A Walk in the Gardens by the Bay

July 3, 2012 2 Comments

I am so glad to be back in time to visit the newest Singapore’s attraction, Gardens by the Bay. Opened on 30th June 2012, the world’s largest column-less greenhouses (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest) attracted over 100,000 visitors in the first two days. The iconic egg-shape domes possess both external and internal beauty. As today’s Youth Day (no school for Elkan), I brought Elkan to the new attraction. (Tracy, who missed my belated birthday party yesterday came to join us! Thanks to her “Passion Card”, we got 10% discount.)

My first impression… It is stunning! Beautiful and spectacular. Unlike the other greenhouses I have visited which are often warm, stuffy and humid, the domes at the Gardens by the Bay provide visitors a very comfortable cooling environment. Temperature in the enclosures are kept between 23˚ – 25˚C. Air current in the domes are well circulated, the air is fresh and not stuffy at all.

Inside the Flower Dome, there are lots of odd-looking plants (from all parts of the world). There are lots of colorful flowers and strange-looking trees. There are cactus that look like pebbles and ferns that look like dead leaves. The friendly volunteers did an excellent job introducing the specialities and uniqueness of each plant. Before exiting the dome, there are giant touch screens and 3D holographic displays for visitors to interact and learn more about these amazing plants.

The Cloud Forest Dome is my favorite enclosure. The 35m waterfall “Cloud Mountain” is spectacular. The mist from the waterfall forms a perpetual rainbow under the bright sunlight. Visitors enter into the mountain and take a lift up to the peak of the structure (Lost World). There, visitors “spiral down” the manmade mountain on suspended metal bridges (perhaps not for those with height phobia). There are a lot of cavities inside the mountain for us to explore and discover. Do check out the natural limestone stalactites and the giant multimedia wall.

Overall, it is an amazing experience. It exceeds my expectation. I believe this will be a top attraction for many tourists. It takes about 3-4 hours to complete all the enclosures. Don’t rush through the attractions. Spend more time and take a relaxing pace to explore the domes. Best time to come will be between 4-7pm (when the Supertrees lights up enigmatically at dusk and enjoy the nice sunset by the bay).

How to go there: (It is about 12-min walk from Bay Front MRT Station to the domes. Visitors can take the overhead bridge connecting Marina Bay Sands Casino to the park. Tickets priced differently for local Singaporeans (SGD20) and overseas visitors (SGD28). There are discounts for senior citizens and children. Check the website for more information: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html) 

Filed under Life in Singapore, Travel

Funtastic Party with “Women Generation and Super Senior”

July 2, 2012 Leave a comment

Yes, you read it right. It says “funtastic”. Great fun and tasty BBQ by the beach, this is an unforgettable belated birthday bash with my very own newly created W-Pop Bands – Women Generation and Super Senior! (That is the power of great cosmetic surgery and photoshop skills!) All thanks to my sweet and lovely Wahbiang buddies and family, they organised a “surprise” party for me this evening. (Supposed to be a foolproof surprise party for me until a few accidental leaks of information to me last week. It wasn’t difficult trying to piece all the missing puzzles together.)

This is my 1st birthday celebration with my Singapore’s family and friends since 2005. Gosh, I have been away for such a long time. They put in so much effort just to make this a special occasion for me. 1 week before this big day, they conspired over hundreds of whatsapp messages. It was a well-organized party – great food, great company and very very special birthday gifts.

Most importantly, we had great fun together. My friends are like my very own family. They complete me. They are  my most important asset. They are always there for me whenever, wherever I need them. I am very blessed with their presence and love. Despite my absence, they keep the clan intact over the past 7 years. Many of them put in extra effort and flew in to spend many important occasions and festives with me overseas.

So, bear with me with the long “Thank you list”. Thanks for all the hard labour and good spirits. Thanks for spending your precious Sunday with me. Plus the wonderful and special birthday gifts. Karen, we love your chicken wings! And your excellent skills controlling those young rebels. Auntie Amy, you should really consider starting your own BBQ bean-curd business. They are really tasty! And if you do, I will fly home to help your business! Charlie, thanks for bringing in the food and got drenched in the thunderstorm. Jimmy and Gareth, thanks for the great brotherhood love, be it here or in China – and keep it that way. Joey and Meijie, thanks for babysitting Elkan and me from Friday to Sunday, enduring all the late nights (oh yes, thanks for stopping my impulse purchase of another Apple product). Kalinda, thanks for the beautiful songs last night! And remember our next trip to you-know-where. And not to forgot to thank you for keeping those cards safe and dry. Joanne, thanks for capturing this evening’s beautiful photos (you have redeemed your fiasco on my wedding proposal night when you shot blank).  Juliana & Duuk, thanks for participating in the evil plan of the card making. It will take me quite a while to reset my beautiful impression of my favorite K-pop idols. It took me so long to identify you Juliana – must be a big cosmetic job. Tracy, your AR Drone is superb! Well tested and flown (up to 6m high). The drone frightened the old boys for a second but it is a great gift! MC, it is great seeing you after 6 years! You never aged! And I look forward to see you out there with me! And sister, thanks for the great gift! Exactly what I wanted to get 3 days ago. Last of all, thanks my wife for the card designs, cosmetic works and fine touch ups. You have given us stardom! Thanks for enduring my years of nonsense and snoring. And not forgetting the children for destroying the bedroom, in exchange for the peace they gave to their parents. (The younger boys did a great job for inspiring Elkan to cycle. Now, he can ride a bike finally!)

