shy-n (version 20.10)

Fantastic fou(d)

2010-10-15T11:15:00.002+08:00

My colleagues and I decided to have a cheeky long lunch yesterday so we battled the scorching sun and walked the 500 metres to Robinson Road to a quirky little french cafe, Fou de fafa.

Even before we managed to study the menu, we knew the food was going to be the sex! Every table was taken (good thing we made reservations beforehand) and spread with glorious fresh food!

The colourful chalkboard menu, scrawled with the cutest food names, was mesmerizing! I was inclined to read each and every item, including the wacky descriptions that followed.

My colleagues ordered a couple of pizzas to share, one had a smoked salmon sandwich and I ordered the Kue Sa Dilla (quesadilla). The food took a while to arrive but we were prepared to wait, especially since all the food was made fresh. By the time they arrived, we had worked up quite an appetite - which was just as well because the portions are very generous!

The pizzas seem to be their speciality, as almost every table had ordered a serving, perfect for sharing. But they aren't what you expect of a typical pizza. The crust, ultrathin and airy, is full of crunch. It isn't loaded with sauce and cheeses, but is instead topped with fresh produce like rocket tossed in dressing and shredded chicken.

Even the quesadilla (under $14) is incredibly unique. Void of any mexican flavour, my lightly toasted flat bread was filled with shredded chicken in a curry cream dressing and cubes of tomatoes. It also comes with a side bowl of salad.

If you're feeling extra naughty at lunch, you can order a glass of their house wine at only $7.50.

More than just a themed cafe with good organic food, Fou de fafa offers warm, efficient service. According to one of the signs in the cafe, you're more than welcome to ask the staff for a hug!

So if you work in the CBD and haven't ventured into Fou de fafa, I highly recommend that you do. Don't forget to make reservations!

Fou de fafa

168 Robinson Road

Capital Tower #01-05

Singapore 068912

+65 63279418

eCreative Cakes

2010-10-07T15:28:00.002+08:00

I know guys aren't really very big on birthday cakes but since I decided on a golf theme for the other half's surprise birthday party last saturday, I thought I'd go all the way with it and order a golf cake as well!

Fancy cakes are usually quite expensive but I managed to find a lovely bakery with a full online catalogue of cakes they've done before.

Cake does not include golf ball candles.

What's more, the ordering process is easy-peasy! They take orders over the phone. All you have to do is quote the cake code you want off their website, give them all the details they need and you can even pay by credit/debit card or atm bank transfer to their POSB account!

As if ordering a cake doesn't get any easier, the prices quoted on their website INCLUDES delivery to any address of your choice. They're quite prompt too. My delivery was scheduled from 6pm to 8pm but it arrived just before 6pm.

Fancy cakes can be quite expensive but eCreative prices are extremely reasonable, especially for the quality of cakes they offer. My chocolate sponge cake with blueberry filling was so moist and yummy, everybody at the party really enjoyed it!

Here are some of my favourite eCreative creations:

So the next time you're planning a special occasion and need a cool cake for your party, do give eCreative a try! All their cakes are Halal certified by MUIS.

www.eCreative.com.sg

Ku De Ta, MBS

2010-10-07T15:08:00.002+08:00

Last weekend I took the other half up to Ku De Ta at the Marina Bay Sands Skypark for dinner to celebrate his birthday. Seeing as he would be away in Italy playing golf on his actual birthday, I decided to mark the occasion a week early instead.

I made reservations as soon as they were taking them, even before they opened officially on 22 September 2010. Ku De Ta Bali comes highly recommended (even though I've never been) so I was definitely excited to dine there. Not to mention, I've been told the views from the skypark are just spectacular.

Ku De Ta Bali

Well, they were right. The views were breath taking! We were blessed with lovely weather that day, so we could see the entire city skyline on one side and the sea on the other, all the way from the 57th floor.

Views from Ku De Ta Singapore

The concept of sharing food at Ku De Ta meant that the food arrived in single dishes and in small portions. You can, of course, request for all the dishes to arrive together, which was what we did.

