Updates: More pink bomb has arrived (or arriving) at my doorstep!
I went to 14 (YES! FOURTEEN) last year... and this year... it seems like I did not have much time to rest! My pocket too!
Nevertheless, they are happy occasion and one should not be unhappy with it. Even though I am pretty envy (or even jealous at times, haha) but I never feel to have bad feeling or detest weddings. If we could not be fortunate to find the right one for ourselves, shouldn't we bless the rest and share their joy?
I withdraw to become 'brothers' (for one of the wedding) not because I don't want to be part of it. I respect that wedding 'brothers' and 'sisters' are chosen based on their closeness to the couple and I am honoured to be part of it. Therefore, I understand the situation when there are better candidates to be part of the team than me, myself. I don't want to put anyone in difficult situation.
Anyway, I will still be helping out in other ways of that wedding.
Here are the updated 2014 list:
Attended:
4th Jan : Fareed & Zahirah
Coming Up:
23rd Mar: Rick & Meixia - Emcee
10 May: Yuan Bin & Shiau Yinn
7th June: Joel's (JB)
7th Sept: Guoxin & Quinn
7th Sept: Bernard & Natalia - Emcee
27th Sept: Derek & Elynda
5th Oct: Jeremy's
25th Oct: Tina's (Taiwan)
23rd Nov: Keith & Regina [solemnization's photos]
December: Jesmine (JB) - not confirm if going/invited
And I will be the emcees for two of the 11 weddings above! I have been emcee for 8 times already... so I am looking forward to hit the number 10 (after missing out on a few of them)! FINALLY!
I am the emcee for the following past weddings (for my own records!):
(1) Han Keong's (Mandarin), 2010
(2) Guan Jie's (English), 2011
(3) Chen Siang's (English), 2012
(4) Wilson's (English), 2012
(5) Gwen & Sky's (Mandarin), 2013
(6) Jiahui & Bel's (Mandarin), 2013
(7) Liquan & Shiling (Mandarin), 2013
(8) Mun Whye (English/Mandarin), 2013
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Personalised Your Social Greeting Card
Making an DIY card is often something very special, personal and unique.
Imagine all those personalised 'Thank You' speech in the cards'. Awww... I always make it a point to keep those hand-written cards or personalised cards in a safe place!
But I think it is not easy for people to squeeze out their precious time in designing and making or printing self-designed cards nowadays. Imagine I need to make so many invitation/thank-you cards at one go. But I came upon a greeting card company, The Card Room, that actually offer personalise greetings and signoffs on their cards! Cool huh?
Moreover, there's a 10% off for their Social Greeting Cards! The promotion ends on 28 Feb!
I managed to get in contact with The Card Room and find out how to go about ordering...
I managed to get in contact with The Card Room and find out how to go about ordering...
Here are the few steps to get your very own SOCIAL GREETING cards:
Step 1: Select the design. (Check out their design here.)
Step 2: Prepare the personalised pen-off note/quote.
Step 3: Decide on the Quantity needed.
Step 4: Email the above information to info@thecardroom.com.sg
From there, they will send you the draft and the cards will be in production within one week after confirmation from you. The cards will be delivered by post, so don't forget to state the postal address!
Isn't that simple?
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| Many designs available. But I love this most! |
Step 4: Email the above information to info@thecardroom.com.sg
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| Available in single card or folded card. |
Isn't that simple?
Follow The Card Room latest promotion and news on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
p/s: This post was posted to "Cookies in Jar" - My new blog!
p/s: This post was posted to "Cookies in Jar" - My new blog!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Perth Series: Wine & Liquor
I AM BACK!
Yes, I am back from my trip to Perth, Australia!
It did not go smoothly but the minor hiccups did not dampen our mood and we had lots of fun.
Lots of damage, in fact. It is definitely one of the most relax and enjoyment trip.
I decided to break the trip and comments into a few parts, namely "Wine & Liquer", "Fun & Activites", "Food Food Food". Will see if I can come up with more parts! =D
Wine & Liquer
We traveled down to Margaret River for what they are famous for... Wineries. Overlooking the Google map and you can see the number of wineries popping up everywhere! I think we were spoiled for options. We practically checked online and offline (Lonely Planet) for prices, tours, tasting etc.
