Belly Dance Competition @ National Museum

Singtel

presents

Street Revolution - Urban Revolution

Singapore Street Festival 2006

2 June to 18 June 2006

Asia Global Belly Dance

Competition

3-4 June 2006

@ Gallery Theatre

Call me biased but I think Mary's the most chio-looking in this picture. In case any of you don't yet know, I am a bellydance student. So if you don't yet know, shame on you for not keeping in touch with me!!! Yahahaha! Sorry, no pun intended so don't take any offence. To keep a long story short, I was introduced to the school by Mary. Oh Mary wears white in the picture, i think she has this feel of a cross between vixen and angelic, totally babelicious! Yummy Yum Yum! Lord, I sound like a pervert....

Okie, back to my story, I have been learning how to slide my ribcages and thrust my hips in the hope to look foxy for like the past six months. Mary's been at it much longer and she's already in the advanced class, almost two years?? Pardon my memory. And she has done us proud by being so so good that she can compete on a professional level. U go, girl! Anyway I thought her troupe was quite good and a pity that they didn't get into the finals. Maybe the judges were looking out more for uniformity than creativity or techniques. Definitely much better than the third runner-up in my opinion.

The top three in the solo catergory & troupe catergory will each come back again the next day (which is Sunday) to compete with contestants from Taipei & Shanghai respectively. I must say that except for a few, the other representatives from other countries were quite lousy! I think even the worst Singapore contestant from the previous day beats them hands-down!

The downside is that I suffer from eye-fatigue! Wahaha.... it is really no joke to watch non-stop for three hours, break for dinner then come back and watch for another three hours. I ended up dead-pan straight on my bed at the end of Day 1....

I can never be a Masai Warrior

Masai Warrior is an African tribe who has the ability to rise from very very deep sleep to a state of total battle readiness in a matter of seconds. Even when my handphone rings non-stop five times, maybe you are lucky that I heard the last ring (if ever).

I feel like a loser.

Part of the statistics

Politics has never been my cup of tea and I can be considered part of the statistics of Singaporeans (young) who are indifferent about who governs the country; let alone dissect/ discuss the various policies this island has. As long as there is something in it for me, I don't really give a damn if it's part of political agenda... I mean, I will be the last to complain about progress package, NSS, etc even if the purpose is clearly a form of propaganda. Right?

So I surprised myself when I actually bothered to sit through the whole dialogue between MM Lee and a bunch of mostly journalists supposedly representing the general youth community. Kinda hard to maintain a demeanor of disinterest. The mix of mostly journalists in the group wasn't really something to shout about to start with and the more I 'watched' the dialogue, the more I admired MM Lee's wisdom. He is truly a leader, his thoughts processed so fast forward that it undermined his exterior apprearance. Then again, I can't understand why somebody who had the oppurtunity to speak with Lee Kuan Yew will ask something stupid. Mind-numbing stupid questions. It's like if somebody gives you the chance to grab as much money as possible in the next 10seconds, would you behave stupidly and waste that 10sec by giggling nervously and then running off?? BAH!!
" With the PAP strength & reach to the mass via the media, etc, isn't it an unfair playing ground for the opposition party?"
What a silly question right? Competition is all about being able to prove that one is strong and the other party is weak. What better way to prove this than to amass whatever 'ammunition' you have and launch a out-right campaign? You mean if I know that something is to my advantage, I don't turn it around to leverage meh? 'Gong-gong' sit there wait for you to shoot me in the back meh? No right? Wa Lau... and you call yourself a journalist.

Oh did I also mention I went to listen to a rally in Yio Chu Kang Stadium? SDP speakers for three hours, kinda funny and interesting the way they speak in Hokkien, Malay, Mandarin, etc. Mostly about upgrading of lifts, yawwwwwwn!! The most amusing part for me is when they retorted on the discussion that Chiam See Tong is too old. They actually said he is 71 years young because anybody below the age of 82 in Singapore is considered young, wahaha!

Tattoo

Been entertaining the thought of tattoo-ing a ladybird on my ankle... On and Off. But I've never really got down to doing it. The only almost-near encounter was when I went with Adeline to witness her whole procedure. The only thing I remembered was that she insisted the shop owner to keep repeating playing 'In the End' (By Linkin Park) on his CD player just so she can be distracted from the pain by head-banging music... That was almost 5 years ago?? Correct me if my memory fails me oki, Ade.

The closest thing I did recently was this...

