passed through my life.

One of the bigger changes is I'll be moving this blog to a new custom domain (with Blogger) and off my current FTP host. Haven't quite decided on the new name but I know I want it to reflect these changes and what's to come. One of the biggest involves a special someone. More on this later.

This blog will be up till end July and I'll post the new url long before that.

So...what's everyone been up to?

The Best of Times!

2009-06-10T15:04:00.006+08:00

1988 will always be fondly remembered by Mountaineers as the best year in the history of WVU football. We simply couldn't lose, not with a dynamo of a quarterback running and throwing all over the field. It has taken nearly 20 years to finally recognise Major Harris for his achievements with a 2009 induction into College Football Hall of Fame.

What a year that was! Blue & gold everywhere. Packed football games and alcoholic tailgating parties. Rabid fans tearing down the goal post in the dying minutes of the WVU and Pitt game in what has always been billed as a 'backyard brawl'. Every television on campus (and I believe the state) tuned to ESPN when WVU played. It was a magical year when Don Nehlen led his team and the college to victory after victory.

I remember 1988 as the best year ever for me too. That year, everything in my life fell into place and just clicked. I listened to my heart and switched majors. Ha! I knew what I wanted to do, who I was going to be and where I wanted to go.

It was truly the best of times.

Every now and then, I stumble on news of WVU, old college friends, the football team, and I get all tingly with memories. I guess it is true after all: once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer!

Be still my heart!

2009-06-10T12:59:00.004+08:00

Pity that Adam's gay cause he's just soooo gorgeous. Quite unfair to all us women who'd love to have a chance with him.

I know... me bad.

The 5 Minute Chocolate Cake

2009-05-17T18:47:00.011+08:00

My sister sent me this recipe for a no-fail chocolate cake that can be done in a microwave. Perfect quick fix for when you're craving cake at whatever time of day. I made this twice. Once where I followed the original recipe (with the oil) and the second time where I substituted the oil with melted butter and a pinch of salt. Oh, the original recipe had everything dumped into the coffee cup to mix. I decided to split the ingredients and mix them separately - less messy, and I could also ensure everything gets incorporated properly.

And yes, there is a difference in taste! The second with the butter, tastes richer. However make sure you use good cocoa. I'm fond of Van Houten whose cocoa is richer and more 'chocolatey' then Hershey.

Finally, this cake is best eaten warm, with ice cream or cream. When it sits for awhile, it gets a little harder, liked most things cooked in microwave.

5-minute Chocolate Cake

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil (I substituted with 3 tbsps melted butter and added a pinch of salt))
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

1. Add dry ingredients in a bowl, and mix well. In a separate bowl, crack one egg and beat thoroughly.
2. Pour in the milk and oil (or the butter) and mix well. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and mix.
3. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Pour chocolate cake batter into mug.
4. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. (I'll cut down the time to 2 mins 45 secs.)
5. The cake will rise over the top of the mug and drip down the sides, but don't be alarmed!
6. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate. it won't be the prettiest cake in the world, but it sure is tasty.

Don't feel guilty about not reading enough books

2009-04-28T12:57:00.003+08:00

The general rule of thumb in the USA book industry is that 1/3 of the books bought are never started, and a further 1/3 are never finished, there is definitely room in most people's lives to be more choosy about which of the millions of books in print they should spend their limited time and hard earned money on...

Read rest of article on Too Many Books, Just Enough Time.

Update

2009-04-25T23:37:00.003+08:00

What with the new job, this beastly hot weather (temps have neared 40C!!), and a really bad bout of flu (at least I think that's what I had or was it mycoplasma?) - I've not been online much.

For the past 2 weeks, I've had a chronic cough that's kept me up at night. It was the result of a severe congestion that affected my ears, nose and throat, along with general tiredness, a bad upset stomach, fever and body aches. Then it got so bad that I lost my voice for nearly a week. It came back last Friday but I've been coughing ever since. The coughs are particularly bad at night when I'm lying down. Bad enough for me to throw up. Finally saw my doctor again, and I've got a post-nasal drip that explains the itchy scratchy throat and coughing. Sounds sexy, right? *Eyes rolling* I'm now on some pretty serious meds that knock me out about 40 mins after I've taken them.

Instead of my computer (this is the first time I've touched it in 2.5 weeks), I've been using my baby, my iPhone and twitting. 140 characters of news, comments and rants have been all I could handle while in bed. Till now. Nearly 96% better now.

I also have to confess: I've not picked up a book in WEEKS! I hope to change that soon. I'm looking for a seriously fun book that's utterly without any merit, values or life lessons. Also known as trashy romance or page-turning thrillers. Recommendations welcomed.

So... what's been going on in your universe? Hope everyone's well and keeping cool (I'm so jealous if cold weather is still upon you!). If you have a spare rain cloud or two, send them my way. Singapore is baking in a furnace from hell!

Apologies

2009-04-07T14:02:00.005+08:00

...for being away so long. I've just started another job at a new place, this time with a little bit of a learning curve.

It's still in design but in branding and packaging - quite different from the usual stuff I've done before. Terminology, processes and requirements take a bit of getting used to. Plus, I have a new set of colleagues to get to know, names to remember, and adapt to new personalities. And this is a much larger company. Egad!

Ah...such is the vagabond life of a contract employee! However, I'm hoping that this 6-month contract position (I'll be here till October) may turn into a full-time post. Crossing fingers and toes (although the latter is kinda tough when wearing sneakers)!

On a lighter note - I'm off to KL again on Thursday night for the long Easter weekend. What new stuff will I find from plundering the stores there, hmmm? I'll blog if I can and give full details later.

I've also been assigned by my crafty cousin at whose place I'm residing, to make an English tea for some visiting friends (from the UK, of course) this Friday. We planned the menu thus: Cream Scones with Strawberries and Clotted Cream, Cucumber (or Pate) Sandwiches, Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies (these maybe replace with store-bought) and pots of Tea. Simple, fuss-free and quite English, don't you think? And yes, I'll post some pics but only if they all turn out looking as good as they should.

Have a good weekend everyone (albeit a tad bit early of a wish).

UPDATE: My KL trip's cancelled. I've got the flu and am staying put this weekend.

Panic

2009-03-20T13:01:00.004+08:00

I had my heart in mouth when it happened to me about a month back.

Thanks Flee, for the link!

On my bookshelf

2009-03-16T14:08:00.007+08:00

Sixpence House: Lost In A Town Of Books :: Paul Collins

I scoured the net for weeks looking for this book. There were no more copies left on Amazon and I, living in Singapore, could not buy them from the Marketplace. Finally found it and a first edition hardbound copy too. Woohoo!

Then it was several months later, after I finished some books ahead in the queue, when I finally picked it up. It goes something like this: Man, wife and baby son move from San Francisco to Hay-On-Wye in Wales, UK, looking for a better life. It is a small village of 1500 people and 40 second-hand bookstores. Man finds a part-time job in a bookshop while working on book in the midst of publication. They meet interesting village people while looking for the perfect home. But after months of being unable to find one that doesn't need costly renovations, they realize that maybe they are not ready for the move after all.

I was and still am enthralled about a village bulging with books. I've now got a standing invitation to visit a good friend who lives "just down the road", to see and smell it for myself. Musty old books have the third best smell in the world, right after pineapple tarts at Christmas and the smell of new books, freshly bought. I looked forward to reading of Collins' efforts to assimilate to village life, and his adventures there but was left bereft.

The story of someone trying to adapt to life in a new country, with all the cultural and social missteps, is always quite entertaining. You know it works when you feel you're right at their elbow through their adventures. However I found that lacking here as well as any insight, the "meat" if you will, of really living in a bibliophile's idea of heaven.

Yes, there are LOTS of anecdotes about books and book-making and book buying and book cataloging and book dumping...quite enough and then some for the rabid bibliophile. It made me want to move there. BUT that was because of the village itself, not the author who after all the fuss, had another life-changing decision to make.

A good read but not worth the weeks I spent online to buy it. By the way, I got my edition from Alibris.com.

Now reading: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007, and with a few months to live, gave his 'last lecture' at Carnegie Mellon. It was a lecture on "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams". This is his autobiography.

Serves Christie's and France right!

2009-03-02T22:40:00.011+08:00

These bronze heads are at the centre of what's brewing to be a political storm. The rabbit and rat heads were part of a large fountain at the Summer Pavilion when it was plundered in 1860 by French and English troops during a humiliating period of Chinese history aka the Opium Wars.

They've been traded, legally or illegally, ever since. Until they landed into the collection of the late fashion designer Yves St Laurent. When they were put on auction just last month, the Chinese government stepped in to ask for their return. However, Christies and Pierre Berge (St Laurent's partner) refused. In fact, M. Berge offered to return them if China freed Tibet (which is an entirely different political argument altogether). The French court backed the sale saying China has little claim to the bronzes, since it was looted over a century ago.

Hmm... I suppose if the Mona Lisa was stolen during Germany's invasion during WWII and spirited out of the country, and sold several times over the years, and then appeared on auction in about 100 years, France should just zip it because the last owner bought it legally. And Christie's would be allowed to sell it. HA! You know that that would never happen. By the way, she was stolen in 1911, and rediscovered in 1913.

So it gave me great satisfaction to hear that the Chinese collector who bought it, now has no intention of paying for it. He did it as a patriotic act to stop the sale, embarrassing France and Christie's in the process.

Christie's could always re-sell the bronzes but the unwanted media attention and notoriety will render them undesirable to collectors. Perhaps now they'll be returned to China.

Me on Flickr

2009-02-17T20:00:00.000+08:00

I've re-discovered flickr. Thanks to the iPhone, I've been taking pictures and playing around with the fun filters available at the Apps Store. And also experimenting with my Lumix a bit more. Stop by for a look.

Movie: Slumdog Millionaire

2009-02-14T16:48:00.005+08:00

I watched this yesterday, not really expecting myself to like. And I didn't.

I LOVED IT! Slumdog Millionaire is truly the BEST movie I've seen in a very long time. Well, actually since the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This movie has everything: action, drama, humour and romance. So many things about the film resonated with me, especially that of the young brothers who go through hardship and hell to find a better life, out and away from the slums. Some scenes were pretty violent but no nudity or coarse language (unless you find phrases like 'piss off', coarse).

I simply cannot recommend it enough. Slumdog Millionaire truly deserves to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

If it doesn't make it to a theatre near you, wait and BUY the DVD. It's a keeper and well worth every penny, I promise.

6 out of 5 stars

On my bookshelf

2009-02-12T16:17:00.003+08:00

The City of Dreaming Books :: Walter Moers

A young septuagenarian dinosaur Optimus Yarnspinner is on a quest to uncover the author of a manuscript left by his authorial godfather. And it's to Bookholm he must go.

