Super Junior Galaxy Showcase

It has been a more than 2 months since I last blogged.

Oh how I missed having the luxury of time penning down my thoughts.

May was a super busy month. Work starts at 9am and ends at 10pm almost every night for that 3 weeks. It was pure hard work! Boy, am I glad that it is over.

Our team was tasked to spearhead the Samsung Galaxy S campaign, featuring Super Junior. Before this, I have never heard of the Super Junior not that they aren’t famous. (I’m just not too interested)

Anyway, some photo highlights from the event!

The Super Fans!













The works!

























The Super Junior! (aka SuJu)





(These 2 are my favourites!!)





Supersize Us!







It was such a smashing night!

of Average is the new exception

Welcome to the new mediocrity.

Finally

of fitting a square peg in a round hole

Of late, I'll been feeling more and more like this. It's like trying to force my natural shape into something which obviously don't fit me. Feels awakard, uncomfortable and doesn't belong. Feels that my strength are not fully utilise, feels hard to fit in.

At the end of the day, I know that a square peg can never fit nicely into a round hole.

Of countdown to perth

Countdown: 6 days to Perth

I'm so excited for my perth trip with Juli starting this weekend!

I called it our <8 days Perth-fect Holiday>.

We met up last saturday to discuss our travel itinerary and some of the 'must-go' places includes: Margaret River, Cape Leeuwin, Pinnacle Desert, Fremantle Weekend Market, Cottesloe Beach, Rottnest Island, Harbourtown Factory Outlet and Kings' Park. There are more places to go than the days to cover them but I'm sure we'll manage it!

Went to the famous money changer, People's Corner, at Arcade during lunch. The Aussie dollars are super high now. 1AUD = 1.28SGD. Boohoo... Now no matter how cheap my SUPRE loots are, it might not be worthwhile... But this morning, MArk just told me to enjoy myself and don't be bothered by the money.. If I really don't have enough cash, I could just sign my credit card and he will help to pay for me. Where to find such nice boyfriend!! Hehe..

I better be wise and buy something nice for him! :)

of Rain down

I feel like jumping with joy whenever I hear this song.

Lord, may you rain down your spirit on me. My heart is parched, but still I will sing. Rain it down on me...

of a Mrs Lee in 365 days

I'll be walking down the aisle with my best friend in exactly 365 days. Ain't you excited? I am now.

of a tour around Resort World Sentosa

On Tuesday, I made my first visit to Resort World Sentosa (RWS). Even though it was not a personal leisure trip (was doing site visit on behalf of my company), I was already feeling excited along the drive in towards RWS!

Who won’t be right, especially after being greeted with this castle-like building at the entrance?



I somehow felt teleported to some theme parks overseas.

The taxi dropped us at the Casino entrance as that it is only entrance we don’t have to pay the entrance fee. We then needed to make our way to Hard Rock Hotel where all the meeting facilities are housed.

Me and my colleagues made our way pass this huge walkway with pseudo water ripple effect reflected on the high arched ceiling. It’s akin to walking in an underwater tunnel. Very dream-like.





On our way there, we also passed by much-hyped about Victoria Secret store. To me, it looks small and a tad messy. As we are in a hurry, we didn’t pop in to have a look. Maybe next time…




After about a 10 minutes walk from the Casino, we finally reached Hard Rock Hotel. My impression of Hard Rock Hotel is a good one. It has a huge and spacious lobby and created a modern and relaxing feel. They used unpolished cement flooring with brightly colored carpet. At the centre of the waiting area is an island bar counter. How clever! (Too bad, the picture turned out blurred)





We headed to the outdoor swimming pool area where there is a huge Coliseum that can house an out-door concert for at least 800 people. The swimming pool flooring is not the usual tiles but filled with fine sand purchased from some other countries.



Our guide gave us some background info on the 4 hotels; Crocksfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore.

Crocksfords Tower is a by-invitation all suite hotels, reserved exclusively for high rollers. It overlooked the Singapore harbour and Southern Islands. It is situated just above the the Casino for easy access 24/7.

Festive Hotel is a family get-away hotel situated next to Crocksford Tower and the Festive Walk. The hotel lobby is decorated with colorful lantern-like lights to exude a cheerful feeling. I heard that they gave candy and Shrek toy to kids who stayed there?



