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 incredily hot and sexy and gorgeous and sinful and did I say hot? If all Spanish men look like that - sigh! I'm moving to Spain.

I'll finally admit it here - I have a thing for men with fuzzy faces. Not a full-on beard, but that well-maintained 2, 3 day stubble. It can take the sculpted look of a goat-tee, that 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.

Labels: General, News

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....

Labels: Geek Stuff, General

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

Labels: General, News

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.

Labels: General, News

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.

Labels: Books, General

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?

Labels: General, News

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.

Labels: General

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.

Labels: General, Music

(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.

Labels: General

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).

Labels: General

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.

Labels: Books, General

Labels: General

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.

Labels: Books, Design, General

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!

Labels: Christmas, General, News

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.

Labels: General, Music

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?

Labels: Books, General, News

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.

Labels: General, News

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.

Labels: General

These gorgeous t-shirts are designed by Sidsel Gaustadne, a designer in Denmark, who created them for the The Danish Cancer Society. If you're visiting her lovely country, you may still be able to find them in the stores. I was lucky enough to get 2 pink ones from her Etsy shop and they're on their way to me soon. You can read more about the designs and Sidsel on her blog.

Labels: Design, General

After work yesterday, I met Flee who I haven't seen in an age! Well, about 4+ months. We met at Borders then ventured up to Cedele for dinner. We chatted away the evening, and caught up on each other's lives. She went shopping earlier and bought some funky Nike toe shoes. So after dinner, I dragged her to Borders for my shopping turn.

This was where I got a little devious but for all you bookaholics out there, I know you'll understand. You see, I have these online coupons for 30% off any book, valid till 4th October. Now, the coupon clearly states it's one coupon per customer but their store has 2 cashier areas - oh, wait, actually 3!: 1 in books, 1 in music at the back of the store, and 1 up front (I only went to 2...shoot!). So if you go to 3 different cashiers, you can use one at each. The best yet: if you sign up as a Borders Preferred Customer (for S$19 a year), you get a further 10% off for a whopping 40% off a book, not to mention 10% off anytime you purchase anything from the store! Omigosh! How can you NOT want to buy books?

I ended up with 5 books:
1. Anthony Doerr's Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World - I used one coupon on this hardcover book
2. Steve Wozniaks' I, Woz: The Autobiography of the Man Who Started the Computer Revolution - this and the next 2 books were 3 for 2. Woohoo!
3. Seth Godin's The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
4. Susanna Clarke's The Ladies of Grace Adieu
5. Tess Gerritsen's The Mephisto Club - my next coupon purchase.

And 4th October is still some days away...and I can always print out more. But what a great end to a wonderful evening.

Interesting bit of conversation with Flee just before I joined the queue at the first cashier:
Flee: Have you finished the other books you've bought?
Me: Nope.
Flee: Then why are you buying more?
Me: Why not?
Flee: But aren't they a fire hazard?
Me: *stunned look* ... No they're not!
Flee: *laughs*

Now really...who on earth would ever say books are a fire hazard?! Miss Flee...hello? Aren't your paints a fire hazard? Haha!!

Labels: Books, General

It's my fourth day at the new office. I'm slowly easing into this new position with a project for a coffee table book. I've come up with some good ideas and I think my boss likes them. We'll be exploring them fully next Tuesday when we all sit down to a idea/sketch brainstorm.

But so far, it's good. Nice office with 8 people in an old shophouse very near a working red-light district on the edge of Chinatown. Interesting location! Nothing sleazy about it, and quite different from what you might think. I'll have to get some pixs up online here to show you what I mean. Oh, and no worries, it's quite safe.

I've been faithfully going for yoga classes although I've cut back on a couple this week just so I can settle in here first. I hope to fall into a routine of after work classes with at least one on a weekend. Speaking of which, if anyone is interested, do participate in the Global Mala Project that's happening this Saturday. The website explains it better. On that day, members at my yoga center can sign up to do 108 chants or 108 sun salutations orboth! I've put my name down for the sun salutations. Two hours! If anyone in Singapore is reading this and would like join me, drop me a comment. Participation in the project here is free!

Note: I didn't make it for the sun salutations. I went for Yin the day before, got home late and woke up this morning (Saturday, 22/9) with the sniffles. God, I hope it's not the flu!