Bookholm, a city I'd call a bibliophile heaven. A city obsessed with books and everything about them. Only many of these books are not just for reading. Some are truly hazardous while others are just downright deadly. Some are even alive! All to be found in this city of strange inhabitants like Sharkgrubs and Murchs who live above enormous catacombs, filled with even more books of inestimable worth, and even stranger creatures. Booklings, animatomes, Harpyrs, and flora and fauna of the truly bizarre kind inhabit the caverns far below. But the strangest and most fearsome of them all is the dreaded Shadow King.

Optimus falls into the clutches of an evil book dealer, is hypnotized, poisoned and abandoned in the catacombs. What happens next is a rollicking adventure unlike anything I've ever read in a long, long time. Definitely not a children's book; too many bloody scenes and vicious books that could scare them out of picking up a book ever again! I raced through it in 5 days and enjoyed every word of it.

Highly recommended and a definite re-read.

On my bookshelf

2009-02-11T16:03:00.004+08:00

Mirror Mirror :: Gregory Maguire

I've always loved fairy tales. Not the vanilla tales from childhood but tales written for a more adult audience, sometimes twisted and dark with a dash of the macabre. Discovering Gregory Maguire in 2007 at a B&N in Cordova, TN (only realizing later that HE wrote Wicked), made me want to buy every book in his oeuvre. Glad I didn't.

The tale is a retelling of Snow White, only Maguire sets his story in Italy at the time of the Borgias. Nearly all the elements of the original are here: magic mirror, dwarves, wicked stepmother, poison apple, a beautiful girl. And a father who has disappeared on a quest for a biblical treasure (no, not the ark or the grail). There are also the court intrigues and political machinations of princes and popes jockeying for power and wealth. All the right elements to make a great story.

I finished Mirror, Mirror, and felt... Not that uplifted feeling I get at the end of a really good book. Neither a sense of loss cause I've finished it. I just felt... flat.

While I loved the story, what I didn't like was its pacing and protracted scenes. I found myself rushing through the last 50 or so pages WANTING to finish it so I could start something else. Read this only if you're a Gregory Maguire fan.

To my darling...

2009-02-04T22:22:00.003+08:00

Thanks for 25 wonderful years, Apple. Here's to another 25 more! Long live Mac! Woohoo!

On my bookshelf

2009-02-01T16:24:00.006+08:00

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic In Disguise :: Ruth Reichl

"New York is the centre of the American restaurant world." And a job at the New York Times as its new restaurant critic could potentially make nervous wrecks of anyone, never mind the new upstart from California, home of veggie burgers and tofu salads. But New York throws out the welcome mat. Even before Ruth Reichl arrives, there are "wanted" posters of her in nearly every restaurant in the city, as well as substantial "bounties" for spotting her. So much for anonymity! Now how is "the most important restaurant critic in the world" to get her job done?

With the help of wigs, makeup and vintage clothes, Reichl morphs into Molly, Miriam, Chloe, Brenda, Betty and Emily, fooling every sharp-eyed waiter and restaurateur in the city. Her personas are hilariously funny even as her reviews are mouth-wateringly delicious. Unlike the previous critic Bryan Miller with his penchant for French, Italian and Continental establishments, Reichl is an equal opportunity critic - dining and reviewing even Asian, Indian and Latino restaurants, leading her readers into hitherto unknown territory of the city's culinary map.

I admit to being a fan after reading her earlier novel Comfort Me With Apples. And I thoroughly enjoyed this book which not only has some of her best restaurant reviews and recipes from her own kitchen but also anecdotes of her life in New York and her time at the paper. Highly recommended indeed.

Now reading: Walter Moer's City of Dreaming Books. I'll be posting another review in a couple of days, of Gregory Maguire's Mirror Mirror. Two books read in January!

Look out for...

2009-01-26T13:20:00.005+08:00

Keith Donohue's new book due out in March 2009 - Angels of Destruction. After getting totally lost in his first book The Stolen Child, I've eagerly waited his next. And now it's almost here.

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-26T00:08:00.005+08:00

Or Gong Xi Fa Cai everyone! We were invited to my aunt's annual Chinese New Year reunion dinner. This is the dinner that's held with family and close friends on the eve. My aunt uses this as an excuse to get everyone together for a steamboat/bbq dinner. There are 2 tables - one of which is halal for her brother-in-law who is Muslim (although he's not picky as long as he's not actually eating pork). Thankfully it drizzled some so the air was cooler - almost perfect steamboat weather.

There were plates of vegetables, tofu, meat and fish balls that go into the soup pot in the middle while the meat (pork ribs, Korean-marinated beef and thickly cut streaky bacon) usually gets grilled in the surrounding hot plate, along with mushrooms, eggplants and prawns. All this is eaten with several flavourful dips like chilli and garilc, fermented tiny shrimp with chilli, onions and lime, and soy sauce. It's actually rather healthy IF you don't use too much butter/oil on the grill and IF you don't eat too much of the delicious chicken rice (rice cooked with chicken stock, garlic and ginger).

But we did eat too much (as usual!) and took a long pause before my aunt brought out her sticky toffee ginger pudding (thanks Delia Smith!), and my mom's own chocolate blacmange. We left, tummys full and sides splitting from laughter. There'll be more parties in the year, but these Chinese New Year ones are a hot, raucous affair, and will always remain my favorite.

Note: It must seem insane how Singaporeans can eat hot, soupy meals regardless of the hot, humid weather. I admit it takes some getting used to. But oh boy, the soup at the end of a steamboat is delicious, after cooking the vegetables and meat in it. Worth every bead of sweat, I promise you. And the perfect steamboat weather? Oh, that's when it's pouring buckets, like during the monsoon.

My Mac is sick

2009-01-21T10:26:00.001+08:00

I'm sneaking in this post at work to let you know that I'm looking after a rather sick Mac. Will be back (in a couple of days)as soon as I can get it fixed. I'm hoping it's nothing serious, and that I don't have to get a new Mac yet - holding out till end February.

Are you on Facebook?

2009-01-18T16:46:00.009+08:00

I'm one of the hold outs. I know I could use it to reconnect with everyone I've ever met but I'm still not 100% sold.

At last count, there are 150 million users around the world keeping track of each others activities, uploading photos, sending pokes, making new friends; generally connecting to people they would otherwise would not be in touch with, keeping friends and family updated on their very busy lives or general networking. It all sounds so easy and fun but that has not quite made me jump out of my seat to sign up.

I already have an online presence: I've got this blog (which I've been quite delinquent sometimes in updating), friends HAVE found me by googling my name, clients have found me by dropping by my website. I'm starting up my Flickr photos again (thinking of going pro), read several online magazines and newspapers, drop in as often as I can at my favourite blogs, am a member of several sites, and surf to lots more when I find interesting links. And this is just my online activities! In real life, I work a regular job, do freelance writing, try to read regularly and often, crochet (halfway to finishing a granny square blanket), sketch, beadwork, cook & bake, take photographs, hang out with friends, regularly call and email friends and family, and veg when I can. With all this on my plate, how on earth am I to find time to even BE on Facebook?

It's not just a 'no time' issue - I don't see any direct benefit for me other than it might be fun. And then it'll become just another online thing I have to maintain, and a possible drag.

I could be eating my words before the end of this year is out, but I'm stubbornly refusing to budge despite friends urging me to join. I've never been a 'groupie' - I did the whole Greek thing in college but never felt a true fit, joined various groups in school because I HAD to (school requirements), and didn't enjoy those either.

I need ONE really good reason as to why I should be on Facebook. And until someone gives me that, I'm staying right here.

It's back!

2009-01-14T22:58:00.002+08:00

The madness has started all over again.

American Idol is back. With all the bad singers, so-so singers and the really great ones. Not to mention the crazies, the disillusioned wannabes and those rude, cocky ones with non-existent talents. I love watching the first few episodes to see them all appear. Then settle down for the long haul as the chaff is slowly tossed out.

This is going to be a fun ride.

First Singapore Tattoo Convention

2009-01-11T00:20:00.003+08:00

Click on picture for a better view.

What an amazing event! There were over 100 artists from China, Taiwan, Philippines, US, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Australia and Singapore, including Miami Ink's Chris Garver. There's a distinctive whine in the air the minute you enter the hall. Every other person there sports some kind of body modification art. What blew me away was the artistry of the tattooists. It's one thing to see such tattoos in magazines or online, but quite another to see the art taking shape one someone's body. These guys are fantastic illustrators whose medium is the needle and ink. And their art is gorgeous. There were also tattooists employing the more traditional techniques from Borneo and Thailand - needle, ink and hammer. MAJOR OUCH! It looks super painful. Think I'll just enjoy the art and admire it from waaaaaay over here.

I was so tempted to get something - anything - the excitement and creativity were infectious. But those needles...I'd need general anaesthesia first!

Friday - Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2009-01-02T20:52:00.019+08:00

J, his mom and I spent the afternoon in Chinatown. We toured Jalan Petalin - a street popular for fake brand name anything. Watches, bags, shoes, belts, they're all here for a fraction of the real stuff. They even had fake Tiffany silver jewelry for goodness sake! There were also stalls selling fruits, roasted chestnuts, souvenirs, and lots and lots of food.

I sampled some Chinese herbal jelly at a traditional Chinese dessert stall and promptly fell in love. It comes delightfully cold and you can add as much (or as little) honeycomb sugar syrup as you like. It has a rather pleasant bitterish after-taste but oh! it was smooth. The perfect thing to eat on a hot, muggy, sunny day. Local Chinese believe this jelly to have a 'cooling' effect on the body, and when eaten regularly, can help relieve excema, psoriasis and acne.

J later insisted I try these famous Chinatown curry puffs (similar to Cornish pasties). These curry puffs have a mildly-spiced filling of chicken, potatoes and a large piece of hard-boiled egg, wrapped in a thin skin of dough and deep-fried. O-la-la! They were piping hot and delicious.

Other yummy things spotted but not sampled were the roasted chestnuts and peanut pancakes. The chestnuts are roasted with sugar and some oil in a big pan with hot grains of coal tossed among them. The meat of these chestnuts are flavourful and sweet.

The peanut pancakes are a perfect snack, filled with chopped peanuts in a pancake that's crisp outside yet fluffy and chewy inside.

Then, it was time for lunch at Madras Lane - a dirty backalley with 4-legged stools and rather rickety tables under a zinc roof. If you can ignore the surroundings, plug your ears to the loud shouts of food orders, put up with the sweltering heat (no fans or airconditioning, mind you), you'll be in for a feast of some first-rate local dishes. Like KL's famous 'yong tau foo' (vegetables and tofu stuffed with meat, and eaten with piping hot soup and several dips), 'chee chong fun' (light as air rice pancake that's shredded, topped with sesame seeds and eaten with chilli and a piquant black sauce) and more. The best thing to wash all that down? A cold glass of homemade barley drink. I nibbled a bit of everything J ordered but couldn't eat much after all the earlier sampling.

