A Day at the Singapore Art Museum

We finally made it to the Singapore Art Museum after endless procrastinations ("It's-too-damn-hot-outside-excuses...).   Kyla is interested in artsy-things these days, so it is quite fitting that we go together.

Located at Central Singapore, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) opened in 1996 to preserve the contemporary art and art histories of Singapore and Southeast Asia.  The stark white French colonial architecture of the SAM today basically is a retention of the main shell of the old St. Joseph's Institution which was established in 1867 by the De La Salle Brothers.

The main exhibit this season is the Weight of History.

Here are a few pictures we snapped from the exhibit...

This makes me think of a Time Machine.



Called Translated Vases.
The main centerpiece for the Weight of History Exhibit.



Mosaic and Prints
The mini art pieces at the back wall show equally instesting collages.

Who wants to take the Hot Seat?

Aboriginal Art from Australia's original inhabitants.
Ironically, the government offered citizenship to the Aborigines.
One of the many ironies of colonization.

 

This left me staring breathlessly.
What a depiction of the rape of nature.
The painting was crafted on what appears to be a window.
When you stare outside your window, what world do you see?

...and finally, Kyla's favorite section. 

Kyla and their class went to SAM early this year as part of their Art Exposure.  She excitedly told me that she has seen this section before, titled "Everything That Matters."  This exhibit is spearheaded by Singaporean Artist Justin Lee with the Singapore Association for Mental Health. This featured pop-art  from the specially-gifted beneficiaries of SAMH. Art therapy is used as a medium for their recovery and healing.

Kyla's eye lit up when she saw the artworks. This was the inspiration of a painting she made called "Flowers".

Simplicity and Beauty. Beyond what human eyes can see.

This was our last stop at the museum. I left this room knowing that Kyla can see the beauty beyond what human eyes perceive. For a moment there, as she was looking at the paintings of gifted special individuals, I know that she and the unseen artists were in a communal state. It's just so beautiful and humbling.

Kyla in The Terry Fox Run Singapore

Last January 27, our daughter Kyla participated in the Terry Fox Run 2013 - held at the Canadian International School Lakeside Campus.

This coincides with the Terry Fox Run 2013 happening at the East Coast Park. This is a run for a cause, organized by the Canadian Association for Singapore for the benefit of the Singapore Cancer Research program.

Who is Terry Fox?

Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox CC OD, was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. The spread of cancer claimed his life in 1981 at age of 22 and ended his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometers, his efforts resulted in lasting, worldwide legacy.

The annual Terry Fox Run was first held in 1981 and has expanded to involve millions of participants worldwide in commemoration of the efforts of true Canadian hero.

So much so, that the Canadian International School held an extension of the Terry Fox at their campuses to encourage the school children to participate. The participants from CIS were requested to sign a pledge sheet for which they will raise donations for every l lap they will be able to finish.

Kyla ran a total of 13 laps (1 lap=200m) for a total of 2.6km and she was able to raise $100SGD to donate into the Terry Fox run beneficiaries.  She did this despite still being in her 4 week-old cast in her left arm.  After the run, she is proud to have been able to run at her best and contribute into a worthy cause!

Kyla ran 2.6KM or 13 laps and raised $100SGD as contribution to the
beneficiary of the Terry Fox Run for a Cause

Venus Run 2013: Celebrating the International Women's Month

March is the international women's month.

I did not know this but apparently March 8 was the women's day. Well, lucky for me I have a spouse who makes each day as my day (wink, wink...), so I don't really give a hoot as to when exactly is the women's day.

Having said that, there are quite a number of festivities in Singapore to commemorate the international women's month.  One of those is the Venus Run 2013 which is organized by the Singapore Athletic Association. "The organizers of Venus Run believe that women can stay strong, healthy, and beautiful through running. Venus Run strongly promotes healthy living through active participation in sports so as to enable women to achieve healthy balanced lifestyles amidst multiple and demanding responsibilities to fulfill at work and at home."

