Martial Arts Day '08 - WW

SAFRA Tampines held a Martial Arts Day '08 at its premises. I arrived after lunch and missed the Longsword demonstration by PHEMAS. What a bummer. I went specially for that. A boxing match was on so I sat down to watch.

a boxing match

I hate wrestling and boxing matches, they are such violent sports..... and it's so ironic that my Dad and father-in-law love watching these sports. I have to shut myself in my bedroom whenever the guys watch such matches at home.

I'm sporting when it comes to having fun but I hate sports. I don't enjoy watching matches or playing any ball except...... nvm. hahaha......

Watching a boxing or Muay Thai match live is so different. The spectators around me were screaming at the competitors to 'go for the blood'. I found myself drawn into it..... I too was shouting in the end! *gasp*

Muay Thai (Thai boxing)

I will never allow my son to take up boxing or Muay Thai. Whenever I see a fighter bleeding from the punches, I feel his pain too. Ouch! Jaymes is learning Ninjado, it's more for self-defence...... I don't think it's useful in a fight. :P

Taekwando

Learn self-defence when attacked, can you imagine girls doing this?

There will be lots of hair pulling and tearing of clothes. Guys would love to be spectators of girly fights...... hehehe.......





Wordless Wednesday

Historical European Swordmanship - WS #17

Look who I found in Singapore! Not Cosplay!

PHEMAS members in their Historical Kit

I was so sexcited excited when I was shown a photo of the men in Medieval gear. I attended the Martial Arts Day at a club just to see the guys from Pan-Historical European Martial Arts Society (PHEMAS Singapore) in action! This group of dedicated exponents are learning the Late Medieval Longsword techniques of Fiore di Liberi.

member practising in their standard kits with wasters

For a Beginner, he needs to get thin soled shoes, black pants, white T-shirts and 1600N Fencing Masks. He will be required to purchase a wooden waster first due its reduced cost and speed of delivery. He can use the basic Mk1 wooden stick until his waster arrives. A Longsword is required for training in Fiore at PHEMAS.

learn how to handle swords

When Christopher handed me his steel sword, it was so heavy! I doubt I could keep swinging it for 5 minutes. I would probably be stabbed to death before I could utter 'Oh my Gosh!'
You need lots of practice!

This art of swordsmanship was only taught to Noblemen in the past.

Christopher Blakey (center), President of PHEMAS and some of its members

Historical Kit is the gear that a Medieval knight or man-at-arms would have worn into combat.

Swordsmanship is a strong and extremely practical martial art. Members of PHEMAS learn as the historical masters taught, both for it's self defence value and it's value for its mental and physical discipline.

Training
Wednesdays (7pm to 9pm)

Sundays
Time : 5pm - 7pm (Advanced)
7pm - 9pm (Basic)
Fees : S$80 monthly
Venue : Eurasian Community House
139 Ceylon Rd, Joo Chiat
http://www.phemas.com/

Weekend Snapshot

Photo Hunt - Living the High Life in Singapore

Photo Hunt - High

A luxury mega yacht berthed at °15 Marina Club

Imagine a home with championship golf courses in your backyard and a marina at your doorstep......... own a oceanfront luxury bungalow at Sentosa Cove!

Just a stone's throw away from your front lawn, enjoy high living on the high seas as the world-class °15 Marina Club’s 204 berths are designed to house mega yachts in sheltered waters. The $80 million club is poised to become the Monte Carlo of the East.

*daydreams*

A wealthy client bought a house in Sentosa Cove and a luxury yacht. He invited us to dinner on his newly acquired toy. Envy was written all over my face.

Singapore Airlines first-class passengers receive Salvatore Ferragamo (His or Hers) toiletries and Givenchy pajamas.

He flies first-class on Singapore Airlines to Europe and saved his toiletry pouch to give to me. He also asked for a toiletry pouch for Ladies and many packets of high end tea bags for me. So sweet hor.

