Sunday, January 17, 2010
A Day of Rest
After running around like a headless chicken for the past week in school, I finally got to cut myself a little slack today and spent the afternoon at windy Marina Barrage. I've always liked open spaces so the Green Roof was my kind of place. And because it's situated against an urban backdrop, the contrast became immediately obvious and that made the openness all the more satisfying. I find it very cool to have this whole place dedicated to kite-flying as well. It made for a very cheery, lively scene.
I guess although I have lots to complain about Singapore and its natural limitations, it's such smart urban planning that makes living here a little happier.
After running around like a headless chicken for the past week in school, I finally got to cut myself a little slack today and spent the afternoon at windy Marina Barrage. I've always liked open spaces so the Green Roof was my kind of place. And because it's situated against an urban backdrop, the contrast became immediately obvious and that made the openness all the more satisfying. I find it very cool to have this whole place dedicated to kite-flying as well. It made for a very cheery, lively scene.
I guess although I have lots to complain about Singapore and its natural limitations, it's such smart urban planning that makes living here a little happier.
posted @ 11:58 PM |
2 comments
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Best of Today
- A lovely bowl of clam chowder from The Soup Soon
- Overeating of chocolate fondue at one of those cannot-eat-must-mingle corporate tea party
- A sudden bout of productive activities in the evening that finally put paid to a three-week holiday backlog
- A good run and the return of my 12km-is-a-cinch stamina
- An offbeat late-night conversation that went something like this:
ME : i will get all the work-life balance that i need
joel: bleah
joel: i've never believed u
ME : have a cat in the house
ME : read books
ME : practise yoga
joel: whatever
joel: bleah
joel: u should have a dog
joel: those big dog
joel: and u'll walk the dog every morning at 7am
joel: and come home for breakfast and u'll eat muesli with milk or oatmeal
joel: or wholegrain bread
joel: and drop by the supermarket and buy groceries (including a french loaf and look very 时尚) after work
posted @ 3:06 AM |
7 comments
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Year 2009, in Chinese Pop
As I was doing this yearly review I looked at my past years' entries (2006, 2007, 2008) and got really disgusted with my music tastes (or lack thereof) back then. Jolin was there for two years?! I must have been drugged.
1. 陈绮贞- 鱼
The year started with this song; it's amazing how I never seem to tire of it even till now. Gives me a different perspective each time I ponder the lyrics.
2. 陈绮贞- 一首歌，让你带回去
There is no lack of delectable songs in this album but it's this last ending track that perfected it for me.
3. 陈绮贞- 狂恋
"我提着一个简简单单的行李
要安静走出对你的狂恋"
Enough said.
4. 韦礼安- 慢慢等
A promising up-and-comer to look out for in 2010. Eagerly awaiting his full album!
5. 苏打绿- 融雪之前
6. 苏打绿- 在我们之间
7. 苏打绿- 各站停靠
A rather artsy album that finally made me a Sodagreen-convert. Also one from which I drew inspiration to do train travelling for grad trip.
8. 徐佳莹- 身骑白马
Although she wasn't my favourite contestant during the competition, as an avid follower of the singing contest I must say she has done 星光 proud.
9. 徐佳莹- 失落沙洲
A very important song, because it saw me cross the finishing line of Sundown Marathon earlier this year. 白旗 would have been more appropriate for the occasion, though.
10. 徐佳莹- 一样的月光
I hope she wins best newcomer for next year's Taiwan GMA. Definitely worthy of best vocalist nomination as well.
11. 许哲珮- 滴滴滴
12. 许哲珮- 爱上马戏团团长
Her songs always fit so easily and effortlessly into my musical preferences. They make me feel spoken to, like how an imaginary friend would.
13. 蔡健雅- Only Love
So while Sun Yanzi was busy enjoying life as a tai-tai her Singaporean buddy has released two impressive albums already. Fine I shall stop complaining.
14. 苏打绿- 他夏了夏天
15. 苏打绿- 蝉想
Yet another splendid offering from the indie band. The next album in the instalment is due in autumn 2010 and I can't hardly wait!
16. 陈弈迅- 你为什么哭了呢
This album is generally nice but I find it really hard to single out a track that I like best and elevate it as the superlative.
17. 蔡旻佑- 寂寞，好了
It's a K-song but not the trashy type, and that's always a good thing.
18. 林宥嘉- 飘
19. 林宥嘉- 感同身受
Best album this year. Sometimes, no other words are needed.
20. 卢广仲 - 七天
Nevermind that this album failed to surpass his previous one - it's still very enjoyable and full of positive energy. And that's what we all like about him, isn't it?