*click on the pictures for more*

New Year's in KL

2009-01-02T20:45:00.006+08:00

This was the view from our bedroom window - the magnificent, one-time tallest building in the world - the Petronas Towers. J's aunt kindly got him, his fiancee and myself a room to share at the Mandarin Oriental in the heart of the city for the evening. It was within walking distance to all the shops and right next door to one of the biggest malls in the country - KLCC aka KL Convention Centre.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-30T17:39:00.003+08:00

I'll be taking a break from blogging for the next couple of days as I'm flying off to my cousin's place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia tomorrow. We'll be staying at the Mandarin Oriental for one night to catch the New Year's eve celebrations downtown including fireworks! Then it's just a few days of chill-out fun except for some shopping to catch the sales.

See you all in 2009!

Christmas

2008-12-27T22:40:00.007+08:00

I think we went slightly overboard with the food this year. But we do enjoy trying out new things whenever there's a party, and I think, our guests appreciate our experiments.

Starting from top of vertical row on left: Waldorf Salad, Garlic Bread, homemade Eurasian pickle, chillis with lime, Roasted Capon with Lemon and Thyme, Homemade Red Onion Marmalade, Cherry-Glazed Ham.

Middle row: Cheesy Pastry Circles, BBQ Sausages, Chap Chye, Spicy Minced Beef & Chicken, Roasted Potatoes.

Last row: Rice, Chicken Vindaloo, Feng, Pineapple Patcharee.

The Chap Chye, Feng and Eurasian Pickle are traditional Eurasian staples that appear only at this time of year. The Ham is another one but we're not stuck on any one particular kind (just not tinned). Because I didn't want to have the hassle of fiddling around with a turkey, we tried capons. I used loads of lemon and thyme for a Mediterranean flavour. It wasn't sour but refreshingly tangy. I tried Nigella's Perfect Roast Potatoes (she dredged them with semolina for an added crunch) and they turned out just that - perfect. Will definitely repeat this dish next year. To accompany the sausages, chicken and ham, I made the onion marmalade which was especially yummy.

I didn't take a picture of the desserts but they were: Pumpkin Creme Brulee, Eurasian Brandied Fruit Cake and Eurasian Sugee Cake. And Dad made his special Pink Guava punch - now that is a family secret. But I can tell you one ingredient - pink guava.

Everyone literally rolled out of here around midnight. Whew! I hope your Christmas/Holiday party was a happy one.

It came upon a midnight clear...

2008-12-25T00:43:00.002+08:00

A Blessed Christmas everyone. And for others, Happy Hanukkah and Joyful Kwanzaa.

Massage

2008-12-21T01:14:00.005+08:00

After a tension filled week, I got an appointment for a back massage to iron on various knots and kinks in my shoulder. Oh...my...goodness...! After confessing my embarrasingly low threshold of pain, the masseuse applied only 25% of her usual strength. But it was still a "sweet pain" that followed. Not only did she use her hands, she used hot stones to aid the massage effect. Oooo...

My shoulders, especially the right one, are very tight and she spend some considerable time kneading the muscles there. The pain was enough for me to tear up. Now I'm home, drinking hot green tea which is suppose to 'flush away the toxins'. I will be sore for the next few days but already the tension between my shoulder blades, is gone.

By the way, did you know that other parts of the body hold a lot of tension besides the shoulders? They are the heels, calves and bum, parts we always overlook when the shoulders are screaming. Oh boy, was there pain when she tackled those areas!

And yes, I'm going back. Next month.

Bad, bad, bad...

2008-12-19T15:43:00.005+08:00

Before the holidays overwhelm (as it is, I'm already feeling the pressure of NOT having done my Christmas shopping yet!), I did a check on the books read this past year.

P A T H E T I C!

As of today, I've read:
Fiction: 4 (5 when I'm done with Maguire)
Non-Fiction: 4
eBook (iPhone): 1
S&S (aka Started & Stopped): 3.

That's barely a book a month! I'm so ashamed, mad, disappointed... Especially when I remember a not too distant past when I could devour a book in 4 days! But what with work AND freelance, I find myself reading on my trips between places, waiting for anything or anyone, lunch breaks, before bed... I admit that there have been some empty spaces, but after a day of staring at the computer, the last thing I want to do is look at more words again.

But...I'm going to change this. My reading habit that is. I will read more and I will read more often. No pressure - You hear me, self? I miss the whole 'sit down with a book' moment. Those totally indulgent selfish moments when I set aside a few hours for myself, deadlines and 'must-dos' be dammed.

I'd like to get my total up to 24 books in 2009, mere pittance when compared to what some other bibliophiles are consuming. Anyway, that's one of my goals for 2009. Read. And get more freelance copywriting jobs.

O Christmas Tree!

2008-12-13T18:09:00.004+08:00

It's up and lit! There are about 280 lights on this 7ft tree this year - a fraction of what my cousin has on his - 1140! Haha!

As you can see, I collect snowflakes and anything crystal or crystal-like. This year, I added some splashes of rich red among the silver, white and gold.

Click on the image for the full version.

Opening of ...

2008-12-13T16:39:00.003+08:00

The Chocolate Research Facility. Yes, my friends, there now exists in Singapore, a Willy Wonkaesque entrepreneur and a magical factory that churns out truly yummy treats. Chris Lee, designer wunderkind of Asylum, brings his innate design sense to the creation and packaging of these chocolates.

There are 100 different flavours in 10 series with some of the most exotic flavours I've seen yet! I bought the four bars above (click on the image for a larger version). And the cheese one? It's actually Parmesan! But before you say "yuk!" - it's delicious! Some of the more unusual flavours include Cardamon with Almond and Lemongrass, Longan with Pumpkin Seed and Sichuan Pepper. What's more, these chocolates are made right here in Singapore from Belgian couvertures.

I was lucky to be invited to its opening on Friday (how NOT to say 'no', eh?) by Flee. There were the usual trays of finger foods and tasting chocolates. There was also an endless flow of chocolate martinis. I've never had one before and sipped my first cautiously. Hmmmm...chocolatey goodness with the kick of vodka.

Yes, the chocolates would make great gifts especially stocking stuffers, and no! they're not expensive. One bar (slight smaller than an iPhone) is about S$10.

Preparing for Christmas...

2008-12-08T02:01:00.004+08:00

What you see there is about one-quarter of what's in the boxes. It took nearly 3.5 hours this year to get everything that should be hung, on to the tree. Only to discover my lights don't work! Grrr... Don't you hate it when that happens? Once I get new lights and have strung them up, a fully-dressed Christmas tree picture will soon follow.

It's beginning to feel a bit like Christmas...despite the 32 degree Celsius weather and monsoon rains. But considering the first Christmas was in a desert, this isn't so bad.

On my bookshelf

2008-12-07T22:21:00.004+08:00

I, Lucifer :: Glen Duncan

I've always wondered... The Christian God is all about forgiveness, right? So could he ever forgive Lucifer and welcome him back into Heaven? But more importantly, would Lucifer miss home and repent? And what would it take for this to happen?

Well, Lucifer has been missed and is offered a chance at redemption before all hell breaks loose. He's given a trial run, one month, in the body of a suicide victim to decide if he wants to go all the way. Of course, the little devil has his own ideas of what that life should be and he proceeds to live it, on his terms. What happens next is a wicked romp through the streets of London as Lucifer indulges in the earthly pleasures of sex, drugs and expensive suits while offering us insightful glimpses of the Fall, temptation of Eve, the Last Supper and life in Hell, not to mention the rest of the angelic host. But goodness! He is a whiner who behaves like the bad boy in a preppy do-good family.

Whatever you do, don't read ahead, especially the end. And if you can put up with Glen Duncan's verbal gymnastics and biting wit, you'll be rewarded with a tongue-in-cheek tale of a heavenly exercise gone awry.

By the way, there's a movie based on the book due out soon. Guess who's in the title role?

Now reading: Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire - an adult version of Snow White set in the time of the Borgias in Italy.

Baking day

2008-11-29T16:47:00.003+08:00

I've been hit by the baking bug. Last weekend, I made two batches of scones: Raisin & Ginger Scones and Savoury Cheese Scones. Both were a hit at Ems' tea party. Today, for Bex's pre-Christmas party, I decided to make a batch of cookies, something I've not done in an age.

After some digging around, I found a Paula Deen recipe that uses cream cheese. Only silly me used self-raising flour when the recipe called for all-purpose flour. In Singapore, that translates to 'plain flour'. Mistake #1. Mistake #2 was forgetting to double the sugar when I doubled everything else. It turned out to be an happy accident. I find most US recipes use too much sugar. Mom and I usually cut out at least 25% from recipes without changing the taste or texture too much. Result - my cookies came out puffy and not too sweet.

A new logo for Pepsi

2008-11-27T15:38:00.003+08:00

Notice the 'grins' in the logo? It's about the enjoyment you get from drinking a Pepsi. The white gap widens for different drinks. Pepsi has taken a very space-age look with the new can design and typeface. I'm not sure if I like it...yet.

From my iPhone: Sunset

2008-11-27T14:27:00.002+08:00

I got home one evening after work to find the sky all rosy-yellow and blue with a lovely pink light. I caught this at the gate just before I went into the house. No photoshop tricks I promise.

On my bookshelf

2008-11-16T18:37:00.004+08:00

Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World :: Anthony Doerr

Anthony Doerr won the Rome Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. It came with a stipend and a writing studio in Rome for a year. Lucky chap. He learned of it when he and his wife returned from the hospital with new-born twin. Doubly lucky.

So off they went to the Eternal City where for one magical year, they embraced life in Italy and their new roles as parents. The book is both an insight into the sleepless lives of young parents, as well as a guide to the butchers, bakers, grocers and their neighbourhood on the Janiculum.

We are taken on tours of the Vatican (now I know to get into the Sistine Chapel queue very early then run like a mad thing to lie under the famous ceiling and enjoy it in solitude for nearly 15 minutes), meet Romans (who all love babies), discover parts of the city that are not in tourist brochures and attend the vigil of a dying pope. There are funny anecdotes of his family and musings on the writer's life with healthy observations from Pliny and Dante.

An easy book to read and and get lost in. And wish, wish, WISH you were there too.

Now reading: I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. A thoroughly wicked look at the possible salvation of the devil.

Barack Obama Wins!

2008-11-05T20:02:00.006+08:00

This is a red-letter day in history. Now can America rise up and stand tall again?

