Indulgence

Indulgence is said to be the inability to resist the gratification of desires or whims. So with that phrase in mind, I caved in and bought 3 more dangling earrings to add to my collection. They were pretty affordable and I found them at those trinket shops at Galleria.



Now I'm running out of space on that tiny abaca box to hang my earrings. By the way, that abaca box contains a wind chime which was my wedding giveaway to the few guests who were witness to our marital union almost 2 years ago. =)



P.S.
I bought the above earrings before the Lenten period so I'm not guilt ridden over my frivolous purchases. Yes I know .... excuses ... excuses ... excuses! :D

Oscars

I like watching awards shows. I really mark the dates on my calendar and make sure I wake up early to see it, live. I normally first switch to the red carpet pre-show parade of stars in their designer gowns. Most of them look really fabulous completely adorned with really expensive pieces of sparkling jewelries. While others tend to fall in my I.won't.be.caught.dead.wearing.such.a.hideous.gown category.

I wonder what preparations the stars go through weeks before the grand event. They probably exercise, lift weights or starve themselves. Well I won't be surprised if some of them go for a nip here and a tuck there. After all, I'm sure with their huge earnings they can surely afford a Liposuction to enhance their figures.

Being a movie buff with a reviews blog, I try to watch most of the nominated films. Unless of course, they fall in the sci-fi and/or horror category. In that case, I will just catch it on TV. This year I've managed to see 5 of the 10 nominated movies for Best Picture. I want "The Hurt Locker" to win!

So on March 8 at 6:30am - it's a date for me at the Oscars. I'll probably still be in my nightie nicely parked in front of the TV with a mug of coffee to soak in the glitzy glamor of tinsel town. I can't wait!

Comparison

When we were in Singapore, my digicam was pretty much useless. I had a difficult time using its sliding mechanism feature. To think that I even packed an extra battery, several memory cards and USB drives because I wanted to snap away like there is no tomorrow. Hehe So I was really frustrated! Good thing my dear sister came to my rescue and she willingly lent me her ultra modern digicam so I was able to capture shots of our family bonding vacation. =)

So I've been browsing at some price comparison websites to help me decide on a new digicam. These sites are hugely beneficial for anyone planning to purchase online. They serve as a one stop guide filled with valuable information on all sorts of products. So whether you are planning to buy laptops, pushchair and/or tvs, I highly recommend you visit them before you make your decision.

Online Shopping

Credit card details, expensive shipping costs and identity theft have influenced my decisions to avoid shopping, online. But after I placed my order for the Hearts for Haiti cause, I went ahead and ordered more dangling earrings. I purchased both of them from an Etsy shop.

It is really frustrating how the postal system takes its own sweet time in delivering packages. By the time I received the notice to claim my package I had forgotten all about it.



I even thought that it got lost or worse sent to the wrong address. But thankfully they got here just in time for Valentine's Day! So I got to wear them with my new dress. =)

TGIF

Once again Lent is upon us. It is the time to be reflective and make sacrifices in the hopes of becoming a better person, spiritually. Usually when we eat out I order either Coke Light or Sprite so I've decided to give up soda drinks for Lent, this year.

It is also the time to abstain from eating meat during Fridays. I often find that sticking to this tradition which I've grown accustomed to since my childhood can be quite a challenge. More so when we dine out. It is imperative we find a restaurant which serves only fish or seafood dishes.

So for our dinner tonight, I've decided to cook my tried and tested fish recipe => Tilapia with Gata. I use the powdered coconut milk variety which I mix with half a cup of water. Then I slice onions, garlic and ginger and place them all in a pot. I pour the coconut milk, let it boil for a few minutes then add the Tilapia, season to taste and you're done. Sometimes I also add slices of eggplant to the recipe so we can have some veggies in our diet regimen. Voila a simple yet delicious fish recipe! =)

Culture

During my recent visit to Singapore, I was totally impressed by the vast amount of museums present in this tiny island state. The top notch facilities, the friendly staff and the wide array of interactive exhibits were quite extensive in scope. So I figure even though entrance fees were exorbitant they are truly worth every single cent.