I love the fuchsia runner's singlet for this year's Venus Run co-sponsored by Moving Comfort.


The roles we weave through life.
I am glad that I am able to add Runner as one of them.
And of course, the eternal Blogger-Writer.



With friends and fellow runners Leklek and Ems.
I will soon be missing these events with them.


This year's 5KM competitive run was held at the Marina Barrage, giving the runners a scenic backdrop of the Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Flyer. Quite a sight to behold on a cool, Sunday morning! I stopped at the 3KM marker to appreciate the view (and yep, had to snap a few shots via my phone that was tucked into my belted pouch...).

Truth to tell, I was still reeling from a recent bout with illness and I was having last minute hesitation, doubting my fitness to be able to finish (what should have been) an easy-breezy fun run. I am glad I had enough will to haul myself out of bed and move those legs.


The Singapore Skyline sight greets you at the 3 KM marker


Whatever is your clandestine role in this life, I wish you a Happy Women's Month!!!

Piece by Piece: Our Legoland Malaysia Trip

The brick from our childhood days comes alive in Legoland Malaysia (shortened to LLM hereafter). This is the newest theme park situated at the Johor-Bahru estate, southern tip of Malaysia, just between the Singapore-Malaysia border. We went to LLM during the CNY holidays albeit cloudy skies and chance of rain.

Here are helpful information for those of you who are interested to visit LLM one of these days. My pov is coming from Singapore as the starting point though, but should apply even if you are coming from other parts of the world.

Booking and Getting There

We booked the LLM trip at the package tour office in Novena Square. It includes 1-day pass and coach bus from SG to MY and vice versa.

I would recommend getting a package tour.  First, the entrance ticket was given to us before we left SG and therefore, you don’t have to queue at the ticketing booth when you arrive at LLM. This can save you time esp if you happent to visit on a busy day where there could be hordes of tourists/visitors. Second and more importantly, you will have a convenient tourist bus transportation from the predetermined bus pick up point and will drop you exactly at Legoland Malaysia park already.  Same process going back- they will pick you up infront of LLM parking area and take you back to the originating point of bus pick-up. This also include drop off and waiting time at the respective SG border and MY border Immigration. Our pick-up point was at the Singapore Flyer where there are sattelite offices for package tour providers. This need to be booked in advance.

From SG flyer, one way trip is about  90 minutes including immigration clearances.

While the LLM park is situated just across SG-MY border, you will need to pass customs of both countries. Also, the location of LLM is at an estate that is still under development and is not accessible by normal public transport. You will need to book for your transportation arrangements. So I suggest getting a package tour altogether.

What to See

Just like any other theme park, there are rides for the young and old alike. The unique attraction would be the Lego City featuring replicas of famous landmarks from Asia using – lego bricks of course! Malaysia featured KLIA (airport), Kuala Lumpur Petronas Towers and the KL cityscape. I liked the Singapore city scape featuring the Marina Bay skyline with the Singapore Flyer, Merlion, Fullerton Hotel and the Riverside / Boat Quay. I was frankly quite puzzled with the choice of feature on Philippines. It could have showcased the Banawe Rice Terraces or Mayon Volcano landscape.

Ain't this a familiar site?

Namaste!

KL Cityscape with the Petronas Towers looming by

I noticed that LLM has quite a number of ‘daring rides.’ I wasn’t in the mood for uh—passing out or something gross afterwards – so I kept to the ‘safe’ rides. The cars were designed to look like replica of lego models and look very colorful. There were also several lego-inspired figures around the park where you can have your quirky picture taken. Even the fountain was made from lego.

Bring some change of clothes if you will dare the water-rides

... This was a safer bet.

