Monday, 20 July 2009

We are Singapore...

-loves fireworks-

If you weren't one of those lucky people who secured tics to this year's NDP or any of the rehearsals or previews, there are alternative ways of catching snatches of the parade!

Some of the highlights that were promised this year includes the Total Defence display. Well... to be honest, I honestly didn't find it that thrilling. It is always awesomely cool to see leopard tanks and the chinook at work and all, but the simulation felt a bit lame. Nevertheless, if you're like me and just love the awesome sights and sounds of big machines, catch the parade around the Marina Bay!

Hotspots: 1) the Merlion
2) the performance stage just outside the Esplanade
Go early maybe say 6+ because this display thing comes before it gets dark (can't remember the time exactly). Hehe, if you get a front-row seat along the steps by the river (behind the stage), get ready for a light shower or maybe even big splashes as the police coast guard and whatnot race past you generating big waves and also when the chinook lowers its monumental self down towards the water. I was initially a bit horrified at the prospect of getting wet in a pretty dress but that's really where the fun is, honestly. Oh, and sitting along those steps you get to hear the BIG BANG! every time they fire during the 21-gun salute woohoo.

If you're not interested in defence displays but just wanna see pretty fireworks, there are places aplenty to catch 'em. This time, there isn't a need to fight for front-row seats - fireworks can be seen from pretty much anywhere larh, so don't worry about rushing early without grabbing dinner! Arriving anywhere at about 8 would leave you ample time to find a good spot to settle down, as the fireworks only go on full blast towards the end of the parade at about 8+. (:

Hotspots: Apparently, there's really a whole bevy of places from which the fireworks can be seen. A friend caught them at Orchard Central, another somewhere at Dhoby Ghaut. While mugging at the NLB last year, I was offered a perfect view too! Was totally amazed to be caught off guard and see this beautiful spray of colours lighting up the already wonderful skyline (the higher floors of the NLB allow you to overlook Suntec and the Flyer ((: ). Do bear in mind though that the NLB won't be open on National Day itself. Aww. Anywhere else to recommend? (:

I caught the actual parade itself once already and keep wanting to go back for more fireworks and helicopters. :$ guess that's the child in me. Well, as for comments on the parade... I'd just say it was an assault on the senses, especially visually, as there were always too many things to keep your eyes glued to. =/ really colourful, really pretty, but also confusing.

So yeah, if you've missed out on tickets 'cos you didn't kiasu-ly send in tens of ballots, do go catch the fireworks with your loved ones! Enjoy the atmosphere and feel proud of Singapore! (:

Friday, 15 May 2009

Movie Magic ((:

Caught two amazing movies over a great weekend and am finally getting the chance to write about them! No spoilers ahead so you can read safely. (:

1) X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Hugh Jackman is damn hot! Prompted my renewed interest in him such that I went to youtube to watch him hosting the Academy Awards although I’d never taken any serious interest in that before.
I think it’s pretty good. Plot and all else alright, pretty exciting and decently scary, safe for a really abrupt ending. Ack I had just readjusted myself to settle into a comfortable position when the show ended! =//

If you’re looking for the gang we’ve gotten used to over the past 3 movies, you won’t quite get it. Not being a Marvel fanatic, I’ve not read the comics so I can’t comment on what was added or removed to what effect. Didn’t feel like there were gaping holes to me though, only that I’ve no idea how Wolverine got his power still!! Was he just born like that? Anyone? *looks around for some enlightened soul*

Gambit was disappointing. ))): I think it’s a problem with casting but he looked more like some wannabe Casanova than the too-cool card-shuffling escapologist magician or something that he was supposed to play. Like a childhood hero dream totally shattered... Pfft.
Other than that… The show… Touching? A little.
Cool? Quite.
Memorable? Not really, but the more vivid scenes are still those in the trailer (where he bursts out from the water tank with his rippling muscles or runs through the aisle breaking the locks of all the enclosures). Good chill out movie. 3.5 / 5. (:

2) Magique!
This probably goes down as one of my favourite French films, or just one of my favourite shows. It’s not snooty, incomprehensible arthouse fare. It’s just a really down to earth, magical show about the sweetness, simplicity and wonders of love and life.

Music was awesome, reminiscent of Les Miserables’ style of a few simple, recurrent tunes, sung differently to achieve different effects.

Now for some background, (I’m not sure if this classifies as a romantic comedy) … Tommy, a little boy wants to cheer his mum up and get her out of the “melancholie” from which she suffers. The circus happens to come to town and he thus invites them to settle at their expansive farm grounds. In the short period of time that they do, Tommy learns a lot, while his mother finds the cure to her affliction, as she unexpectedly finds love with a clown.

