Another revival? Multi-blogging on food, life...and the Arts.

I was just checking my blog stats, and I'm actually getting more consistent page views on this blog than my food blog!

*pat on my own back*

I'm thinking it's because I've owned this blog for a lot longer, there's more content, and that I did more work in trying to promote it in the past - submitting to blog directories and search engines etc. Makes me wonder if I should also revive this blog as well... Just posting interesting things in my everyday life or on topics I am passionate about - still "creating new memories" to stick to the original theme.

Can't believe that I'm actually doing a lot now to get back into blogging. Despite all the new social media channels popping up now and then, blogging still seems to be a popular activity - the intensity of content, and being always readily available is hard to match up with with channels like Twitter, where there's usually an information overload due to the speed at how fast information comes and goes on your timeline. You really need to be there constantly to not miss a thing.

Went to the National Museum of Singapore yesterday with my family. First time there, and even though it's no where near spectacular like the MET museum, it's still worth a visit once in a while. A Musée d'Orsay Paris collection of masterpieces has definitely sparked an interest in learning more about the different art movements/styles in history. (Vaguely remembering all those big names like Renoir, Monet and Cézzane from an Art class in middle school.)

I had the urge to wake the artistic side of me - the side that had me choose Arts elective classes and eventually tried to study architecture in college. I seem to have lost that side after moving into business and marketing.

So I started a photo blog on Tumblr where I plan to document all the art pieces, architecture, and historical facts that I find. Hopefully, it helps others to learn a thing or two and get inspired as well.

walk for cause.

Well well.. I've never done any thing of this kind before, as I claim to be an 'apathetic' person. But I did it! And I did two Sundays of 6.6km walking in preparation for today.

The idea:
The social media is quite a charm in this aspect of 'influence', I must say. I've heard so many events being talked about online, from pinkdot to tweetups and twestival, but I never once participated in any. Except for the Singapore Youth Olympic Games countdown celebration, which I only showed up for 5 mins to get my collection pin. So this is really my first. I got interested, plus drawn in by the PINK tees, plus I figured that this would be a good opportunity (motivation!) for me to start building my health, plus my mom was complaining that she was always busy with the babies and hadn't had the time to exercise at all, so I thought I would pull her along on this event - for personal reasons, you know, at the very least.

What actually happened:
And so she finally agreed to join me in the walk. I went to collect our goodie bags with the pink tees last Friday. Realized afterwards that the tees were made real tight! I barely managed to fit in a size M, and the largest size L (for my mom) is literally just 1cm longer and 0.3cm wider zzz And non-exchangeable too :( Turns out this morning that my mom couldn't come along because she wasn't able to get any sleep the whole night. Boo.

So I went with my dad. He was supposed to "substitute" my mom, but he was too, should I say, shy to join in officially (you will see why). The walk was a lot more tiring than usual! Lots and lots of participants - mostly women. First, we had to overtake at least 50 peeps to get a comfortable distance and pace. Second, my old man is really fast :o barely keeping up with his speed. At the end of the walk, my calves felt as if they'd been carrying ten tonnes of weight on the road. Good thing was, we were welcomed with Swensen's ice-cream (+ 25% off Reebok & free disposable razors) ! And this was where my dad failed. He thought it embarrassing to get himself an ice-cream because he didn't register for the walk, in theory. DOH! I even asked him if he wanted one (assuming that I would be getting it for him if he had said "yes") but he shook his head. Then when we were talking about it at home, he admitted that he wanted that ice-cream. Wasted lah! -_-

Still had quite a few vouchers from the goodie bags we got. Complimentary foot massage, spa, body treatment etc. Time to plan a relaxing weekend!

Good ideas, Part I

I meant to write about this 9 months ago. :p

I attended a friend's (of my sister) wedding brunch in the States. Like any other wedding receptions, they give out souvenirs or gifts as memoirs of the couple's union. Sometimes a small wedding photo, sometimes a mini box of chocolates/candy. In Singapore, the Chinese usually give out gift cards/vouchers for wedding cakes/biscuits. Check out this one instead. It's unique!

A Chinese fan.