YES, THEY CAN!

Image from Yahoo! News.

Taken with my iPhone - My Office

2008-10-30T11:00:00.005+08:00

It's in a row of preserved shophouses with loads of green, pink and white tiles and 3-d relief motifs all over the front. Very pretty but goodness! the steps within!

Catch up

2008-09-26T17:42:00.008+08:00

It's finally here - Formula One. And it's taking place in our very streets this weekend. Yawn!

Downtown, streets have been prepared and roads have been blocked. Traffic is horrendous and everyone knows to stay away from the Marina Bay area unless you are going to the race. I heard, a Grandstand ticket is about S$7,500 (comes with champagne dinner, a yacht cruise etc). Goodness, that can buy me 2.5 Macbooks! Or a trip to my sister PLUS a week's stay in NYC!

I caught Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona last night. I throughly enjoyed exploring Barcelona through Allen's lens, with a lot of Gaudi's architecture thrown in. The movie was good with many funny moments where Penelope Cruz shone. And oh! Javier Badem is just so incredibly hot and sexy and gorgeous and sinful and did I say hot? If all Spanish men look like that, I'm moving to Spain.

I'll finally admit it here - I have a thing for men with fuzzy faces. Not a full-on Father Christmas beard, but that well-maintained 2, 3 day stubble. It can take the sculpted look of a goat-tee, a light tuft on the chin, (which a friend calls 'crotch hair' - ACK!) or a sharply trimmed 5 o' clock shadow, 3 days gone. No, I don't think it's rough (in fact I like that scratchy feeling...hmmm) and to me, it makes for an incredibly 'can i tear the shirt off your body' guy. Haha!

I'm still here, reading (juggling Four Seasons in Rome, and The Sandman Books 2 to 6) but haven't had time to post any reviews. Hope everyone's well. I'll come a-visiting soon.

I love KL!

2008-09-20T15:59:00.003+08:00

Kuala Lumpur that is! Thanks to the strong Singapore Dollar against the Malaysian Ringgit (SGD1 : MYR2.4), many things are so much cheaper there. Like British India's beautifully embroidered linen and silk tops which sell dollar for dollar. I LOVE their easy to wear classy pieces that are perfect for the weather here. Also, Nine West shoes, Banana Republic, Massimo Dutti and not to mention, Borders! Yes, books in KL are much cheaper than home and what's more, KL doesn't have a goods-and-services tax!

I did some controlled spending at Borders and bought ONLY 3 books: The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt, Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire and Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier. I'm off there again at at the end of October.

Weekend!

2008-09-12T16:19:00.002+08:00

I'm off to Kuala Lumpur this weekend. On the 530pm coach. I'm looking forward to a chill-out weekend of long dinners, movie and game night and some shopping in the malls there. I've also heard that Borders is cheaper there, thanks to the stronger Singapore dollar. Oh temptation...!

I'm going to test my new iPhone on the road. So far, except for a couple more grumbles to add the my 3 below, I'm still in love with this gadget. Could be better but it's already damm good.

Have a good weekend all.

Movie: Wall-E

2008-09-01T11:19:00.006+08:00

If you haven't already, go watch Pixar's Wall-e. I can't remember ever being that excited about an animation movie (although Monsters Inc came quite close) but I was really looking forward to this one.

It's a romantic comedy with lots of space action. You can read about the movie here. But I will tell you that Pixar has topped itself. Wall-e is definitely a 'must watch' and a 'must get the DVD' movie. Absolutely loved it!

Oh iPhone!

2008-08-31T16:03:00.003+08:00

I've had the iPhone for 10 days. It's definitely a larger and heavier phone to carry around but I love it. However there are several things that I wish Apple had paid attention to before releasing version 2.0.

1. A little blinking light for missed calls or received SMSes. This comes in handy especially when your iPhone is in a case, with Auto-Lock turned on.

2. SMS forwarding. Such a basic function in ANY mobile phone.

3. Copy and paste functions. Now how could Apple forget this?

Minor gripes indeed for a phone that I believe will change the UI of mobile phones forever, just you wait. Ok, I'm severely prejudiced here. :-)

Use iTunes to make iPhone ringtones in 5 steps

2008-08-24T15:18:00.006+08:00

Thanks to a YouTube video from mattsiphone, I was able to tweak some of the steps to make it work on a Mac. This works for all songs NOT purchased through iTunes ie. ripped from CDs and downloaded from other sources.

1. Open iTunes. Go to Preferences and click on Advanced Importing. See Import Using? Click to select AAC Encoder, then click OK.

2. Select the song you want to make a ringtone. Now you can choose to make the entire song a ringtone, or select a part of it. Get Info on the song and click on Options. Use the Start Time and Stop Time to select the part of the song you want as a ringtone. I suggest that you listen to the song first and note the start and stop times, before entering it here. This will also create a much smaller file (between 200 to 300K). Click OK when done.

3. With the song still highlighted, go to Advanced in the menu above screen and select Convert Selection to AAC. If you didn't do Step 1, you'll see Convert Selection to XXX (XXX being whatever mode you have left selected for song conversion). A copy of the song will be made as it converts.

4. When done, go to your iTunes Folder in your hard drive and find the folder of that song. Use Finder, it's faster. The song will be a .m4a file. Drag it to your desktop. IMPORTANT: Highlight the extension and change it to .m4r (this is the extension for iPhone ringtones). A window will pop up asking if you want to use.m4r or remain as .m4a. Click Use .m4r.

5. Almost there... I suggest you create a folder iPhone Ringtones and put that in the same folder as your iTune songs. Now when you connect your iPhone to your Mac, go to Ringtones tab in iTunes, and select the iPhone Ringtones folder and click on Synch. Voila! Now you have the chosen song in your iPhone as a ringtone.

Enjoy!

iPhone heaven...

2008-08-23T20:45:00.004+08:00

I got to the Comcentre around 7pm and was #16 in the queue!! I thought there would be hundreds by then but 16!! Wow! My cousin joined me for a bit and a bite which helped to kill about 2 hours. I rejoined the queue at around 10pm, and that was when things got really exciting. They moved us to a spot in front of the 'glass house' - a replica of the Mac Shop in NYC. Only this was wrapped in a big white bow.

There was a band and an MC to get things pumping. The organisers gave out coffee, snacks and water. TV crew from the region's various media were filming and interviewing. By then I was almost dying of thirst (didn't dare drink too much in case I needed to pee cause getting out of there was a pain!).

At the countdown, the bow was unwrapped and fireworks showered golden sparks on the first guy who got to go inside and make his first purchase. After that, the first 50 (including yours truly) entered the glass house to applause and cheers! Haha!!

My friends thought I was crazy to do this. I suppose. I did promise myself last year that when the iPhone comes to Singapore, I would do to be one of the first to get it. I'm glad I did. It was a fun though exhausting experience. There isn't much I'd get into a line for, the iPhone was one of them. Another was the last Harry Potter book (2007). Tickets to a U2 concert if and when they EVER decide to play here would be another.

And my iPhone? Sigh....

Oh baby...!

2008-08-19T23:30:00.003+08:00

This gorgeous hunk is finally here. At 12.01am on Friday, 22 August at the ComCentre. You must be registered and have booked this time-slot. If not, visit Singtel's hello shops to add your name to the waiting list.

Excuse me while I calm my racing heart...I have a date with destiny.

Currently reading...

2008-08-19T21:15:00.003+08:00

I've had enough of regular books for a while. Well actually, I want something different but I don't know what that is just yet. So, I've started on the entire graphic novel series of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman. I've read book 1 (twice now), almost done with book 2 with book 3 waiting in the wings. I'm off to Kinokuniya tomorrow for more - they have stocked the entire series.

Question: Although these are not my old 'comic books' (remember Archie and Beano?) can I still classify these as serious literature? There are more picture than words. Also, I've been eyeing The Watchmen - any thoughts on this, anyone?

Beijing Olympiad 08.08.08 at 08.00pm

2008-08-09T13:40:00.006+08:00

Beijing promised a spectacular and they delivered...it was breathtaking!

My favourite parts? The fireworks of giant footprints in the very beginning and the lighting of the Olympic flame. Wooaahhh! What were yours?

Photo from AFP

On my bookshelf

2008-07-26T13:43:00.006+08:00

The Secret Of Lost Things :: Sheridan Hay
304 pages, Fourth Estate 2007, Hardback

A coming of age tale of a young 18 year-old girl who travels from Tasmania to New York City after her mother's death. There she finds work in the Arcade, a huge second-hand book-store filled with odd characters like Pearl a large, black soon-to-be all woman with operatic dreams and Oscar who is incapable of loving anyone. Along the way, she's besotted with a totally undeserving fuckwit (thanks you Bridget Jones!) who uses her to aid his search for a lost Herman Melville manuscript, and has her first sexual encounter with another who's looking for the same.

I liked Rosemary although her naivete and country-mouse wonder at life and love made me want to shake her after a bit. I enjoyed Sheridan Hay's prose and her ability to create idiosyncratic characters. While the Melville manuscript was a secondary plot, it was an clever way to put Rosemary into situations that tested her, and allowed her to grow.

A good effort but I wish it had a slightly faster pacing. Recommended for serious consideration to any TBR pile.

Now reading: Not sure what's next. Maureen Corrigan's book kinda disappointed me. I need a thriller to yank me from the depths of book purgatory. Suggestions welcome!

On my bookshelf

2008-07-19T11:57:00.004+08:00

The Shadow of the Wind :: Carlos Luiz Zafon
478 pages, Penguin 2006, Paperback

Nearly 500 pages of plots within plots within plots; of a parallel coming-of-age tale of two young men and the women they love, a labyrinth, of a sadistic police officer driven by psychopathic lust to hurt and kill, of books that are hunted down and destroyed. Murder, love and mystery rule while quiet moments of regret, loss and longing give pause and a lump in the throat.

This is a delicious Gothic novel in the same vein as Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose. It's one of those books that you'd want to savour every page, to prolong its inevitable conclusion yet at the same time, want to rush through to find out what happens next! There are nail-biting scenes which will have you reading well past bedtime on a work night before you get to a spot where you can close the book, however reluctantly. But whatever you do, don't read ahead.

I'll be looking for more of Zafon's novels to add to my library. Highly recommended!

Now reading: Maureen Corrigan's Leave Me Along, I'm Reading, and Sheridan Hay's The Secret of Lost Things.

Life thus far...

2008-06-30T22:20:00.005+08:00

Goodness! This is the end of June with just 6 months left till the end of December. The year has zipped by so fast that I'm reeling from the rush. I have a feeling that the new year will appear before I can blink twice! Anyone feeling this way?