Labels: General, Work

After considerable self-doubt, chasing down prospective leads that lead no where, rejection and middle of the night panic attacks, I found a job. Or I should say, it found me. A meeting for possible freelance copywriting projects led to a full time job offer! I was floored, surprised and over the moon! And I start work Monday.

That's it then; the official end of my LONG holiday that started 15 May and that will end on 14 September. Four months break. The time has been relaxing and fun. Time that I got to spend with my sister in the US, rediscover yoga and reconnect with a couple of good friends.

It's now back to the 9 to 9 grind! Haha!

Labels: General, News

This little fella was spotted this early evening hanging off one of the planters in the porch. I almost brushed up against it! I think this was the same one that flew into the house late last night and spooked me. Pretty sight that; me running around the house, waving a cushion over my head trying to chase it out. It flew out eventually and I think, landed here to rest.

This little bat is quite small and will fit in the palm of your hand (I think no longer that 10cm). It's covered in dark brown fur and has a dog-like face. I did some digging online and found out that it is a Common Fruit Bat.

It just flew off after we turned off the porch light and closed the front door. Whew!

Labels: General

...I've had a couple of job interviews (one today) but nothing as yet has materialised. It's frustrating but I'm still hopeful. I knew it would take some time after I returned from my 3-month US visit. And I was determined then that I would stay positive and that I would eventually find a job. It will just take time.

...It's my birthday tomorrow but I'll be stuck behind my laptop for most of the day, revising some copy with a same day deadline. But I will be going out to celebrate with a birthday dinner later in the evening with my parents. Dinners to follow later in the week with friends.

...Yoga has been a boon. I've been taking a couple of classes a day, at least 3 times a week now: Yin, Hot Hour, Hatha, Hot Flow... I love hanging out in the lounge after the last class to sip a hot cup of wolfberry tea and chat with S who joined Pure Yoga with me. And it's been good. I've been sleeping better, feeling less stressed (although I can't quite still the worrying thoughts in my mind yet!) and yes! feeling healthy.

...I am reading although somewhat slowly these last few days. I promise to post on the books when I'm done.

...Oh, I'll be off to the Times bookfair this weekend for crazily priced books (like 3 for $10!). That's easily a 3 to 4 hour affair on a Saturday afternoon in a cavernous expo hall with tables and tables of books.

Life so far? Good.

Labels: General, News

After what seemed like months of procrastinating, excuses and a horrendous work schedule, I've decided to plunge back into my yoga practice, this time seriously. I've missed the classes I took about 2 years ago, when I was more flexible. I'm not exactly a beginner but after being out of practice for a while, it's back to the basics for me. I've joined Pure Yoga.

Yesterday, I went for Yin Yoga followed by a Hot Yoga class half hour later. Yin was a perfect class for a yoga dropout like me. With no inversion or standing poses, we spent an hour in various seated poses, holding stretches for up to 2 minutes per pose. OUCH! My legs, hips, back and groin muscles were all screaming. But this class warmed me up for the Hot Yoga class which followed.

Thirty-seven degrees Celsius and 60 minutes later, I was sweating buckets! Poses weren't too challenging but I was mortified at how much I've fallen behind. No matter, yoga isn't about competition with the next person. It's about finding and maintaining my own balance and practice, pushing my self just that little bit more.

I've signed up for a 3 month membership during which I'll see how far I'll progress in a structured class environment. I may extend, convert to another package or cancel altogether. For now, it's just practice, practice, practice.

Labels: General

I'm bad. I just came back from the US with 7 books and I'm now trying to read 2 books at the same time: The Jane Austen Book Club and Literacy and Longing in L.A. You'd think - no books for a while, right? I thought so too. HA!

After saying goodbye to Karen who was jetting off home to Hong Kong, I found myself helplessly drawn to Kinokuniya at Ngee Ann City. I felt the call. Well, since I was there, let's see what I can find from my list of 'must-get' books.

There was nearly an hour of pleasant distractions before I settled on:
Hatha Yoga Illustrated by Martin Kirk
Pilates Step-by-Step by Emily Kelly
A House in Corfu: A Family's Sojourn in Greece by Emma Tennant

I saw The Reagan Diaries but at SGD$60 (US$39), it was ridiculously more than Amazon (US$23). D got it at a steal at Sam's Warehouse for just under USD$20!!! Ack...I should have bought it there!

