And her cast of imaginary friends
Twitter @spacemalao
Angmoh. Ariston Chua. Benita. Dibster. Chinwei. Fiona. Glenda. Gregory. Huilian. Jiayi. Jongoh. Jonlin. Kristin. Melissa. Nicholas. Pekpek. Prawn. Philene. Shuhan. Tiff Ow. Vanessa. Xinjia. Xtina
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Decor8
Qmark
We Con. You Con.
Someone Something
Sartorialist
Martha Stewart
Flavorpill London
Notebook Magazine
NYLON
Travel, NY Times
Marc Jacobs
A.P.C.
MocoLoco
Design*Sponge
Casual Poet
Soon Lee
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Andrea, the Architecture Historian...
A Conversation at the Louvre, Paris...
O points to the ornate stone statues...
O: Hey, who are they ah?
A: Err... Jesus' Disciples!
O: But got so many of them leh...
A: Err oh... and the Saints lor.
"Notting" in Nottingham? Maybe not... 1.1
Where to Dine...
The Walk
Bridlesmith Walk
This fairytale of a teashop is nestled and hidden away from the human traffic of the Christmas shoppers in the tiny courtyard of Bridlesmith Walk. It can be accessed by the awkward passageway on Bridlesmith Gate and I am pretty sure many people would have walked pass without every noticing this gem. Known for its teas and fairycakes, it provides a retreat from the world in a humble and traditional setting.
"Notting" in Nottingham? Maybe not... 1.2
Where to Shop...
Paul Smith
http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/
Paul Smith
http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/
Paul Smith's first ever shop was in Nottingham, believe it or not. Now the quintessential English label has spread its signature multi-coloured stripes to 35 countries, including the shores of Singapore. Paul Smith is known for more than just well-made menswear but also ladies, living and art.
"Notting" in Nottingham? Maybe not... 1.3
Strategically located near the shopping cluster of the Nottingham City, the quaint boutique hotel prides itself with wonderful detailed furinishings and personalised service. I love how spacious and well maintained the guest rooms are. Having breakfast in bed for a change was the best part of my day.
Monday, December 29, 2008
One of the Things You Need to Improve Your Life
Today I met up with Beatrice and Thomas for Dimsum. In our shopping tour to help Thomas shop for a pair of shoes and a bag (of which at the end of the day, we did not come close to accomplishing), we got distracted and was sidetracked by an unforgettable visit to DAISO, the Japanese-created, all-encompassing-$2-shop.
There were many strange curios but this took the cake. Banana cake to be specific...
This is a Banana-Keeper, something all of us need. I have a few questions though - How do they decide how big bananas should be? Who decided on a specific angle a banana should bend? and....
There were many strange curios but this took the cake. Banana cake to be specific...
This is a Banana-Keeper, something all of us need. I have a few questions though - How do they decide how big bananas should be? Who decided on a specific angle a banana should bend? and....
WHO THE HELL NEEDS THIS?
Photo from http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2649968568_2a3f3c4461.jpg?v=0
Paul Dateh
This guy makes me want to practise!
Please no BOND and other electric violin rubbish...
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Visiting Sr. Anne in Surrey
Mummy, Daddy, Owen and I took a train to Godalming to visit Sr. Anne, who is now posted to Ladywell Convent. The place is so calm, a huge contrast to the bustling streets of London during the Christmas rush.
Boxing Day - Planning for Mel's Wedding
Shang Palace
The meeting at St. Regis.
One of the sample place settings at the St. Regis Ballroom.Today I went with Melissa, Steve & Aunty Annie to recce places for Mel's wedding. We visited St. Regis and then talked it over lunch at Shangri-la's chinese restaurant. I miss Shang Palace so much!
(Dawn, when can we go for Tea?)
St Regis was surprisingly pretty nice. I guess maybe it is because it is still really new... I am not a fan of the dark and deep browns used in the ballroom but I guess it does help in increasing the grandeur of the space, making it rich and dim.