Work, life, work, and more work has consumed my June. Yes there were doses of pleasant moments like high teas, dinners, punnets of sweet US strawberries (eaten as is, or cut up and mixed with Cointreau and OJ), movies and a new international client for my freelance business. Woohoo! But I've had my nail-biting moments too (yes, D...they're all shredded again!).

I'm looking forward to a saner July but you know how these things can change just like that. I'm off on a company trip this coming weekend to Malacca in Malaysia. A chance to relax, enjoy some really good food and do a tiny spot of shopping as I'm saving for my US trip. I've got a shopping list and as of now, it includes 2 handbags, 2 to 3 pairs of shoes, re-stock my Bare Minerals makeup, underwear, and as many clothes as my limited budget allows. All subject to change depending on what I see at the shops.

And this is the 2nd issue of lol, aimed at the students of SIM.

Hope everyone's been well and is having a good summer, wherever you are. What have you been up to? If you're out in the sun, don't forget your sunscreen.

Welcome nephew...

2008-06-22T15:08:00.004+08:00

Anthony Gerald, born Saturday, 21 June at 4pm-ish in Memphis, TN to my sister and her husband. All are doing well.
Uh...correction. Anthony is well but his parents are exhausted!

My parents couldn't make it up there as Mom had a minor operation on her back, and is recovering. They'll be going in early July. I'll be there in mid-August, I think...Or whenever the baptism is suppose to be.

Update: It's been an unreal 2 weeks at work with everything coming to a head on Friday when the corporate book I was project managing for that government client got rejected. No thanks to the printer who delivered 2500 copies with ink smudges and roller marks. I could shoot them! Of course everything will be re-printed at no cost to the client or us but now, the client is taking this opportunity to change the color on the cover! The circus continues on Monday.

Calling AoGG fans!

2008-06-08T21:27:00.002+08:00

I stumbled on a treasure trove of Anne of Green Gables videos on YouTube. Here you can catch the entire series, all 3 of them in 10 minute segments, starting with Anne of Green Gables (20 segments), Anne of Green Gables - The Sequel (23 segments) and Anne of Green Gables - The Continuing Story (15 segments).

Dig a little deeper and you'll find BBC gems: The Vicar of Dibley, Keeping Up Appearances, Fawlty Towers and Monty Python!! Woohoo!!

On my bookshelf

2008-06-03T21:19:00.004+08:00

An Alphabetical Life :: Wendy Werris
292 pages, Carol & Graf 2006, Paperback

This is an ode to the long-ignored, underappreciated bookseller. A profession Wendy Werris stumbled into when she was hired at the legendary Pickwick Bookstore in LA on September 2, 1970. It traces her journey from a lowly sales person to publishers' sales rep with snippets of her family along the way.

Wendy was selling books in an era when indie bookstores still dotted the US landscape, providing personal service and in-depth knowledge of their products, before they were engulfed by the mega stores we see today. These small bookstores had a personality and larger-than-life, generous book buyers who became her friends. Many remained close even as their bookstores folded or were bought over by the corporate giants.

There's a hilarious moment at a Microsoft Press sales conference. Mac-user Wendy, determined to show up a presenter, inserted foot-in-mouth by asking, "So tell me - will Microsoft be launching a Macintosh version of this Windows software upgrade?"

A thoroughly enjoyable book that well deserves its place on the bookshelf of all bibliophiles.

Now reading: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Reading: Books on Books

2008-05-27T22:42:00.006+08:00

I have unintentionally started a reading challenge. Looking at some of the books I have in my TBR pile and the ones I'm reading now, I see that I have the beginnings of a Books on Books challenge.

So far, the books are:
* An Alphabetical Alphabet by Wendy Werris (current)
* The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Safon (current)
* Leave Me Alone I'm Reading by Mauren Corrigan
* The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers
* Sixpence House by Paul Collins (Thank you Alibris.com!)
* A Passion For Books by Harold Rabinowitz and Rob Kaplan
* King's English by Betsy Burton
* The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay
* The Complete Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby

I'll keep adding to this list as I discover more. If you'd like to join in or even add to this list, please drop me a comment.

Another Hell Week

2008-05-25T16:34:00.003+08:00

My boss asked me to take on an additional responsibility this week - to manage a new government project, a corporate book for the Public Service Division with a rather intense deadline. All must be designed, printed and delivered by June 16th, in time for a major international convention here in Singapore. My stomach is doing back flips as I'm thinking about it. ACK! Besides that, I've got another issue of lol to rush out with a deadline of June 23. Double ACK! Plus I've got several interviews set up for next week.

Anyone know a good cloning specialist?

Finally, a favourite book is now a movie!

2008-05-14T14:30:00.003+08:00

At long last, Evelyn Waugh's book Brideshead Revisted has been adapted for the big screen. And it's about time too. E.M. Forster and Jane Austen have all found new audiences through film but poor Evelyn has languished, forgotten.

No big names here except for Emma Thompson as Lady Marchmain. Taking a cue from the BBC TV series back in 1981, Brideshead is filmed at the famous Castle Howard in Yorkshire. Look out for the TV series, now available on Amazon, which stars a very young Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews.

And oh! another forgotten author is also due for fame soon. I just read online that filming will soon start on Wuthering Heights. Natalie Portman who was suppose to star as Catherine as dropped out. No news yet on a replacement but Heathcliffe will be played by Michael Fassbender (Stelios in 300). This could be interesting.

Now who would you like to play Catherine opposite him, eh?

I just decided on my Catherine: Kate Beckinsale - dark-haired, beautiful, tomboy. Now to find my Heathcliffe.

Roll over Moleskines...

2008-05-05T17:14:00.006+08:00

Moleskines are getting ridiculously expensive here (no thanks to inflation). A large notebook is currently retailing for S$37 or approx US$25. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to justify the price when I'm using my notebook for just that: notes, and lists, and thoughts, and stuff. I've got one for when I travel, and the NYC Moleskine.

Thanks to a good friend who hoards these beauties, I've found an alternative - Monologues. The sketchbook version has 100gsm acid-free cream sketch paper that can take washes but has no pocket on the inside back of a flexible black cover. It takes the ink of my Pilot G2s very well, with no smudges or bleed thrus.

The ruled version however has a pocket a la Moleskine and a stiffer cover that comes in several colours. They both have wrap-around elastic holders and a ribbon bookmark. And better yet - they retail for under S$15 (USD$10)! I can buy two for the price of one Moleskine!

If you're in Singapore, Monologues are available at Kinokuniya at Takashimaya, and at Popular bookstores. Sorry Moleskine...

On my bookshelf

2008-05-04T00:31:00.005+08:00

Special Topics In Calamity Physics :: Marisha Pessl
668 pages, Penguin Books, 2006, Paperback

I was NOT going to let this book get the better of me. I hung on for dear life, carting this heavyweight around in my bags for nearly 2 months. I endured some rather rotten characters in the first 434 pages to only have those characters nearly disappear in the remaining pages. So much for getting attached to some people I had grown to really dislike.

I kept asking myself as I turned each page, "What's the point in all this?" And after just finishing the book a scant 10 minutes ago, I have to say, "Nothing." Except for a couple of incidents that happen in the first two-thirds that shed some light on the last few chapters, everything is expendable. Pessl's freshman effort could use with some drastic editing, if not for the book's benefit, than at least for the sake of her readers. The last 200 pages zipped along with a couple of twists I rather enjoyed though you can see them coming as the plot slowly unravels. But goodness! Getting to that point where you can actually start enjoying it, is SO tedious.

Go to Amazon to read a synopsis, I'm too fed-up with this book to write more than this: Girl and father move to a new town, to a new school, girl makes unlikely new friends, girl finds body of her teacher, loses friends, then uncovers an underground, near-legendary revolutionary group with links close to home.

Recommended only if you're going to be marooned on a desert island.

Now gratefully reading: An Alphabetical Life by Wendy Werris.

Books and Gas

2008-05-03T15:27:00.004+08:00

At the Exxon gas station near my house, in a barely populated book rack near the door, you can find some rather good books for a pittance. Like this baby here by one of my favourite authors - a first edition hardcover of Edith Wharton's The Cruise of the Vanadis, for only $10 (about US$7)!

My first magazine

2008-05-01T22:13:00.004+08:00

This is the cover of my first magazine - lol or Living Out Loud. This 20-page issue is currently only available at Lasalle - College of the Arts. The next issue due out at the end of June, on the SIM campus.

You can read an interview I did of a Singapore illustrator here. Thanks OIC!

New books

2008-04-30T21:55:00.003+08:00

The books I ordered from Amazon.com arrived today, two weekends since I ordered. Not bad for standard shipping.

1. The Reagan Diaries, edited by Douglas Brinkley
2. The Copyeditor's Handbook by Amy Einsohn
3. The Life of Elizabeth 1 by Alison Weir
4. A Passion for Books by Rob Kaplan
5. An Alphabetical Life by Wendy Werris
6. Leave Me Alone I'm Reading by Maureen Corrigan

The Reagan Diaries was something I should have bought when I was at my sister's last summer - it was only $18.90 at Sam's. It's retailing at Border's here for S$60 or about USS35!! ACK!!!

The Handbook is something for work especially now that I'm doing more corporate communications writing. The rest - well, because they've been on my Amazon wishlist for so long and I've not been able to find them here!

And that's it for now. No more new books for the next... oh! 3 months?? Really!

I'm so looking forward to this weekend. It's Labour Day tomorrow here in Singapore, and I'm taking Friday off. So that's a long 4-day weekend for me. And oh! I'm off to the ShangriLa for English tea tomorrow with some friends. A small treat to myself after the last 2 crazy months.

Well, I never...

2008-04-27T21:18:00.005+08:00

Had a client reject all 3 concepts for an annual report design because they were 'too creative'. Can you believe that? Too creative?! He tossed out everything, changed the theme again, and said he wanted something more conventional. This translates to safe, boring and one that his secretary could probably do in Microsoft Word.

Didn't know whether to laugh or cry. And they weren't anything too avant-garde or 'unconventional' either. One involved the use of different textures, one had interesting packaging and one was quite conventional but with a clever title to positively introduce their past year's efforts.

Note: Re-did them, re-presented the new idea and client loved it. Sigh!

Hello world!

2008-04-19T19:59:00.011+08:00

Two crazy weeks of work and deadline are over. For now. I'm currently in the eye of a hurricane, and how long this little breather will last, I'm not sure but I'm taking full advantage of this period of lesser work.

My magazine is finally O U T! Titled lol or Living Out Loud, it's a small 20-page issue about creative people, the creative business, events and the school of the moment, all targeted at students. For the first year, we'll be publishing it as a bimonthly of 2500 copies per issue. Next year, we'll see... So far, it's gotten good response, and my boss is happy. So whew!