Labels: Books, General

I'm now home and nearly dying in this heat and humidity. I know D&G are laughing their butts off at this. Ha! Wait till you both are here next time.

You know, I think I've miscounted. I was actually in the US with my sis for 82 days!! Not 77 as I have been counting down on my blog. Apologies...math fails me when I'm on holiday mode.

Now that I'm back, I have to find a job. I have an interview lined up for tomorrow and a possible one on the way next week. While the positions look quite attractive, I still have my heart set on returning to the US. In fact, on the last day I was there, I had a phone interview for a position based in Memphis! It went very well indeed. Now I'm waiting to hear from their VP of marketing in late August, early September. I don't think sponsorship will be an issue with them. So I'm crossing my fingers and saying my prayers that it works out. And there's another possibility also...but I'll wait till I hear from them before saying anymore.

If nothing happens, then I'll be going back next year in May to continue my search, and stay longer like 6 months. One way or the other, my career path is now turned in the direction of the States. Wish me luck!

Labels: General, News

"I want to flee and fly, even with a meagre $10 bill, 20 minutes of change and a bag of anxieties."

A friend shared a beautiful entry in her blog. That line above is from "One Life" and I'm recommending it to you, Dear Friend. Follow this link to the other side of the rainbow.

Labels: General

Just had the news from home. Murphy has passed.

I petted and played with him just before I left, half expecting to see him when I returned. But Dad said that he was in a really bad shape in the last few weeks. I'll miss him so much...

Labels: General

Thirty-six hours later and I've finished it. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows was fantastic. And don't worry, there'll be no spoilers here. I won't post my comments on this book yet.

D & G came with me as we lined up at WALMART, of all places. While I was tempted to go to a party, I just wanted to get the book and rush home to start reading. I'm sitting here, slightly bug-eyed and tired now.

Suggestion: to those about to start reading book 7, I highly suggest you re-read book 6 first (unless you have it fresh in your mind). There was a lot of head scratching on my part trying to remember bits and pieces of that book to understand stuff in this last book.

I'm leaving my copy of this book with D. When I get home I'll get the UK Adult version there to add to my collection. Then I'll probably start to read the whole series again, straight through.

Any one else finished? Let me know what you think BUT PLEASE DON'T COMMENT ON ANY SPOILERS! Email me at kisaneATdesignindigoDOTcom. Thanks!

Labels: Books, General

Today I've have 2 meetings with design companies in downtown Memphis. I just had one earlier with a mid-size design company and I have one more in about 30 mins. I'm now ensconced in The Blues City Pastry Shop & Coffee Bar very near Beale Street, enjoying a cold latte and a killer strawberry shortcake. It's too hot to even consider sitting outside under the trees. This is an afternoon made for a long siesta in cool comfort.

While it's been a long process of meetings and phone calls, I'm still working hard to network. My resume has been getting very favourable comments but no offers yet. So for now, I'm just plugging away, sending out resumes and arranging meetings.

Tomorrow night is the launch of Harry Potter. I've registered for the party at the Barnes & Noble near D's home. Oh..some idiots have got the book, scanned and put the pages on their bittorrent site. I've had a spoiler email today. After reading the first line, I trashed it. So be careful out there if you don't want the book ruined for you. As for me, I can't wait to sink my teeth into this last tome. I hear it's about 750 pages!

Anyone going to any Harry Potter parties?

Labels: Books, Food, General, Travel

It's been nearly a month since my last post and so much as happened. Here's a quick recap:

• New York City
  That was an amazing trip! My sister found this great hotel (The Belvedere on 48th Street, between 8th and 9th Ave) right on the edge of Hell's Kitchen within walking distance to everything! Five days isn't enough to see the entire city but we made a good attempt. We covered midtown quite thoroughly, Chinatown and Greenwich, and quite a bit of Upper East Side. I spent about a half day each in MOMA and the Metropolitan, and left breathless! And thanks to Book Girl, I found The Strand and its corridors and shelves of books. Oh my! Thank goodness I was on a budget or I could have done serious damage there. It reminded me of Foyles in London with books all over the place. On our last night we went into Queens for a Filipino dinner with G's aunt and uncle - great food, great company. And oh! the food in NYC is hands down, the best in the world. Even the little delis on the corner serve great food. There was one we went to near Time Square for a takeout brunch - what an amazing spread. And G tackled the infamous Carnegie Deli's pastrami and cheese on rye. Now that was HUGE! I love New York and I can't wait to go back!
• Projects x 2
  I finally completed a small project for a non-profit organisation. It was incredibly crazy for the past 2 weeks. Here I am, on vacation yet I was working nearly as hard as in my last job! Haha! There was a fundraiser on 15 June and it was a success. Monies were raised, awareness created, and everybody's happy.
  And...I've got another freelance project from home! It's some copywriting for a website there with 10 articles due every month. Yippee! Thanks Angela!
  