In the end, we selected Leeuwin Estate for their tour. Unfortunately, we missed the last tour timing by 15 minutes. No more tour but we are glad they still provide us some of their collections for tasting. The lady serving us (forgotten her name!) spent time explaining what each wine is about and what she likes too. We managed to taste from the white wines to the red wines.
Leeuwin Estate was said to be one of the five founding wineries of the famed Margaret River district of Western Austrailia (Source). We actually fortunate to slip through to their vineyard to take some photos. I wonder how big is the area under Leeuwin Estate as we only seen a small area before looking at the exit. They offer a few labels like 'Art Series', 'Prelude Vineyards' and 'Siblings'. They even have an distributor in Singapore, but not all wines are being brought to Singapore. Siblings Shiraz is one among the few that are not available in Singapore.
Among the wines I tasted, I like the strong berry fragrance of Siblings Shiraz and Art Series Shiraz. Though the taste is not what I always love, Art Series Shiraz tasted closer. After a second tasting of the two, I decided to get it. It cost me AUD36.50. My friend opt for the former as it is unique and not available in Singapore!
Apart from Leeuwin Estate, I also get two Chocolate Liquor from a place that I will never thought of alcohol. When we visited The Margaret River Chocolate Company, we are expecting chocolates, chocolates and more chocolates. Yes, there are actually lots of good quality chocolates around. But after having coffee and cakes there, we were handed a chocolate liquor tasting coupon. It happens that, apart from the three chocolate stores, they have a sister company, Providore, offering liquor and wines.
Margaret River Chocolate Company & Providore combine to offer wine & chocolate tastings
Hence, we went over on another day and we fell in love with the unique dessert style chocolate liquor. There are four flavour under 'Sambarino' label.
Sambarino Original: This one brings out the chocolate lover in every adult. Tastes perfect on it’s own or with warm milk as a delicious night cap. The chocolaty taste is definitely something chocolate-lover will fall for.
Sambarino Hazelnut Mousse: This nutty twist on chocolate is perfect added to hot chocolate or drizzled over homemade cakes.The hazelnut taste doesn't goes well for me here. It taste a little too sweet.
Sambarino Macchiato: With dark chocolate and coffee who can go wrong? Fulfill all your cravings in one go with this perfectly married indulgence. Like Hazelnut Mousse, Macchiato tasted a faint coffee but too sweet. But it might turn out well if we mixed it with some milk.
Sambarino After Dinner Mint: This is the perfect way to end an evening. Reminiscent of the after dinner mints of our childhood. Enjoy straight over ice or on vanilla ice cream. The mint aftertaste is something I like but I will love it more if I pair it up with something else, like the suggested ice cream.
What did I get in the end? No prize for guessing the answer right since it is pretty obvious, isn't it? I got the Original and After Dinner Mint. They are likely to be part of my dessert experiment in the near future. Too bad I couldn't afford the other products that Providore is offering. Do visit them when you are in Margaret River! Free tasting for most of their products is available!
Back in Singapore, I couldn't help but went into the DFS shop to see any exciting Absolut Vodka. Unfortunately, unlike Perth Airport that offering a Skull Shaped Vodka for AUD60+, there is nothing special in Singapore. In the end, I went for my usual Baileys.
The only thing that is different is that I never tried the Biscotti Flavour (SGD26.10) before. I can't help myself but got another bottle though I had one unopened at home. I have not started my experiments using Baileys as my ingredient yet and I found they have recipes on their website! Can't wait to kick start!
I also got myself a dessert wine, Rosemount Estate's 2012 Moscato Ruby (SGD31) without knowing that this is from Australia also! haha... Do you know that you can now buy unlimited number of selected wines in DFS store in Singapore? I did not know until the cashier told me that! haha.
I also decided to go for a small Italian Bottega Gold (SGD11) to give it a try. Anyone tried this before?
Okay the last wine here are not what I got during the trip or what I bought. This one is actually from one of the hampers my company received. I decided to post this before I forget that I tried this before and I actually like it! The red wine is smooth and slightly sweet. This is a small bottle though.
Enough said. You can see how much I spent on wine during this trip! haha!
Yes, I am back from my trip to Perth, Australia!