My favourite dish definitely had to be the black angus ribeye, served with braised onion and coriander butter. The meat was exquisitely tender and juicy. The quality meat was complemented by the chilli braised onions, which added a sharp burst of flavour.

For more information on the menus, visit www.kudeta.com.sg.

You can't find the prices on the menus listed on their website, but the food is relatively reasonably priced. Expect to pay at least $100 per head, which includes warm service and stunning views of the city.

The one thing I didn't really like about the experience were all the people who paid $20 to walk around the skypark. I personally felt that this took away a lot of the grandeur and exclusivity of the establishments at the skypark. Especially on a weekend evening, the place was packed - not to mention a 200 metre queue that snaked around the side of the building; curious people (mostly locals) armed with their cameras waiting for what seemed like hours just to have a feel of the view from the top of Singapore's most talked about building today. I hope that at some point they would discontinue allowing non-hotel and non-restaurant patrons up onto the skypark.

The Boyband Era

2010-10-05T09:39:00.000+08:00

I was going through my twitter feed earlier and an old school pal posted lyrics to a Backstreet Boys song.

I'm ashamed to say, I used to love the Backstreet Boys. You could even say I was obsessed at one point - the sappy declarations of love, the cheesy music video closeups of Nick Carter seranading to me through the television, the synchronized choreography and lip syncing. But hey, I was 12.

So 12 years later, I decided to put on a BSB YouTube playlist at work, amused that I can still remember every lyric of every song they released in the 90s.

As I silently mouthed the words to "I'll Never Break Your Heart" and "Anywhere For You", I realized that they are the ones to blame for some of the idealistic (and highly unrealistic) expectations of love and relationships rampant in my generation. Well BSB per se, but rather the boyband boom of the 90s with their exaggerated songs of eternal and unconditional devotion. My 80s babies will know exactly what I'm talking about.

If we take a closer look at these lyrics, we'll now realize how stupid the songs really are.

1. I'll Never Break Your Heart by the Backstreet Boys

I'll never break your heart
I'll never make you cry without youI'll give you all of me
I'd rather die than live

Yeah, right.

2. Anywhere For You by the Backstreet Boys

I'd walk halfway around the worldFor just one kiss from you

The sun, the stars, the moFar beyond the call of love
As long as your love's there to lead me
 the darkest night you know
I won't lose my way, believe me

Now, I'm a true romantic but you've got to be kidding!

They're very catchy, sure. But I guess that's the intention with which all the songs were written... catchy love bug songs that give naive young women everywhere a false impression of love in the 3rd degree. It's no wonder that popular music tastes have now evolved into angsty punk songs.

Happiest Birthday

2010-09-24T10:43:00.000+08:00

My birthday this year revolved around some really awesome bars with some really awesome friends.

Blu Jaz Cafe

I invited some of my closest friends and then some whom I hadn't seen for a while for dinner, drinks and a puff at Blu Jaz Cafe, located at 11 Bali Lane, in the cultural heart of the city centre. This intimate little bar boasts ample al fresco seating, a cosy interior and even a private party room on the upper floors. You'd be very pleased to find that the food is very yummy, served in generous portions and yet extremely reasonably priced. I think Blu Jaz is a great hangout, for their beer towers and their flavoured hookahs.

Fabrika

On Wednesday, the day of my actual birthday, some colleagues and I decided to have some drinks in the newly opened Fabrika bar that sits on the open space of the 17th floor of our office building, Tower Fifteen on Hoe Chiang Road. The snazzy bar is decked in modern zen furnishings, softly illuminated by romantic lanterns and lamps. On a good day, the cool dawn breeze just welcomes you as you sink into one of Fabrika's plush armchairs or inviting daybeds. Smokers are allocated high tables near the edge with views of Keppel, a rare comfort from tiny stuffy smoking corners in most bars in Singapore. But ambience aside, Fabrika offers 1-for-1 from 5pm to 9pm daily on all loose alcohol drinks. This includes champagne, which my colleagues and I guzzled gleefully after a full day at work, while enjoying the setting sun in the blushing distance.