• Job Hunt
  I've engaged the services of a reputable employment agency here in Memphis to help me with my job search. They've been successful in placing people from other countries in the US, and even work to do so after their client has to return home. Cross your fingers for me.
• Other stuff
  Other than all the above, life in Memphis has been sweet. With G working on his PhD projects nearly everyday, I wake up in the late mornings to get my fix of the news on cable (gawd, but cable here is a couch potato's dream!), read, surf, prepare dinner... Oh, and thanks to Lesley for the tip off of the Memphis Library book sale. We came away on the last day with a big brown bag of books for just $3!! These include many hardcover versions of Agatha Christie, Garrison Kellior and others. We've been to the Peabody for Sunday brunch and saw the ducks in the lobby, popped into Davis-Kidd bookstore (I think, better than B&N or Borders!), visited the Apple store in Germantown to worship at the Mac altar (haha!) and buy a iPod/camera connector, and planning a road trip to Houston and Phoenix for July 4th week. Woohoo! Oh yes...before I forget, I'm extending my stay in the US till 4 August. So I'll be here for the launch of the last Harry Potter book on 21 July.

And that's it...in a nutshell. I'll be on line more now. I've taken tons of pixs and am trying to find a way to display them online...stay tuned for that.

Labels: General, Travel

What a trip! Five days ago, I landed in Memphis after what seemed an age of traveling.

I didn't think I'd ever get off the plane. The Tokyo - Detroit leg has got to be the worst ever!! Twelve hours non-stop of cramped legs, lousy food and unfriendly stewardesses. If hell exists, then this was purgatory. I was never more miserable in my life! I didn't get much sleep, instead I counted down the hours till I landed in Detroit.

But there is a God and I arrived safely in Memphis. I'm now warmly ensconced in my own bedroom where there's a bunch of sweet-smelling wildflowers in a vase nearby.

We've done much in the past 5 days: visited her colleagues at office, went to the Memphis in May BBQ festival (which is not worth going to unless you know someone who's participating, so you can get invited to their stand for samples), shared an oyster poboy at the Half Shell, went to a couple of outlets, cooked dinner for D&G tonight (the menu consisted of pork chops, squash, baked potatoes and fresh strawberries marinated with sugar and orange juice). And met with a immigration attorney. My chances look good but right now, he wants to see if there'll be any changes to the immigration law, especially to the new visa requirements. Things look bright.

It's only my first weekend here but we've done so much. D has more planned for the upcoming weekends including a visit to NYC and either Alabama or Arkansas. Stay tuned...

Oh...oh... books here are so cheap, compared to home. If D wasn't around me, I'd have at least 10 sitting on my bedside table right now. Haha!

Labels: General, Travel

I'm leaving, on a jet plane....

I've not finished packing, stuff is lying all over the room and I still have some errands to run this late morning. The next time you read this blog, I'll be writing it from Memphis, severely jet-lagged. Ack!

Labels: General, Travel

After nearly a year since it's opening, I finally made it to VivoCity and the newest book mecca in town: PageOne.


PageOne @ Vivo is an amazing place. There isn't a straight line in the entire store. Rows of book shelves meander all over the place. This makes for some interesting nooks and unexpected corners with low chairs that invite browsing. But the best feature has to be the floor to ceiling windows near the back of the store that look out over the sea and the island Sentosa. Blinds provide relief from the afternoon sun and with comfy chairs here, this has got to be the ultimate browsing spot. And as this store is far from the maddening crowds of Orchard Road, it's quiet here, almost library-like. I spotted someone enjoying a snooze in the sun.

I'm definitely going back. AFTER my US trip.