I know I know, these fans are all over Asia. But in the United States, particularly when you have lots of American friends, this is the h-a-w-t gift. (And very practical in summer from a summer wedding reception!)

Beautiful little pink flowers (Are these 梅花 - plum - or 桃花 - peach - blossoms? :p) growing out from the left as you open up the fan, and the word "爱" (aka. Love) mimicking the style of Chinese seals, gave this Chinese "painting" a finishing touch.

But that's not it! Look closer and you can find the couple's names imprinted (on a sticker) on the surface of the outer bone.

Praises to the couple - Very creative thoughts on your wedding gift! It really made your wedding a special one for the guests, and it showed how much sincerity and appreciation you hold for the friends and family who were there to witness your happiest moment.

And thank you for the coolest idea, I have just decided what my wedding gift would be. :D

A pair of chopsticks. The last character of our Chinese names carved, one on each. Together, tied by a piece of red string.

Think of it as the best and only opportunity to market yourselves as a couple (much like a signature or a name card) to your friends and family. (I mean, how often are you able to gather everyone you know in one place? Just this once.) Make it memorable. Make it valuable. Make it long-lasting.

So what will your wedding gift be? How will you like your friends and family to remember you and your loved one?
Drop me a comment or tweet @chibiryan to share your thoughts!


P.S. This post is simply to help you generate some ideas if you are looking to have a more unique and creative wedding. If you genuinely thought of the same idea, that's great! But please do not copy every single detail from what is posted here. (Or at least give credits to the people who thought of the idea first. If you think you're the first, feel free to voice it out here.) Every wedding is meant to be unique. So be yourself. :)

Living with your right hand...

I am right-handed. I do everything with my right hand. I would be paralyzed if I were to live without my right hand.

But what if my right hand could talk?


Rewatched Midori no Hibi (Midori Days) again. Hehe. This time with wx. It's one of my favorite anime pick to just relax and watch after work. Light, cheery, funny but not as nonsensical like Azumangah Daioh.

It's a story about this high school boy (Seiji) waking up one day with a girl (Midori, who has a crush on him) as his right hand! Throughout they learned how to live with each other and understand each other. Eventually we are revealed the complete picture of what happened to Midori (in her real life), whether she will remain as Seiji's right hand or go back to normal, and whether Seiji will accept her confession.

I thought this was one of the more interesting plot I've seen: girl as a right hand! It's so cute and rather convenient: 1) I can bring my xiao wx to everywhere I go! XD 2) Xiao wx can do chores for me! XD 3) Never be bored or lonely again. :)

If you have a chance to be someone's right hand, who would that person be? Who would you like to be your right hand?

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Here's the first episode of Midori no Hibi to give you the basic idea:

Midori no Hibi 01
Uploaded by angenia

Start Go Green on Earth Day

For Earth, every day is Earth Day.

Hit on Google's homepage today and thought "Ooh what's the special occasion today?" It's Earth Day! So I started to tweet a bit about Earth Day. Found some go green/eco websites and tips. Followed few new "green" tweeples. And sad to realize, Singapore is still a quiet city in this aspect.

Some Singaporeans simply do not possess the mindset to go green. And this is reinforced by @AngMoGirl's experience today where she witnessed rejection when a lady asked to have her lunch packed in her own to-go (takeaway) box. Kudos to the lady who brought her own lunch box! Been away from Singapore for few years, I really thought the BYOBD (Bring Your Own Bag Day) was a good change and a good start. I do see shoppers who bring their own shopping bags to NTUC, but seriously not many. And I could imagine a group of those who did not bring their own bags whine about the 10cents they are "forced" to pay for each plastic bags. And reading @AngryAngMo's blog, "Anti-Bring Your Own Bag Day" as one of the top 10 worst consumer behaviors is just not surprising after all.

I don't know what are the best ways to promote green living. It's really up to the person whether they want to do things the better way. But I thought it's not a bad idea to sell money-saving together with energy-saving or the 3Rs - reducing, reusing, and recycling. Especially in Singapore, where I believe most people are more money-minded than eco-minded. I recall receiving a handy booklet in my mailbox couple months back. The booklet contained many tips and guidelines to everyday live, such as save money, look for jobs etc (basically the govt's effort to help its people ease off recession). One of the tips is on air-conditioners: Set temp to 25° for optimal usage and save $X/month (I need to check on the actual number) for every degree you increase! Budgets are tight these days, so these are great tips to follow and really save on money. What's more, it saves energy at the same time!