I found this interesting article which describes Singapore's meteoric rise as a post colonial City of Culture and Performance. I totally agree with its contents having had first hand insights in the development of the city. In the same breath, with the recent successful opening of the Resorts World Sentosa, it will further boost the image of the city as a premier destination. Casinos are said to be one of the safest places to visit. The presence of security officers ensures the protection and general well being of its well heeled clientele. Hopefully next time I visit, I can drop by Sentosa to get a glimpse of the casino which I heard has been getting a steady stream of visitors.

Webmaster

I remember returning to our beloved country for good in 2001 with no sense of purpose. I didn't know for sure what I really wanted to do. Until I was influenced by someone to try and hone my skills. So that's when I decided to enroll in a short term diploma course that involved computer appreciation, basic html knowledge and programming. It was a tough 6 months for me because I had to re-adjust to the classroom environment. Thankfully it was a rather small group and my classmates were helpful even though they were like half my age. Heh!

For our final 'thesis' we had to create an interactive website from scratch with e-commerce features. So I had to find a dedicated web hosting program which suited my project. It was really difficult struggling with the programming codes, the html icons but by sheer determination marred with sleepless nights and hair pulling incidences I passed my test. To this day, I still am quite proud of myself for choosing that path towards arming myself with more skills to improve my status. Never mind that the guy who 'inspired' me has long been erased from my contact list, my Facebook account and my life in general. :D

Hearts for Haiti

I discovered this website through blogger Odette who also has an Etsy shop. It is the place to buy and sell all things handmade.

The Hearts for Haiti section offers handmade items on sale with free shipping to any part of the globe. 100% of the proceeds from this shop (after Etsy and PayPal fees) go directly to Doctors Without Borders (http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org). Hearts for Haiti is an Etsy collective of hundreds of Etsy shops who have generously donated items to raise money so we can assist the relief efforts in Haiti.




So I placed my order and after 2 long weeks, it finally arrived at my mailbox. It is a Lilac and Gold Engraved Balls with Vintaj Brass dangling earrings which I purchased from MichVanetta's shop all the way in the Land Down Under. =)

The Projeks

After a week of sister bonding moments filled with shopping sprees, eating out till we burst, watching dvds late at night and sleeping in a room with aircon at the condo, I'm back home. Home being Project 8, Q.C. Or "The Projeks" as I sometimes fondly refer to it. I had fun. I miss having my sister around.

Meanwhile D was left alone for roughly 8 days to fend for himself. But given that he is self reliant and can manage by his lonesome self, I wasn't feeling too guilty about it. Hehe After long working hours, his way to relax is to play games, online. Sometimes, he stays up way past his bedtime playing poker on his computer. So I'm pretty sure he will find this interactive online gambling website quite interesting. It is a comprehensive guide to online casino and gambling sites which include games like poker, blackjack, Roulette among others.

Hopefully his 'addiction' to the game won't get worse. I worry he loses precious sleep and will be less energetic to focus on the main tasks. But I figure I should be thankful I know for sure where he is in the evenings instead of checking up on his whereabouts, every second. Not that I do that, I'm NOT the nagging, possessive type of wifey! :D

I love museums (part three)

Our Singapore Pass included free admission to the Asian Civilisations Museum. But we got there with only ONE hour to spare before closing time.

Asian Civilisations Museum

Admission charges may vary during special exhibitions
Individual Admission Adults $8.00
Concession* $4.00
* full-time students and those 60 years and above



This exhibit piqued my interest so I went directly to see it. Unfortunately pictures were not allowed inside this specific exhibit. Besides I didn't want to waste my precious time snapping away. The items were part of a private collection as well as pieces from the Ayala Museum.