Tell myself after oooh-ings and aah-ings at his high end items : My feet must be firmly planted on the ground. *ties bricks to my feet*

In a time of affluence, 'keeping up with the Joneses' is going to create problems. Living within my means is not enough because it means I will spend what I earn. I have to live a lifestyle below my means instead.

Is it the high cost of living or the cost of high living that is leaving people breathless?'

You will Reap What You Sow.

**************ooOoo***************

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Hay Dairies Goat Farm - WW

Kids feeding the kids

Hay Dairies is the only goat farm in Singapore. It has 1,000 goats of mixed breed, producing milk for sale. The farm uses machines to milk, pasteurise, homogenise and bottle the goat milk before selling it directly to consumers.

You should be prepared for the unpleasant smell. hehehe.......

Feed the billy goats , some are huge!

Goat's milk is an alternative to those who are allergic to cow's milk. Fortunately I'm not allergic to cow's milk, I don't like the taste of goat's milk. blek.....

The goat is a useful animal though. Besides eating its meat and drinking its milk, its milk can be made into cheese, beauty cream, soap, lotion etc. Their hides can be made into cashmere shawls, angora coats, leather, rug etc.

The milking mother goats are separated from the bachelor goats and kids. awwww..........

Farm Visits

The farm opens daily from 9am to 4pm. Milking sessions last from 9am to 11am, so visitors are encouraged to go in the morning. Milking demonstrations and briefings are held at 30 minute intervals during the following times: 9am, 9.30am, 10am & 10.30am.

Educational Tour: $3.00/pax; 250-ml bottle of milk and souvenir with Hay Dairies logo

Public Transport:
SMRT 925 (Sundays & Public Holidays) – from either Woodlands Interchange or Kranji MRT station

Kranji Express (Yellow Bus) shuttle service– departs from the Kranji MRT station every hour (fares : adults $2, kids $1)

No. 3 Lim Chu Kang
Agrotech Park Lane 4
Singapore 718859

Tel: (65) 6792 0931 (Visiting Hours: 9am to 4pm)
Fax: (65) 6794 1580




Wordless Wednesday

Toys of Yesterday - Wordless Wednesday

These are toys that boys love to play many years ago. When I showed my brothers the photos taken at Children Little Museum, their eyes lit up.

My first brother was very playful when he was a boy. Every day after school, he would throw his school bag aside, quickly gulped down his lunch, grabbed his bag of 'treasures' (marbles, bottle caps, ice-cream sticks ..... etc) and ran out to meet his play friends. Only at dinner time, when I was told to bring him back, would he come home. Those were his carefree days. hehe.....

hand-made 'helicopter blades'

Battle of the Bottle-caps

Seeing the handkerchief toy gives me the shudders. The boys loved playing with it then. The girls would be screaming, crying and running for their lives!

How do you play with this? hehe......

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Wordless Wednesday

Now... that's entertainment!

It's a portable movie box!! It was common in the 196os when TV was not affordable to the common folks. It's only available in the city area. The movie box is mounted on a tricycle which would be parked where crowds gathered.

Audience paid 5 cents for a few minutes of black and white silent movie or cartoon (Tom and Jerry). The more you pay, the longer you could watch. Can you imagine the number of people standing on each side of the box, watching movies? hehe.....

In the old days, after their dinners and baths, people would come out of their homes to seek some entertainment. Besides chit-chatting with friends and neighbours over a cuppa, they could....

watch a movie......

Listen to music (OMG! This is still in good working condition!)

watch a puppet show on the side walk.....

The best (and free) entertainment was to get the kids to sleep early and have your own little entertainment. It caused the population to boom. Having 7 to 12 children then was common. Then PM Lee Kuan Yuan had to come up with the 'Stop At Two' campaign. Today.... the Singapore government is worried about the decreasing population.

(Photos taken at Children Little Museum)

Children Little Museum - Weekend Snapshot #16

I was meeting friends in Kampong Glam for lunch when I passed by this shophouse. Started by 3 collectors, the exhibits in this museum are very interesting. It brought back memories of my childhood. Like children having found candy, Chris and I spent an hour in this museum playing with the displays and posing for silly photos!