Gem Bar & Lounge

After the loveliest dinner at Senso on Saturday evening, the better half led me to a cheeky surprise party at our favourite bar on Ann Siang Hill. I was so bowled over to see almost all our good friends there and smiling. It completely made my year, much less my week! As if having my lovely friends there with me wasn't enough, he ordered a big bouquet of foil balloons, remembered that I love strawberry swirl cheesecake and even got the cutest Disney princess paper plates for the cake. I really couldn't have asked for anything more; I went to bed totally contented that night... only to find it just keeps getting better the next morning when I woke up to my iPad! I personally thought that Gem was the perfect location to host the surprise get together. There was enough room to fit all my friends, with the serious drinkers spilling over onto the bar and the others sprawled across the luscious sofas. The staff were very attentive, did their best to make everyone feel comfortable and we really did.

Hence concluded one of the best and happiest birthdays I've ever had.

twenty-four!

2010-09-15T11:21:00.002+08:00

It's been a pretty trying week but the day has finally arrived - I turn twenty-four.

My cat Billy took a turn for the worst last Saturday and had to be rushed to the hospital. He was discharged yesterday and is home but not fully recovered yet.

Nevertheless, I had a fantastic dinner and some drinks with my closest friends at Blu Jaz Cafe on Bali Lane on Monday evening. Today, I'm visiting the rooftop bar on our office building with my colleagues (who have all just learned that I am officially the youngest associate in the company) for more birthday drinks, and I still have a birthday surprise this Saturday (planned by the better half) to look forward to. I guess no matter how challenging the year has been, I can still count myself incredibly blessed.

Through the wonders of social networking technology, my phone has been beeping nonstop with facebook notifications of friends taking the time to leave some love on my wall. I think it's amazing that people I haven't seen in years and acquaintances I've only just met spared a moment today to think of me.

Presents, cake and celebrations aside, this is what birthdays should be about - knowing you exist.

Thank you one and all for the kind thoughts and warmest wishes. Have a lovely Wednesday!

Birthday Wishlist 2010 (Revised)

2010-09-06T11:17:00.000+08:00

Scrap the previous post.

All I want for my birthday is you, blue eyes. xx

My Birthday Wishlist 2010

2010-09-01T10:55:00.004+08:00

It's September!

That means that it's exactly TWO WEEKS until I turn 24 21 (again)!

I've been giving this list a lot of thought for about a month now. In fact, some of these items have been on here for years so I am more determined than ever to cross off every item before my next (21st) birthday.

To be honest, I feel as though I don't have much to celebrate this year. It's been a rough year and I just really want to get it over and done with. There will be no big get together, or not one that I have planned anyway. 2010 is just depressing so I'll save it for an even bigger one in 2011.

But just because I'm not throwing a big fancy party doesn't mean that I don't get big fancy presents, right? (Even if I do buy them myself... hehe)

So here goes...

Mary Poppins & The King and I DVDs

I've loved these classic movies ever since I was a kid! How could one forget Supercalifragilisticexpialigocious and Getting To Know You?

Big Beautiful Eyes by Benefit & Urban Decay Brow Box

After my girlfriend started selling Benefit, Too Faced and Urban Decay makeup, I've since become obsessed with these two items in particular.

Marc Jacobs Daisy EDP & Versace Bright Crystal EDT

My two essential scents.

Apple iPad 64GB Wifi + 3G & Apple iPhone 4 32GB

Once you go Mac, you never go back... It's so true!

Baking / Thai Cookbooks

I love to cook (when I can find the time, or when I can be bothered to clean up the mess) so these would be lovely! Since getting a new oven, I've grown some cahones to try baking but I've only gotten as far as brownies out of a box.

Gourmet Picnic Basket Set

I've always wanted one of these! Who doesn't like picnics?!

SGD200 credit on www.asos.com

SGD1000 credit on Comfort Driving Centre

You'd be amused to know that I took my Basic Theory test when I turned 18... failed, and then never bothered again. Yes, I - top student at O levels - failed my Basic Theory driving test.

Korg SP170 88-key Digital Piano in White & Piano Lessons

This is something I've been wanting to do since forever but just never got around to it. With the YouTube covers boom, I'm inspired again.

Long lasting AA batteries

This is actually an inside joke, but seriously would come in handy.