I always get this surreal feeling whenever I see exhibits featuring the Philippines in a foreign country. They give visitors a glimpse into our rich cultural heritage so it makes me feel proud to be a Filipino. Yet at the same, I get a sense of how come I can bring myself to visit museums while traveling yet find it a waste of time to visit them in Manila. Hehe :D



I wished we had more time to visit museums but there are just too many attractions all vying for our attention. For instance, this exhibit would have been interesting to see. Yet again the Philippines was featured this time at the Singapore Arts Museum.



So we simply posed in front of them.





While over at the National Museum of Singapore an exhibit about Egypt was the main attraction.



Unable to visit due to time constraints didn't stop me from snapping away from every angle. :D







Voila, the chronicles of my Singapore vacation ends with this museum post. Now I take some time off from blogging. My dear sister is in town so it's sibling bonding time! =)

42

We were in HongKong exactly a year ago to celebrate my parents' wedding anniversary.

This year after we heard First Friday Mass, we had Chinese food in a restaurant located at the 2/F Atrium wing of Megamall. Its name H.K. Choi. It serves Hong Kong style food. The seating arrangement is quite spacious. It has brightly lit interiors with gold plated rotating lamps. You get a clear view of the San Miguel office amidst the Ortigas skyline. Its placemat clearly states "less salt, less oil, less sugar, no vetsin." Verdict, the food was a bit bland for our taste. But we (just me and my parents as D had work) nevertheless celebrated the fact that my parents have now been married for 42 years. Naturally, there have been ups and downs in their marriage. Yet laughter is a big factor in keeping them young at heart. Bless them! =)

I love museums (part two)

The Malay term 'Peranakan' which means 'locally born' refers to communities that developed in Southeast Asia like the Chinese, Chitty Melaka and Jawi Peranakans.

The Peranakan Chinese are descendants of Chinese traders who settled in Malacca and around the coastal areas of Java and Sumatra, as early as the 14th century. In the 19th century, the Peranakan Chinese, drawn by commerce, migrated to the bustling ports of Penang and Singapore.

The Chitty Melaka, or Peranakan Indians, descended from unions between South Indian Hindu merchants and local women, from the time of the Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century. Linguistically, the Peranakan Indians speak a type of vernacular Malay which incorporates some Tamil words.

The Jawi Peranakans (or Jawi Pekan) are descendants of intermarriage between South Indian-Muslim traders and women of the local community. The Jawi Peranakans clustered around urban centres, particularly in the trading port of Penang.

With that knowledge in mind, we headed to THE PERANAKAN MUSEUM to explore the rich culture of this community.




This boutique museum had quite a comprehensive display with state-of-the-art audio and visual effects. It focused on every aspect of the Peranakan lifestyle. I was truly impressed with its interactive presentation of its vast collection.

The Peranakan Museum
39 Armenian Street, Singapore 179941.

Opening hours:
Monday: 1pm to 7pm
Tuesday to Sunday: 9.30am – 7pm
Friday: up to 9 pm

Admission:
Adult: 6.00 S$
Group of 20 pax or more: 5.00 S$
Friday Night (7 - 9pm): 3.00 S$

*Photography WITHOUT Flash is permitted*

Blogging woes

Most of the time coming up with a blog worthy post can be quite challenging. I find it is doubly difficult to compose an entry when you are paid to blog. This article on BlogAdvertisingStore's blog pretty much sums up my point. Yet at the same time, there are several web directories in abundance to accordingly guide us in the tasks. Besides, I'd have to admit the extra income is very much welcomed in this household!

I love museums (part one)

I'm not a shopaholic so when I visit a city I prefer to roam in museums. Luckily I was able to visit a few of them in Singapore.

The Chinatown Heritage Center is located within a section of beautifully restored shop houses in Chinatown. It has on display a wealth of memories and untold stories from the past. It chronicles the lives of the early Chinese migrants who left their homeland to settle in Singapore.







This board has most of the surnames of the Chinese migrants. You can flip each of them to read where the name originated.