I think companies should also encourage eco-living in their workplaces. If it's made a "rule" in office, maybe people will start taking similar measures when they are at home (vice versa). There is a corner in my office right by the door, like a small waiting/reception area, whereby most of the time it's empty. But we never fail to switch on the lights in that corner. Whenever I'm the first few to reach the office, I would deliberately leave those lights out. But strangely the next person who comes in will switch it on. I still don't know why, perhaps to light up our big logo hanging by that wall? And I just saw lights in the conference room were left on for the morning. (Sue beat me to switching them off tho :p)

Eco-living is actually beneficial both ways. Helps the Earth, and helps us save some bucks. So why not do it everyday? For one, I reuse plastic bottles that I fill up with water at work. Use the back side of unwanted printed paper for notes. Even in the toilets, I always see the rubbish bin overflowing with crumpled paper towels at the end of the day. Paper towels literally used up every day before 5pm. It's there for our convenience, but we shouldn't abuse it. Dried your hands with a paper towel? Why not bring it back to your office to wipe your desk? Or tear a piece into two so you can save the other half for later. It's all so easy to do, we just need to put our mind at it!

Useful links:

• Earth Day | TreeHugger
• 8 Easy Ways to Start Being Green | Earth911
• Go Green Family Guide | Earth911
• Green Your Shopping | Earth911
  
• Got 5 Minutes? Do One of These 5 Green Acts | Planet Green
• The Social Media & Web Guide to Going Green | Mashable
• Go Green: Energy-cutting apps for your PC | CNET

P.S. Blizzard should implement an Earth Day festival in-game. :)

A RL Game

I will never quit scolding you.
Neither will I let u quit your game.
Until the day, you regret
ever placing progression on the same line (of priority) as me.

A newborn.

The thought of giving birth is starting to give me shivers. Maybe I won't have kids. But all those maternity subsidiaries are just so tempting! :x

EP hard to get.

I finally got my employment pass sometime last week (April fools to be exact). Almost didn't make it for the day because I did not bring my edu cert (photocopy/original) with me. Luckily I had them in email archived, and (thank gawd) the printing shops these days offer comprehensive services that allowed me to retrieve documents from my own email for print. When I was back an hour later to collect my pass, I saw something so ironic.. a man on the ledge atop MOM.

I'm sorry but he didn't look like he was going to jump off. Judging the way he positioned himself, rather than sitting with 2 legs hanging outside, he sat there as if he was sitting on a see-saw. I mean if you're really determined that it's the end of your world, you would probably be facing towards the outside of the building (there 2 legs hanging). And most likely won't stay in the same spot, where down below a huge air-bed has been prepared for you. My guess is that he probably got very depressed all of a sudden, perhaps denied a work permit, and wanted the "authority's" attention to the self-claimed difficult life he had.

Crowds were gathered below across the street. But I wonder who was really concerned with that man's life than just standing there to find out if he jumped in the end.

First time I see this with my own eyes. There wasn't any major publishing in the media, so I guess he really did not jump after all. :p

Feb events

Hmm... been over a month eh. Been busy with other stuff and also somewhat lazy to update here.

Last weekend, I treated my family to a game of indoor minigolf @Lilliputt! I thought it was quite expensive considering the size of the place. :S $18/adult and $12/child. Good thing is you get 10% discount for using Amex and 20% discount for the baby-of-the-month (Feb babies). Totals out to $90 for 5 adults and 1 2yr+ child. (Yes, 2yr is charged the same rate as a 12yr.) There used to be an outdoor minigolf place in Sentosa, Sijori Wondergolf. Cheap, only $10/adults and $7/child! But sadly, it's under construction work now. :( So Lilliputt was our only choice left.