Fish Leong and A*mei didn't impress me this year. I would love to include a few tracks from 许哲佩's newest album but it's too recent and not even available in local stores yet. So that about sums up my journey with mandopop this year - it was certainly a good one and we don't seem to need Jay Chou anymore.
As I was doing this yearly review I looked at my past years' entries (2006, 2007, 2008) and got really disgusted with my music tastes (or lack thereof) back then. Jolin was there for two years?! I must have been drugged.
1. 陈绮贞- 鱼The year started with this song; it's amazing how I never seem to tire of it even till now. Gives me a different perspective each time I ponder the lyrics.
2. 陈绮贞- 一首歌，让你带回去There is no lack of delectable songs in this album but it's this last ending track that perfected it for me.
3. 陈绮贞- 狂恋"我提着一个简简单单的行李
要安静走出对你的狂恋"
Enough said.
4. 韦礼安- 慢慢等A promising up-and-comer to look out for in 2010. Eagerly awaiting his full album!
5. 苏打绿- 融雪之前6. 苏打绿- 在我们之间
7. 苏打绿- 各站停靠
A rather artsy album that finally made me a Sodagreen-convert. Also one from which I drew inspiration to do train travelling for grad trip.
8. 徐佳莹- 身骑白马Although she wasn't my favourite contestant during the competition, as an avid follower of the singing contest I must say she has done 星光 proud.
9. 徐佳莹- 失落沙洲A very important song, because it saw me cross the finishing line of Sundown Marathon earlier this year. 白旗 would have been more appropriate for the occasion, though.
10. 徐佳莹- 一样的月光I hope she wins best newcomer for next year's Taiwan GMA. Definitely worthy of best vocalist nomination as well.
11. 许哲珮- 滴滴滴12. 许哲珮- 爱上马戏团团长
Her songs always fit so easily and effortlessly into my musical preferences. They make me feel spoken to, like how an imaginary friend would.
13. 蔡健雅- Only LoveSo while Sun Yanzi was busy enjoying life as a tai-tai her Singaporean buddy has released two impressive albums already. Fine I shall stop complaining.
14. 苏打绿- 他夏了夏天 15. 苏打绿- 蝉想
Yet another splendid offering from the indie band. The next album in the instalment is due in autumn 2010 and I can't hardly wait!
16. 陈弈迅- 你为什么哭了呢This album is generally nice but I find it really hard to single out a track that I like best and elevate it as the superlative.
17. 蔡旻佑- 寂寞，好了It's a K-song but not the trashy type, and that's always a good thing.
18. 林宥嘉- 飘19. 林宥嘉- 感同身受
Best album this year. Sometimes, no other words are needed.
20. 卢广仲 - 七天Nevermind that this album failed to surpass his previous one - it's still very enjoyable and full of positive energy. And that's what we all like about him, isn't it?
Fish Leong and A*mei didn't impress me this year. I would love to include a few tracks from 许哲佩's newest album but it's too recent and not even available in local stores yet. So that about sums up my journey with mandopop this year - it was certainly a good one and we don't seem to need Jay Chou anymore.
posted @ 11:25 PM |
5 comments
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Feel Good Christmas
This festive season has been one of the best for me so far. I'm listening to the music I like, meeting only the select few whom I want to meet, going to places that 很有质感, and having nothing to do with the whole "commercial christmas" crap. Not exactly Xmasy, but good enough for me to appreciate the festivities.
This festive season has been one of the best for me so far. I'm listening to the music I like, meeting only the select few whom I want to meet, going to places that 很有质感, and having nothing to do with the whole "commercial christmas" crap. Not exactly Xmasy, but good enough for me to appreciate the festivities.
posted @ 1:47 AM |
3 comments
Thursday, December 24, 2009
10 Things Learned from 2009
Although not very similar, Time's Top 10 Everything of 2009 inspired me to list down 10 notes-to-self for this year. To wit:
Although not very similar, Time's Top 10 Everything of 2009 inspired me to list down 10 notes-to-self for this year. To wit:
- Keeping a pen-and-paper organizer is a good idea after all.
- Coffee, books and music calm me down.
- I really dislike job applications.
- I have absolutely no recollection of how I spent my birthday this year.
- Old-fashioned Christmas cards are still the best.
- I am backward compatible when it comes to handphones - touchscreen and qwerty keypads really don't work for me.
- I am often misunderstood but I'm used to it.
- I feel old, but not very wise. (An Education, 2009)
- Honesty is the best policy.