This counter displays samples of gold jewelry crafted by expert goldsmiths.



Back then, the migration from China to Singapore was a perilous journey. Many of them had to endure cramped quarters in congested ships filled with elderly, the sick and small children. So the ones who made it were eternally grateful and offered prayers at temples.



This interactive museum is located within walking distance of the Chinatown MRT station. I definitely recommend it. It is worth a visit to better understand the historical background of the Chinese migrants and a visual glimpse into Singapore's past.




Location
48 Pagoda Street Singapore 059207
Guest Helpline: 6-338-6877 (TOURS)
Email: chc@ducktours.com.sg

Admission Charges
Adults: $10
Child (3-12 years): $6

Opening Hours
9am to 8pm daily (last admission at 7pm)

Website
Chinatown Heritage Centre

Pleasant discoveries

In the course of a marriage, there are many things that one discovers about one's spouse. I didn't know that D likes to tinker with stuff. For instance, he will dismantle our two burner stove, unscrew every nail patiently, clean every single piece then put them all back together. Never mind if it takes him one whole day to do it, he starts and finishes the task at hand meticulously. It is the same thing when it comes to leaking pipes and plumbing chores.

It was only recently I discovered that he can play the drums. Well not professionally but he knows the basics. It isn't merely about tapping those wooden sticks against the drum set. Some of his colleagues have decided to form a band. I guess just for fun, just for the heck of it. It is still in the planning stage.

Since I'm the so called 'techie' in this relationship, I help him browse the Music, Video Search Engines so he can get an idea about the different techniques involved in playing the drums. Hopefully some day when the band has finalized everything, I will get to see my little drummer boy's performance, live! :D

Night Safari

High on my list of places to visit while in Singapore is The Night Safari. It is located a bit far from the city proper so we took a taxi from Orchard Road.



Since it was December 30, there was a heavy crowd of visitors all waiting to enter the world's first wildlife park for nocturnal animals. Once inside there is an activity center where restaurants, souvenir shops and the restrooms are located.

There are quite a number of itineraries you can choose from to better enjoy the Night Safari. There are walking trails, the Creatures of the Night show and the tram ride.

We decided to take the tram ride as I don't really cherish the thought of getting lost in the thick and dark rain forest trail, being chased by ferocious lions! Not that such an incidence has ever happened but you cannot be really sure, can you? :D




We had to wait a long time to board the tram. It is a 45 minute ride with commentary that takes you inside the dark rain forest where the nocturnal animals live in open enclosures. At the Himalayan Foothills, you will come across Himalayan tahr, bharal, and Himalayan griffon vultures. Animals at the Nepalese River Valley include the Asian small-clawed otter, greater Asian rhino, golden jackal and sambar deer. The Indian Subcontinent features the striped hyena, Asian lion and the sloth bear, all in a setting that is bathed in shadowy half-light that allows the creatures to be largely oblivious to your presence.



Once you are on board the tram, it is pitch dark but quite breezy as the tram is properly ventilated. Since I had a point and shoot camera it was useless to take pictures because the background was quite dark, so I simply tucked it away in my bag and enjoyed the tram ride. It was quite amazing to see and hear the famous laughter of hyenas, the massive elephant, the tall giraffes up close and personal!

Afterwards, we once again lined up (forever) to see the Creatures of the Night show at the amphitheater. Set in a forest clearing, this FREE 20-minute animal presentation will introduce you to nocturnal animals, from the elusive owl to nimble binturongs to intuitive civets. It was quite entertaining to see playful beavers perform tricks like trained animals. I had so much fun!


Night Safari
7.30pm to 12 midnight daily
Restaurants and retail shops open from 6:00pm daily
Last admission is at 11.00pm

Adult S$22.00
Child (3 to 12 years old) S$15.00

Tram Ride Charges:
Adult S$10.00
Child (3 to 12 years old) S$6.00

Each tram ticket allows only one ride within the park
It starts from 7:30pm onwards