The local readers might remember these toys from the good old days ......

Hello! Hello! Walkie-talkie made using condensed milk tins and a string!

Many families were poor in the old days, parents could not afford to buy toys for their kids. So the kids were creative and made their own toys to entertain themselves and others.

Handmade toys - boys made guns using chopsticks, and girls sew these little bags of filled with sand or beans called 'five-stones'.....

What is eastcoastlife peeping at? Porn movie!? Answer in the next post.

Entrance fee : S$2
Children Little Museum
40 Kandahar Street Singapore 198895
Kampong Glam

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Weekend Snapshot

24hrs@Asian Civilisations Museum

Night at the museum! From 22 - 23 March, Asian Civilisations Museum is opened from 7pm (Saturday, 22nd March) to 7pm (Sunday, 23rd March) for 24 hours!

This is your last chance to catch On the Nalanda Trail: Buddhism in India, China and Southeast Asia! The exhibition features the holy relics of Buddha and rare paintings from the Dunhuang caves! Enjoy free admission to the museum, a midnight docu-marathon, guided tours and more!

Live music performances, food and children's craft activities are also available!

GUIDED TOURS
(ACM Collections / On the Nalanda Trail Special Exhibition)
Sat 22 Mar 9 pm, 10 pm, 11 pm, Midnight
Sun 23 Mar 9 am, 10 am
Please meet at the lobby to join tours.

See you there! Ecl and hubby would be there after midnight, after our supper ..........

Purple Gold - Photo Hunt

Photo Hunt - Metal

When we think of gold, it's mostly shining yellow gold. Purple gold looks like coloured metal and is costlier, but it has been gaining popularity since it was introduced to the world in 2000. This metal's creator is a Singaporean, Dr Loh Peng Chum.

Dr Loh and his purple gold (from The Straits Times)

Dr Loh has also come up with ways to forge other metals into various designs, such as layers and checks.

Purple gold is a unique gold alloy composed of 80% pure gold and 20% of other metal components. It has been around for decades, but it was both too porous and brittle to mould into jewellery. Purple is a colour for royalty. ^-^


My husband presented me with a purple gold necklace on our 15th wedding anniversary. This afternoon when I unlocked my drawer to take a picture of it for PhotoHunt, it was gone.... together with a few pretty pieces of my jewellery.


I turned the whole house upside-down, but it was nowhere to be found. I'm afraid it's been stolen. I suspect it was my last maid. I took the photos of purple gold jewellery from the store's brochure because the sales people don't allow me to snap pictures in the shop. They are lovely pieces, the photos don't do justice to them.

I'm heart-broken........... I didn't even take a photo wearing that lovely necklace. *sob... sob....*

**********************ooOoo***********************

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Free Nasi Briyani from 100-year-old restaurant! - WW

Singapore Zam Zam, a well-known local Indian Muslim restaurant, is 100 years old today! To celebrate its 100th anniversary and also Prophet Muhammad's birthday, it gave out 1500 packets of their yummy Mutton Briyani (fragrant rice). Free lunch for the lucky 1500 people who queued for it.

staff getting ready the packets of nasi briyani

I didn't even have time to queue for it..... the first batch of free Nasi Briyani was given out by 12.30 pm and the next distribution was at 2pm. I didn't want to wait, so I walked over to House of Briyani for my favourite dish. hehe.....

When my son heard that I went to get free Nasi Briyani, he was aghast. I wasn't there for the free briyani, I went to get photos for this post. Kay Poh (busybody) ECL! hehe.....

the queue snaked right to the back of the restaurant!

Briyani rice is fragrant because it is cooked with spices. The spices used are cloves, cardamon, cinnamon, wasabi, bay leaves, coriander and mint leaves. Also added in the rice are ghee, ginger, onion, garlic and yoghurt.

a plate of nasi briyani costs S$5.80

Zam Zam Restaurant (Opp Sultan's Mosque)
697 North Bridge Road

Borrow Money from the Gods - Wordless Wednesday

Queues at popular Goddess of Mercy Temple at Waterloo Street.