- My ideal lifestyle would include daily contemplative walks in the park.
posted @ 1:12 AM |
2 comments
Monday, November 23, 2009
There is a lot more to be said about the lovely weather, but that would all sound too hopelessly 18-year-old of me so I shall skip that.
I like Sodagreen now. I know, for a long time I wasn't able to appreciate anything from them, but things have changed with Daylight of Spring. If there's an album to be bowled over by from first track to the last this year, this has to be the one. And even though it's a springtime album in principle, I think the songs are equally appropriate for now as the year is about to end and one gets a little more introspective about things.
Oh and speaking of that, where did the year go when I wasn't looking??
I like Sodagreen now. I know, for a long time I wasn't able to appreciate anything from them, but things have changed with Daylight of Spring. If there's an album to be bowled over by from first track to the last this year, this has to be the one. And even though it's a springtime album in principle, I think the songs are equally appropriate for now as the year is about to end and one gets a little more introspective about things.
Oh and speaking of that, where did the year go when I wasn't looking??
posted @ 1:12 PM |
5 comments
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Hello, I'm back. And the recent weather is perfect for staying at home and learning how to make lotus root soup.
posted @ 6:24 PM |
6 comments
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Frustrated and ennuified, along with other things which cannot be said or blogged. So I slowly build a wall around myself, and around it.
I will be back. I just don't know when.
I will be back. I just don't know when.
posted @ 3:10 PM |
2 comments
Sunday, August 16, 2009
So today, I ran the Singapore Bay Run and watched the National Day Rally -- haven't felt so Singaporean for a long time!
The run turned out to be quite an enjoyable affair. 21km is definitely a lot more fun to do than 42km, and scenic routes are always so invigorating. It was pretty amusing as well, wondering why NS guys think it's kosher to pee openly in public at roadside bushes.
Anyway, 2 hours 18 mins is not a fantastic timing, but it's a huge improvement over my last attempt 3 years ago, so I'm pretty satisfied already. Look forward to doing even better next year!
The run turned out to be quite an enjoyable affair. 21km is definitely a lot more fun to do than 42km, and scenic routes are always so invigorating. It was pretty amusing as well, wondering why NS guys think it's kosher to pee openly in public at roadside bushes.
Anyway, 2 hours 18 mins is not a fantastic timing, but it's a huge improvement over my last attempt 3 years ago, so I'm pretty satisfied already. Look forward to doing even better next year!
posted @ 11:27 PM |
3 comments
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Possibly Biased
Some of my friends may know that I am quite a fan of Botak Jones. There's one just down the road from where I live, so whenever I felt like rewarding myself with a little treat or that I was needing a perk-me-up after a crappy day in school, that is where I would turn to. In a way, it has become my comfort food, albeit a rather unhealthy one.
And because of this fond attachment I have with Botak Jones, I am finding it a little disturbing how it's competitor Astons has been gaining so much popularity these days. Both sell pretty much the same stuff, are found at heartlands and coffee shops and run on the same concept of cheap American-styled diner food.
And the differences?
Some of my friends may know that I am quite a fan of Botak Jones. There's one just down the road from where I live, so whenever I felt like rewarding myself with a little treat or that I was needing a perk-me-up after a crappy day in school, that is where I would turn to. In a way, it has become my comfort food, albeit a rather unhealthy one.
And because of this fond attachment I have with Botak Jones, I am finding it a little disturbing how it's competitor Astons has been gaining so much popularity these days. Both sell pretty much the same stuff, are found at heartlands and coffee shops and run on the same concept of cheap American-styled diner food.
And the differences?
- While Botak Jones continues to operate from the humble corners of the heartlands, Astons has now outlets in the city and malls which always attract inexplicably long queues.
- Even though long queues do also happen at Botak Jones sometimes, the staff apologises and may even compensate you with food vouchers. The server at Astons simply tells you, "You have a big group. You have to wait."
- Botak Jones serves superbly seasoned fries which are fat and tasty whereas Astons' are pathetic shoestring fries which are very hard and they shatter into pieces when my fork pierces through them.
- Botak Jones' Cajun Chicken is one thing I would go back for time and time again. On the other hand, all things I've tried at Astons so far are average at best and simply forgettable.
- Botak Jones has well-trained wait staff who are generally eloquent, but those at Astons, many of them can hardly speak intelligible English.
I may be biased I know, but when it comes to diner food preference, it's like the case of Liverpool vs. ManU - you're a fan of either or none, but never both.
So which camp do you belong to?
posted @ 12:41 AM |
7 comments