Enjoy the very exclusive limited edition “Super Senior and Women Generation” pictures. Till we meet again.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts, Life in Singapore, Wahbiang

The Girl Who Levitates

June 17, 2012 Leave a comment

(Shared by Martin – The girl who levitates – Natsumi Hayashi.  She made it so effortless and natural. Amazing.. she defies laws of gravity in all her levitating shots. Some are almost impossible to mimic. All the photos are very beautiful composed and shot. Very arty and sensual. Her blog says: “Lives in Tokyo with two cats. Photographs mainly levitating self-portraits (and cats not levitating). yowayowa is a Japanese term meaning “weak” or “feeble.” Since I’m yowayowa, it’s really heavy to carry SLR cameras around.” See her beautiful portraits here at: http://yowayowacamera.com/)

Filed under Cool Stuffs

24 Happy Hours

June 16, 2012 4 Comments

Just when I least expected… I received one of the most special birthday gifts of my life – presence of my loved ones (My 139th and 140th new HK visitors – Chester and his friend)! Thanks for making my day so special and unforgettable. I am touched by your blessings and love. Just like what I wrote in my last blog post – “It is never about the gifts I received. It is about the people I love and miss most. It is their presence I long for.” Thank you very very much!

Filed under Family, Jo's Thoughts, Life in Hong Kong, Wahbiang

You are the best gifts of my life

June 15, 2012 Leave a comment



Thanks to all the great birthday wishes I received last year, I had the happiest and the most fulfilling year of my life.  Looking back at all the past year’s blog postings and photographs, I was blessed by all the love showered by God and my loved ones back home. Be it work, love or family life, it has been a colorful and amazing year for me! Every day is a new gift for me. There is always something new to look forward to.

Despite away from home, I had many great reunion times with my wife, son, father, mother and friends. From my last birthday celebration in Gold Coast to icy cold Christmas at Harbin, I have visited many new places with my favorite travel-mates (Kalinda, Tracy, Meijie, Felicia, Elkan and Harshad). Many friends flew in regularly (brothers like Gareth, Francis, Jimmy, Desmond, Meijie, Cousin Bin and Yei) to light up my lonely weekends. 2 visitors I missed most are my dad and mum. In their presence, I felt like their little boy. For some strange reasons, I miss their nagging. It is a great feeling to roam the streets with them, have dinner together and live under one roof. Thanks to my mum, she has been imparting family recipes to me during my past visits back to Singapore.

Whenever there is reunion, there is goodbye. I have a love-hate relationship with both Changi and Hong Kong airports. Despite so many years and countless farewells, I admit it is not my strongest attribute. I still find saying goodbye difficult. Especially to my son and wife. (mmm…also my dad and mum too!)

Thanks to all my friends in Hong Kong, they made me feel at home. My clients and my colleagues are wonderful friends. Not to forget that I have the 2 most faithful and supportive souls around me everyday – Harshad and Tracy. Gosh, I see both of you every minute of my life for the last 3 years (okay, maybe not for Harshad.. Sorry that I abused you badly at work.) Back in Singapore and Shanghai, I have a group of friends that I can 100% count on. They are always there whenever I need them.

Looking back at all my birthdays. It is never about the gifts I received. It is about the people I love and miss most. It is their presence I long for and not the presents they give.

It is my birthday today and I want to say a big thank you to all of you. Thanks for filling my days with so many colorful memories, tons of whatsapp/QQ/Facebook messages. You are one of the key reasons why my blog exists! Thanks for being there with me during my low and high periods. Thanks for being there with me virtually, physically or sometimes durianfully. Thanks for understanding me so much (in fact, I don’t quite understand myself as much as you do). And thanks for remembering my birthday (even though quite a few of you sent me greetings 2-3 days earlier..including my mum!) You are the best gifts of my life. And thanks for another 365 happier days.

Filed under Family, Jo's Thoughts, Life in Hong Kong, Life in Singapore, Wahbiang

Rooooaarrr….My name is “Made in China”

June 10, 2012 Leave a comment

(Photo Taken: An installation art by Chinese artist Sui Jianguo – Harbour City, Kowloon Hong Kong –  China has been producing million tons of toys for the world. Sadly, many consumers do not remember the brand names of these Chinese-made toys. What consumers constantly see is the mark “Made in China”. Sui Jianguo’s inspiration came from the tiny toy dinosaurs that are mass-produced in China. He transforms these cheap, plastic objects into a monumental work of art. Since the words “Made in China” is more recognizable that any other Chinese brand names, Sui decided to name his iconic dinos “Made in China”. These “M.I.C.” dinos aren’t cheap at all. In 2008, the gold Dino was auctioned for HKD650,000. Now, that is quite a massive name.)

