Festival of Tulips at the Gardens by the Bay

I have seen the Marina Bay Gardens in its early days, having lived in Singapore for 2+ years.   I have never been inside any of its two garden domes though.   When Kyla and I spent a week-long vacation in Singapore, we decided (at the drop of a hat, mind you) to go and have a look... Kyla's best buddy Tintin accompanied us to MBS.  Kyla and I stayed over at Tin and her mom Vi's home at the west coast of Singapore for the early part of the week.

There are two garden domes - the Flower dome and the Cloud Forrest dome.  She told us that this time of the year, tulips are showcased at the central area of the Flower dome.  And since I adore tulips, it was our chosen attraction for the day. Had we arrived a few days earlier, it would have been Cherry Blossoms.

I never knew there could be so much species of tulips that existed! It was indeed a visual feast to see those colorful beauties.

Note that in the multi-level deck of the dome, plants and trees from different parts of the globe are also on display.

Scroll below to see more pictures from the Flower Dome....

By the time we visited Gardens by the Bay, they started to take
down the dinosaur displays around the Supertrees.
We were still able to catch T-Rex in one piece.

Besties bonding day

Rembrant's portrait in its floral glory

Lots of bright colored tulips!

I didn't know such exists!

This for real?

Ah... so innocent and pure-looking beauty

A tribute to Julia

Lovely streaks of spring... or spryng

The red and yellow blooms make a stunning contrasts

Young buds 

This made me think of the book, The Little Prince

These white and fuchsia tulips are my personal favorites

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Grand Perfection: in my mind, I call them tiger tulips

Orange blooms

Side by side with Barcelona Beauty

A tribute to its host country

2nd personal favorite.

Yep. We wore flip flops for sheer comfort.
Lesson learned: if you are about to embark on a
> 10,000 steps a day adventure, better have flip flops!

Reminded me of orchids....

Van Gogh's Starry Night. In tulips.

Glad to have a week-long mom and babes bonding.

Perfect dark pink blooms

Taking a breather...

There is also a wide display of succulents around the dome

...more succulents at the upper deck of the dome

A giant succulent ?

Kyla was not happy to see her most-hated plant.

Ants at work on display. Really big ones.

View of the MBS from the Gardens

Special thanks to Kyla's BFF Tin for gamely joining our unplanned adventure to the city!

Thank You for the Memories, Singapore

After 2 and ½ years of living and working in Singapore, it is time to go back home. I have known for quite a while that my time in Singapore is finite and would come to close. I appreciated having the sense of predictability for once, after a lifetime of unpredictable twist and turns in life. The last few years have been well spent for me and my family. We were able to explore most of what Singapore has to offer and travelled great places in the Southeast Asia.

Last day at Park Infinia

A few colleagues did ask me, after the announcement of my new assignment was made, how I feel about moving back. It's mixed feelings, actually. On one hand, there is elation and anticipation.

This is a historical time for the Philippines. A nation whose time has come. We are at a turning point where all our dreams and hard work for our country is coming to fruition. We are not too far off from earning our rightful place as the next tiger economy for Asia! It is a great time to be back in the Philippines! True, it is still not perfect but we are moving at the right direction. An ounce of optimism coupled with work and perseverance always outweigh negative energies. Progress versus perfection!

I definitely look forward to resuming our tour of the Philippines. After having been into the so-called popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, I am convinced there is no reason why our beaches would not emerge superior or at par with the world's best! Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Ilocos, CamSur, Davao, Nasugbu - and many more - the list is endless!

We also miss our home. Being cooped up in a high rise, landless condominium unit is not the same as enjoying breezy nights at our lanai by the garden. My husband and daughter definitely missed gardening and the joys of father-children bonding over washing the car. Things we could not do in Singapore.

We missed authentic Pinoy food too, especially the ihaw-ihaw (grilled) kind! We missed the Chrismassy atmosphere that starts in September, the town fiestas, the Santa Cruzan, the firecrackers every New Year's eve and the fuss that goes along with it. The festivities that shows the fun side of Filipinos, no matter what predicament we face. As they say, It's More Fun in the Philippines! And we have thousands of reasons why.

On the otherhand, there are also people and memories of Singapore that I will miss to be sure and this made my last few months poignant with memories...

- The few close friends who stuck with me and pulled me over to have a life. I couldn't have stayed sane without them!

- Friday night unplanned after work drinks at Harry's and wherever we wound up afterwards!
- My work mentors who never gave up on me even when I was about to give up on myself. I will always remember that the best gift we can give to others is believing that they can.
- The SG-version of the oh-no-we-are-doomed days that thankfully never came.

- I will miss strolling along the Esplanade after a hearty dinner at Makansutra, simply looking over the Singapore river and the city skyline.

- Running my first 5K and 10K, which I hope to be able to continue at home.

- Eating at the hawkers. We've had our share of the posh fancy dining places but the hawkers is as real as it can get.

- Late night coffee with Belle and Lek along Orchard Road while seating along the sidewalk. Afternoon tea breaks at Wang's and the auntie who knew us so well already.
- Rummaging goodies whenever there is something on sale.  In SG, I only buy stuff when they are finally on sale! And ogling at the designer boutiques and conjure excuses why I should pull myself away ASAP.
- Being able to walk home very late at night and knowing you are safe.
- Travelling from SG to most part of the region is a breeze.
- Watching plays at the MBS Theater. Note to self: watch more plays in the Philippines.
- Walking to work! I now have to endure the slow moving traffic at the south.
- Walking to the nearby mall at the drop of hat, for some after dinner dessert or whenever I fancy buying a new book.
- No brown outs, no typhoons, no flooding. No worrying about whether we will have running water when the electricity goes out!

Most of all, Singapore will always have a special place in our hearts.

This is where Kevin grew leaps and bounds in his special education through the help of his teachers/therapists at the ABC Learning Center. In Singapore, we never felt that Kevin was looked down upon by people; he was always treated with understanding and respect despite being especially different.

I am convinced that Kevin was part of the reason why fate brought us here.

And that purpose has been served. He will be thirteen soon and as destiny has laid it down, his new needs are best met at our home country. Now it is time to move on.

Because as the tired old cliche goes... there is still no place like home.



Whenever I walk to work every morning, I glance up to these towers while I sing to myself.

 

Kevin's farewell day at ABC Learning Center



Kyla's farewell speech on her last day at school.
She even asked me to create a video of picture slide show showing
her memories of Singapore, CIS and Asia.



Farewell Dinner hosted by friends
They saved my sanity in the last few years!



... I call this our goodbye-for-now dinner.

Farewell dinner with the PS team

Ladies of FC. Will be missing you!

 

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!!!