Some may call it cheesy but it’s really the simplicity that appeals to me. A pretty flower sunshine movie with lots to teach about life and brings back imaginative ideals, especially as Louis Dussol (I think he was really the star of the show), who plays cute Tommy, pulls off the role effortlessly, exuding inquisitive earnestness, easy contentedness, as well as maturity. The simple music, mostly just by individual characters who sing to express themselves is delightfully heartwarming. This is one of those movies where you come out of the theatre smiling with a warm, fuzzy feeling. ((: a must-watch if you enjoy Forrest Gump. 4/5 and a big thumbs-up. <3

Wolverine is not being screened at Cathay Cineplexes. As for Magique, I’m not sure if Cathay is the only place that shows it and if it’s only screened in the Picturehouse but that was where I caught it. (: AND I’m not sure if the promotion is still available but you get some free desserts at Billy Bombers for every $15 spent if you produce your Cathay ticket stub! Their ice-cream waffles are lovely. :D

Always looking out for more good things!

Thursday, 16 April 2009

Review review

More reviews, slightly late again. Sorry but I guess, like people always say, good things are worth the wait! XP
Last week, I caught Angels & Demons and then Much Ado About Nothing! Totally different genres but each intriguing in its own ways.

Angels & Demons

WATCH IT. I have read neither The Da Vinci Code nor Angels and Demons. My sis gave me the latter book a few years ago for my birthday and it’s still in pristine condition, unwrapped from the plastic layer. Nevertheless, no prior knowledge is necessary for complete understanding of the movie. I found this movie a lot better than The Da Vinci Code, although it may be because I never really understood the earlier movie when I watched it.

Chair-gripping suspense, check. Unexpected twists, check. Visual effects that have you covering your face and peeking out of the gaps between your fingers, check (other than the artificial big blast, but then again, which big bomb we’ve seen hasn’t looked fake, other than the mushroom cloud). You really can feel your racing against time through Rome with Professor Langdon (Tom Hanks), willing the cars to zip around faster, the clock to tick slower, and getting annoyed by the stubborn, unhelpful cops (the Vatican Police). The issue of Science vs. Religion constantly hovers in the background, as the movie seems to portray rather accurately how religion may tend to react in the face of threats – with staunch conservatism, whether for better or worse. I’m not sure about the accuracy of the portrayal of Catholicism, but the movie sure does provide an interesting insight, at least to some of the traditional practices to the clueless like me, e.g. of the Vatican hierarchy or the process of selection of a new pope.

Well, I really hope there hasn’t been any spoilers here for anyone. I really found this a frightfully good movie in terms of being a highly compelling show that draws us into being a part of it. Surprisingly, I can’t really remember the ending exactly but the action-packed plot provides all the thrills we need. 4 / 5.

P.S. I only just found out that paying by NETS gets you cheaper movie tics at $6. Not sure if this only applies at Cathay Cineplexes, which was where I caught this. If I’m not the only slow one, I hope this allows you to enjoy your movie better! :D

Much Ado About Nothing

If some of you think this is a movie, like my deprived NS friend did, it’s actually an outdoor play put up by the Singapore Repertory Theatre. Much Ado About Nothing is something like our present-day romantic comedy written by Shakespeare, this time with a slight twist, what with the Peranakan setting. Played out in the open at Fort Canning, this little performance is charming and relaxing, just right for a good laugh and a happy time.

The oft-heard, super simplified background to this story would be that Claudio and the beautiful heiress Hero fall in love at first sight and soon get engaged, only to find out that they still have a lot to learn about each other. Meanwhile, their friends, the competitive duo, Beatrice and Benedict continue their bickering but fall into a matchmaking trap to fall in love with each other. Overcoming the odds, Shakespeare presents to you a happily ever after ending.

Setting. The Peranakan set that greets audiences from afar is awe-mazing. Elaborate and fanciful, with a sparkling swimming pool, it serves its purpose rather well, except for the rather major problem of confusing the setting of the entire play. We do not find everything in sync with the Peranakan backdrop; for example, we see a Christian wedding taking place amidst red Chinese lanterns or a funny Survivor tribal council-like funeral. So while the elaborate setting is pleasing, in fact, fascinating to the eye, it is rather confusing to the mind.

Atmosphere. Perhaps it is a difficulty presented by a big open-air space but sometimes the atmosphere was found to be lacking a little i.e. not joyous enough, not mournful enough, etc. With the rather large number of characters that may be found onstage in certain scenes, there seemed, more than once, to be awkward moments where certain characters just stood awkwardly around, not knowing how to react, or not reacting appropriately to the main happening and this rather dampened the atmosphere. Nevertheless, enjoyment of the lovely general atmosphere i.e. of the pretty night sky and happy fellow picnickers should make one content enough not to find fault with the fact that the play was not always compelling. Nothing like The Phantom of the Opera with its collapsing chandelier.