Filed under Life in Hong Kong

The Walking Dead (of Democracy) II

June 10, 2012 Leave a comment

(Photo Taken: 10th June Protest, Hong Kong – Marching blindfolded, thousands of people took on the street today in black and white to mourn the recent mysterious death of Chinese labor activist, Li Wangyang. Li was arrested on 9th June 1989 for his advocacy for independent trade unions. He was imprisoned behind “labor camp” for the past 20 years. It was reported he hung himself in the hospital 1 year after his release. His “mysterious suicide” raised suspicions amongst the other activists who demand the Chinese government for explanation and investigation.)

Filed under Life in Hong Kong

Wish you can read this.

June 10, 2012 Leave a comment

Wish you can see this.
The great assembly of your loved ones.
Your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Your siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Your friends and neighbors.
We are all here by your side.

Wish you can hear this.
Your loved ones calling out to you.
In tears and joys.
Our deepest gratitude and respect.
Reminiscing our good times with you.

Wish you know this.
The unity of your dividing family.
The deep love we have for you.
Your triumphs. Our celebrations.
For the great legacy you left behind.
Your words, your spirit. Your kindness. Your strength.
Lives on forever in our hearts.

Wish you can be here.
To cook our favorite Chinese New Year dishes.
To spend time with our children like the old days when you cared for us.
To remind us to be good and live a good life like you did.
To let us celebrate your birthday once more.
To keep this big family intact.

Wish you can forgive me.
For being late to say goodbye.
For not being with you at your final hour.
For not telling you how much I love you.

 

(4th JUNE – 5th JUNE 2012 – Over the weekend, I was very worried for my granny. Desperate and despair, I took a night flight out of Hong Kong to Singapore on Monday. The next morning, Felicia, Elkan and I boarded the first bus to Muar, Malaysia. We were on our way in when Felicia answered a call. Her expression told me everything I need to know. Auntie Amy was on the other side of the line. Felicia handed me the phone. My heart sank. I was late for my granny. 3 hours late. My hopes to see her one last time were shattered. It was a dreadful and painful slow ride to Muar. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I sat quietly alone, trying to hide my emotions from my little boy. Elkan was the antidote to our sadness. He kept us distracted with his sunny smiles and hugs. Goodbye Popo. Thanks for hanging on for me. Sorry I was late. )

Filed under Family, Jo's Thoughts

Granny

June 2, 2012 2 Comments

It is a dark weekend for all of us. Yesterday afternoon, I received a bad news from my cousin, Leon. My granny in Muar fell into a coma and is dying. She was in perfect health when my families gathered in Bintan last year. She has always been cheerful, bubbly, and energetic.

To keep our families from worrying, my mum kept my granny’s illness a secret. She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer a while ago. My mum, aunties and uncles didn’t want her to occupy too much thoughts about her health. Depression and negativeness would make worse for her illness. Thus, they tried all ways to keep her spirits high and happy. Somehow, this formula worked. For a long while, my granny was in high spirits until recently, the cancer cells prevailed and took over her frail body. She eventually collapsed into a coma yesterday.

I called my mum yesterday and she told me to be strong and happy. “There is nothing to be sad about. Don’t worry about granny. It is her time for her to move on. She has had a great life and she wants us to be happy too. We should celebrate her passing instead of grieve.” My mum reminded me how short life is and we should live a great life like my granny. She has been a tough lady, bringing up 9 children all by herself. She is blessed with 17 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Her words and strength moved me to tears. Trying hard to hold my sadness and tears, I couldn’t find my voice to answer her. My mum almost couldn’t hear me further, as I was choking in tears. Thinking the line went off, she hanged up the call.

It was an unbearable night.  I couldn’t sleep well, kept thinking of my granny. I was browsing all the old photographs of my granny the whole night. Just realised I didn’t have a lot of photos of her. She visited us in Hong Kong 2 years ago. And that was the last time we met and chatted. Every time we meet, she will always remind me to live life fruitfully.. stay healthy and be happy. (And I did – all these years – trying to balance my life, keep them colorful for my family and loved ones.) Sadly, these farewell shots at the Hong Kong Airport Express are the last I took of her.

Granny, no matter how bad and uncertain life can be, I will live positively, strongly and happily like you did. I miss you so much.

 

Filed under Family, Jo's Thoughts

Golden Headlines

June 1, 2012 Leave a comment

(Crowbar Awards 2002, Gold Copy-writing – I thought I have lost them when I renovated my house back in 2002. Just found these old award-winning ads which I wrote back in 2002 when I was still a creative.)

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

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