I haven't had much time to read for pleasure. So far, I've had my nose buried in and my head crammed with corporate and government stuff for work. I've had Special Topics of Calamity Physics riding around in my bag for the last few weeks, reading a page or two whenever I have a short break. And recently I found and bought The Cloudspotter's Guide. Didn't think I'd ever find it here but there it was, on the bottom shelf at a bookstore I hardly ever visit.

I've added to my book larder - stocking up for a rainy day. This evening, I went shopping at Amazon and Alibris, and bought some books, including Sixpence House which has disappeared from bookshelves here AND in Wales (Ems tried to find it when she was home there over Christmas and nothing. Imagine that, especially as she lives very near Hay-on-Wye, the location of the book!) At last, I got to use my $20 Amazon gift voucher from Tanabata. Woohoo!

And finally, last weekend, my parents celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. I couldn't help much in the preparations cause of work but it was great party - good food, family and friends we haven't seen in an age. At first I wasn't too sure about celebrating 45, but as our priest said, 'why not?' And he's right. There was much to celebrate - just wish my sister and brother-in-law could have been there too.

I've just been vegging this Saturday and will again tomorrow; blogging, surfing, watching TV and doing some reading. How about you? What are you up to this weekend? And if we haven't chatted in a while, how have you been?

Steaming ahead...

2008-03-30T00:04:00.007+08:00

I'm utterly pathetic and deserve to be flogged.

Bear with me as I try to live up to the name of this blog in real life. Two weeks of non-stop copy-writing projects and I'm near worn out. I've got another hectic week ahead after which I think I can safely draw breath. And I'm giving birth soon too. To that magazine I mentioned earlier. Publishing pains seem almost as bad as baby-popping ones. Only there are no drugs to ease this pain.

Speaking of which, there's this nagging pain in my left heel. I only noticed it after my summer in the US last year. I usually go barefoot at home but now, I HAVE to wear bedroom slippers with a cushioned heel otherwise it hurts to walk! I really need to get it seen to soon. Oh, and I notice that wearing my Birkies make it worse.

Anyways, if you're a new guest or a returning old friend, forgive my tardiness, lack of visits and non-appearance. Famous last words but...I'll be back!

UPDATE: Bear with me folks, I'm having some publishing problems with Blogger. Silly thing won't publish FTP.

The Word from Jobs is...

2008-03-19T22:36:00.002+08:00

The iPhone is finally coming here. In September. And a 3G version too.

*faints*

Mosaic Music Festival 2008

2008-03-16T13:23:00.003+08:00

How the week has flown! March is proving to be an incredibly crazy month! Not only do I have the usual stuff at work, but now I'm editor of an upcoming creative magazine. More news on that when it's published. After all this time, I'm finally getting my shot at doing something I've always dreamed of - getting published, and in a magazine I'm running!

With barely enough time and energy in the past week(s) to blog, I however did find time to enjoy some music at the Mosaic Music Festival 2008. It had a stellar lineup of headline artists like Harry Connick Jr, The Roots, Raul Midon and Kurt Elling as well as indie bands like Iceland's Mum, Norway's Sondre Lerche and USA's The Bird and The Bee.

I caught the last 2 mentioned bands, and have since kicked myself for missing Raul Midon who played to rave reviews including Flee's. The Bird and the Bee played fluffy, electronica pop lead by the rather excellent vocals of Inara George. I enjoyed the chill-out session but was blown away by Sondre Lerche and The Faces Down. What a songwriter! Many have heard him on the Dan In Real Life soundtrack but his other works are far better! Jazz, pop, swing, reggae-tinged rock...Sondre played them all. I think he and his band were blown away with the reception they got at their Singapore concert: screaming, whooping fans who sang along to every song.

Now it's back to work Monday. I'm just counting the days till the end of the month. So far, they're looking hellish and April is still a blur. May and June is too far away to even register on my radar.

Weekend Stuff

2008-03-02T16:30:00.005+08:00

A few days ago, I added this post about some clever library ideas. Thanks to Aloi, I found this perfect addition to my some day perfect library - perfect for curling up with a good book

Jim Rosenau creates functional art from old, discarded books. And he's got some really cool shelves for sale on his site. I love how he creates themes from book titles.

On the book front, I posted this about Joanne Harris' follow-up to Chocolat in April last year. However, that was for the UK edition. The US edition will be out in April 2008 and under a different name.

No news yet when Susan Hill's The Man in the Mask will finally appear on US shores and if it will have the same title. It's still absent from bookstores here.

Jodhaa Akbar

2008-02-26T15:41:00.003+08:00

No, this is not another Hollywood blockbuster but a Bollywood epic already showing or opening in theatres in many parts of the US (D, check out if it's showing near you in Memphis), and nearly all of Asia. Jodhaa Akbar stars the gorgeous Hrithik Roshan and green-eyed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. It's a love story set against the backdrop of the Moghul empire, between a Hindu princess and a Muslim emperor. It's in Urdu with English subtitles.

I've heard good reviews about this movie despite it's nearly 4 hour length! If it's still around this weekend, I'm going to watch it.

Honestly!!

2008-02-26T14:05:00.000+08:00

Would you believe it...I just got a call from someone asking if I can help his friend in the US, write a paper (6 or 7 pages, double-spaced, thank you) on classical music and how much would that be.

What? I'm NOT going to help some twit get a grade on a paper I write. What on earth was he thinking? This is not the first time - I was asked by a friend a long while back to help him write a paper for his final year thesis. I told him directly, 'No!' and he was quite miffed.

This time, I said I'm a copywriter and write for corporate, retail and commercial clients. I don't write 'papers'. I sooo wanted to tell him that I won't help his friend cheat, but I bit my tongue instead.

Dream libraries

2008-02-24T18:48:00.003+08:00

These are some of the cleverest bookshelves I've seen. The first one in a Tokyo apartment wraps around and provides privacy for the bedroom. Falling asleep and waking up to books...Nice!

This other one is a bookshelf built into a staircase that ascends to a loft. I so so want this. But I think I'll need a loft and a second floor first.

On my bookshelf

2008-02-16T16:37:00.000+08:00

Lost & Found :: Jacqueline Sheehan

This was one unexpected book buy. I've never been a big fan of modern 'relationship' books; of people working through personal problems, relationships, loss and love even if there is a happy ending. If there is a twist like a murder or involves some of my favourite elements like animals and books, I'll consider but I usually give such books a miss - well, mostly. Until the cover jumps out at me, which this one did. Who can resist that adorable doggy face?

A rather straight-forward story: woman loses husband, flees to an island, rescues injured dog which she nurses back to health, tries to solve the mystery of its injury and ownership, meets other island residents and an archery instructor who sends her pulse racing. I particularly enjoyed the chapters with the doggy's point of view. Overall, a rather heartwarming, poignant tale, easily read over a long weekend.

Currently reading: Marisha Pessl's Special Topics in Calamity Physics, a Borders' book bought with a 40% +10% discount.

Surviving Valentine's Day II

2008-02-14T17:59:00.004+08:00

(I'm off to dinner and a movie tonight with some friends. Here's the original post from a Valentine past, though slightly edited and added to.)

It's that most dreaded day of the year. The one singletons try to forget exists, only to have it shoved in their faces through incessant ads on tv, newspapers and radio hawking everything guaranteed to bring on rapturous cries of joy from the female half. Jewellery, lingerie and candlelight dinners, they're all there. Not to mention bouquets of roses sprouting everywhere there is a corner. With even hotels proffering romantic (read as 'clandestine' for some) weekend getaways. Since many takers of these packages will be unwed couples lured by promises of champagne, a petal-strewn bed and late checkouts, I'm surprised that in ultra-conservative Singapore, it has not raised a tattooed eyebrow or two especially from the moral brigade. And trust me, they are a sizable force here.

But I'm cool...I'm fine. As Bridget Jones would say, if I wanted roses dammit, I'd buy them myself! And on any other day when they don't cost $140 for a dozen!! In fact, while being one half of a couple is a good thing any day of the year, not being that one half on this most commercial of days, is a drag.

So my suggestions to survive the day if you're un-coupled are:
1. Go rent a bunch of DVDs - I like action-packed, no brainer, testosterone-loaded blockbusters like Spaceship Troopers, Independence Day and the Alien series. Stay away from any TV, radio and newspapers.
2. Cook. Bake, roast, knead, fry or saute yourself a meal/dessert to enjoy while watching those DVDs. If all else fails, microwave some popcorn and drizzle honey over the hot pile. Yum!
3. Gather good singleton girlfriends for a dinner date at your favourite restaurant and order bottles and bottles of vino for a rollicking good time. If still walking in a straight line after that, catch a live band or head to your favourite dance hall.
4. Splurge on a box of Godiva/Royce or any expensive chocolates, and enjoy them with your favourite author of the moment at home.
5. Buy yourself something special - jewellery, a BOSE stereo set, an iPod... anything! Year before last, I splurged on a gorgeous wood and steel wind chime. It hangs outside my bedroom window now.
6. Prep yourself with a high octane power workout at the gym or relax with a yoga session. Either way, you'll release a bunch of happy hormones to float you through the night.

And for those still aching over a breakup and mad as hell at that ass who dumped you...
7. Make a dinner reservation at an expensive restaurant that charges for no-shows and use your ex-boyfriend's name and credit card number. Say you're his secretary. Pfft!

By the way, let me know how you spent today. I'm curious to see if any celebrate this Hallmark of holidays, or ignore it altogether.

Oh happy day!

2008-02-09T13:34:00.000+08:00

Wonderful news came from Tanabata the other day. I've won a US$20 Amazon voucher in a contest she held to celebrate her 2nd blogiversary. Woohoo! I've never won anything online and now an AMAZON VOUCHER? How great is that? Arigato Nat-san.

You KNOW I'm going to buy a book or two (or three) with this. *Tapping finger to lip* Hmmm...which ones will it be?

Feeling super crappy...

2008-02-06T14:33:00.000+08:00

It's Chinese New Year eve (and Super Tuesday - we're getting coverage here too!) and I'm sick! Within the span of 12 hours on Monday evening, I went from an annoying raspy sore throat to gastric flu. I barely ate yesterday (tastebuds went on strike!) but drank loads of liquids. This morning, my head feels like a water-logged football and both my ears are blocked! AND NO! I'M NOT SHOUTING - I just can't hear myself talk!

Thank goodness the office is closed, and I don't return to work till Monday but still...getting sick during the holidays, sucks! I'm passing on a dinner tonight at my aunt's who is having her usual steamboat-BBQ dinner (she's part Chinese) - I don't think people would appreciate sniffing, wheezing me to be dipping into the communal pot. But I'm off to a Pancake Party at Ems' tomorrow. I hope I have my tastebuds back by then.

