The Year Gone By

Woah, hold that champagne bottle! New Year is not here, not yet anyway.

Where has the year gone?! I wonder. It seems like I just read the newspaper about the The Aughties and write that post to celebrate 2010.

Looking back, 2010 is a year filled to the brim with events and memorable memories.

The inaugural Youth Olympics Games held in Singapore, now who can forget that? It was a defining moment for us as we stood in the stands at The Float singing the National Anthem and world youth athletes celebrated their legacy. We are part of history.

Riverdance at Marina Bay Sands is another first. Riverdance tours is bidding Singapore goodbye and I am so glad that I managed to catch it live, for the first time at the gleaming new Marina Bay Sands theater.

Not to mention, this is our first time staying at Marina Bay Sands, in a suite no less. The view from the Sky Park is amazing and now I see can why it is the new jewel in the skyline of Singapore.

I got into Director's Honours List 2010 which made the past year of hard work worth it. I have been waiting for that day for one year. To earn that certificate is more than what I deserve.

How could I forget the 11weeks of internship that haunts me till this day. It was, overall, a good experience but I wouldn't want to do it again. Now, that is one thing best left in the past.

On the entertainment side, 2010 earns special mention for "movies of the year". There is the start of an end - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Eclipse, Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale, How to Train your Dragon, Alice in Wonderland etc.

There is also the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Orlando, Florida, World Cup at South Africa which Paul the Oracle Octopus got famous, the problems-packed Commonwealth Games at India and many more.

Orchard Road flooding, anyone? Where passers-by were trapped by knee-height muddy waters along the prized shopping belt. Now, that was memorable because up till that day, flooding in Singapore is close to non-existence.

Other more sombre matters to note are Mdm Kwa Geok Choo's passing - others would remember her as the late Mrs Lee, the Downtown East fatal slashing where apparently gangs are still thriving in Singapore.

Like always, I don't want the year to end. It's too fast, always too fast for me to play catch up. I look back and think, why? Year 2010 leaves much to be desired and yet, 2011 is not any better. For a start, the first 2 months are jam-packed of exams and projects submissions and did I mention, I am graduating.

White Christmas 2010

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, and got the wish!

Except that we are situated along the equator, and that makes the temperatures up in the sky impossible for snow to form. But, we got the precipitation form.

Christmas eve was as awesome as always. I had to work till 6.30pm though, but that's alright. With the table groaning under the weight of all that food, we toasted to a happy holiday season. There was a brand new Christmas tree and of course, there were lots of presents under it. Santa has been to town.

We sang along to Christmas carols, and played games. We had to draw lots for the presents and had plenty of laughter.

Christmas morning came bright and early and we met up for a session of bowling at Safra Changi. I didn't play because I had my nails all nicely done up in pink with blue glitter french tips.

It was a wet Christmas alright. It was raining and drizzling the whole day.

We went to an Aunt's house to gather for another Christmas feast and rushed down to Plaza Singapura to catch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawntreader.

As always, like every year, Orchard was filled to the brim with revellers. After dinner at Sakae Sushi at Orchard Central, we waited till the rain stopped before strolling down Orchard Road to soak in the yuletide spirit and take in the lights.

After that, we had a coffee break at TCC and just in time to be in the shelter before the downpour begun. It will be the perfect Christmas if only the rain took a solid form. Instead of being in the shelter, we'll be in our winter wear with snow falling on our heads.

I wondered what happened to those people behind us and those VIPs watching the open-air concert in the middle of the road, caught in the sudden downpour. I guessed it will be a mad dash.

All too soon, it was time to part and yet another Christmas came to an end. It was a great season, with lots of songs, activities and memories.

Cheers to years of glorious Christmases ahead!

Finally

Ho, ho, ho! I had finally had the interview with my ex-boss and I got my cheque. Phew, I thought I will never see the day. There's only the performance appraisal left. But, they say they will mail it by year's end.

As Christmas nears, I am sort of getting a whiplash. I dread it, yet love the whole season in general. Why dread, you ask? It's because it means a lot to me, to see it passed, means I will have to wait for another year.