I guess I just don't have an affinity to St. Regis, hence my skepticism. A space is just a space to me. It takes time and memories, before it actually becomes a place. I don't like it when the Coffee Garden at the Shangri-la was renovated to the new and "cutting edge" restaurant - The Line. The new concept just makes dining seem so sterile. What happen to the friendly place I remember with the bird cages and friendly staff who remembered us?
PARIS V
One of the secrets of Paris is La Vallée Village. The best shopping ever... with really good deals on off-seasons!
http://www.lavalleevillage.com/LaVallee/home.asp?lan=en
Laugh all you want... But I really love Disneyland and I am proud to admit it... How can you say no to hugging Emile! His tummy is larger than mine!! Finally!
PARIS IIII - Benita's Place
Photos by OwenI really enjoyed the ngiht we went over to B's. She had such a nice place... So this is what REALLY happened...
PARIS III - Disneyland
Photo by OwenParis Disneyland... With Benita, JY, Dawn and Owen... I have no idea how they convinced me to sit the Hollywood Tower Hotel ride.... But hell, it was friggin AWESOME...
Friday, December 26, 2008
PARIS II
YUMMY! The night we went to Benita's place for dinner! Thanks B!
EGYPT! Haha
Paris Hotels are darn expensive, we found this tiny boutique hotel with only 26 rooms. Lovely space!
http://www.paris-hotel-a.com/english/the-hotel-01.html
A Jap Restaurant next to the hotel... where Mummy and Daddy had most of their meals. It was really good and very surprising how many Japanese there are here.
A Jap Restaurant next to the hotel... where Mummy and Daddy had most of their meals. It was really good and very surprising how many Japanese there are here.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
PARIS
Photos by Owen, more pictures and updates on a later date..
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
My Last Lecture in the University of Nottingham
Bye Bye Chong
12 Dec, Friday, Matt, Dev, Owen and I met for lunch in Ancy before Pei Shyen left for London to catch her long flight back to Malaysia. Guess what? She didnt even make it for lunch. The signature bail out... was just so Pei Shyen!
Thanks for the laughs and for listening to me and my crap. I hope you will remember me! Cos I know I will remember you! I hope to come and visit soon!
Thanks for the laughs and for listening to me and my crap. I hope you will remember me! Cos I know I will remember you! I hope to come and visit soon!
The rain that day was reflective of my mood.....
Saying Goodbye can be Easy! Do it DRUNK!!!
Friday the 12th, most of my friends and people along my corridor packed to leave for the Christmas break. My corridor was terrifyingly quiet. I had a strong inertia to start packing... maybe I was just resisting and denying the fact that it was time to leave. Thinking about my time in the past few months, really makes me feel like staying... I just wish I could.
On Saturday, Owen and I moved to the Lace Market Hotel in the City. The quaint boutique hotel was really what I needed to distract myself. But I think the best part was meeting Josh and Dev for dinner and then later.... drinks at Vodka Rev!
The photos explain it all.. the night ended with Josh and Dev returning to the hotel with Owen and I to use our toilet and then... Andrea making her "seemingly common graceful exit" (as Josh called it). I plonked myself diagonally across the bed and allowed the effects of 15 strangely flavoured vodka shots take over my body. I didn't get to say bye... but I guess this was probably an easier way! Saying goodbye would have been too difficult... Here are my memories of that night*...
The night was made extra special as Dev finally agreed to drink with us and Josh finally decided to dress up in a shirt in hopes of looking better in photos... you be the judge!
On Saturday, Owen and I moved to the Lace Market Hotel in the City. The quaint boutique hotel was really what I needed to distract myself. But I think the best part was meeting Josh and Dev for dinner and then later.... drinks at Vodka Rev!