The kids will enjoy the Nissan Driving School adventure where they get to experience “actual driving” in a multi-lane driving track complete with traffic lights, traffic congestion, et al. They even get to have their own driving license with picture!  Kyla tried this and hubby keep on reminding her to keep into her own lane and follow the arrows and traffic light.  My sister and I were watching in the sidelines and smirking that if this were a real road at least Kyla was a good defensive driver (takes after the father and not after her reckless-driving titas, hahaha). Suffice it to say that at least this was just a make believe driving! There was one kid who kept on railroading anything and anyone moving and non-moving creature along the path! It was funny and amusing to watch, but not if you were the parent of the kid whose car he kept on bashing against. And he was the only one who parked the wrong way when it was time to park the cars to the starting point, and yep, bashed a few more cars in front of him.  At least he provided the watchers with entertainment...

The Nissan Driving School adventure

What to Bring

Unless you are a Malaysian, you need to bring the passport!

Local currency (MYR) is required when paying at the food booths and the restaurants within the park. There are several restos inside the park, with both western and local fare. Bringing of food and drinks into the park are not allowed. Credit cards are accepted in the souvenir shops.

Hats and umbrellas for either warm weather or rain. Sunscreen for sunny days.

Comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Comfortable clothing for a day’s worth of tour. Unless of course, your idea of comfortable clothing is a black, skin tight cocktail dress with all the bling-blings and 4-inch stilettos (?!). Well… it’s a democracy, so fine! (Couldn’t help this…)

Bulky bags are not allowed in some of the rides. Travel light.

What I Thought

I would give it 3-stars for now.  We came during a festive season so I was expecting a ‘festive atmosphere’ starting from having to see Lego Mascots at the entrance gate to welcome the visitors and maybe entice them for photo-ops, a common offering in other equally prestigious theme parks. It was quite dull when we arrived. There were no voice over music or announcements to liven up the park that could have made up for the nearly gloomy weather.  Music started piping in only around noon time. They do have fireworks towards end of closing time but we left earlier so we did not get to see this. We only saw one mascot throughout the day. They should install more mascots around, even if for shorter durations, at the different areas of the park.

If you are impatient (like me) to wait for long queue for food, you better go in line at the restaurants a little bit earlier than usual. I guess I was used to the hustle and bustle at the Kopitiams so waiting for the food (I was the ONLY person there) to be completely placed on our trays felt like an eternity. I had to stop myself rolling my eyes while waiting. This is a good case study for work process improvement (said to my then impatient self…).

Same can be said on how the queue for the rides was managed. They could do with a little bit of perky movements. The line in the driving range had 45 minutes waiting time so I had plenty of time to observe while waiting for Kyla's turn. It is inevitable some cars would collide from time to time and would need assistance to disentangle the cars so that the kiddie drivers can move on. In other theme parks I’ve been, the assistants would be alert and quick to react, safety considered.  In this case, the assistants do the metaphorical “walking-under-the-moonlight” act (“naglalakad sa liwanag ng buwan”). So before the cars got disengaged, time was almost up. Thankfully, the other rides were more efficiently managed.

The Lego City and Imagination City was a great crowd drawer, just need to jazz up the energy there by a notch.

There are several souvenir kiosks around for Lego-branded trinkets and stuff.

Outside the park, there is an ongoing construction for Legoland Water Park and Hotel. This should draw more customers if there is a comfortable hotel across the park, they can stay overnight and enjoy the area for longer.

Overall, Legoland Malaysia promises to be the next big attraction in addition to USS here in Southeast Asia. With a wee bit of tweaking, it will be quite a blast!

More pictures and a whole lot more side comments in Facebook.

My Birthday Staycation

After spending endless years with my birthday falling on weekday/work week, it was, quite an auspicious way to celebrate a birthday that is faced with a long weekend holiday as it coincided with the 2013 Chinese New Year!

Easily in the last 4 birthdays I had I was -- holding a weeklong workshop at the Plant, skipped lunch to hustle issue sheet revisions and powerpoint presentation that was due shortly after lunch, had to finish the monthly board Operations review and last year, huddled in a situation room to put together the supply plan after a crisis erupted.

With my birthday falling on a long weekend holiday, you can say I did concote a grand plan to enjoy it while it  lasts.  Nothing could be more promising than being marooned with one good luck after another!