Seriously, the prospect of the new year is not very tempting. I guess I dread 2011 more than any other years because I will be graduating soon. Like real soon. And I have been in a "quarter-life crisis" since I was in secondary school.

I want to continue studying, really. But, we'll see how it goes. I seem to remember vaguely the troubles I have when I left secondary school and going on to tertiary education.

Ahh well, I want to promise that I won't put any more depressing posts, at least till the end of the year. I'll try.

White December

By Canele

Only 5 days to Christmas.

December always move too fast for my liking. For 11 months, I lamented over the slow pace of the year, yet when December comes around, it just disappears in a twinkle of an eye.

After this week, it's the New Year's week and poof! 2011 is here. Arghhh, no! It's too fast, I have yet to enjoy myself fully.

I always hate the new year, it's a year of beginnings, expectations and hopes. And I dislike that. There is the feeling that you have aged one more year, and the world will be different.

It's another year to endure. I'm the type of person who looks back and thinks of the good old days.

We all dream of a white Christmas, especially in the tropics. But, as you know, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. Just look at the conditions in Europe now, I'll bet they are sick and tired of the snow.

Indeed, the heavy snow storms and blizzards wrecked havoc and chaos across Europe. From London to Paris to Belgium, international airports has to close in the busiest season. Traffic comes to a standstill and people are suffering.

Next week, I will compile a list of the interesting events that took place in Singapore and the days which are the most memorable in my life.

Not Amused

I. Am. Not. Amused. At. All.

You can be sure that I am not a happy camper. I mean, not a peep from those in the godforsaken company since the 15th, which is supposed to be pay day. So, what now? Pray tell.

I have signed myself for their Christmas party thing, which is lucky they invite us. Wow, I never thought I will see this day. *Roll eyes* I signed myself up so that I can have this chance to get things over and done with. At least, when you are face to face with those people, you can ask them and get the answers, or at least some sort of confirmation.

Why are they doing this to us anyway!? Any remote fondness I have of them is now passe. You are kidding me if you thought that I will be like a good little dog to go running back.

Like I said over and over again, if not for that project in which I have to interview an entrepreneur, I wouldn't have bother that much. No pay? I'll just let the liaison officer handle it. No appraisal? Tell the liaison officer.

Just because I have this little bright spot I have to erase, I have to grit my teeth to bear with this kind of nonsense. Now I know how those salespeople feel when people bang the door on their faces. How rude, just because you are "high and mighty".

I don't know, I can keep trying, but that just shows how desperate I am and I hate that feeling. I suppose I can look for a back-up, but who? Who is an entrepreneur, whom I know of?

Time will tell, for now, I am looking at this issue from all kinds of angles, thinking of different problems that could arise and how to solve them.

Tis the season to be jolly? You bet. Not.

Grrr

Grrr, I am really pissed off right now. And it's all thanks to that stupid company which I used to intern with. Right, the problem is that they still own me my pay.

I am angry because they did not bother to even message me to tell me that the pay cheque is out. What the crap?

Second thing is that I email the boss, wanting to have an interview with him for my project. Ok, I am the desperate one here. I want to get things done, as soon as possible. Therefore, I am pushing for the interview to be done pronto.

Not to mention, I have yet to get my appraisal. Gods, why are things so messed up? I hate it when things are left hanging. I really do.

Please, just let me do this according to what I want.

Flustering

It's a week to Christmas and I am in a fluster. It's all pointless worries, maybe. The year is ending and I have so much to accomplish, to do, to hand up. I have deadlines to meet, which stinks.
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The more I think about, the more depressing it seems. I can't even properly enjoy Christmas and New Year in peace. I hope to finish what I want to accomplish by the first week.
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I don't know, I need to get back on my feet again. After nearly 3 months of internship, which I have sort of lost track with, I can't find myself. Like my friends, I shared the same feelings as them.
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You CAN'T be a zombie when you are in school, that's for sure. Back in internship, it's all robotic and you can shut your mind out. When the sun sets, oh, it's time to go home and enjoy yourself before repeating the motion again for the next day.

I like school, I just don't like the responsibilities you have for yourself, the stress you pile yourself with.