It did not go smoothly but the minor hiccups did not dampen our mood and we had lots of fun.
Lots of damage, in fact. It is definitely one of the most relax and enjoyment trip.
I decided to break the trip and comments into a few parts, namely "Wine & Liquer", "Fun & Activites", "Food Food Food". Will see if I can come up with more parts! =D
Wine & Liquer
We traveled down to Margaret River for what they are famous for... Wineries. Overlooking the Google map and you can see the number of wineries popping up everywhere! I think we were spoiled for options. We practically checked online and offline (Lonely Planet) for prices, tours, tasting etc.In the end, we selected Leeuwin Estate for their tour. Unfortunately, we missed the last tour timing by 15 minutes. No more tour but we are glad they still provide us some of their collections for tasting. The lady serving us (forgotten her name!) spent time explaining what each wine is about and what she likes too. We managed to taste from the white wines to the red wines.
Leeuwin Estate was said to be one of the five founding wineries of the famed Margaret River district of Western Austrailia (Source). We actually fortunate to slip through to their vineyard to take some photos. I wonder how big is the area under Leeuwin Estate as we only seen a small area before looking at the exit. They offer a few labels like 'Art Series', 'Prelude Vineyards' and 'Siblings'. They even have an distributor in Singapore, but not all wines are being brought to Singapore. Siblings Shiraz is one among the few that are not available in Singapore.
A short 2-minute clip on Leeuwin Estate
Among the wines I tasted, I like the strong berry fragrance of Siblings Shiraz and Art Series Shiraz. Though the taste is not what I always love, Art Series Shiraz tasted closer. After a second tasting of the two, I decided to get it. It cost me AUD36.50. My friend opt for the former as it is unique and not available in Singapore!
 |
| 2011 Art Series Shiraz |
 |
| In case you have not noticed, Art Series actually feature artwork of Australia's contemporary artist like, Tjunkaya Tapaya. |
Margaret River Chocolate Company & Providore combine to offer wine & chocolate tastings
Hence, we went over on another day and we fell in love with the unique dessert style chocolate liquor. There are four flavour under 'Sambarino' label.
 |
| After Dinner Mint & Original Chocolate Liquor |
Sambarino Hazelnut Mousse: This nutty twist on chocolate is perfect added to hot chocolate or drizzled over homemade cakes.The hazelnut taste doesn't goes well for me here. It taste a little too sweet.
Sambarino Macchiato: With dark chocolate and coffee who can go wrong? Fulfill all your cravings in one go with this perfectly married indulgence. Like Hazelnut Mousse, Macchiato tasted a faint coffee but too sweet. But it might turn out well if we mixed it with some milk.
Sambarino After Dinner Mint: This is the perfect way to end an evening. Reminiscent of the after dinner mints of our childhood. Enjoy straight over ice or on vanilla ice cream. The mint aftertaste is something I like but I will love it more if I pair it up with something else, like the suggested ice cream.
What did I get in the end? No prize for guessing the answer right since it is pretty obvious, isn't it? I got the Original and After Dinner Mint. They are likely to be part of my dessert experiment in the near future. Too bad I couldn't afford the other products that Providore is offering. Do visit them when you are in Margaret River! Free tasting for most of their products is available!
Back in Singapore, I couldn't help but went into the DFS shop to see any exciting Absolut Vodka. Unfortunately, unlike Perth Airport that offering a Skull Shaped Vodka for AUD60+, there is nothing special in Singapore. In the end, I went for my usual Baileys.
I also got myself a dessert wine, Rosemount Estate's 2012 Moscato Ruby (SGD31) without knowing that this is from Australia also! haha... Do you know that you can now buy unlimited number of selected wines in DFS store in Singapore? I did not know until the cashier told me that! haha.
 |
| 2012 Moscato Ruby |
 |
| Bottega Gold |
Friday, February 14, 2014
Day 1 at Perth
Patience tested. Haha. We waited nearly an hour just to get our Vodafone nano SIM card at AUD29 (starter kit with 3G data)! The service lady was nice and under pressure as she need to get 21 cards from a tour group done! We seriously think that the group do not need 21 and they can simply have one for a few of them!