Panoramic view of Rasa Sentosa Resort
No cloudy day can dampen my mood this week!

Weve always wanted to do a staycation at Sentosa but bookings are always a challenge. I got lucky with my chance booking at the Shangrila Rasa Sentosa Resort for a spacious, pool side room.  With two tweens in tow, I very much appreciate that our suite has a living room and the sofa bed was converted into a bed that Kevin and Kyla can use!  There were two mini balconies that directly face the pool side and the Koi pond. We spent the afternoon doing nothing mostly. Well, sort of -- knowing me, I have to get around and take pictures even with the cloudy sky looming.



The main bedroom with soothing hints of earth colors





The kids love having their own hang-out and TV (we do too..!)



Birthday cake from the Resort Staff

Being a festive season, the staff kept on bringing stuff over at the room througout the day, not that we are complaining. There were lukans (pair of mandarin oranges), box of chocolates and chocolate lollipops and a mini birthday cake for our family to enjoy.

By dinner time, we were deliberating whether to just have room service (too lazy) or dive into the CNY eve buffet dinner at Silver Shell Cafe which I predicted to be overflowing with crowd. So we went there anyway and got a table immediately at the serene end of the dining hall. Kyla thoroughly enjoyed the children's buffet spread which was set up at the right height for the young ones.

To continue the lucky streak, just before we left dinner, the host asked if we want to contribute to their children's charity fund for $5. Each donation entitles you to a lucky dip in their prosperity casket-filled with angbaos.  We had two picks, one each for Kevin and Kyla. I was busy assisting Kevin in his angbao when the host exclaimed that Kyla picked the angbao with the grand prize! It was a buffet dinner for two at Rasa Shangrila hotel!



CNY Eve Dinner at Silver Shell Cafe

We spent the next day- my actual birthday- strolling along the Siloso Beach after a sumptuous breakfast and with the kids going for a swim while hubby and I watch along. It was Kyla's first swim after months of having her arm in a cast. Throughout the day, greetings from friends and well-wishers also poured in.

Dragon Dance commenced early in the morning of my Birthday,
the 1st day of the Lunar New Year and welcoming the year of the snake

Quirky!



The Water Park area



We went home later that day for a birthday dinner at home with my sister Cindy and our yaya Jhane. With hubby presiding over my usual request of dishes. The highlight was of course, when hubby and the kids gave me their birthday present... hubby pulled all the stops this year when he surprised me with a Pandora bracelet with charms! There was an angel boy for Kevin and a sun for Kyla.. then we added the twin butterfly for hubby and me, plus it is the symbol of my blog itself. I probably gushed a hundred times about how much I loved this thoughtful gift!

Keeping it simple. One candle for that one shot at life. One precious life to live.

Hubby is all smiles that I loved it... of course, my smile was bigger!

... and it is not yet the end. The next day we all head for Legoland Malaysia. But that, is another story.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

"There's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heart breaking."

I encountered this book more than three years ago, while I was reading another favorite book-- The Chicken Soup for Children with Special Needs. This book was mentioned in one of the short stories in the Chicken Soup series.

A few weeks after, while scanning the shelves at the bookstore, I saw the paperback edition. I did not bother to scan the reviews for this book so I bought it out because I was intrigued.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom is about meeting the people who came to your life for a reason. The setting of the story dwells at the events that happen shortly as you pass the after life. 

After the first few pages, I was definitely, irreversibly hooked. I finished reading it while waiting for Kevin during his Saturday speech sessions in La Marea. The story was riveting and poignant. I shed tears along the way while reading the emotional parts of the story.

Maybe because deep inside I already knew the first person I will meet in that afterlife. At that moment, there was no doubt in my mind as to what the purpose of my own life was all about. Never been clearer.

And I thought, that it would still be best to divine the purpose of your life while you are actually alive, and not have it spelled out for you in death while pondering into winds of eternity and wondering what you could have or not have done. So I raved that this book came to me at a great time.