I'm very bothered by the fact that I am relying on the company to help me in my individual project. Please, if not for that, and my pay and appraisal, I wouldn't have care about what they are doing or whatever.

All that I do, I do it for myself.

Commercialised Christmas

Who doesn't love Christmas? Not me, for certain. In fact, I love Christmas and it is one of my favourite holidays of the year.

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What's that not to like? The sights. The sounds. The smells. The feel. Christmas fills your five senses and it's everywhere!

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People have been saying for years that Christmas has become too commercialised. I agree but that is partly what I love about this festive holiday.

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The Christmas advertisements for various shopping malls, the streets all decked in in Christmas finery. The fake poinsettias and wreaths. Christmas shopping and exchanging presents have all but become part of the norm, even a tradition.

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I grow in an environment of commercialised Christmases. Besides, I am not a religious person so Christmas is all about chocolates, lots of goodies, sales, presents and being with family. I can enjoy everything at its fullest, from Ole St Nick to Christmas trees to presents to traditional Christmas songs.

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Don't be mistaken though, I love the idea of traditional Christmas too. You know, snow gently falling outside, logs smothering in the fireplace, sharing a toast and roasting chestnuts, building a snowman, having a real Christmas tree. I love all those and it's one of the dreams of mine to live this out.

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I want to celebrate a white Christmas, not what Europe is facing now though. But, when you situated in Singapore, the epitome of what Christmas is not, you have to make it work. No snow will be falling but we make do.

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Christmas always makes me nostalgic, as I have said over again. I don't know why but I just feel that another year is ending and I didn't achieve what I wanted. Somehow I feel a little excluded, like a person who look from outside at the celebrations going on inside a house. It's silly thinking but Christmas makes me feel that way.

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I make it a point to visit Orchard when it's near Christmas time to soak in this festive spirits. I want to see the Christmas lights and take in the sights of the wondrous displays of presents and sales. I love the sounds of Christmas carols in the air and the bags of presents that shoppers carried.

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Commercialism has never look so good.

Tangled Movie Review

Disney released this latest "princess" movie dubbed Tangled, or in the case of Asia, Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale to celebrate its 50th animated feature.

It has been quite long since I last watched a new princess movie. I mean, I didn't manage to catch The Princess and the Frog in 2009.

Tangled/Rapunzel is certainly a keeper.

The storyline has been changed and yet, strangely, I don't feel insulted. Rapunzel is one of the beloved fairy tales where the princess and the prince lived happily ever after. However, there is no prince in this remake and Rapunzel is so much cooler in here.

The plot has not been mangled till it lost the magic .

The animations is so awesome and detailed! I love the lusciousness of Rapunzel's hair and the 3D effects are pretty well-done. It is said that this film incorporated CGI with the old hand-drawn Disney Classic feel.

Although some people have mentioned that the songs are not as powerful as those in Beauty and the Beast or Pocahontas, I think that the soundtrack is one of the beautiful parts in this movie.

Mandy Moore has captured her role as Rapunzel perfectly with her delightful voice and singing. Zach Levi has also scored well as Flynn. Maximus and Parscal are too adorable, even if they do not speak.

I guess what appeals me is the new story-telling and the generally feel-good effect you felt. Though when they are singing "I see the light", my eyes do get a little teary. What can I say? Even fairy tales are capable of reducing me to tears.

UP has captured emotions brilliantly. Wall-E and How to Train Your Dragon break boundaries in the animation industry. These films received raving reviews and their soundtracks surpass expectations.

Tangled is definitely high up on the list of must-watch animated films. It just delights a person.

I cannot believed that Disney is thinking of doing the unmentionable - to stop making princess movies for the time being. That is preposterous, as echoed by many fans from all ages. We grow up with Disney classics, even those who are older now. Disney's princess movies are almost like one of its trademarks, just like Mickey Mouse.

The early movies of my life consist of animations and fairy tales. I hope that Disney will not forsake their legacy.

Riverdance at Marina Bay Sands

On Saturday, we went to Marina Bay Sands for a mini-holiday of our own.

