Post cooling day (8 May 2011)

The results were out pretty late ...those who were concerned over the outcome would probably stay late to get live reports !

I stayed half way through ... really too tired for all results to be released. The election's Returning Officer, Mr Yam Ah Mee, wasn't making it easier either with his monotonous announcement. However, he has became famous overnight .. well, anything can happen nowsaday.

Whether you like the outcome, it has been confirmed. However, the good thing is that there are more "voices" to represent the citizens in parliament. Frankly, I supported this idea for checks and balances for any policies made.

Some of the polling statistics in GRCs were rather close. Seriously, I was not surprised at all with the results. There have been too many complaints and grievances over the high costs of public housing, overflow of foreign workers, unsatisfactory public infrastructure, astronomical ministerial salaries and high costs of living. Some soul-searching has to be done to ensure that no Singaporeans are lagging behind.

Personally, the deepest regret of this election is the booting of George Yeo whom I respected. It was the most intense and hot GRC to be contested ! I am glad that I am not in that constituency to make that tough decision !

Let's wait and observe the situation for the next 5 years, starting afresh from today.

A rare national bonding (7 May 2011)

After the cooling day, it was time to cast your vote !

My poor hubby got to wake up at 4:30am to West Spring Secondary School to help out in the GE. So I went alone to Hillgrove Secondary School, which was about 10-15 minutes walk from our estate.

Along the way, there was a long queue of vehicles along the stretch of road to either Lian Hua or Hillgrove Secondary Schools, . There were voters who came on foot like me too. This was like a national bonding activities with young and old coming together on this important day that could mark a twist in Singapore's history !

The voting process was orderly and well-managed. It has been a long time since I entered into a Secondary school and I must say that the school was very well-maintained and beautiful. Anyway, that was beside the point, I cast my vote in just a minute.

Every voter only has one precious vote and this precious vote determines the future of a nation. Casting of a vote took only a minute but the building of a nation took years. I am sure everyone is looking forward to the election results tonight ! Stay tune !

Finally a day away to vote !

Currently, the hottest topic in Singapore !
Which party will you vote on 7 May 2011 ?

I believe for some, the answer does not come as swiftly as before.

My first voting was in my early 20s, it has been more than 10 years before I have such opportunity to vote again! And for so many years, this year has been the most exciting! Except the folks in Tanjong Pagar, the rest of the Singaporeans will be busy casting their votes tomorrow !

The three beauties politicians certainly add on to the excitement. They are Tin Pei Ling from PAP, Nicole Seah from NSP (kinda of a hot favourite with marriage proposal from her supporter and reportedly a watch endorsement from Citychain which she subsequently rejected) and Angela Oon from WP.

Times have changed too with social media splashing with stories and comments from common folks. Comparatively to the older generation, this must be rather unthinkable to voice out your thoughts in the open.

Competition is definitely intense this year.

That reminds me, I have not thought of who to support.

Mum's trip to China in April'11

Mum's recent trip to China with fourth aunt, fourth uncle, cousin Richard and wife, Ling.


Their tour group ...


Up the steep and high "Le Shan" proof too much for my mum. She paid SGD20 for 2 men to carry her halfway up to the mountain. Now she can smile with relief !


Some cultural shows ...



Beautiful waterfalls


Pity that Jia Zhai Gou is drying up ...






Photos: Compliments from cousin

Project 79

Very glad to know that some NP students in HMS are doing their FYP based on historic sites.

The young lady, Joanne has sent us the photos she has taken of us in FB.


https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Project-79/201689243185553?sk=photos

Yi Shan and Winson's Wedding (1 May 2011)

Congratulations to Yi Shan and Winson !

Venue: Arena Country Club
Food: Ultimately delicious !

Nostalgic moments with May and Shirley (30 May 2011)

The three of us have mentioned before last year to visit the Tanjong Pagar Train station before July this year and I was glad we have fulfilled this little promise of ours.

It was raining in the morning but we have decided to go ahead. May braved the rain and walked to my estate to drive our car to fetch Shirley from Bishan. Jojo can still recognize May and was delighted to see her ! I guess the walk was well-worth it afterall. (wink)

It was amazing by the time we reached Tanjong Pagar Train station, the rain has miraculously stopped ! Bright and shiny ! What a blessing !

We sat by the railway platform to have a hearty breakfast. The mee siam and the sotong were fantastic ! You will feel like time has frozen, just sitting there sipping your teh-tarik ! I wonder all these vendors will go next time ? I have read that the station will be preserved but was not sure if they will retain the flavour of this place !

Check out the yummy food !

For the great food and ambience, I have requested CK to bring our parents there for a dinner soon. CK has never been to Tanjong Pagar Train station too and it is a good chance to look around this place in it's original state.




Some photos of us taken:





While we were taking some photos inside the air-conditioned lobby, two NP students came and interviewed us about the station for their final year project. Luckily, Shirley was our spokesman on behalf of us.


Other photos around the station:

BOKEH

Making best use of the 50mm portrait lens to produce some bokeh effects. Switch to f1.8 to f2.8 for best effects.



A "normal" bokeh with christmas lights behind the figurine.


Using a self-made love-shaped filter to transform the christmas lights into love shape. (Cheng Cheng, thanks for the lovely figurine from US !)


Another self-made paper filter with a bear-shaped this time


There you are ... the love shaped paper filter. I bought some black papers (papers must not be too soft or thin; $0.40 each piece), get some dimensions of the camera lens, draw the shape on the paper and use a pen-knife to cut the shape out. Use a rubber band to secure the filters to the camera lens.


The bear-shaped filter


This is how I took the photos with a busy-body dog accompanying me throughout my shooting ! It wasn't as easy as I thought to take these bokeh photos. The greatest hindrance is that the camera refused to focus on the main subject ! Still trying to find out why this happens. Overall, it was a fun session! CK came back in time to see the "mess" I have created in the living room with christmas lights scattered on the chair and the black papers trimmings on the floor ! Bahwahwah !

Such a pity

CK bought SHE's latest live concert DVD. After watching the entire concert, I couldn't help but admired the three energetic ladies on stage. They have sung almost 48 songs. For those who listen to SHE's songs, most of their songs were fast-paced ! They not only danced and performed on the huge stage but also moved around to the extension stage which were closer to the audiences ! Most of them are reaching their 30's, therefore it can be quite a challenge. Overall, it was a fantastic performance !

The three ladies have mentioned that this might be their last concert together, I felt a chill down my spine! This world concert was performed before Selina's unfortunate incident. No one would ever think this really might be their last concert together !

I love this group ! They must be the longest singing group ever-formed in Taiwan. I love their songs and dance moves but most of all, I love the genuine friendship that they have. The three ladies looked very pretty especially in MTV and concert. I couldn't help feeling very sorry for Selina. She might be label as a "Sweet Princess" amongst the team members but she is really a singer who can laugh at herself or crack funny jokes on stage or behind scenes. Hope she will recover soon.

Long weekend makan

Last week has been great ! Always love long weekend !
A late breakfast at "Cafe Cartel" with CK and dinner at "Rong Guang" with CK and mum.
Dad also gave us a treat at "Different Taste" restaurant. How to go on diet ?