I'm constantly amazed at the things ordinary Chinese folks do to increase wealth! The majority of commoners won't steal or rob. Other than buying lottery, they would also go to temples to pray for wealth.

So some clever people came up with a 'Borrow Wealth from the God' (借红包) idea.

The 'treasury of the Gods' is opened on a certain day in March and worshippers thronged queued at temples for hours to get a red packet which contains 2 coins. If they rake in the money or their wish is answered, they have to return the red packet with double or more amount of money.

Put the red packet in your purse or wallet and watch your money grow. My husband braved the crowds to get me one. Hope my wealth will grow ridiculously huge..... wait.... the Income Tax Department better not hear this.

You can get your fortune told at the many fortune-tellers' stalls scattered in front of the temple.







Wordless Wednesday

Cosplay Matsuri - Wordless Wednesday

Cosplay - short for "costume play".

Cosplay can be divided into two parts, a Basic cosplay and masquerade cosplay.

Basic Cosplay means dressing up and try to physically look like an anime, manga, video games, jrock or jpop character and performing.

Masquerade Cosplay means a cosplayer involves in depth with the character that includes speaking like the character, memorizing quotes made by characters and so on.

Cosplay costume are different from Halloween costumes. The object of cosplay is to literally become one's character, the intricate details of the costumes are critical.

Because the costumes are so elaborate, like-minded people gather to see others' costumes, show off their own elaborate handmade creations, take lots of pictures, and possibly participate in best costume contests at different cosplay events.

eastcoastlife is the oldest Cosplayer. muahahahaha.......

Cosplay Matsuri
Cosplay, Anime, Manga, Video, Movie
16th March 2008
Vivo City, Rooftop Amphitheatre Sky Park




Wordless Wednesday

St Patrick's Day Parade in Singapore - Weekend Snapshot 15

Star Wars characters created quite a buzz

My first St Patrick's Day celebration at historic Boat Quay where the parade took place. A fun-filled event where everyone wear something green!


Singapore's Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade is organised by the Irish Business Association and supported by the Embassy of Ireland along with key members of the Irish community in Singapore. The parade was a special highlight of the day, a beloved tradition upheld and celebrated by Irish people worldwide, in honour of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.


This is the 3rd year the event is held in Singapore. The Singapore Police Force marching bands and many local cultural groups participated. There were much Irish music and dancing and drinking.

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Weekend Snapshot

A mistress is a mistress, don't flatter yourself!

At my wedding anniversary dinner, a hot debate popped up among my guests. Peter Lim, an ex-editor-in-chief of our local newspaper The Straits Times, wrote an article praising mistresses. This article Mistress? Me? No, I'm Ms got many of my married girlfriends fuming.



Peter Lim wrote :
“Such women also symbolize the progress the female sex has made with their financial independence, their freedom of choice – and their self-esteem according to their own values and preferences.

Yes, in case you have not noticed, I admire such women, as I admire all women anywhere who have come into their own despite the barriers that still exist for the female sex.”

In the past, a woman who lived with a married man is called a mistress. Nowadays, women are financially more independent and do not need to rely on the men. They don't want the hassle of a family, only the companionship of men. Some of these women have no qualms sleeping with a married man. This is called 'progress'!?

This is a very poor example to show how far women have progressed!

During my parents' days, the women became mistresses because of economic reasons. They were not educated and protected under the Women's Charter. Some sacrificed themselves so that their siblings could have a better life. Some were left in the lurch when their husbands left them. It is very hard to justify their actions based on grounds of morality then.

Even leaders do it. The photos of Mr Eliot Spitzer beside his Harvard graduate wife and mother of his three lovely girls spoke volumes of the pain that Mrs Spitzer is feeling of this betrayal.

Today's generation change their girlfriends and boyfriends like changing cars! They slip in and out of relationships without a care in the world. It is not just the foreign gold-diggers, lower-income girls who are going after married men, but even the professionals.