Two weeks ago, I booked the 1 night Riverdance Package which consisted of 2 A-reserve tickets to Riverdance and a night stay at the Atrium Premium room. The whole package cost about S$589. It was worth it because those tickets would have cost S$150 each.

We got lucky again. The original room that we booked was not available and we got upgraded to Sands Suite instead. We also received a S$50 voucher to spend in the hotel.

The whole hotel is so grand although there are simply too many types of people walking up and down. The towers look impressive from a height and of course, how can we forget the view that is waiting for us at level 57?

It is too bad our room is located on the 5th level. It was too low to see anything magnificent although the construction of Gardens by the Bay is right in front of us.

The room is obviously beautiful and spacious. There is only one king-size bed but we got 1 en-suite, 1 bathroom, and a sitting area. There are two large screen TVs and a beautiful white bath-tub.

We changed and went up to Sands SkyPark. The infinity pool looks really great and I can’t help but to feel proud that Singapore has such a wondrous building. Being a Singaporean, I am too thrilled given the opportunity to be up there. It is no wonder tourists will gaze in wonder at this cleverly structured swimming pool. I overheard some people saying they don’t dare to swim in to pool as they may fall over.

Indeed, the feeling of the infinity pool is that it gives swimmers a sense of being at the edge. The design is seemingly seamless and minimalistic.

After dinner at Rasapura, we went to SweetSpot, a cafe selling an array of beautifully made desserts with fine pricetags attached. Since we were given a $50 voucher, we used most of it on 3 pieces of desserts.

My mother and I walked over to the theatres where Riverdance is taking place. We have one of the best views in the theatre, I presume. We were in the stalls and somewhere in the middle. I am so happy to see that the whole theatre was nearly occupied and there were many foreigners. Of course, most of the audience were adults.

Riverdance is a combination of elegance and strength. The beauty of the female dancers who show their daintiness and lightness of feet. The powerful moves of the male dancers. The lightings are awesome and the choreography is perfect! The accompanying live music suits the different acts to the tee. The mood grew infectious towards the end and the dancers were greeted with a standing ovation in the final act.

The best part of the whole show? The Prime Minister and his family were there too!

After the satisfying show, we went back the hotel room and ate the desserts we bought.

I slept on the sofa while my brothers slept on the floor. It was too bad I couldn’t sleep properly because I was without blanket.

The next morning, I woke up quite early and the Standard Chartered Marathon was taking right in front of us. Before we checked out, we went up to the SkyPark again.

It was truly a gratifying mini holiday for me. We got the better end of the deal and enjoyed ourselves tremulously.

Glorious End to Internship

The last of internship! Oh, how long I’ve been waiting for thee!

While I am very happy and relieved, I can’t help but to feel a hint of sadness. I would miss the colleagues as they have been good to us.

Goodbyes are always hard for me and yet, you have to understand, I am really happy that internship has ended.

On Thursday, after work, we went to The Cathay for a farewell dinner at Astons. We had to queue for about an hour just to get seats.

Still, it was great and when we were outside The Cathay, there was this giant snowglobe where people can go inside to take photos. One colleague insisted that we all took, though there could only be a maximum of 4 people inside at one time.

The 3 interns and another colleague were the first to go. I have to admit it was quite fun, we had to go inside one by one else the showglobe will deflat. The “snow” inside is, of course, fake, and made of pieces of thin plastic.

On Friday, the two of us interns received presents from the others. It was really sweet and cool of them to get us such lovely and personalised presents.

We each got a name-card holder with our name on it and a coin-clipper. Thankfully, we had something for them too.

Last week, we bought some goodies in the form of waffle sticks and chocolates while we were outside. We just didn’t have chance to wrap them up. I guess we surprised them too.

Alas, it turned out to be a busy for us during the last day of internship. We didn’t have much to hand over to the new intern from Singapore Polytechnic. I hope they miss us and the efficiency. I used to think that we double-up as their permanent admin/nanny.

The deed is done and the difficult part now is to write the report. They say this is just this beginning, but for now, the time has gone.

11 weeks. I have been waiting for this day to come for 11 weeks, and yet, strangely, the time seems to fly. I think this is best part about time, regardless of whether you like it or not, time will still pass and that there will always be an end.