Labels: Books, General

I've only got to change some Singapore dollars to US dollars, pack my bags and I'm set. Oh, and try to squeeze in a tea with Ems, a Mother's Day lunch with my parents (it will double up for Father's Day too since I won't be here for that day) and a dinner with some freelancers I worked with.

My sister just called...and we're going to NYC for 5 days over the Memorial Day weekend! Yippee! We're booked at The Belvedere and have reservations at the Waldorf for Sunday Brunch. *faints*

If anyone has any suggestions for places to go, great eats and things to do (I'm dragging her and G to the MoMA, Whitney, Society of Illustrators house, CooperHewitt and the Frick, and the Empire State Building)...please let me know.

Oh...I'm trying to find out the name of that cafe, kiosk, stand in Central Park that sells great burgers and hotdogs. I know Martha Stewart did a segment of her show there. Help!
Found it: The Shake Shack and it's in Madison Square Park.

And yes! I'll be IT-ing it this holiday. My laptop, iPod, camera and phone are coming along.

Labels: General, Travel

That's 9 days to go, to my super early morning flight on Northwest. Route: Singapore - Tokyo (7 hr flight) - Detroit (12 hr flight) - Memphis (2 hr flight).

Then 37 days of D & G (that's her hubby but together they sound like Dolce & Gabanna. Haha!). She's trying to plan a trip or two to places in Key West, NYC or Las Vegas. I'll be in Memphis for the tail-end of Memphis in May Festival. And D...I want to see those Peabody ducks this time. Oh yes...I want to see a tornado too!

The magnolias are almost in bloom and I can't wait to smell them again.

Labels: General, Travel

Looks like I'm all set. I'm USA-bound on 15 May. As much as I'm looking forward to my holiday and seeing my sister after nearly 3.5 years, I'm not looking forward to the 24 hour trip!! Ack! I wonder if I can get a doctor's prescription for sleeping pills. Hmmm...

I'll be in Memphis till 20 June. Wish me luck as I start the paperwork on a work visa. Not sure how long that will take, so I'll be coming back for a while, working, saving till it's approved before heading back again. Finally, finally, finally...it's happening. I've got butterfiles and I'm talking every kind, fluttering around in my stomach. Ridiculous, huh?

Labels: General, Travel

About a month ago, I complained of the hellish week I was going through with my boss. Things got a little better, then last week it got worse again.

Well, things came to a head this past Friday. I was retrenched.

I had a funny feeling the whole week. My intuition was never more accurate. Some shitty excuse was given about improving production standards and that someone with greater experience was brought in to do just that. They also admitted that getting me to do the job of 4 people was a mistake. Well, gee! You think? I was creative services, traffic, production and studio manager! There wasn't enough hours in a work day to get what I had to do, done. Request for help went unheeded. And it didn't help my CD had divaesque aspirations.

While I was not surprised when it happened, it left me a bit shaken yet relieved! Shaken cause I had promised myself to stay in this job for at least 2 years (I had just 11 months more to go). Relieved cause I don't have to deal with his tirades anymore.

So now, I'm on the market again. Feels strange this time as I wasn't expecting it. I'm considering running away to my sister in Memphis to spend a month there. That would be a good time to get the paperwork going on a US green card. It's something we've both talked about for yonks but I've never had the time or opportunity to really do anything serious about it.

I'm taking a short break for now, to sort out my options and decide on that visit. I'm still a wee bit shaky but I will be fine come Monday. Then...full steam ahead!

Labels: General, News, Work

I browsed, I read and I bought. Four books. Although it would have been 7 if I could find just one more book at the "Buy 3 Pay for 2" table. But it was not to be.

So, the ones I did buy are:
1. Neil Gaiman's The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes - I'm coming to his books late. After reading and hearing tons of good things about this series, I decided to make a start.
2. Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel - one woman's journey to freedom and a new life.
3. Charles Palliser's Unburied - a blurb likened Palliser to Wilkie Collins and Umberto Eco. If you're a fan of both, how do you resist that?
4. Joanna Harris' Blackberry Wine - simply in anticipation of her new novel, Lollipop Shoes.

I crowned it all with a smoked salmon sandwich and a lite Danish beer at the bistro next door.

So which one will I start with? Hmmm...I think The Sandman tonight.