This resulted in us reaching Green House late and they are closing soon. Haiz. Ended up in McDonald's Hay Street! Haha but they are so expensive... AUD10 for one upsized meal! (They called it 'Go Large'.)
Now resting at a beautiful homestay with warm host. Felt bad for arriving late and yet welcomed us with a smile... We disturbed her sleep, i'm sure!
Time to rest before another long day to... Margaret River.
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Chingay 2014
I first participated Chingay in 2011.
In 2013, I got my free ticket from a performer in Chingay 2013. Hence, I went alone. (I am still trying to find out whether I did take any picture! haha)
This year marks the 42nd year of the annual event, I am happy to be able to see the Parade 1 on 7 February 2014, all thanks to my friend. He was one of the helper in the parade. Guess this is a reward for being such a wonderful friend? XD.
This year was "the Most Colourful and Grandest Chingay ever"! I couldn't agree more. There are 8,000 multi-ethnic performers, World Longest and Largest 360-metre beautiful batik art, 4-metre tall Giant Artistic Puppets contingent, First Time Ge Tai in Chingay, 700-children ballet performance, First-of-its-kind outdoor community drama, Exotic groups from various countries such as Italy, Korea, Philippines and China and Grandest Finale by 3,000 performers presenting 720-metre long of colourful hand knitted tapestries. Okay, all are quoted from the website, but they are all true. I can feel it since I am there personally. I also uploaded snips of the event on Instagram, click here to take a look!
Not all but most of the floats and the performances are great! Babes and hunks (half naked on NUS's Magic Playground) on the float simply make the float more eye-catching! haha. I remember I did vote for 2013 but not sure who won. This year, the voting contest is back for the two categories, Most Popular Chingay Contingent and Most Popular Chingay Float.
The only thing I love from this year's goodie bag (or fun pack) is... the ONE PEOPLE scarf. Really nice... I would prefer the word SINGAPORE though! haha... Okay, I am patriotic. I am proud to be Singaporean! haha... Anyway, I hope I got a chance to participate in next year's Chingay.
Probably I will ask my friend to let me join PAYM too! Looks fun!
p/s: will upload photos soon!
History of Chingay
Chingay took on a multicultural flavour from 1976.
Today, Chingay has become a uniquely Singaporean Lunar New Year tradition, held during the first weekend of the Lunar New Year. This yearly street parade is now a national festival, celebrated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians alike.
In 1987, Chingay featured its first foreign group when the city's main English newspaper, The Straits Times, sponsored four pop singers from Tokyo. Since then, this signature event had extended invitations to international artistes and troupes.
Indeed, for the scores of spectators, the Chingay Parade could well be a treasured glimpse into the different cultures of Singapore and the world. Here age, race, language and creed are no barriers. Here, we celebrate together as one.
(Source: Chingay.org.sg)
In 2013, I got my free ticket from a performer in Chingay 2013. Hence, I went alone. (I am still trying to find out whether I did take any picture! haha)
This year marks the 42nd year of the annual event, I am happy to be able to see the Parade 1 on 7 February 2014, all thanks to my friend. He was one of the helper in the parade. Guess this is a reward for being such a wonderful friend? XD.
This year was "the Most Colourful and Grandest Chingay ever"! I couldn't agree more. There are 8,000 multi-ethnic performers, World Longest and Largest 360-metre beautiful batik art, 4-metre tall Giant Artistic Puppets contingent, First Time Ge Tai in Chingay, 700-children ballet performance, First-of-its-kind outdoor community drama, Exotic groups from various countries such as Italy, Korea, Philippines and China and Grandest Finale by 3,000 performers presenting 720-metre long of colourful hand knitted tapestries. Okay, all are quoted from the website, but they are all true. I can feel it since I am there personally. I also uploaded snips of the event on Instagram, click here to take a look!
Not all but most of the floats and the performances are great! Babes and hunks (half naked on NUS's Magic Playground) on the float simply make the float more eye-catching! haha. I remember I did vote for 2013 but not sure who won. This year, the voting contest is back for the two categories, Most Popular Chingay Contingent and Most Popular Chingay Float.