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

I also could not help but remember friends, people who became a part of my life.  Most of them stayed on for a while; sometimes a really very short while, so fleeting, before life took me to another phase, another chapter. And there were people who actually disappear in your life, only to come back again, at a portentious time when you actually need them to be there. Such were life's mysteries and blessings.

"When someone is in your heart, they're never truly gone. They can come back to you, even at unlikely times."

I was in my late teens when I began to recognize the fleeting pattern of how people, places, faces passed by my life. There was and I predicted then, that there will be no permanence. Only series of changes. Moving from city to country.  Country to city.  One lifestyle to another.  New places, new people, maybe some friends to be made, friends to say goodbye to someday.  And that patterns never ends. And sure enough until this day, it does continue.

"There are no random acts. That we are all connected. That you can no more separate one life from another than you can separate a breeze from the wind."

That was many years ago and I never understood why.  When you are young and carefree, you may see the patterns of the future but you don’t want to over-analyze things.  But now I know better.  People do come and go in my life, most of them with a special purpose.  And when their mission has been served, we say goodbye.  Some of them do come back.  Some don't.

And that is how it is supposed to be. 

That was how my life was willed to be. So I accept it.

"Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you're not really losing it. You're just passing it on to someone else."

But through it all, there were the very few friends and acquaintances, who served as the bridge to my past, the present and maybe well into the future.

"And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them, too--even when you’re in the dark. Even when you’re falling."

And perhaps, that is why at the end of our life, the metaphorical five symbolizes the ones that truly last forever, not by virtue of time spent with them, but the meaning they were to bring into our lives.

"All endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at that time."

Breathtaking Bohol


 

This my favorite picture of Kevin...
it was a candid shot of Kevin staring at the Sea just before his swim.
There's a feeling of timelessness....

 We normally schedule a family vacation on June, close to Kevin's birthday. And because he loved swimming, it has to be the beach. It was our first family vacation out of Luzon and the kids' first time to ride an airplane. Though the flight was very early, everyone was alive and kicking by 4 am as we prepare to travel to NAIA.

Our plane trip was predictably on time and by 10 am or so, we were also enroute to Panglao Island's Bohol Beach Club. Unlike other tourist magnet places in the Philippines, Bohol maintained its lush countryside attraction. Panglao is a 30-minutes or so ride from Tagbilaran airport and I simply love the picturesque rolling countryside trip.

Bohol Beach Club, having a good 1.5 km of beachfront, is simply breathtaking! Kevin and Kyla loved splashing on the clear blue sea. We also loved the glass bottom boat ride where they can see nemo, dory, choco-chip starfishes and deep sea cliffs!

Bohol Beach Club has an idyllic sea-side, serene setting.
Great for families looking for a quiet vacay.

View of the beachfront at high noon.

Love, love, love the clear blue waters against white beach sand

We spent the second day on a Bohol country side tour. There were about 7 stops all in all but we particularly enjoyed the Tarsier viewing-- Kevin and Kyla both tarsier miniature toys which they named Tarsy and Bolly. Kyla appreciated seeing Chocolate Hills, having seen them in her Sibika books. I loved the Loboc River Cruise where we also had buffet lunch by the big boats while crusing the river and serenade by Boholanos.

The blood compact shrine.

The Philippine Tarsier



One of the many sights to view the famous Chocolate Hills



The Loboc River Cruise while having buffet lunch

Evenings at BBC were quite festive (buffet wise), relaxing and laid back. If you want some peace and quite for vacation nights, then this is THE place to be. They set out a big barbecue buffet party near the beach with generous portions of grilled prawns and squid (among others) while a band plays popular music from the 80s. Alvin and I also took the opportunity to get a relaxing Shiatsu massage on our last night at BBC.

My favorite photo was of Kevin by the beach, serenely gazing at the cool blue water as he prepares for his swim. The contrasting blue of the sea and the sky, the pristine sand and the clouds brings me a sense of wonder and timelessness.

Bohol is simply breathtaking!