The August Wind
This month just flew past in a flash.
So many places to go, so many friends to meet. So little time.
Me on the KTM treks.
F21 shorts, studded bracelets and my mosqi patch are the best accessories for this journey.
Battlestar Galatica Fighto!
After almost a year long of being grounded, the Battlestar Galatica is set to battle once more today!
I had the privilege to attend the preview of the launch on Saturday. And boy was I extremely hyped up. I got to the Park at 18 00 even though the ride officially starts at 20 00.
Sitting at KT’s grill. Waiting for the ride to start.
If you hadn’t already know, Battlestar Galatica is one of the main attraction of Universal Studios Singapore, if not the most highly anticipated.
At a height of 42.7m, the dueling roller coasters are set to thrill you and drive you crazy with their non-stop turns, twists and drops for 90 seconds.
Choose to take either Cylon, a suspended roller coaster, or Human, a sit-down roller coaster.
Battlestar Galatica. Are you ready?!
Here’s my take on the two.
CYLON:
Pardon the flash. It’s almost impossible to take a good shot inside the waiting chambers. Spot the green tag? That’s my entry pass!
I gamely took on Cylon as the first roller coaster. After all, I do pretty well with anything that has me strapped in tightly with a across-the-chest harness… even if it means that my legs are hanging in mid-air and I go flying in my seat throughout the ride… I just secretly close my eyes during the first flight and scream like there is no tomorrow.
During the first launch, Cylon experienced technical difficulties. One of the safety harness did not unlock, nor did the gates that let riders get onto the platform. After about 30 minutes of waiting, it was obvious that there was mixed feelings amidst the riders. I was nervous. After all, darn that seat was the row after mine! What if.. my harness opens in mid-air!!!
Finally, we all got buckled into our seats. The crowd went wild. Here we go!
After being propelled to the start point, Cylon took a drastic drop. I experienced weightlessness. Then it was a 360 degree turn. When is my butt going to feel the seat again! Several sharp turns thereafter, it was the second 360 degree turn through the mist. Now this is done crazily fast and not my favourite part of the ride - I was choking on the mist that was gushing through the train. But the worse is yet to come. The most uncomfortable part of the ride has got to be the 360 degree twist. You would be shuffled left and right in your seat. You’ll definitely feel extremely dizzy. But 10 more seconds worth of meanders and I’ve got my feet planted back onto the platform.
HUMAN:
This was the second ride that I took. Unlike Cylon, I really am a little scared. It’s a weird psychology, but I don’t feel as safe when strapped into a harness that only covers the lower part of my body! If it breaks, I’m flying straight into the Universal Studios pond!
The first drop of Human is the most exciting, crazy, and breath-taking part of the entire ride. Never have I experienced such weightlessness - except for New York New York in Las Vegas. It’s sheer craziness. At the pinnacle, you would be driven mad that all you see is the sky and your feet. When you drop, you don’t even see the front carriage! It’s also my favourite part - if I can prevent myself from blinking twice in fear - for the night landscape of Universal Studios Singapore is so gorgeous I was left wondering if I was playing out my own fairytale, flying on the magic carpet and exploring wonderland. I might have a different version of awe and level of woe if I were to take this ride during the day.
Having said that, if you can survive the first 5 seconds extended long dive, you can survive the entire ride. You have my word on that. The remaining part of the ride felt like enchanted airways. I was taking my time to admire the night landscape of Universal Studios.
CYLON VERSUS HUMAN:
Cylon.
Even though the ride score read 6 - 6 at the end of the 12 rides taken in 3 hours, Cylon wins for its heart-stopping turns and twists.
The queue was thrice as long at Cylon than Human. Thrill-seekers were digging into the ride even till the last moments of the Park closure. I know, because I was one of them. I sprinted from the exit to the entrance to make it for the second last ride.
I would, however, caution riders that Cylon really requires riders to be in good physical health. 6 rides on Cylon, my head was spinning and my ears were really painful due to the pressure. I was also pretty exhausted at the end of 12 rides, falling asleep in the seat while waiting for the ride to be launched.
So with that, choose your rides wisely and battle it out! Riders, you have been warned!
V for Conquering the dueling two!
We heart Universal Studios
Since its soft launch, I have visited Universal Studios Singapore more times than I have visited the Jurong Bird Park.
Every time I visit the theme park, I make it a point to wear something different.
This time round, I went with my BGFs. We have known each other for 10 years! *Gasp*
These were taken from my camera.
What I wore: TopShop tank, Zara skirt - I love tulle! Bracelet from Mphosis & bag from morelle.
The world of far far away…
Ganny and Limin. We were friends since sec 1!
Wenbing and I. We met when we were in sec 3. Wenbing has a very good heart and is an awfully nice person.
Next to the world of far far away, lies the land of Madagascar. You have to watch the show of “let’s move it! move it!”.
You have to take photos with the characters. Like Hippo.
And the lion of course!
We had lots of fun! But it was so hot that day, I had to clip up my hair the whole day.
And I have to upload this following picture. It’s hilarious.
Such a candid shot. We were all paying attention to the other camera!!!
It always happens when we have two assistants taking the shot and there is a large crowd waiting to snap pictures with the characters.
Like the case of Po. Everyone wants to take a photo with Po!
Even Po was looking at the other camera.
Well, this is an embarrassing piece of information. But, each time I visit Universal Studios, I’m always on a look out for characters I’ve yet to meet. So the moment I see a character that I’ve not seen before…
I RUN!!!