Acting. Adrian Pang playing the sworn bachelor Benedict was really the star of the show for me; indeed, I believe he was for almost everybody. Milking the role for all its worth, he was the character who brought the most laughs to the audience, other than the lines already written in by Shakespeare. Wendy Kweh delivered her lines well as Beatrice waged her never-ending war of words with Benedict, and also pulled off light flamboyance while Hero was a good refined but maligned heroine.

Overall. This is the SRT’s second Shakespeare in the Park performance, after A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was put up last year. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to catch it last year so this outdoor play was a first for me. And a magical experience it was indeed, as you lose yourself in the wonder of it all, what with the city skyline in the distant background, the peacefulness of the park with a pretty night sky… and maybe the bliss of being with your loved one as you enjoy this show about falling in love. So pick a date (last 4 shows left, from this coming Thursday to Sunday, as it runs till 31st May), find some good company, bring along a picnic mat, some snacks and maybe a bottle of wine or two and get ready to enjoy a romantic treat!

Suggestions. Get your tickets from SISTIC early. There ought to be an early bird discount. Check SISTIC’s website for more details. By the way, the early bird discount supposedly ends by 6pm, not 10pm as claimed on the website and brochure, as I found out to great annoyance. Tickets can be obtained from Front of House on the day of the performance but it will cost quite a bit more at $51, which, to be frank, I don’t think is too worth it. Go early to select good spots, not just near the front so you can get closer to the action, but also remember to find a spot that is comfortable for prolonged sitting lest you find yourself fidgeting throughout to locate a comfortable sitting/lying-propped-up/craning-your-neck position.

3.5 / 5 for a sweet, lovely experience.

Sunday, 12 April 2009

Constipated ... Anyone?

Am not quite sure how rampant is this problem, but amongst 3 separate groups of friends. A friend from each group suffers from constipation. Since I do too, make that 2..
I never realized it was a problem till I heard that they were downing things like sea salt, having self imposed water parades, various brand of pills, one even contemplated colon cleansing! Anything to achieve daily bowel movements. So well well.. Peer pressure kicked in and I asked my peers for help too.

“You drink lots of water?” Check
“Eat your fruits and veggies?” Without even me answering. Check
“ Hmm.. Lots of them?” Duh..
“Okay.. So exactly how constipated are you?
“Err.. Like once / twice a week?” .. Oops..
And I’m not like fat, so everyone wonders where the s**t goes too..

But after more than 20 years of constipation, at least I got my answer on the first try (once again, through forced experimentation by my mum) and was spared drastic measures like colon cleansing.
Basically, to summarise a lengthy product write-up... This is another packet drink, this time with a more specific purpose than providing overall nutrition - it cleanses certain organs to helps mitigate the effects of an unhealthy diet, irregular lifestyle (sleeping patterns), and a poor environment (pollution).

Li- Dan


The liver and gall bladder are two organs which play an important role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the digestive system and effective purging of toxins from the body. A malfunctioning liver or gall bladder may cause all kinds of health problems. Li-Dan contains ingredients that help detoxify the liver and gall bladder to improve health.

PRODUCT FEATURES Li-Dan is formulated from plants to boost metabolism and detoxify the body for optimal health maintenance.

DIRECTIONS Mix Li-Dan with warm or cold water and drink immediately.

Good stuff! / You’ll do.. :

Okay... The science of it totally flies past me. Am not concerned with my gall bladder or liver spots at this age since I THINK I'm pretty well protected with lots of sunscreen… (Not sure how that makes sense.)

But I am pretty conscious about being full of s**t, so every time I feel that I’ve overeaten. I’ll just take a pack to do the job. Pretty potent stuff I would say, I take it every other day to have my bowels move on that day... (I can’t believe I’m going into the specifics of it) if not, my bowels simply seize up.

Cost effectiveness:
1 box of 30 sells for $93.75 => slightly past about $3 per satchet. My kicks cost me about $2.50? Ouch... Nonetheless.
But since it does its job well, I just console myself that this stuff will save my liver and digestive system in the long term and drink and bear with it.

What the OTHERS say:
I haven't quite introduced it to friends since I am quite touchy actually talking about it. So will update with any feedback.

Price: $93.75.
Feel free to email if you wish to purchase individual satchets (min. of 10 satchets at $3.50 each) or get more boxes at a lower price.

