The Hope of 2012

August 8 - August 24

I never really wanted to find out what the Beijing Olympic logo meant till i saw this crazy one above and dedcided to go check it out. The "dancing Beijing" emblem depicts a chinese seal inscribed with the character "Jing", forming the name of the host city, in the form of a dancing figure. I have a love-hate relationship with the way China presented the Olympics. Although host city's motto is "One World, One Dream", my personal opinion is that there is too much national pride than there should be for the international multi-sport event. Perhaps with all that pressure they put upon themelves to bring glory to an insecure nation, out of 302 events in 28 sports and 11, 028 athelethes participating, the Chinese did win the most gold medals.

Gold Silver Bronze Total
China 51 21 28 100
USA 36 38 36 110
Great Britain 19 13 15 47 we'll stay tuned for 2012

Singapore - 1 - 1

World's Fastest Racket SportBadminton

While Badminton became a full Competition Sport at Olympic Games only in 1992, it evolved from the game battledore and shuttlecock, which can be traced back to ancient Greece, China, Japan and India. It' probably why the Chinese have always been very strong in badminton, no wonder why we have Li Yujia and Li Li, both Chinese, playing for Singapore. I joined the school's badminton team when i was in secondary school but being an outdoor person, playing indooors could not keep my interest for long. Anyway, my dear friend, Sharon-Pova is so inspired at how fast, agile and the lightning-fast reflexes they have that she wanted to challenge us with her newly bought rackets (she even bought a pair!!) and take her front hand and back hand up to the test! I'm rooting for more Singaporean borned badminton players like Jiang Yanmei-s, i will support you Sharon-Pova!! And so we played badminton in clubbing/ work wear and heels!! In fact, she had already booked a court for us 2 weeks in advance for the next match!!

A missle of cock and goose feather

The flight of the shuttlecock, a missile of cork and goose feather that players volley across the net, has been recorded at speeds of 260 kilometres per hour and with stamina, players have been known to cover more than six kilometres in a single match.We sure did not even cover 10 meters and we were picking shuttlecocks most of the time! I suspect when Sharon-Pova said she's preparing for 2012, Olympics in London, she probably meant she's buying Joey a new pair of Gucci sneakers cus we're all goin to London with Olympic spectator gallery passes to the events instead!

London! Here We Come in 2012!

I'm inspired by somethin else now! I'm goin shopping and off to Comex!!

For the competitors of badminton, please check out the photos of your lightning fast serves and flash like reflexes!

And here we are, celebrating our victory...not at the game! But our dearest Lou & Drew's Birthday!

Chapel turned Disco!- White Rabbit 16 Aug Party

Here are some, not so controversial photos first.

The Elements

Since it is a Saturday, entry is to be posted at a later time. So meanwhile, here are the photos!

Book Launch & Birthday Party pics.

A Safe Haven- Singapore

I enjoy the peace in my heart and i definitely treasure the peace we have in the country. Since its independence, Singapore has grown into one of the world's most prosperous nations. I often ask myself if i will eventually retire in Singapore or would i make somewhere else my home. Although i'm still in search of the answers, i greatly appreciate the politically safe climate here, the highly-developed free market economy and excellent business and public infrastructure. On top of that, being in the banking and financial sector, i recognize that the safe, pro-business environment, which is supported by a well-respected government with transparent and consistent policies, is key to drawing foreign investments and foreigners to stay in Singapore. Often meeting foreign expats and businessman alike, almost all, sing the same song; that Singapore is their first choice in Asia to live, work, study and play in because it is a conducive environment for the whole family. If you can't decide which country to move to, you can always check out the Global Peace Index to help you with your decision. I don't know about you, but it'll be my priority. We're ranked 29 out of 140 countries! With Iraq being the least peaceful and Iceland being the most, at number 1.

As the choreographed fireworks went off against the Singapore skyline, I couldn't help but stop in my tracks, instead of going around a corner for better video shots, just to watch the whole row of cute lil' ones chant adorably, "Fireworks! Fireworks! Fireworks!" with so much excitement in their voices. Haha. It was the highlight of my national day because it was a moment filled with pride- that children residing in this country are blessed with a vibrant and comfortable city to live in.

The love for Singapore!!