I remember taking photos with this lady when she was wearing the Marilyn Monroe outfit. But I guess, she fits in well into this role as well.
It took me 5 sightings of woody woodpecker, before I was able to queue up to take photos with him.
So *Click click click*. =)
My picture originally had the hollywood background. But a lady walked right into my picture! See that stick that she was holding. Grr. It always happens, but I had to wait 5 sightings to catch woody in action!! I guess, I’ll need to spot woody again the next time I visit the theme park.
After a while, Wenbing and Ganny were a little too tired to take pictures with all the characters. So it was left to the two eager lady to take picture with Miss Marilyn Monroe!
Happy weekend!
Happy 45th Birthday Singapore!
I’m so proud of our little nation. In less than half a century, we have transformed from a third world country to a first world nation.
Happy Birthday Singapore!
The girls just love the stick-on Singapore flag tattoos!
Cages
Cages is a remarkable film. And Singapore has a lot to be proud of this film.
Shot solely in Singapore, Cages presents our beautiful island in a different light. Think bunk boats, Nonya outfits, kok kok bowls (porcelain bowls with rooster motifs), and colourful mosaic tiles. Even being a born and bred Singaporean, I have never seen my city island viewed in that light before.
As for castings, Cages is acted by late Makoto Iwamatsu, Zelda Rubinstein, Asrani, Bobby Tonelli, and our very own Tan Kheng Hua and Dickson Tan.
Iwamatsu made such a convincing role out of Tan’s father that it was pretty teary at some point. Whilst Tan, immersed herself in the role so much, I could sense her protectiveness as a mother and defensiveness as a daughter. Above all, I thought Dickson deserved praise for his role in the movie. Cages shines brightly as its star studded cast.
Vibrant staging and good casting aside, the movie follows a dramatic plot, embedded with a lot of hidden meaning that viewers need to decipher before fully understanding the story line - like why was Iwamatsu avoiding Dickson at one point and embracing him at another. And that was what I loved about the movie. It wasn’t a in-your-face story.
With exception of the first 5 minutes of the show - which I thought was irrelevant - I thought that this show is fantastic. I would show this film to my kids when they are a bit older, to allow them to appreciate the artsy side of it.
Visit Cages official site here: http://www.cagesmovie.com/
Nature undisturbed
Nature, where men do not roam, is the most beautiful.
I never knew fishing spots existed in Singapore. Look, I even found a snail in the clear waters.
Uniqlo is coming to town!
Move aside cult jeans, people, cheer! Uniqlo is coming to Singapore! Aren’t we a lucky bunch?
Pride for its affordable quality staple tees, jeans, and inner wear, that comes in an array of candy colour, Uniqlo is the brand to shop for your daily wear.
Originating from Japan, Uniqlo lives up to its motto for having quality clothes that is made to last. I am a true believer of buying quality clothes, (I hate to buy clothes, cheap or not, that I have to chuck into the dustbin after one wash due to various reasons) and Uniqlo delivers just that. They don’t skimp on the materials that they use for their clothes.
Despite the economic downturn, Uniqlo reaped almost 9 billion dollars in revenue last year, a testimony to their popularity. I must say, their ability to power up their sales, must be greatly related to their perfect visual display. A visually neat and tidy shop, scores a big fat A on my score sheet.
I recall fondly that during my last day in New York, and being the shoppaholic that I am, I made a mad dash across Soho. I just had to see and feel Soho myself. On that fateful day, I walked past this ultra neat Gap shop lookalike. The tees were neatly stacked, the colours were all carefully arranged in a soothing manner. Gee, the fuzz-free look had such a magnetic lure. Well, in under 20 minutes, I score myself a pair of skinny jeans with colourful seams for US$29.90. It is difficult to find a pair of skinny jeans that suit my petite frame without compromising on a little booty space, and I found it at Uniqlo. The shop attendant is happy and so am I.
An added service that I really like, is the we’ll-alter-your-jeans’-length-in-under-20-min-for-free. It’s not even those off-with-the-pretty-frays-at-the-bottom quick alteration, but those that requires the tailor to reattach the original bottoms. Unfortunately, I was running late and had to catch a flight home, and had to miss out on altering my jeans.
Nonetheless, I’m waiting for Uniqlo’s grand opening. I’m already oogling at those bratop camisoles and tanks. Slurp.
Shop at Uniqlo:
2nd Floor (#02-28 to 30), Tampines 1,
10 Tampines Central 1,
Singapore 529536
*Photos taken from Uniqlo UK.
A day at the zoo!
Pretty butterflies at the zoo.
The giraffe and the shortie. Or so says my 3 friends.
Quench the body
It is such a treat to sip a cup of warm ginger tea whilst looking at a lush forest and hearing the pitter-pattar of the rundrops. Nature is really beautiful.
The scene took place at Spa Esprit located at House @ Dempsey. An old barrack brilliantly refurbished into a spa, dine and party all in one. It’s the new Holland V except that it has a true blue not-in-singapore feel to it.
I tagged along my sister for a spa treatment. For the month of October’08, for treatments $180 and above you would get a 10% off, bring another friend and both of you will get 25% off. I did their Body Thirst Quencher today. Unfortunately, I don’t think it was really worth it. The Turkish Granny scrubbed me cleaner. I prefer their Slowgo massage though. Good news, there is a November promo for the Slowgo massage. Ahhhh….