The photos explain it all.. the night ended with Josh and Dev returning to the hotel with Owen and I to use our toilet and then... Andrea making her "seemingly common graceful exit" (as Josh called it). I plonked myself diagonally across the bed and allowed the effects of 15 strangely flavoured vodka shots take over my body. I didn't get to say bye... but I guess this was probably an easier way! Saying goodbye would have been too difficult... Here are my memories of that night*...
The night was made extra special as Dev finally agreed to drink with us and Josh finally decided to dress up in a shirt in hopes of looking better in photos... you be the judge!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
10 Things I Have Learnt During Exchange in the UK
1) Chill
2) The word "high" is only used when intoxicated with drugs and is not used to describe a person under the influence of alcohol
3) Cafe NERO makes STARBUCKS taste bad (especially their Soy Chai Lattes)
4) There is more to life than Architecture and work
5) It is easier to make friends when drunk
6) When a Kuai Lo says something is "spicy", do not believe him (there are exceptions*)
7) To enjoy your exchange experience, do not try to convert British Pounds/ Euros back to your own currency, it will only make shopping depressing
8) Having a camera (eg. DIANA+) with no flash in the UK, with its grey skies, is as useless as trying to make tea with a waterproof teabag
9) Alcohol tolerance can increase with practice
10) I am really not that strange
*Westaby is an exception
BBC: Singapore tops in Science (10-14 yr olds)
Today during dinner with Josh and Matt, both of them brought up the similar topic :
From this I really couldn't help but wonder why Singapore places so much emphasis on Sciences and has inevitably (from channelling all resources to cultivating "scientists") closed both eyes on the Humanities. Studying Architecture, which is one of the most ambiguous in terms of classification, makes me more inclined to push for the understanding and appreciation of both Sciences and Humanities.
Focusing and emphasising one over the other cannot be good for any society. Although the sciences allows us the empirical understanding of the universe, the humanities forms the backbone and assures a cultured and more importantly, matured society.
We may be proud that our country is listed on top... but we will do horribly if there was a "Humanities School Table" or "How-Many-Children-Enjoy-School Ranking".
I am guessing that the reason why only a science-biased study was done is because "they" are the only ones interested in collecting empirical data and forming tables and graphs anyway!
Apparently, Singapore heads the school test table for Science. Go figure!
From this I really couldn't help but wonder why Singapore places so much emphasis on Sciences and has inevitably (from channelling all resources to cultivating "scientists") closed both eyes on the Humanities. Studying Architecture, which is one of the most ambiguous in terms of classification, makes me more inclined to push for the understanding and appreciation of both Sciences and Humanities.
Focusing and emphasising one over the other cannot be good for any society. Although the sciences allows us the empirical understanding of the universe, the humanities forms the backbone and assures a cultured and more importantly, matured society.
We may be proud that our country is listed on top... but we will do horribly if there was a "Humanities School Table" or "How-Many-Children-Enjoy-School Ranking".
I am guessing that the reason why only a science-biased study was done is because "they" are the only ones interested in collecting empirical data and forming tables and graphs anyway!
Brain Leakage
I've been feeling extremely distracted for the past few days. I am unable to focus on just one thing. My mind wonders and I can't find it. I am distracted by myself. I'm not sure to be happy or sad... I'm not sure if I am sure or confused. But you know when it is seriously wrong when these images appear in your head...
Am I the only one like this?
Please tell me you know exactly what I'm saying...
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Birthday Boy!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WESTABY!!!
To Matt, the guy who never judges me for being strange, and being with him actually makes me feel normal.... Being here would be kinda depressing without you. Don't miss me...
Apologies for the late post... hope you liked the gold dinosaur...
Birthday Girl!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!!
Thanks for the wonderful memories in Notts! You're so cute and amazing, I wish I could bring you back to SG with me!
Thanks for the wonderful memories in Notts! You're so cute and amazing, I wish I could bring you back to SG with me!
Thai dinner at Beeston!! YUMMY!