Hard Rock Hotel Singapore is more of a modern and contemporary hotel for the jet-setter with a rock-and-rock attitude. It houses all the meeting and conference facilities, and indoor exhibition space. This includes 26 differently-designed function rooms and one of Asia's largest ballrooms with seating for 7,300 guests. It also has a fully-equipped classy-looking gym. (No hunk spotted inside though)

Lastly Hotel Michael is boutique hotel named after and designed entirely by Michael Graves & Associates, Hotel Michael pays homage to Michael Graves' artistic streak.

Anyway, after touring around, we finally made our way to the much hyped about Universal Studio.






A quick check with our guide tells us that the theme park should open by end of the month. I'll come back again once it is fully operational!

Just before saying goodbyes, we saw this huge Hershey's Chocolate Store and made a mini detour inside.



Look what we saw!! Mammoth looking Hershey's sauce and Gigantic Hershey's Kisses!!!





My colleagues clowning around:






Look at the amount of candy!





By the end of the site recee, we are so exhausted...But I'm sure I'll be going back again. haha.. Bye...

Of we are who we choose to be

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, 'My son, the battle is between 'two wolves' inside us all.

'One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.'

'The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, 'Which wolf wins?'

The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'

of a vainity affair

I’m not usually a lavish spender but yesterday I spent $1,800 on a facial package with Leonard Drake. It’s one of my big ticket items. I’ve discussed with MArk and we both agreed that it is an investment leading up to the wedding preparation next year. Wedding photo shoots, actual day wedding, etc. Being the doting boyfriend, he decides to pay 1/3 out of his own pocket even though he can’t enjoy the facial.
(Even though I didn’t marry a rich man, I married a generous one! They say that a generous husband might become rich but a rich husband might never become generous. haha )

Anyway, Xueli introduced me to Leonard Drake Demalogical a year ago when I noticed that her skin has shown great improvements. I took up their $888 package to try for the first time. Results were quite good, just that it would have been better if I am more consistent.

What I really like about them is that they take my comments seriously. There was once when I commented that I felt cold and dislike therapists with cold hands, they gave me a warm blanket on my subsequent visits and make sure that I never get therapist with cold hands in future. They also make sure to give me a reminder calls a day prior to my appointment.

This time round, after spending so much on the package, I am determined to be more religious in going for my facial!

For the $1800 facial package, they gave me $2800 worth of credit + $270 product vouchers. It’s quite a bargain right?

I redeemed the product vouchers immediately!

I’ve gotten the following products:

Skin Hydrating Booster, $112. Contains Hyaluronic Acid to help improve hydration and skin’s elasticity



Skin Smoothing Cream, $86. A medium-weight cream suitable for dehydrated combination skin with a cauldron of botanical extracts and anti-oxidants vitamins (C, E & grape seed) to reduce skin damaging free radical activity. In another word, prevent pre-mature aging skin




Super Sensitive Sunblock at SPF30, $92. A chemical-free sunscreen with mineral UV-blockers Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide to provide invisible protection against UVA & UVB.



Hydrating Mask. $86. A refreshing oil-free gel masque with calming botanical extracts (Cucumber & Bitter Orange) and anti-oxidant minerals to restore skin’s suppleness



So hopefully with all the products and regular facial, I’ll have the skin of a glowing radiant bride by next march.

of iPad

You know it’s true when something exceed your ability to understand how it works, it sort of become magical. – Jony Ive

I like how Apple started the iPad video with this sentence delivered by the charming Jony Ive. [Sidetrack: Somehow I find him voice very calming and the ability to let others listen to what he wanted to say. I’m smitten! ]

So what’s with the iPad anyway? Quoting Steve Job, it’s [iPad] so much more intimate than a laptop and so much more capable than a smart phone'.


Personally, I think that the iPad is a pretty thing and I hope to get it when it reaches Singapore’s shores. I love how institutive it is and the magnificent screen. I also love that Apple is rolling out its own online bookstore, iBookstore, that can be used to download books straight to the iPad. The book-flipping movement is so cool!

But I have this nagging thought in my mind. is it really necessary?

It’s funny how the marketing folks can shape the way we live our life. In the past, most companies are marketing that ONE thing that lets you do MANY things. And now, maybe they realize that they have run out of things to sell, they decided to try selling MANY that makes you do that ONE thing.

So much for simplifying our life.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against technology. In fact, I worked in the telecommunication industry. I’m just not sure if technology actually helped us to save more time or make us waste more.


Just a thought.

Have a happy weekend!

of the man in the arena

While during some research for my job, I came across this great profound speech that I like to share with you all.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

– Theodore Roosevelt 1910

Of What Could Have Been?