It's located in East Coast Parkway at the Big Splash. In fact, it's right next to the Road Safety Community Park. That was my favorite when I was young. I wonder if they let adults participate as well? Would look so stupid eh.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, the Road Safety Park is like a treasure hunt game about road safety. It's designed with roads, traffic lights, and various designated checkpoints. The idea is to teach school children the correct road safety rules, as either pedestrians or cyclists, while traveling to all the checkpoints and collecting validation stamps on the route card. I went there twice when in pri sch because I did well on the first. ^___^)v

It's Valentine's Day! :D Going off to Sentosa with wx in 6 hours time! ♥!!

Hungry updates

Rating: ★★★★

Aiyayaiii!! I've been so busy at work these days that I have no time to blog! Five drafts and a pending one waiting for me to dwell on. meh.

Start of the year, many things we are going to push forward. So it's deadlines deadlines and deadlines. Helping with this and that, and so on... But now, I am going to dwell on my foooood instead.........

MEGA MCSPICY!!!!! :D

Yesss, really fat, juicy, spicy, and yummy!!!

Jobs search VI

Whew. At last! A temporary financial relief coming from Cellcity. [recall]

3 months contract starting Dec (next week). If all goes well, I should get a permanent contract by Feb. Pay is not too great. (wx keeps complaining plus it's less than what I earned before) But jobs are really hard to come by these days you know. =\ I hope the work style here would help me learn more from my job than my previous company.

For a start, I am finally getting my own computer this Saturday!!

untitled

Still no jobs yet. So I spent some time ironing out my website/portfolio and surfing a little online hoping to find some freelancing opportunities! :p Moved to a free host, but *a-hem* apparently the server has been down since yesterday. Can't complain too much since it's totally money free and ads free too!

I've been home myself for the most time this week, but not much progress on the actual job search. Heh that's bad news. Everyday just go by so quickly. Studying in Singapore is not that cheap afterall for non-citizens. Getting a job is my only choice now, but a tough one. *Fingers pointing @relief teaching* Sigh. I started the application sometime ago, but was interrupted to do something else. Then it completely slipped my mind. Not sure if I saved my app last time. :\

Just got a call, think Tue, from TOUCH replying to my volunteering app. I hope they can find something for me to do in the meantime. Cuts down the nagging. :p

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♥ Found this cat that looks just like my chibi! Hehe the size kinda fits too!

Jobs searching V

So Cellcity finally called back on Mon and arranged another meeting with me for Tue. Later that day, I got a call from Home Nursing Foundation for an interview on the same day! Wee~ I think the interviews went okay. At least they were more interested in my application than Photonitech, and even took the time to explain/show what they do and who they need.

Cellcity is a growing small mobile communications company. Neat idea to compile a one-stop Singapore living/lifestyle/city guide for the mobile generation. Well now, they are looking for a web marketing person to help them manage web activities and promotions more effectively. Very much like the things I did back in Innovolt. The lady was very nice. She's the Director for the Asia Marketing dept. Told me a lot about their future business developments and business models. Hehe, she's also good at marketing her product to her interviewee. Let me tested the city guide on her cellphone. Quite a diversity, I believe, among the employees in the office.

It was quite an interesting first interaction with charitable organizations and much contrast to the previous job description. More hands-on, and more events planning and marketing. I've never given much thought about going into this industry. But it doesn't sound like an easy job to do, like getting sponsorships, might even be tougher than selling a commercial product. I guess the lady understood that I'm a fresh grad and still looking out for options/alternatives. She gave me a pretty good idea of VWO's job nature. "So.. why Home Nursing Foundation and not other VWOs?"

Volunteering heat

"Inspired" by my sister and brother-in-law..

I decided to squeeze part of my precious idling time to do some volunteer work! *applause* ^____________________^)v


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Just signed up with TOUCH's TCD (TOUCH Character Development) and Singapore Youth Olympics 2010. Figured it'll be more fun volunteering behind-the-scenes, developing/promoting programs for the children/youths, than what I used to do in high school. :p

Hee.. I also signed up for xx. ♥ (P.S. SEE, I got mention you! :D)

And.. I'm also developing an interest in green-earth programs (eg. CGS) and general youth networks (eg. Youth.sg).

