Monthly Archives: August 2010

Samui

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My. Aren’t we a fickle bunch. We first made plans to hit New Zealand this time round for our annual year-end holiday. It was a nice idea, but not exactly thrilling since a few of us have been to NZ before. Then, came the idea of Fiji. This one got us extremely excited because it was simply too exotic a locale to pass. Then we did the math and realised how uneconomical it was. Somewhat reluctantly, we decided to hit someplace closer. Bali then came up and we were totally going to settle for it (with its gorgeous, gorgeous villas), until we learnt that there were some safety concerns. So after one last bit of deliberating, we finally settled on Koh Samui.

Yes, yes… it’s very far off from the original idea of NZ, but it totally makes sense! And to be fair, we’re still within the Oceania/Pacific region. So we haven’t strayed too far… :p

This is certainly a change from our two-years-in-a-row Europe trips. And while I foresee missing Europe and its glorious architecture and culture, I’m also really looking forward to Samui. It’s the first time we’re doing a beach holiday and though it’s a short getaway (only 4D3N), we have a supposed wealth of sea sports (I might even get to finally try bungy jumping! Something I’ve told myself I must do before I turn 30.) and great Thai (and non-Thai) food options near our pretty fancy resort, where we have booked two nice deluxe rooms, complete with our own semi-private pool. :)

As I’ve always said, December cannot come sooner. CAN’T. WAIT.

Let the (Youth) Games begin

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Last night, as the family and I gathered round the TV to watch the Opening Ceremony of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, I couldn’t help feeling a great sense of pride as I watched my home country revel in this historic moment.

While we may never have the capacity to host the actual Olympic Games, I truly feel that the YOG is as good as it gets. For a country as young as we are, hosting the YOG couldn’t be more fitting.

We’ve certainly come a long way since our days of old, and I think the Opening Ceremony was very eager to show the world how much Singapore has progressed. It was a very spectacular display – set on a floating platform, no less – with a barrage of fireworks, complete with a freakin’ REFLECTION POOL, which seriously? Made everything a lot more pretty than I ever dreamed possible. Already, I have a great fondness for the Float@Marina Bay, especially with the gorgeous Singapore skyline as it’s backdrop. But now that there’s a reflection pool, I’m gonna expect all future creative/show directors to incorporate that every National Day Parade.

Of course I do have some criticisms about the Opening Ceremony: I didn’t feel like there was a tight connection between acts; that “monster” could have been less juvenile-looking (these are teenagers after all, not children); and many flag bearers’ inability to follow their corresponding delegates (while admittedly very laughable) clearly indicated the lack of direction. Nonetheless, I loved that students were so involved in this. It is, after all, the Games for the youth. And even though many of them can’t participate in the actual Games, being a part of this certainly comes close.

Speaking of which, I’m still baffled by the Ministry of Education’s decision to NOT let the students go on an official break during this period. There’s really no better time for sports to be promoted in schools than this, so why stifle their potential interest? So 13 days may seem too long. But the Ministry could always take a more structured approach by allocating specific schedules to the schools so the students get to watch at least one or two competitions. Then again, perhaps I’m not seeing the possible repercussions. I mean, there’s a reason why I’m no government official, right?

It’s funny how I was very emotionally uninvolved in the YOG before this. But after watching the Opening Ceremony, my interest has definitely been piqued and now, I can’t wait to find pockets of time so I can catch some of the Games. And I hope, in all honesty, as the Flame sitting atop that gorgeous lighthouse cauldron (LOVE the idea, by the way) continues to flicker over the 13 days, it will further establish this tiny but significant island as that metaphorical beacon it so wishes to become.

Check out more photos from the Opening Ceremony here.

Lusty for Alexa

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Yesterday, I finally went down to the Mulberry store to fondle, touch and caress the Alexa. And folks? It was GOOOOOOOD. As soon as I put it on me, I knew I had found the perfect bag. And this was despite the fact that it was in the Grape, instead of the Tan that I had originally loved. And y’know, the Grape looked GOOOOOOOD too. :(

Being able to see the Alexa up-close completely reignited the love-at-first-sight experience that I had when I first saw it in magazines. My mind was so consumed by my desire to own the bag that while window-shopping with the girls, I kept gravitating towards anything that would go well with the bag. It actually got a little scary at some point, because I couldn’t believe I had that much “lust” for a bag. I have officially never been more obsessed with something so frivolous. Eek!

My friends reckon I’m definitely gonna get the bag, hefty price tag notwithstanding. I think I should not make any bold statements. Y’know, just to play it safe. ;)