We received a traumatizing SMS from our Pastor last night that one of our peer, a trainee vocalist, has passed on on Monday. After receiving the news, MArk and I sat in silent throughout the journey home.

I don’t know what he was thinking but for me, I was prompted once again of the fragility of our lives. One moment, we are embracing life and the next we could be gone. Just like that.

I just saw her facebook profile, it’s still there. But she is isn’t, not anymore.

We heard that she has taken her own life. Whenever that could prompt her to do that, it must be really painful and unbearable for her to have made that decision.

I can’t helped but wonder what could her future have been if she hasn’t do that. She has such melodic voice. She has such beautiful smile, She’s 21.

What could have been in store for her?

Now, we’ll never know.

of a Perth-fect holiday

Many say that Perth is a boring place. I'll let you know if that's the truth when I'm back.

Yup, I'm going to Perth in late March! Will be going with Juli and meeting Yan Ping over there.

Researching and drafting my travel itinerary now. Ya, I'm kiasu, so what!

The last time I went Australia was to Sydney for 14 days. That was 3 years ago and it was my 'so-called' graduation trip.

Talking about trips, I think I haven't post up my entry on the BKK trip with MArk.. :)

Of dd/mm/yyyy

Did I forget to mention that we have nailed down our wedding date?

5th March 2011: Church solemnization

6th March 2011: Dinner banquet at Grand Copthorne Waterfront

Oh, now I remember why I haven’t mentioned that.
I thought that it is safer for me to let the cat out of the bag in 2010.

Now I can safely say that I am getting married next year without sounding far-fetched.

Most importantly, some friends and relatives will FINALLY stop asking me “Huh, why so long”?

I have sorta run out of excuses for them since they conveniently dismissed my reason that there is no suitable venue for us end of this year.

Anyway, next step for us will be to secure a suitable church and a reliable bridal studio.

Heard that Julia is quite good? Any to recommend?

of Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

For last year Christmas (sounded like eons ago which in fact is just a couple of days before), Xueli bought me a novel by one of my favourite author; Jodi Picoult. I was so excited that I read the book that very night. Thanks gal!

“Handle with care” by Jodi Picoult is her more recent work after ‘My Sister’s Keeper”.

Thought it isn’t as much a tearjerker as the latter, it is nonetheless still a good read.

To me, both books have very similar theme but crafted so differently.

In “My Sister’s Keeper”, which by the way is one of my favourite book, it explores the controversy of ‘designer babies’ and their social, emotional and mental implications. Will a mother compromise the life of a child in order to save another dying child?

While in “Handle with Care”, it breaks the barrier of medical ethics and personal morality. It’s about a mother’s love and protection over a disabled child at the expense of losing her own family and betraying her best friend.

Both book that a recurring theme of “How far will you go for someone you love”?

Spoilers ahead!

Charlotte O'Keefe’s baby girl is born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bone disease. Like an irony, her family name her Willow just like the willow tree so that she will bend and not break. You see, Willow will suffer hundreds of broken bone throughout her life. She could easily break a bone while sneezing or by turning in her bed. In another words, it will be a lifetime of pain and suffering. As her family struggles to cover astronomical medical expenses, her mother Charlotte decides to file a wrongful birth lawsuit against her obstetrician for the compensation which might ensure that she can fund a lifetime of care for Willow.
But it means that Charlotte has to testify in a court of law that she would have terminated the pregnancy if she'd known about the disability in advance. It would mean that she has to testify that she had rather Willow has never been born.
But that’s a lie because Charlotte has never loved another person as much as she loved Willow. At the same time as Willow brought her inconvenience and disrupted her life, she also brought Charlotte joy, love, sunshine and the strength she never knew she had. But will Willow know that Charlotte is lying in order to give her a better life? At a young age of 5, will she know that sometimes loving means you have to lie? Does her husband and her teenage daughter that for a fact?

To make matter worse, the obstetrician she's suing isn't just her physician - she's her best friend.

Faced with the accusation from local media that she is a gold-digger, betrayal of her best friend, separation from her husband and teenage daughter, Charlotte still choose to continue the law suit for Willow’s sake.
In the end of the court battle, she won the case at gotten 8 million dollars for compensation for the “wrongful birth lawsuit”.

The story ends with a final chapter written from the perspective of Willow. It is 2 years after the law suit and she is alone at a frozen lake, or so she thought. Suddenly, the surface of the ice break and she has fallen into the water. As soon as it breaks, the ice started to freeze again and trapped Willow in-between. This time, she thought: “Finally, I’m not the one who breaks”……