Well, not really recently, this was taken almost 6 months ago at some party. The sticker-on tattoo was that of Corona Beer (yah I know is abit unglam). Unknowingly, we became Corona Ambassador for the nite, tee hee! Makes me look very lian, eeks! Had a hard time trying to get it off later at home though, ended up Wilson helped me by rubbing some nail polish remover first.

The next day, Jenny texted me on how stubborn the tattoo was and I told her about my secret weapon... She said I damn smart cos Celeste actually suggested her to use her nails to scratch it off forcefully....Ouch!! Actually not I smart, the idea was Wilson's. But indirectly I am smart too cos I choose such a smart man to marry.

So anybody for my idea of ladybird?

A joy to Drink

A trip there is never complete without Drinking. Almost every meal we'll take something, mostly Toohey's New for lunch since the weather's kinda hot and wine for dinner cos it's really relaxing just to chit chat with some alcohol in your system.



On the day that Pearl & Albert's leaving for Singapore to attend some wedding dinner, me & Wilson decided to take a day tour to the wineries that the city is so famous for. It was a nice leisure ride to Hunter Valley. I wasn't particularly excited at gaining any knowledge of the process of wine-making but hey, I got to sit through it before the fun begins - wine-tasting!! The feeling of getting drunk by mid-day with the sun shining down on you's quite superb actually. We started teasing each other and ended up giggling a lot for the rest of the tour. Oh of course we ended up with four bottles of I-don't-know-what. Just some super yummy stuff which is beyond my vocabulary.



On the way home, we got ourselves some chicken pie at Harry's De Wheels. This place was made famous long time ago where the marine guys will embark and get their dosage of nice pies. Naturally, we sat by the Bay to chomp down the pies but I had to say that the pigeons around us were pretty irritating and greedy!

Opera House

No matter what anybody said about Opera House, this is definitely not over-rated. I'll let the pictures do the talking. Simply put, I can never marvel enough how awesome it is to just stare at this structure. Takes my breathe away every single time. I think I hang around there at least three times during the week that I was there.







Pretty windy on the day we took this picture I must say! Oh the other one was what I took on the ferry while we were on the way to the Fish Market.

Elizabeth Bay

Elizabeth Bay is located at Potts Point, NSW. This was where we stayed when we were in Sydney. The view from our apartment is pretty amazing... Look!! The neighbourhood is nice as well. A lot of restaurants, bars, snack counters, internet cafes, deli counters, etc. I like it here!






We unpacked a little when we arrived in the afternoon. Pearl suggested to pay her ex-flatmates a visit who stay near Bondi Beach. It was an enjoyable journey there and when we arrived, I thought to myself: What a beautiful couple, both inside and outside! Huia gave birth (i think it was 6 mths ago) to such a lovely sociable baby boy, so cute!! Now I understand why Pearl loved to take a stroll every so often when she was here last year cos it's simply breathtaking. I now know why when you stay near the beach, you never want to stay anywhere else again!

Bondi Beach

I know this is long overdue but hey here it is... so that I can re-read myself the next time. We went on a holiday with Pearl, Albert & Nicholas (Pearl's younger brother). By virtue that Pearl & Albert knew Sydney at the back of their hands, this is indeed one holiday that we really did day-to-day stuff with no specific itineries at all. We'll make our plans for the day each morning, and half the time we roam the city on our own & perhaps meet up with them later either to cook at the apartment or dine outside.

If I have to say one place I'll always return to when I go to this city, it'll have to be Bondi with a capital B. When I used to read health magazines that swears walking is good cardio excercise, my heart will always go 'Bah!'. How to walk up a decent sweat in S'pore?? The way I looked at it, even if I walk five rounds around my estate, I'll sweat because of the sun and not from walking on flat terrain. But I have to say now I understand what the magazines are talking about. Just by taking a stroll from Tanamara Beach to Bondi Beach, I've worked up a storm. Uneven terrain true but nonetheless truly enjoyable. And every spot is a worthy camera shot. See what I mean?


There is something very hypnotic about watching the surfers in action. They will swim out, wait for a good wave, turn around to body surf frantically before trying to climb up onto their board to surf back to shore. Some will succeed, some will crash and 'drown' but almost always emerging with a wide grin on their faces. Over and over again. I never tire from watching them the whole afternoon; which explains why they never burn out from repeating the same process. I can get used to this kinda lifestyle, yahaha! I took a dip in the waters while Pearl & Nick were busy taking pictures. As for our husbands?? Albert was reading under a yellow unbrella while my dear darling used my tshirt to cover his face and snore!! Yes! The orange covered one...OMG!