I have seen many such women. Among my male business associates, most of them have mistresses. Some have several and even one in each different country! To the men, it's a sign of having arrived. Their mistresses show no sign of uneasiness or embarrassment when they tagged along for dinner parties or private functions. Some even behaved as though they are the lawful wives of their wealthy and powerful partners, barking orders and demanding service.

These women for their own selfish desires, bring misery to another woman and destroy the lives of many innocent children.

What my married girlfriends couldn't tolerate was that now these women are being put on a pedestal and seen as the new modern women!?

I Spy ...... eastcoastlife eating in the public library! - Photo Hunt

I spy..... eastcoastlife eating in the public library!!!!

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It's a food court in Suntec City Shopping Mall (Singapore) ^-^

Pardon the poor quality of the photos. I was stopped from taking photos by a staff, so I quickly snapped some shots while they were not looking. hehe.....

One company actually reserved this corner for their lunch. If I wasn't in a hurry, I would have stayed around to take more photos.

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How eastcoastlife has a good 18 years of marriage!

hehehe......... my 18th Wedding Anniversary today!

Food & Beverage Fair 2008

The 7th Food & Beverage Fair where food suppliers launched their new food products to reach consumers and food lovers is being held at Suntec City Convention Centre.

It is disappointing to discover that the 'BIGGEST ANNUAL F&B EVENT IN TOWN' has degenerated into a rojak (eclectic mix) fair with irritating sales promoters from beauty salons and so-called health food companies shoving their products at you. There are even companies selling kitchen utensils, cleaning agents, slimming products, footwear!?! You wonder what are these products doing at a Food and Beverage Fair!?

At least, now there are lots of tables and chairs for visitors to eat their food comfortably.


I notice there were lesser well-known food suppliers or eateries this year. The variety of food products have reduced drastically. There were not many newly launched food products.

I enjoy going to exhibitions to discover new products and also I can buy products at discounted prices or get free samples.

There were many elderly folks and families at the fair. Typical at all food fairs, I see the usual undesirable behaviour of the people. They rush to eat the free samples provided by some stalls. They stand around these stalls, eating and eating...... and even grabbing food samples for their kids or elderly parents. Some even bought containers!


Expect huge crowds over the weekend. It's going to be like the opening of doors on Hungry Ghost Festival!!

eastcoastlife got molested!

An unpleasant incident happened at the fair. While I was waiting patiently for the mad crowd in front of a seafood stall to eat and go away, an elderly man pushed his way from my left side and tried to sample the food.

His right arm brushed against my breast. I thought it was an accident but when I felt him doing it a few more times, ......... he was going back and forth! *%£$...... I grabbed his shoulder and pushed him hard. I pointed a finger in his face and shouted at him. Had my friends not pulled me away, I would have hit him, elderly or not.

I have to clarify that I'm no crazy elderly-bashing woman, but if the elderly men don't behave themselves, they will be beaten up too!



12th - 16th March 2008
Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre
( Suntec City )
Level 4 Halls 403 & 404
Opening Hours : 11am to 10pm
Free Admission

Tattooed 4D Fish - Wordless Wednesday

Each colourful Molly fish from Thailand has a number tattooed on its body

Some people in Singapore seem to think that keeping certain fish brings prosperity. Qian Hu Fish Farm imported many Molly fish from Thailand. Each fish has a single-digit number (ranging from 0 to 9) tattooed on their white bodies. Why? Punters who want winning numbers for the 4D lottery are snapping them up!

Before the fishes are tattooed, they are sedated so they will not feel any pain. The process for tattooing fish was not much different from tattooing a human being. Needles are used to insert pigments into the skin.

Each 4D fish costs S$3.00 (around US$2.15). A regular Molly fish only costs S$2.00 (around US$1.45). The tattoos last for 3 to 4 months.

Is tattooing a fish a necessary procedure? Why hurt other living things just for quick monetary gains?


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Wordless Wednesday

eastcoastlife Eaten Alive by Fish!? - WS #14

It was a freak accident. This morning, eastcoastlife and her students went boating and were attacked by a shark.

Very sad. So young. So beautiful. sigh .......

hehehe......