Kate Spade Cornelia Street Noel Stevie

Return to Tiffany Charm Bracelet & Solitaire Diamond Necklace

I actually got a solitaire diamond pendant from a friend a couple years back but am very ashamed to say (like most of the other jewelry that people have bought for me) that I lost it. ):

Fitness First Passport

There's a Fitness First right by my office that offers great classes and I would ideally like to pop in at least twice a week. (Emphasis on IDEALLY)

Scrapbooking Kit

I've been wanting to do this for ages! I collected so many photographs and momentos from everywhere but always got overwhelmed while I attempted to shop for scrapbooking supplies. From wanting to buy everything, I decided to buy none at all. Hence, it still remains a far off idea.

Mariah Carey to perform at Singapore Grand Prix 2010!

2010-08-27T10:42:00.003+08:00

For more information, click on the image above.

When I was a kid, my friends wanted to be scientists, pilots, architects... me? I wanted to be Mariah Carey.

I don't care what people have to say about her now. To me... she will always be that amazing singer I grew up listening to everyday. The first songs I sang were hers - with a hairbrush, remote control or my mum's can of hair spray as a microphone.

I can't wait to watch her at the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix next month!

AWOL

2010-08-26T23:00:00.005+08:00

For those of you who have been waiting for the post on that day trip to Sweden, I apologise but you may have to wait a little longer.

My cat Billy is experiencing urinary obstruction and I'm spending all my spare time cuddling him back to health.

In the meantime, this is a shout out to all the readers from out of Singapore. My analytics have shown increase in readership from across the globe so to you, my unsuspecting friend from far away, hello! (:

On the other hand, I can't forget about my local readers as well so hello there! In fact, I've just stumbled upon an interesting read for my fellow Singaporeans, and the new addition to my recommended blogroll: Diary of A Singaporean Mind by Lucky Tan.

Also, for scoop on upcoming interesting events and activities, check back with my Calendar on the right-hand navigation bar for details like free movie screenings, 53A's album launch and Chunkfest; updated weekly.

I'm planning a whole slew of exciting articles and columns for the blog but I can't get the ball rolling until my Billy gets better soon! Have a great weekend, everyone! xx

Danish Wedding

2010-08-24T17:06:00.003+08:00

The main reason for the trip to Copenhagen was really to attend the wedding of a lovely couple named Christa and Miguel.

The ceremony was held in the most ornate church I've ever seen, the Trinitatis Kirke (Trinity Church) which is at the annex of the famous Rundetaarn (Round Tower), originally built as an observatory by King Christian IV between 1637 and 1642.

Unfortunately, we didn't manage to tour the observatory, which is famous for the magnificent views of the city as well its unique interior architecture but the church alone was already very beautiful.

The walls were draped in renaissance gold ornaments and armies of angel statues.

The ceremony was lead by a female priest (I'm unsure if this is the right term to use?) and was held in Danish. The bride wore a beautiful bustier gown and was radiating as her father walked her down the aisle. All the guests who had flown in from various parts of the world - Singapore, Italy, England - tried our best to follow the hymns throughout the ceremony but were somehow sparked into infectious giggles halfway through the ceremony! We really didn't mean to (sorry Christa!) but for some strange reason a wave of giggles spread across the vibrating pews and we were in red knots trying to stifle our laughter.

It was unfortunate that the rains were pouring down on us as we walked from the church to the reception at Vartov but once we were all dry and warm indoors, the champagne begun flowing and mingling was in order.

We sat down to an intimate dinner of no more than 40 guests. (In Singapore, wedding receptions usually serve anywhere from 200 to 2000 people!) The food was delicious and thoughtfully matched with appropriate wines.

My favourite part about celebrating Christa and Miguel's union was participating in the Danish wedding traditions!

Apparently, whenever the groom left the room, the male guests would gather in a line and take turns to kiss the bride! The same was true whenever the bride left the room! It was so fun that I think I want to incorporate this in my wedding, just for the sheer fun of it.