Oh, and I chanced upon the below.... I thought it's very appropriate for a hotel located near the beach. Yes, the 'no service' bit!

Sleep No Enough

Fri Nite: So hungry but I thought I'll tahan and sleep it off.
But Janice persuaded us to eat Supper.
End up we all reached home only around 4plus AM.
Janice, you owe me & Luke a big one.... Yawn!

Sat: Wilson woke me up at 9am to get ready for "Family Day" at his Armour Camp.
So far at Lim Chu Kang.
By the time we reached there, it was 11am. Wah, how to tahan until 5pm??
The sun's so bloody hot some more. Lucky I got my shades.
Okie, we took a ride in the open-air tanker called the "Bionics". Mildly Interesting...discounting the heavy helmet.
So hot!! I ended up eating four ice creams throughout the whole day.
Even though I have a soft spot for men in uniforms... by 3pm, even these couldn't keep me awake so sneaked into the aircon room (used for movie screening) to orr orr.
So hot & sticky.
Finally the time for the parade came and ended.... I thought we can all leave.
But someone announced over the PA system to ask all the NS men to gather on the parade square again to look for two missing magazine.
WHAT??!! must need everybody to look for two missing books? I was telling one of the other girl if they want, I can always donate my magazines out... One whole stack at home.
Until somebody else told me that magazine is one part of the gun... OH.
It was one hour later that we're allowed to go off. Every car was checked at the exit for the 'magazine'...
Wah, 730pm then reach home. Dying to bathe!! I think I stink.

Sun: I thought I just closed my eyes but the next minute, Wilson woke me up again! It isn't even 6am yet!!
Go to Auntie home to gather first before four cars set off to Lim Chu Kang cemetary.
Yawn!!
First stop was Wilson's grandmother's tomb.
We put all the food, joss stick, tea, etc etc. then 'shao jin zi' ... wah so much money, two million denomination. Got a few stack some more.
45 minutes later, we went to 2nd stop: my late Mum-in-law. Same procedure.
Next: grandfather.
Last one: Uncle.
I never did these before in my life. Married Life has a price to pay. My sleep!!
Again, the sun was merciless in its rays.
But this time round, I am too tired to even think. I caught whatever eye-shut whenever I can.
Wilson marvelled why I am such a pig. Anywhere also can sleep. Eat half way also sleep.
Finally we reached Auntie home around noon.
She cooked and we ate.

Really feel like orientation camp!!! Not enough sleep all the time!

After eating straight away take cab home, wah finally I can sleep,... I think I am starting to hallucinate a bit. I told my husband there is a killer in our room. The killer stopped me from getting out. When he was about to swing a big hammer at me, I managed to stumble out to my living room to tell my husband.
Wilson looked at me like I am a lunatic.
I think I am. Because he was watching soccer, there was no killer in our bedroom.
Look what lack of sleep has led me to.

My Ramblings

Have been pretty occupied lately to catch up on work and other stuff which is why I hadn't been very diligent in updating my blog. Also because I was feeling so unlike myself lately and out of ink; kinda like don't-know-how-to-translate-thoughts-to-words.

I intended to write something on my trip in Feb but didn't really got down to it. I suppose I'll do it in the next couple of days now that my ink has returned gradually into my arms again.

Anyway, there's something I really wanted to relate. I was on the bus a week ago. A pretty normal ride. I was looking out the window, looking at the trees zooming past me. Passengers got on and off. A pretty normal ride. Bus-driver continued driving so I continued looking at the trees zooming past. 10minutes into staring trees, my surroundings started to turn soft and fuzzy. Everything around me now began to feel like trees to me. Even all the people on the bus were turning into green capped with brown trunks. And I am the only human being, even if I sing out loud or hop around the bus, nobody will say anything because I am the only one alive.

Has anybody ever had this kind of feeling before?? I often experienced this as a child but now only when I am deep in thought. I can scream and nobody cares because there isn't anybody around in the first place. I am all alone. Lost and scared. All around me are trees, or wind, or snow, or just plain sand. I will repeat over and over in my head to myself: What is paradise if there is no one else to share it with?

I hope some of you here can identify with some of thoughts here. I don't want to sound like I am the odd one out here. Mental case or something.