The truth is : eastcoastlife was attacked by fish......., not by a shark but these

Fish (Garra Rufa) nibbling at the dead skin

I went to a tropical fish farm and enjoyed a Fish Spa. This fish farm, Qian Hu, operates a nail spa that is different. Instead of using conventional tools to remove the dead skin and cuticle of your feet, it uses the fish, garra rufa.

The garra rufa is commonly known as Doctor Fish, Nibble Fish, Kangal Fish or Lickers Fish. This non-migratory freshwater fish is found in the rivers of Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Syria. In hot pools, this fish can live at a temperature around 37 degree Celsius. They have a lifespan of 4 to 6 years.

At Qian Hu Fish Spa, customers are seated round a huge communal fish pool with their legs immersed in it. Scores of fish nibble away at the dead skin on their feet. I felt hundreds of tweezers pecking at my feet. It was ticklish, occasionally a bigger nibble fish would take a big bite. eowwwww ........

I was told my skin would feel silky smooth and healthy after the dull and dead skin is removed. So I graciously endured for 30 minutes. A lady claimed her skin was smoother after the treatment and intends to have her whole body immersed the next session. Horrors!

This Doctor Fish therapy is said to heal Psoriasis. The fish nibble at the diseased skin until the upper skin is completely removed and release a small quantity of dithranol, an enzyme which results in skin rejuvenation.

Qian Hu sells these fish, so you can re-create the spa at home. A small Garra rufa costs $10 and a larger one is $20. Don't worry, these are not Pirahna fish, your kid would not turn into a skeleton should they accidentally fall into the pool. hehehe....

Charges :
$10 for 30 minutes, with slippers and towels which you are free to take home.

Get eaten by fish - rewind and relax with your family and friends

Qian Hu Fish Farm
No.17 Jalan Lekar, Sungei Tengah, Singapore 698950.
Tel : (65) 6766 7087

Open Daily
Mon - Thurs : 9 am to 6 pm
Fri - Sun & Public Holiday : 9 am to 7 pm

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eastcoastlife's The Ultimate Blog Party 2008!

Hi! Welcome EVERYONE to The Ultimate Blog Party!

During this week (March 7-14th), ladies from the blogosphere will be party hopping through a list of participating bloggers at 5 Minutes for Mom......, meeting new friends and partying blogger-style at the Ultimate Blog Party 2008.

I'm eastcoastlife (ECL). I'm an entrepreneur living on tropical island, Singapore. It's also known as The Lion City.

I have a 16-year-old son, who's currently studying in a culinary school, learning to be a chef. He's also a blogger. My husband's an Optometrist.... Both my son and husband are very active in community work and projects. I bring home the 'bacon' and they generously help me distribute it. duh!

I love to meet people and make new friends. eh.... you can find my footprints all over the blogosphere. hehe......

I have prepared a special durian feast for my cyber visitors. Feel free to help yourselves to the exotic fruits! Some find that the fruits have an offensive smell but they really taste yummy!!



Over the next 7 days, I'll be putting up interesting posts on Singapore - its people and culture. I'm bringing you on a virtual tour of my tiny country.

eastcoastlife's interesting posts

Ouuuch!! My Dick got caught in a Zipper!
My awards winning post : Best Post of the Year 2007
It made headlines in a local tabloid

Love at First Sight My Foot!

Girls in China are considered Worthless!

How not to get Pregnant!

Why Date a Girl?

What Teenage Boys Pray For?

Smug ECL Pulls a Fast One

ECL's Insect Eating Adventure

What! You air your what in my Bedroom!?

Delicious Singapore Food

ECL's Nude Desktop View

Guangzhou Rat Feast

Mother's Milk Feast

Happy International Women's Day!!
三八妇女节快乐

Happy 3-8 Birthday to LB!!!

Dare to be Different - Photo Hunt

PhotoHunt : Different

Like a fingerprint, each person is unique..... Every person has a somewhat different approach to life.

Some people can live with little. They leave the rat race, preferring to enjoy Mother Nature's gifts ......