Another tradition we witnessed was the bride and groom having to dance a waltz before midnight. All the guests gathered around the couple as the danced and slowly inched closer, crowding the couple so they could not move. At that point, the men took hostage of Miguel, removed his shoes and cut the ends of his socks! Apparently, the girls were meant to cut the bride's veil into pieces but smart Christa didn't wear one to the reception.

Various wedding traditions can be similar - like fathers walking brides down the aisle - or completely unique and being at Christa and Miguel's wedding prompted me to google for other interesting wedding traditions! My favourite local custom is still the Chinese Tea Ceremony, especially the part when the groom and his mates will have to do all sorts of crazy things in a bid to see and collect his bride. The next portion where the couple serves tea to their parents is one I highly regard as well. I remember crying bucketloads the day my best friend had to serve tea to her parents, as well as her grand parents who proudly flew all the way from Philippines to see their granddaughter get married.

Choosing a date for the wedding is one of the utmost important things to do when planning. Here are a couple of traditional rhymes to help you decide:

Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for losses
Friday for crosses
Saturday for no luck at all

Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true.
When February birds do mate, You wed nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can, Joy for Maiden and for Man.
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed, must labour for their daily bred.
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember.
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last.

Men planning to propose to their brides on a budget can take a page from the Welsh book of marriage proposals and present their brides to be with a spoon carved out from wood, which the woman has to wear around her neck with a ribbon, as a sign of their engagement! How's that for dodging having to pay thousands of dollars for a diamond ring?

You can also save yourself a massive hangover by doing what the Germans do; instead of holding hen and stag nights, they celebrate by bringing old crockery to throw outside the couple's house. It is believed that broken crockery bring good luck and the more pieces shattered, the more luck the bride and groom will have. Cleaning up would be a feat though!

In Australia, the bride tries for good luck by carrying a horseshoe over their arms.

And instead of throwing a bridal bouquet, single ladies in Peru participate in an activity where a charm is hidden in between the layers of the wedding cake. Strings of ribbon stick out of the cake but only one is tied onto the charm. The woman who pulls on the ribbon with the charm is the one to marry next.

Tomorrow, more on our day trip to Sweden!

Copenhagen, Denmark

2010-08-23T18:49:00.009+08:00

My long awaited holiday to Denmark was a blast! It couldn't have been better, in the company of fantastic people in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

My first impression of Copenhagen was how warm and polite the people were. The shops and restaurants were mostly understaffed and sometimes getting served took a while but the Danish are patient and understanding. In return, the service staff worked extra hard to attend to every customer with consistent regard. This is so unlike Singapore, where most places are overstaffed, and you still either are completely ignored or find yourself at the receiving end of incredibly moody (dis)service.

The weather was a cool average of 15 degrees, with the occasional showers. Luckily for us, each time we went sightseeing to Rozenbourg Castle and Nyhavn, or even shopping along Stroget, we were blessed with glorious sun.

This was one of the squares along our Stroget shopping route. The preferred mode of transportation on short distances is the bicycle. As a result, they're parked everywhere!

This was taken at the King's Garden, with a view of Rozenbourg Castle in the background. Unfortunately, we got there a little too late to take a look around inside the castle, but the grounds surrounding it sure are beautiful.

My favourite place in the city definitely has to be Nyhavn, also known as New Harbour. Lined with rows of charming cafes and restaurants, it's the perfect spot to park yourself for the afternoon and watch the world go by. Not to mention, the spectacular view of the harbour and the lovely street musicians - no doubt it definitely feels like Europe.

I didn't really get photos of Christiania (big graffiti signs say 'No Photos' and we were warned that they may turn violent if you ignore the signs) but our visit there was definitely one of the most memorable. Freetown Christiania is a self-proclaimed autonomous community and is regulated by their own special laws, separate from the Danish government. At first, we thought it was a street of hippie squatters who do nothing but stone all day (Christiania is most famous for their thriving cannabis trade) but we were pleasantly surprised to find that their little neighbourhood was kept very orderly, appealing even.

The government has cracked down on the marijuana trade a lot since 2004 but walking through you could still see bushes of their own ganja plants, and stalls selling bricks upon bricks of aromatic grass. Even if you didn't want to smoke a joint of your own (which were as big as CIGARS!) all you had to do was take deep breaths as you walk around and you would have been as calm as millpond!