The only thing I love from this year's goodie bag (or fun pack) is... the ONE PEOPLE scarf. Really nice... I would prefer the word SINGAPORE though! haha... Okay, I am patriotic. I am proud to be Singaporean! haha... Anyway, I hope I got a chance to participate in next year's Chingay.
Probably I will ask my friend to let me join PAYM too! Looks fun!
p/s: will upload photos soon!
History of Chingay
Vibrant floats, dancing dragons, prancing lions, stilt walkers, wushu master, performers of different races in their traditional costumes and many, many more...
This National Event is also the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. From the main parade site to the heartlands, this street extravaganza epitomises the dynamism of Singapore's vibrant and multicultural society.
The word Chingay is equivalent to the Mandarin zhuang yi (妆艺), which means "the art of costume and masquerade" in the Hokkien dialect.
The word Chingay is equivalent to the Mandarin zhuang yi (妆艺), which means "the art of costume and masquerade" in the Hokkien dialect.
The First Formal Chingay Parade in Singapore was mooted by the then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who was also the chairman of the People's Association (PA). Chingay, with all its noise and gaiety, would compensate for the ban on firecrackers, a customary New Year practice to drive away evil spirits.
For its first street parade on 4 February 1973, the PA teamed up with the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation for a grand show in the Year of the Ox, depicting aspects of Chinese culture – dragon and lion dances, martial arts and street opera.
So well received was the first Chingay Parade that the PA made it an annual festival. It celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2012.
For its first street parade on 4 February 1973, the PA teamed up with the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation for a grand show in the Year of the Ox, depicting aspects of Chinese culture – dragon and lion dances, martial arts and street opera.
So well received was the first Chingay Parade that the PA made it an annual festival. It celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2012.
Chingay took on a multicultural flavour from 1976.
Today, Chingay has become a uniquely Singaporean Lunar New Year tradition, held during the first weekend of the Lunar New Year. This yearly street parade is now a national festival, celebrated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians alike.
In 1987, Chingay featured its first foreign group when the city's main English newspaper, The Straits Times, sponsored four pop singers from Tokyo. Since then, this signature event had extended invitations to international artistes and troupes.
Indeed, for the scores of spectators, the Chingay Parade could well be a treasured glimpse into the different cultures of Singapore and the world. Here age, race, language and creed are no barriers. Here, we celebrate together as one.
(Source: Chingay.org.sg)
Tuesday, February 04, 2014
Changing Mind, Changing Life
Time for a change, might be a good thing...
Days after the arrival of Lunar New Year, I am facing the first issue. When there are more than one, there are bound to have some issues and different opinion. But I decided to approach it with an open-mind. There is no use arguing or fighting for what I believe in. Maybe the next time, I will do it alone. High chance. =D
I was expecting to control my budget for my trip yet my traveling mate think it will be 'well spent'. I wonder. Not that I am against the activities, I am just not very comfortable at the rate we will be spending. Due to the activities, the trip from a relax trip, now become a 'very fulfilling' trip! haha. Now we will be facing a challenge of re-adjusting our schedule to fit in all the activities. I have no choice but to remove some activity but yet my mate think that I should not give up. Let's see how things will turn out then. =x
Changing my mindset and accepting any ideas are part of the new tasks for me. I tends to turn down idea which I feel not feasible, but now, I decided to give others a chance to prove me wrong. It will open up to more ideas and plan. Right? =)
Days after the arrival of Lunar New Year, I am facing the first issue. When there are more than one, there are bound to have some issues and different opinion. But I decided to approach it with an open-mind. There is no use arguing or fighting for what I believe in. Maybe the next time, I will do it alone. High chance. =D
I was expecting to control my budget for my trip yet my traveling mate think it will be 'well spent'. I wonder. Not that I am against the activities, I am just not very comfortable at the rate we will be spending. Due to the activities, the trip from a relax trip, now become a 'very fulfilling' trip! haha. Now we will be facing a challenge of re-adjusting our schedule to fit in all the activities. I have no choice but to remove some activity but yet my mate think that I should not give up. Let's see how things will turn out then. =x
Changing my mindset and accepting any ideas are part of the new tasks for me. I tends to turn down idea which I feel not feasible, but now, I decided to give others a chance to prove me wrong. It will open up to more ideas and plan. Right? =)
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