Some people choose to live in fear........

Dare to be Different

Here’s to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules.
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They push the human race forward.
And while some may see them as the crazy ones,
We see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world,
Are the ones who do.

I dedicate this to my son, Jaymes. Mommy loves you.

Good luck to our friends in Malaysia and the USA..... hope whoever you choose to be your leader(s) will make the world a different better place!!

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Your Dessert Personality - WW

No cheating. You can only pick one. If all of the desserts listed below were sitting in front of you, which would you choose? Pick your dessert, then look to see what Psychiatrists think about you! After taking this dessert personality test, post your choice of dessert in the comment box.























































OK - Now that you've made your choice, scroll down to see what research says about you!

***************************..ooOoo..***************************

ANGEL FOOD CAKE... Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm and fuzzy items. A little nutty at times. Sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of the day. Others perceive you as being childlike and immature at times.

BROWNIES... You are adventurous, love new ideas, are a champion of under dogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up, you whip out your sabre. You are always the oddball with a unique sense of humor and direction. You tend to be very loyal.

LEMON MERINGUE... Smooth, sexy, & articulate with your hands, you are an excellent after-dinner speaker and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time. A bit of a diva at times, but you have many friends.

VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING... Fun-loving, sassy, humorous. Not very grounded in life; very indecisive and lack motivation. Everyone enjoys being around you, but you are a practical joker. Others should be cautious in making you mad. However, you are a friend for life.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE... Romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people and can be counted on in a pinch. You tend to melt. You can be overly emotional and annoying at times.

CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE... Sexy; always ready to give and receive. Very creative, adventurous, ambitious, and passionate. You can appear to have a cold exterior but are warm on the inside.Not afraid to take chances. Will not settle for anything average in life. Love to laugh.

ICE CREAM... You like sports, whether it be baseball, football, basketball, or soccer. If you could, you would like to participate, but you enjoy watching sports. You don't like to give up the remote control. You tend to be self-centered and high maintenance.

CARROT CAKE... You are a very fun loving person, who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with. People like to hang out with you. You are a very warm hearted person and a little quirky at times. You have many loyal friends.

Dragon Fruit Farm in Singapore - 新加坡唯一的火龙果农场

On my trip to Kranji Countryside, while searching for Hay Dairies (Goat farm), I chanced upon the only Dragon Fruit farm in Singapore.

The Dragon fruit plant is a member of the cactus family. The fruit is also known as pitaya, pitahaya or strawberry pear. It is also called the night-blooming cactus and has high economic value. It originates from Central, South America and Mexico.

The whole process from budding to ripening takes around 45-50 days

It requires lots of sunlight and warmth to grow. The plant can be propagated by cuttings which take about 6 months to a year before it starts to bear fruits. And seedlings take 2 to 4 years to bear fruits.

The Dragon Fruit flowers bloom once every 15 days. They are beautiful and fragrant and can grow to diameters of 30 cm. A pity they bloom only for one night.

Lovely night-blooming cactus flowers

This Dragon Fruit farm grows a Taiwan species of Dragon Fruit which has red flesh. One seldom finds this red flesh Dragon Fruit in Singapore. They are supposed to taste sweeter. The most common type of Dragon Fruit sold in Singapore is the white flesh ones which come from Vietnam. The red flesh variety contains lycopene which is a natural antioxidant known to fight cancer, heart disease and lower blood pressure.



Spring Orchard
1 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4
Singapore 718858
Tel: 63101884


新加坡唯一的火龙果农场

我在克兰之乡村（Kranji Countryside） 旅游时, 在寻找山羊农场的当时, 我意外发现了新加坡唯一的火龙果农场。

火龙果是仙人掌家庭的成员。火龙果又称仙人果、吉祥果 或草莓梨。只在夜里开花的火龙果仙人掌有很高经济价值， 也有极高营养价值， 誉为“美容皇后” 。它原产于中、南美洲和墨西哥。