On our last day, we took advantage of the gorgeous weather to spend a day at Tivoli Gardens, an amusement theme park just outside Copenhagen Central train station, and a 5 minute walk from our hotel.

Tivoli Gardens is really quite an alluring place. Completely different from the modern theme parks out there, it exudes an old world charm (something Denmark seems to be all about) and the rides aren't as extreme as the adrenaline junkie ones out there today. Sure, you could still feel your racing heart in the pit of your stomach on some, but you needn't worry about wetting your pants at any point.

We definitely had the best view of Copenhagen on this ride...

What's more, Tivoli lights up so beautifully at night that it looks like a completely different place. I only wish the restaurants didn't close so early so that we could enjoy it a little longer...

Holiday post not over yet, keep a look out for the next installment featuring bytes on the wedding and our day trip to Malmo, Sweden!

Singfest 2010

2010-08-11T16:15:00.004+08:00

Last week was massive as a friend was kind enough to score me a 3 day pass to Singfest 2010.

My favourite performance was that of Katy Perry's on Day 1. She was hotter in person, her taut bod clad in a PVC pin-up cut bikini. I knew she could sing, but I was blown away to find out just how well she could sing!

Photos available at www.singfest.sg

I was quite exhausted the next morning (WHOSE DUMB IDEA WAS IT TO HOLD A 3 DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL MID-WEEK?!) but the anticipation from my meet & greet passes with Kool and The Gang, courtesy of the awesome people from HTC, kept me buzzing with excitement throughout the day.

They didn't just give out meet & greet passes, this generous lot have put up exclusive autographed Wildfire phones for auction... and all proceeds go to charity! You have until Friday 13 August at 11.59pm to submit your bids for phones signed by Katy Perry, Tokio Hotel and Kanye West so hurry!

Name, IC, address, contact, code* and bid amt (min. $500)

Katy Perry: WILD-KP

Kanye West: WILD-KW

Tokio Hotel: WILD-TH

Proceeds go to the Society for the Physically Disabled.

Bidding ends next Friday 13th Aug, 11.59pm!

Now, I was really more stoked about watching Kool and The Gang than any of the other artists because these guys are legends! I don't care how old you are, you definitely would have heard their popular tunes like "Cherish", "Get Down On It" and "Celebrate". When I found out I would be meeting them, I quickly ran out and bought their greatest hits compilation and clutched it eagerly in my sweaty palms, as I waited with bated breath to meet these funky guys.
I've met a number of celebrities in my time, including Kelly Clarkson and Jamie Cullum, but being the noob that I am, I'm actually most proud of the autographed CD of Kool and The Gang sitting on my shelf. Heh.

Inception

2010-08-03T12:41:00.005+08:00

There was a big commotion about Inception on my twitter feed. Everybody was talking about it! Some said it was brilliant, some just didn't understand it. Either way, it was a nice break from hearing about Twilight the whole time. (No offence to Twi-hards, I think the Twilight Saga is a teeny bop insult to classic vampirism (?) such as Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles)

After a busy couple of weeks I finally found some time one Friday evening to catch it.

Yes, it takes quite a bit of concentration but I really loved it! Being a very frequent vivid dreamer, I took to the lure of escapism "in limbo" immediately!

I've always respected DiCaprio's work (Blood Diamond, Shutter Island and well... TITANIC!) and the film even featured one of my favourite French actresses of all time, Marion Cotillard. Though I really couldn't shake off Ellen Page's character from Juno. I wonder if anybody else noticed that Joseph Gordon-Levitt really resembled the late Heath Ledger in this film?

A lot of feedback from friends who have also watched the movie is that it's pretty similar to Matrix. Well, I didn't really watch Matrix to be able to comment on that.

Last night, I decided to watch it again with a friend who hadn't watched it before and it got me thinking a lot about my own dreams so I decided to do some research on what certain dreams mean.