My Favourite Fruit Fix

For those who love ya fruits, yet are too lazy to get your daily dose of '2 servings of fruits and veggies each', this may be your godsend. Ahaha. My aunt introduced this nutrition beverage to my mum who "forced" it upon us and surprisingly it was better than we'd expected, unlike typical bitter liang cha or something. The following is a brief write-up on the product.

Nutrifresh
· Nutrifresh is a daily nutrition beverage, made with an assortment of plants.
· Main component soy nourishes the body with phytochemicals, antioxidants and soy protein that is easily absorbed by the body.
· Low in cholesterol and fat, an ideal substitute for high-fat beverages. Suitable for those who need to monitor their weight, cholesterol level and cardiovascular health.

PRODUCT FEATURES

Special processing techniques are used to naturally retain the nutrition of the ingredients, eliminating the use of artificial sweeteners and preservatives.
• There is no animal protein, which is believed to cause arthritis, osteoporosis and allergies.

DIRECTIONS
· Drink Nutrifresh anytime.
· Mix with cold/warm water. Avoid using hot water to prevent losing nutritional value.
· Adjust your intake based on your body’s needs e.g. growing children may consume one package in the morning and night while those who are too busy to eat a balanced meal may consume more without any side effects.
· Nutrifresh has low calories and cholesterol; drink it half an hour before meals for weight management efforts.

Taken from http://www.eexcelasia.com/2007/en/Product/sv/nutrifresh.htm

Ay say:
Packaging states that it is manufactured in Sg and is certified Halal *Check*
One box has 30 satchets and it’s 15gm each
Apparently, there is a smorgasbord of fruits and veggies, some of which we would rather die than eat in its raw form (Grape, Banana, Pineapple, Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Rock Melon, Carrot, Citrus Peel, Honeydew, Peas, Pear, Peach, Grapefruit, Lemon), so it’s just as well, we can consume them without tasting the eeky stuff.

5 flavours: Original, Mixed fruit, Strawberry, Peach and Chocolate.
Original: Tastes mildly like soya bean milk, not surprising considering the soy content just that there's no real kick.
Peach: Sweet peachy smell (feels a bit too sweet), but the taste can't quite match up.
Chocolate: I’ll prob get a break out so I stay away from it
Strawberry: eeky bitty! It's like kinda sour and there are like little bits like strawberry sediments or something. =/
Mixed fruit: still the best! (motivates my sis just that lil bit more to roll out of bed in the morning.)

Good stuff! / You’ll do... :
The mum and sis chug down one sachet every morning and they are good to go! The mum insists that this is the only nutritional stuff my sis puts into her mouth considering she eats mostly junk... if she bothers to eat.
Nonetheless, Nutrifresh is a strict no-no for me since I actually need to eat (like CHEW on) 2 to 3 kinds of fruits as a prelude to breakfast? So hmm. I guess one pack is not enough for someone with a higher calorie intake.
But then again, a friend who does marathons is in the midst of trying Nutrifresh out to shed the excess weight. He rather likes it so he's pretty glad consuming the drink daily.
Nonetheless, the drink is a lifesaver on days I've no time for meals and I don't feel the hunger pangs as quickly as I otherwise would! The lovely taste is definitely a bonus, so 9/10 marks for the Mixed Fruit flavour!

Cost effectiveness:
1 box sells for $57.50 which works out to less than $2 per satchet.
The mum gets it slightly cheaper so I get my kick for the price of a Mr Bean ice cream cone:)
My rationale is that it is priced reasonably. A cup of Mr Bean soy drink costs about $1.20? Freshly squeezed fruit juice costs more than $2.50, even more if you want more than 2 fruits. So I guess Nutrifresh would be the best of both worlds at less than half the cost :D

What the OTHERS say:
Besides the mum, I think all the colleagues who have tried it now swear by it, citing higher energy levels and trimmer waistlines as the main benefits.
Guess the effects vary for different people though. Like some say they get better skin after drinking this, and I seriously wish it'd work the same way for me.
The neighbour mentioned about feeling hungrier after consumption. Reason is the low calories of the product that cause her to burn off her existing calories.
The aunt just carted off a few boxes for her little empress again.
Will update with more testimonials. In the mean time.. nuff said.

Price: $57.50. Feel free to email me too if you wish to purchase individual satchets (min. of 10 satchets at $2 each) or get more boxes at a lower price.

and so.. good things was born

Heya!
Good things in life is created to bring to you the good things that I stumble upon, to save you the trouble of going through rounds and rounds of experimentation *bleah* before concluding that something IS a good thing.
Do try the recommendations, any feedback would be greatly valued! (:
I intend to concentrate mainly on beauty and health products right now... and I'll see how it goes... If possible, I may even offer good grub and tried-and-tested recipes. Whoo!
The sky’s the limit! So here we go!