它属于热带植物，很容易种植，耐旱，需要充足的阳光和温暖以助增长。如果选择良好的嫁接苗 (cutting) 只需大约6 个月到一年 就开始结果实。若从幼苗则需要2 到4 年才结果子。从开花到采果约 45 -50 天时间。

每15 天，火龙果就开花一次。花朵美丽， 闻起来芬芳, 能长成直径30 cm 。可惜它们只在一个晚上开花, 隔天就凋谢了 。

这个火龙果农场的果子是台湾品种， 是红色肉。你很少在新加坡找到这红肉火龙果。我觉得它们味更甜， 但价钱更高。在新加坡普偏看到的是白色肉的火龙果，来自越南。红肉品种包含番茄红素自然抗氧剂，据说能抗癌、防心脏病和降低血压。

Bollywood Veggies - WW

I went on a tour of our Kranji Countryside. There is a whole village of activities where you can visit art galleries, enjoy pottery and woodworks, little restaurants and nurseries besides the Sungei Buloh Bird Sanctuary. There are several farms to visit, you don’t have to go all the way to Australia.

Bollywood Veggies is owned by Ivy Singh-Lim, past president of Netball Singapore. Together with her husband Lim Ho Seng, she started this 10-acre farm. Organic vegetables and fruit trees are grown without chemicals, fertilisers, pesticides, and no growth hormones. There are fishponds and a lovely spice garden.Bollywood Veggies is the largest producer of organic bananas and papayas in Singapore. They also specialise in fruit vegetables such as ladies fingers, long beans, cucumbers, bitter gourds. They also grow uncommon medicinal trees and herbs and probably the hottest chilli padi on the island. There is also a natural and beautiful lotus pond in the Sanctuary.

You can buy organically grown vegetables, pots of herbs and medicinal plants, have a lovely meal at the Poison Ivy Bistro, or just stroll about on the farm.

Leave your poo at the Eco toilet....

The airconditioned Bistro can seat up to 70 persons and it also has an Al Fresco area which can seat at least 100 persons

Poison Ivy Bistro

Public Transport

1. SMRT 925 (Sundays & Public Holidays) – from either Woodlands Interchange or Kranji MRT station
   
2. Kranji Express (Yellow Bus) shuttle service– departs from the Kranji MRT station every hour (fares : adults $2, kids $1)
   

100 Neo Tiew Road, Singapore 719026 (Kranji)

Singapore needs 74,000 Tourism Industry Workers - Weekend Snapshot #13

I was busy with Career 2008 these few days. The annual Career exhibition is a very important marketing platform for the education and recruitment sector in Singapore. It provides infomation on a wide variety of education choices and employment opportunities for students of all levels, job seekers and working individuals.

A career in Casino Management

This year alone, our Singapore Flyer starts its operation and the world’s first night race with the Formula 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will be held in September. The first Integrated Resort – The Marina Bay Sands™ – is expected to be ready in year 2009 and in 2010, the next IR – Resorts World at Sentosa - will open. The inaugural Youth Olympic Games will be hosted here in 2010 too.

Singapore’s dynamic and growing tourism industry needs the right people with the right skills to fill these vacancies.

Culinary courses

For the next 3 years, the Singapore Government has committed S$360 million to train 74,000 tourism industry workers. There are many career opportunities in the Tourism & Travel sector, Hotels & Accommodation sector, MICE sector and Attractions sector.

I hope Singaporeans (students, mid-career switchers and job seekers, including people considering returning to work) would get the appropriate training now to jumpstart your career in tourism.

The Marina Bay Sands is billed as a centrepiece of the Marina Bay landscape when completed in 2009

The Marina Bay Sands' total investment will exceed S$5 billion. It would be one of the most expensive casinos in the world. Designed by Moshe Safdie, it consists of 3 large shells that contain conference halls and other business venues. The top floors of its 3 large hotel towers will be linked by a sweeping sky garden. Jutting out onto the bay will be a centerpiece museum.

You can also contact me to gain a better understanding of the tourism industry and career opportunities available.

Career 2008
28th February to 2nd March 2008
Suntec City Halls 601 - 603

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Weekend Snapshot