I wonder how long I can keep up with this degree of self-awareness.. :p

Jobs searching IV

update:
I can't believe this is how people here work. I called the office twice today but nobody answered. Sent an email but got no replies. Least I expect a polite reply to turn down my application. I guess it's because they don't really care whether one more candidate showed up for an interview or not. So an email just comes in, throwing in a date, time, and location, asking people to come in the NEXT day for an interview. At least with such a SHORT notice, I would appreciate a phone call to make sure the person got the message! Can't assume I would check my emails few times a day, and not like I know when the recruiters are emailing back to me. Sigh.

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Wuuhuuhuu~

I just lost an interview! :'( I received an email on Tue (11/4) to come for an interview on Wed (11/5). But I only checked my emails today (11/6)!! HOW!?

Plus, it's a marcom position.. AHHHHH HELPPP!

Jobs searching III

GAWD! Erjie just pointed out a super 大蛋白 thing on my resume.. I mistakenly wrote $880 (half-month pay) as my FULL monthly salary instead of $1760!!! T_T.. Sobssss. That's a huuuuge difference! In SGD, the rightful amount is $2.5k+!! Not $1.2k+!! AHHHHH~~ And I've already sent out 30 over applications with the stupid wrong info. =(((((( Hope it didn't impose a fatal impression on my app. Haizzz.

Jobs searching II

Wooo I'm back at this stage again.

So I finally got to Parklane Mall yesterday.. but turns out that they (or their clients) accept applications from Singaporeans or PRs only. Meh no chance for me then. Quite reasonably so, considering that most are that small and more temp/contract jobs than perm.. I think.

I'm starting to flip through the newspapers classifieds now.. heh even better so, postings are also available on the web!

Just 5 days more..

Phew. Finally.. I feel more confident of this day now. Shipped out all my stuff, got all the paperwork done. Now it's just to pack my clothes and chibi's little cage, grab my computer parts, and we're both ready to go. Just need to make sure I don't miss my transit in Korea.

wx wants to pick me up at the airport! 第一次见面，好期待哦。这次回来就属他最兴奋了。
He's a real swt♥ tbh. muack :)

Mini golf tournaments and updates

33 days left till I get to see my swt♥! :D happie

Over the past couple of weeks, we had two mini golf tournaments. One at Pirate's Cove, and another at Hidden Harbor Golf. I lost both but had some great shots. Hehe. Damn hot weather. Lots of fun.

27-hole at the Pirate's Cove. Pretty well designed terrain and obstacles.

Hidden Harbor Golf is an extension of the American Adventures Park. 18-hole, with the last being a giveaway hole-in-one. But my sister managed to make it in 2. Haha. We also took rides at the amusement park area. For kids. Qiqi was happy!! But sadly, most rides are too small for adults. :(

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I mailed out $500+ worth of books and stationery the other day. Haiz. Just packed another boxful of soft toys. Probably be at least another $100 to ship that out. I have a feeling that the money I've earned in the past year is draining out. Eelk.

Work stuff is kinda disappointing, but expected. Don't even want to talk about it. Lazy I am, but I should really try to push for a recommendation letter eh? Or not.

After all these crap, I just want to get on the phone with wx. At least, love and peace could calm my mind.

Meh.

updated: zoo trip postponed due to bad weather.

My family has been here for almost a month, my baba just arrived couple of days ago, and I have been so slacked ever since. All the work that I wanted to do part-time are on hold. Sobs. That means no money. Shipping stuff back to Singapore will cost a bomb. =( Just sold another book on Amazon, earned $65. But I still have like 8 other books waiting to get rid of. Sigh. Went to factory outlet today and I bought nothing!! woot. Only spent $9 on a little dress for Julian. (OMIGOD I just carried her for the first time just now! So small and chubby, and doesn't make a fuss when people carry her, unlike Qiqi.) Going to the zoo tomorrow. Hope it's not as unworthy as the Children's Museum we went on Tuesday. Much smaller than Pittsburgh's and not very well maintained. $11 for adults AND children. So that's how they treat children at a museum especially for them. To charge them like an adult. Why do they even bother having both adults tickets and children tickets? They're the same!