In about an hour (it's now 3-ish pm) nearly all shops, offices and businesses around the island will close as people return home to prepare for the reunion dinner. Those new to Singapore, will be surprised to find a very deserted Orchard Road (the shopping district) this evening with barely any traffic on the roads there. Most shops will be closed tomorrow too.

Hope you like this image I found of the Singapore financial district skyline at night (click on it for a larger view).

Go see my picture!

2008-02-02T01:55:00.000+08:00

I stumbled on A Photo A Day from Planet Earth a couple of months ago. Lovely images from all over the world, many not your standard travel picture. I sent one in from my 2006 Down Under trip and it was selected!!! You can view The Old Tree Network there. Woohoo!

Book Meme

2008-01-27T13:33:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Iliana, I woke up Sunday morning to find that I've been tagged! After washing my face, brushing my teeth (yes, you can tell what's the first thing I do when I wake up on weekends - ack!) and fixing a cup of coffee, I sat down to play.

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?
Books with painful themes of sacrifice, conflict, hardships, loss, uncomfortable topics. Self-help books like The Secret which I absolutely refuse to read despite everyone and their mother telling me to.

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?
Hmm...I'd love to have Thursday Next, Green Gables' Anne Shirley and Dumbledore for tea.

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can't die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realise it's past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?
Oh no!! Please don't make me try to read it again. I mean I want the nice grave and all, but honestly! It would have to be my nemesis: War & Peace.

Come on, we've all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you've read, when in fact you've been nowhere near it?
I have some very well-intentioned aunts and friends who have insisted on lending me books, telling me how much they loved it, and that I'll love it too. I hate that cause usually it's a book I have absolutely no interest in reading, nor would I ever pick up at a bookstore. The last one was The House of Blue Mangoes by David Davidar. It sat on a shelf for like a month, before I returned it to an aunt with thanks. I mumbled something about the book and plot, stuff I got from Amazon. So please... shhh!

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to 'reread' it that you haven't? Which book?
None really. I usually do remember what I've read.

You've been appointed Book Advisor to a VIP (who's not a big reader). What's the first book you'd recommend and why? (if you feel like you'd have to know the person, go ahead of personalise the VIP)
Oooh...this hints of An Uncommon Reader. So much so, that that would be the book I'd recommend. It's a short, easy read (especially so as the VIP would be a very busy person with not much time to relax) and it's about another VIP with an interesting choice books. Enough to get him/her started reading, I hope.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?
Spanish, so I can read Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Pablo Neruda in their original language. Besides, it sounds awfully romantic too.

A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?
Some books I would re-read (and have) are part of a series (like David Eddings' Belgariad and Mallorean series with 10 books - lost count of my re-reads here) so it'd be hard to just read just that one. I'd pick Perfume - beautifully written with a touch of the bizarre.

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What's one bookish thing you 'discovered' from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?
'Meeting' Lesley originally from Newfoundland. That prompted my discovery of Jim DeFede's The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland when I went looking in Amazon for a book on Newfoundland.

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she's granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.
It's a very large, bright room with a darkly polished wooden floor and scattered soft, deep pile richly coloured carpets, air-conditioned against hot muggy days but with french doors framed by white curtains that open out to a large shaded verandah, well protected from the December monsoon. There are huge overstuffed sofas and armchairs, inside and out. Potted palms soften hard corners and provide a natural screen between reading areas.

The library proper has floor to ceiling teak shelves with those running ladders. Oh, and because of magic, no dust or cobwebs or bugs are ever found here. Books of all kinds fill the shelves; hardback, paperback, tradeback, fiction, non fiction, arranged by genre then author. Shelves at eye level hold first editions, some signed. There are framed pictures of favourite authors on the walls. I'd have several first editions of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, one set in a glass box, opened to the first chapter.

It's not a neat room: there are stacks of books on coffee tables, side tables and some chairs, that lovely organised mess that makes a room cosy. It smells of books and printed paper, and of always fresh jasmine arranged in crystal vases scattered around the place. And of course, music is piped through cleverly hidden speakers. At night, candles glow as crickets sing outside. Bliss!

I'm not sure who else to tag who would play but if you're reading this and would love to, please consider youself tagged. Now to go for a shower.

Be still my heart...

2008-01-26T00:27:00.000+08:00

THE BORDERS COUPONS ARE BACK and these are the best yet. They've got one coupon with 40% off if you buy 4 or more books, and another coupon with 30% off. Now use your Borders Preferred Card and you'll get an additional 10% off!! This is it! I can now get my Harry Potter Bloomsbury Adult Hardcover box set which I saw today for $351. I have until Feb 7 so YEAH!!!

I nearly threw up!

2008-01-23T17:30:00.000+08:00

I caught J.J. Abrams' latest flick last night with my movie buddy Flee and some friends. Good thing I had dinner about 3 hours earlier because I would have thrown up.

Like Blair Witch Project, handheld cameras were used for a documentary effect but it got rather nauseating half way through. Thank goodness the movie was about 1hr 20mins; another 20 mins and it would have been...quite gross!

BUT it is a great movie! If you can stomach the rolls and jerks and plan to see it, don't let anyone describe the monster to you. And the end was spot on. No Hollywood ending tied up with a nice fluffy bow. It had AWESOME effects and sound. See it in a digital theater to enjoy its full glory. I nearly jumped out of my seat at the first explosion.

Flee and I tried to calm our roiling tummies by closing our eyes for some nothing-really-happening scenes. Nope, it didn't help. What did help were the preserved Chinese sour sweet plums and mandarin oranges bought later at the 7-11. These are wonderful little balls of dried very sour or salty fruits, almost guaranteed to calm queasy moments. Funnily enough, none of the guys felt ill. Don't know if they were truly okay or just trying to be macho in the face of two white-faced females. Hmmph!

On my bookshelf

2008-01-22T17:16:00.000+08:00

The Faith Club :: Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, Priscilla Warner

Don't read this book for in-depth knowledge of Christianity, Judaism or Islam. And you won't find spiritual enlightment between its pages either. But what you will find is a primer, a beginner's guide to understanding that these 3 faiths are not very much different from each other after all. Regardless of our own misconceptions and stereotypes, these faiths are joined by a common thread - love for God, and for each other. Everything else is (mis)interpreted through the lens of culture, society and one's personal reading of the Tanakh, Quran or Bible.

Suzanne, Ranya and Priscilla share their journey with all the painful, uncomfortable and sensitive parts laid bare for frank and open discussion. I was particularly interested in how Ranya introduced moderate Islam to her Jewish and Christian friends, and slowly changed their long standing misperceptions. If you're keen to find out more of each religion, The Faith Club is a good start. With tips at the end for starting your own faith club.

Currently reading: Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan during my daily commute, and Princess Bride is on my bedside table.

New project - Beanie

2008-01-20T15:05:00.000+08:00

I've been quiet online this past week cause of work - pitches, all due Friday morning. They were all done in time, leaving a rather free afternoon and time for long lunch. Nice!

Over last summer, I picked up crochet again, thanks to D. And my project this week was to tackle the beanie. Easy-peasy, right? Ack! Creating the stitches are one thing. UNDERSTANDING the shorthand instructions is quite another. But crochet them I did although my first one, the brown/black beanie took me a couple of days. Then the gray/white one was completed in a 4-hour stretch. Both were in an acrylic/wool combo. I'd like to try one with cotton yarn. But for now, I'm quite happy with them, just to get the crown right - it should be a smooth curve, more rounded.

But what do you think?

News Flash!

2008-01-11T10:42:00.000+08:00

One of my favourite books, The Time Traveler's Wife, is now a movie and will be out in June 2008. I had imagined several men in the role of Henry, including Viggo Mortensen, Hugh Jackman, Colin Farrell, Jonathan Rhy Meyers - choices probably based on general preference rather than role fit. But I forgot one, and he's perfect - soulful and intense, everything I imagined Henry to be. Claire was well cast too. Go see for yourself!

To watch out for...

2008-01-08T23:18:00.000+08:00

Movie :: The Darjeeling Limited
A quirky drama-comedy starring Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman with a couple of surprising cameos (won't reveal them but try to spot the 3 well-known actors). I just caught this movie tonight with Flee and thoroughly enjoyed a light-hearted spiritual romp through India on the said train. Oh...a set of luggage designed by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton was a minor character. A lovely afternoon flick, enjoyed over a pot of...Darjeeling. Haha!

To watch out for...

2008-01-05T01:35:00.000+08:00

Movie :: Death At A Funeral
I watched this movie recently and LOVED it! So much that I wanted to share it here. If you enjoy first rate British humour, you have to get this DVD when it comes out at the end of February.

Here's to fresh beginnings...

2007-12-31T23:32:00.000+08:00

On my bookshelf

2007-12-29T15:50:00.000+08:00

Time Was Soft There :: Jeremy Mercer
Part memoir, part travel book, part character essay. Jeremy Mercer chronicles his months as a poor, unemployed bum living in Shakespeare & Co. in Paris under the charitable auspices of its mercurial owner George Whitman (no, not the grandson of Walt Whitman, thank you!) who befriends him. There Mercer meets a ragtag bunch of writers, some odd part-time staff and curious visitors who over time, become part of the story of that legendary bookshop. Things we take for granted are all part of Mercer's daily adventures as he scrounges for cheap food, clothes and a hot shower with hilarious results. He also shares his growing friendship with George, a lifelong Communist and Sunday pancake chef.

I may not be headed to Paris anytime soon, but I'm glad I read what is probably be the 'last firsthand account' of Shakespeare & Co. Funny and quitely moving, this is a great read and yes! a worthy addition to any library.

Now reading: Still on The Princess Bride (bedtime), The Faith Club (daily commute) and the plodding Jane Austen Bookclub. I don't dare sniff the air in Borders or Kinokuniya lest I succumb to temptation. But oh! there are so many books I want!! Be strong, Kisane... Haha!

The book cave

2007-12-26T21:28:00.000+08:00

Now this is one clever, unusual piece of furniture that I'd love to have in my home. But I'd line it with purple though.

Oh what fun!

2007-12-25T17:22:00.000+08:00

This has got to be the most amazing Christmas ever! After months of exams, interviews, paperwork and medical tests that started since April, G's landed his dream job!!

(Some information in this post has been edited on request. I will repost it at a later date when the news is official to all.)

Merry Christmas everybody! May love and happiness rule in your hearts and lives!

The music in my life

2007-12-10T22:52:00.000+08:00

Dark Orpheus asked me in my last post what was my favourite music, artistes or bands. I don't think I have any real preference these days except I know I dislike trance, garage, electronic dance, rap and heavy metal music.