Having had an interesting experience in 1998 where my friends and i tried to get tickets hours and hours before the ticket booth were even open then. I told myself i'd only watch the National Day Parade (NDP) if someone could get me tickets. But till today, the balloting system is still not that much better. It is still so difficult to get my hands on one!! (Please call me if you have extra tix next year!!) And so, of course i wanted to be a part of the NDP, but just...diferently. Heh. We decided to have our annual festivities with French cuisine at Brasserie Wolf, this year instead. Having had a picnic 2 years ago, we celebrated by Singapore's river front while the 6 Black Knights greeted us with their deafening entrance and tight formation, and the visual treat from the fireworks..... which had everyone sharing in the celebratory spirit, as we raised our glasses, to being a Singaporean .

Being in the company of friends who give updates on current didn't-you-read-the papers news to sexually overcharged French oysters, i couldn't ask for more. To top it off, the night ended with a private session at the rooftop and in the pool room. Wait, lemme see. Maybe i could have expected a lil' more! That when my batteries had been emptied, maybe Lou and Sharon could have taken out the camera much much earlier!!??

Here are the photos for the excited ones! (Part 1- while i had my camera!)

P.S. Part 2- I'm still waiting for the addtional pictures, which will then lead to my site having 10,000 hits *wink* So send it to me quick!! =)

Unfortunately, the juicy ones weren't sent!! -Combined Photos

Fighting Spirits on Weekdays. Fighters Over the Weekend!

Paintball. I'd say, more like PAIN-BALL!! The paint filled, breakable, gelatin paintballs shot from a compressed air powered "paintball marker", is not as harmless as what you'd think it is when one describes it! Fresh red blood spewed when skin on forearms and chins split, exposed foreheads and naked necks awfully bruised(P.S. I Love you! Muacks! Love, bites.) and of course abrasions from leopard crawling on gravel and not-so-tiny stones. All because we have to hate each other on the battle field with only one objective in mind- to bring glory to your team by retrieving this grubby purple flag.

Apparently, as i was told, i really do have the skills!! Coming out unscathed with all that practice after 3 rounds, it was down to 8 guys an 2 gals in for the final match- the Death Match. Death Match is a round where all man from the opposition team must be shot before you can win. You're bound to be injured!

Most of us who have played should have been taught to shoot with both hands holding the marker and how to aim by using both eyes to trace the shot. But i didn't need to. I found my target in white. He was snooping around a barrack that was diagonally to my right- the opposition's territory. Having a good focus on him (aside the fact that i had to stop breathing cus the mask was already fogging up from all that panting), i knew i didn't have to move forwadrd to kill him because i was camped up at the back and was laying too low to be in his line of sight. I didn't have to stand up on both feet to kill him and shoot with both hands. Nope i didn't! Although they say shooting with one hand is crappy, but hey, i had a total of 4 good shots at him!

An immediate yell came from Daniel,"he's out! We've 2 guys up and they have a last man!" Oh no, I AM one of the last 2 standing in my team. Not good- which means i've to move forward!! I dont' want to. *chatter chatter* The 2 marchels on my team had to coax me at least 6 times for me to move out to the most front hold. I finally plucked up the courage to try to whack the last man out. I stayed low and ran for itwhile running towards the front as fast as i could! Phew! Peeping through the cracks in the plank, whoever that was did look funny in his half squat position. Haha! Wait. He's THE terror- boss! He became a sitting duck as all the opposite fire power was focused on him- obviously not from mine. I was scared he'd shoot me in the head if i lifted my head cus i was directly in front of his base! With great aim, Alain finally managed to take him down after much cross firing and we scored 8-6. Yipee! Shhh. It's not cus we won, It's just cus i'm outa there!!

As i was about to quench my thrist with a can of coke, someone asked loudly,"Who was that in green??? That person jussst kept shooting the marchel and it hit him so many times. He was really angry and cursed and swore. He was yelling at the top of his voice- if you shoot one more time, i'll mark you!! Julesss.... was that YOU....?!!

I quietly slung my bag over my shoulders, got up from the bench and headed in the direction of the exit. I picked up a gelatin paintball and quaffed it along the way out.
I was really determined to be of use to the team! Anybody wants me on their team? I've proved myself to be a sniper! =)

More photos.