I have (and will always have) a soft spot for 80s music like Depeche Mode, Erasure, Camouflage, Communards, Queen, Sinead, Prince, U2, 10,000 Maniacs, Pink Floyd, Eurythmics, Cyndi Lauper, Johnny Hates Jazz, Terence Trent Darby, Tina Turner and the like. Back then, Depeche Mode and the Communards were perpetually in my Walkman while I tried to look cool in all black ensembles and wildly streaked hair. Oh help...

I enjoy artistes like Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Angie Stone, Erykah Badu, Ray Charles, Lighthouse Family, Seal, Joss Stone, George Michael, Sting, Robbie Williams, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Kings of Convenience, Mojave 3 .... Also from Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos to Jewel and Aimee Mann - I've always admired strong women singers/songwriters. I love Andrea Bocelli and and swoon at a cello solo by YoYo Ma. I sing along to popular Broadway musicals. And now Jazz, in all its forms - classic, acid, latin and modern.

And...well...I have to confess, uh ... I like Boyzone. There, I admitted it. I've got their greatest hits and love every single song on it.

That's it, I guess. For now. Everything above is subject to change without notice.

A new love...

2007-12-09T16:33:00.000+08:00

Dark Orpheus introduced me to a Finnish rock group, Nightwish and their ex-lead singer Tarja Turunen back in October. Marvelous vocalist, haunting music. And I just discovered that Tarja has her own album out and it's great! Nightwish has gone on with their new vocalist Anette Olzen, and a new album, Dark Passion Play which sounds promising.

Who knew I'd fall in love with symphonic rock? These guys (and girl) are GREAT!

On my bookshelf

2007-12-02T15:09:00.000+08:00

A House in Corfu: A Family's Sojourn in Greece :: Emma Tennant
"Please don't waste your time." That's what one reviewer wrote of this book, and I should have listened.

I love travel books especially books that guide you through life in the Mediterranean - Greece, Italy, south of France. The last book I read on Greece was also my first introduction to the delights of armchair travels; the incomparable My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. At age 13, I wanted to move there immediately, never mind that both my parents were in the civil service in Singapore. Durrell's books became my yardstick for travel books ever since. And Tennant's, sorry to say, disappointed. It was boring, superficial and totally lacking in any insight into Corfoit customs, the people and island life. Not surprisingly as Tennant spent only a couple of months a year on that island while she made a life for herself and young family in London. She wrote as a tourist, not a Corfoit islander. However had she ghost-written a book with her parents who had moved to Rovinia to retire, I think it would have been a more interesting read. As it is, this paperback earns a "Read only if there's nothing left on your bookshelf" award.

The Uncommon Reader :: Alan Bennett
Whatever you do, don't skip to the end, leave the room if a smart alek friend starts raving about this book and avoid any reviews that don't come with a spoiler warning (there are none here so don't worry!). Yes, you definitely don't want to have one of the best endings in bookdom which happens on the VERY last page of this delightful novella, spoilt for you.

The Queen discovers reading, and pursues this new passion with much gusto to the horror of her private secretary, prime minister and others. She reads everywhere and to the point where it interferes with her royal duties. Her reading choices are remarkable, guided in part by a kitchen helper who first introduces gay-themed books for Her Majesty's reading pleasure. But before long, she is onto to other authors, one book leading to the next. I was most indignant when her royal staff ganged up to stifle this new hobby, but her royal resourcefulness discovers that reading leads to an even more interesting hobby: writing. I closed it with a satisfying chuckle, wondering if someone would pass this gem to the Queen. It definitely earns the "You have no idea how much fun this is" award.

I bought iWoz by Gina Smith but put it aside after the first 2 chapters. It is the biography of Steve Wozniak, one of the founders of Apple and has got to be one of the most irritating reads ever!! The story of Apple's founding and growth is the stuff of legend but only if you can get past Steve's bragging and constant 'look at how amazing I am' pronouncements. It wore thin after a while. I kept putting it down after a couple of pages; had to drink some water to stop the gagging reflex! I just hope Steve Jobs gets around to writing one himself or at least authorises someone to write for him some day.

Now reading: The Princess Bride (30th Anniversary Edition), Time Was Soft There AND The Faith Club.

My new toy

2007-11-12T22:07:00.000+08:00

This was what I've been waiting for over the past few weeks. Nokia announced the E51 in early September and it finally arrived on our shores last weekend. Nothing was wrong with my old N70 but it's bulkiness and heaviness were getting really annoying compared with the slimmer models already out there. Also, Nokia has a new and improved Symbian OS; I can actually surf the net without annoying lags.

Flee says I should wait for the iPhone next year in June. But I say that if it comes here in its current state, I'll pass but I'll definitely be in the queue if it's version 2.0 though. If there's an expandable memory slot, I won't hesitate. Unlocked iPods are available here for a whopping SGD$1000 to $1600 (or USD$695 to $1110).

The iPod Touch you say? Pass on that too. Apple has cleverly locked it to iTunes. It can no longer be used as a hard drive. And with only 8GB, and I heard a sucky earphone connection, I'll stick to my iPod Classic, thank you.

For now, I'll just enjoy my new mobile.

It's finally here

2007-11-08T16:56:00.000+08:00

This will be my next BIG purchase. The complete UK Adult cover Harry Potter set. If I use a 30% coupon + the Borders' card, I'll get 40% off $351.00! A good buy, no?

It's back!

2007-11-03T01:23:00.000+08:00

The Singapore Border's 30% coupon, that is! You can get download it from here. Combine that with your Borders' Preferred Card discount of 10% for a mind-blowing 40% off a book.

Well, I printed 3 for the 3 different cash register areas then headed there this evening after work. But after getting my books, I didn't fancy standing in 3 lines, so I thought I'd just try my luck to see if one cashier would let me redeem all 3 coupons. If not, I just go back to my original plan. And guess what? He did! My books totalled up to $78 but I only paid $48.30! I left hugging the bag with glee. Just like the last time, Flee was there, giving me her two cents worth! It was a deja-vu moment.

My damage tonight included: Time Was Soft Here by Jeremy Mercer, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. However, I was tempted to splurge on the Harry Potter Box Set (UK Adult Version) - all 7 books in hardcover. Maybe a Christmas present to myself.

Two more news bits: the coupons are valid till 15 November AND...there's a book warehouse sale next week.

Now despite what Flee says, I'm NOT hoarding books but if you were me, wouldn't you be buying up books with discounts like that? Or at warehouse sales where you can get books for $2 to $8 per book? Of course you would. Thank you. Hear that, Flee?

On my bookshelf

2007-10-22T22:12:00.000+08:00

The Ladies of Grace Adieu & Other Stories :: Susanna Clarke
My first introduction to Susanna Clark and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed her book. Some clever wit likened the prose to 'Jane Austen meets the Grimm brothers' and I have to agree.

This is a collection of eight good old-fashioned English fairy tales, written in a style and language that many Austen fans would recognise. Lovers of faerie and fantasy would appreciate the almost historical manner of their telling. Clark gives a new twist to the Rumpelstiltskin tale and Shakespeare's Queen Mab. She even sets one in a Neil Gaiman universe.

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows; like Grimm's tales, there's a darker undercurrent afoot. Fairies are not the 'little people', or 'fair folk' we remember from childhood tales. They are lustful, mean-spirited and cunning. Their interactions with humans nearly always spell disaster for ordinary folk. But this book is far from that. It's a quick easy read, done in one long afternoon.

Now reading: The Faith Club - A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew by Idliby, Oliver and Warner. I've already gotten to some difficult parts involving stereotyping and prejudice, some of which I recognise all to well. But it's proving to be a very eye-opening read.

On Panties, Gays and a Nightmare or two...

2007-10-21T00:47:00.000+08:00

1. I'm sure many of you are aware of what's happening in Myanmar: the crackdown on protesters, the arrests and unlawful detention (and many say torture!) of monks, and the continued subjugation of a people under an illegal goverment (they lost the last elections to Aung San Suu Kyi who they've put under detention). I read about 'Panties for Peace' and think it's brilliant. A quiet way of registering your protest.

2. Singapore is in the midst of a debate on whether to repeal a Penal Code law that criminalises sex between two males. It's against everything mentioned in our constitution that we're all equal. I've just signed an online petition. If you're Singaporean and reading this, and believe that we're all equal and that this law should be abolished, please sign the petition before midnight Sunday tomorrow.

On an interesting note: J.K. Rowling has just outed a much loved character: Dumbledore! Yup! Yup! My sentiments exactly.

3. Now, I usually never remember my dreams. Sometimes I wonder if I even do dream. But in the last couple of weeks, I've rememberd cause they've been nightmares. Two in as many weeks. One involved fingers which in my nightmare, belonged to someone who was trying to strangle me. Her fingers were made of ash and crumbled in my mouth just as I woke up, biting my own fingers! Ok laugh! It WAS funny the next morning but I nearly freaked out when it happened! The second one involved a ghastly noise which I think, now looking back, was maybe...me snoring. I'm not sure cause I DON'T SNORE!

That's my week so far. I'll post a book review tomorrow.

A weekend bum

2007-10-14T15:22:00.000+08:00

Short of doing a week's worth of laundry, some tidying up around the house, this weekend has been an utterly lazy one for me. It's too hot to do anymore except slowly fall asleep under the spinning fans.

Yesterday was Hari Raya Puasa, the day after Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month. Good excuse as any for a bunch of good friends to get together at Ems' house for dinner, drinks and good conversation. It was made even sweeter when Em's partner Maman and friend A, popped by to jam on their guitars. Maman is quite a well known singer here in Singapore and Malaysia. He's in the midst of producing his comeback album due out in December (fingers crossed!). I love his sound - here and here - and I think you will too.

On my bookshelf

2007-10-07T21:56:00.000+08:00

The Mephisto Club :: Tess Gerritsen
I haven't read a really good thriller in a long while. Except for a couple of bad encounters that failed to live up to expectations. But Tess Gerritsen was heavily recommended in book blogs and has had rave reviews on Amazon. As I had a coupon for 30% off plus a further 10% with a Borders card, how can I not give her a try?

Well, I did just that and I found: A fast-paced murder/forensic mystery with generous helpings of early Christian and Hebrew myth; of good versus evil and of demons alive among men. Whew! Gerritsen did her research well and it shows in this thrill-a-minute book. Got 48 hours to spare? Read and enjoy. Just don't expect too much from her characters - the story is king here.

I was lead to The Mephisto Club by the recommendations of others. But now, I'll gladly take up her other books on my own.

Now reading: The Ladies of Grace Adieu & Other Stories by Susanna Clarke. Am in the mood for some magic this week. And STILL plugging away at The Jane Austen Book Club (somewhat tedious!) and A House in Corfu (almost done).