Flying

To dream of flying is usually a pleasant experience and is accompanied by a sense of exhilaration and freedom. It usually feels completely natural as if we have somehow always known how to do this. Rarely is the dream accompanied by a fear of heights or of falling. Flying may symbolise liberation from something that's been troubling you. The obstructions and shackles that have held you down have been released and you can now experience the same sense of freedom that we see in the birds that soar in the sky. The sky may symbolise consciousness and spirituality so to dream of flying can represent the expansion of your awareness and the unfolding of your higher self. (Freud of course took a more materialistic view: to him flying dreams represented sexual release.)

Snakes

The snake is one of the world's oldestsymbols found in some of the most ancient sculptures. They are often used as phallic symbols and have long been linked with pagan fertility gods. Because it lives close to the ground, the snake is an emblem of the nurturing earth and also the unknown perils of the underworld. Christian imagery emphasises the dark side of this symbol.

It is considered evil, yet it is the snake, created by God, that tempts man to gain knowledge. In dreams, a snake can represent hidden fears. Falling into a pit of snakesmay represent the many worries that are threatening you. Sometimes snakes can symbolise the poisonous words and innuendo of the people around you.

Teeth falling out

Dreaming of teeth falling out may represent insecurity. These dreams often occur at a time of transition between one phase of life and another. When we lost our milk teeth, we also gradually lost our childhood innocence. Loosing your teeth therefore show that today you have similar feelings of uncertainty and self-consciousness as you did in childhood. The dream could also highlight your worries about getting older or your sexual attractiveness.

Animal teeth may represent aggressiveness and false teeth may represent concern about your self-image. The dream could also be triggered by subtle toothache that you are not yet consciously aware of.

I very often dream about people - some more frequently than others but believe it or not, I swear sometimes I dream about people I haven't even met yet... then I remember it when I finally do meet them at a later time!

Dejavu

Throughout recorded history, people have associated dreams with premonitions, déjà vu and precognition. I know that I have have experienced déjà vu, instances where I could have sworn I had previously dreamt something that just occurred in my life. Maybe you have as well. Others, including many notable philosophers, have claimed that they can see glimpses of future events in dreams.

If you are prone to these types of dreams, or believe that they can occur, then promoting more frequent dreams with better clarity can only increase the chances of these dream events occurring.

Nudity

Many sleepers are embarrassed to find themselves dreaming of being in a public place and being either naked or wearing only their underwear. These dreams often express feelings of guilt or inferiority. It is a metaphor that exposes the dreamers perceived faults or feelings of vulnerability to some situation in their life. In the above example, the fact that other people are oblivious to the dreamer's nudity indicates that they should discard as groundless any fears that they will be rejected if their real self is revealed. If you dream of being ashamed or frightened of being naked this may indicate a fear of relationships or of showing your real feelings. (Sigmund Freud once said that his favourite dream was being naked in a crowd of strangers!)

A dream of being disgusted by the nudity of another person suggests anxiety or aversion at discovering the 'naked truth' about a person, a situation or even about yourself. Acceptance of the nudity of others indicates that you see through people and accept them for what they are.

Nudity can also represent your longing for the lost innocence of childhood. It represents the real you stripped of pretence and imposed social conditioning. Nudity also has spiritual connotations: it is an expression of beauty and divinity. The ancient gods such as Venus the god of love, Diana the god of the hunt, or the three Muses who inspire the artist are all usually depicted naked

What are your favourite dreams about?

iLove: Mariner's Corner Restaurant & Steakhouse

2010-07-23T14:43:00.005+08:00

I can't remember ever being as thankful that it's Friday, as I am today.

After what was a heavy week (well, than usual anyway), I am absolutely gagging to knock off and collapse into bed!

On Tuesday night, I had a couple cheeky vodkas and a refreshing magnum Hoegaarden (with a squeeze of tangy lemon!) during the final pub quiz at Turnstyles Holland Village. Their lease is up and have decided not to continue at Holland Village, focusing on the city bar at Boat Quay and their New Orleans concept restaurant and jazz bar, The Big Easy at Resorts World Sentosa.

Funnily enough, in the last 4 years that Turnstyles has been open at Holland Village, I had never attended a single pub quiz. But boy was I glad that I turned up for the last one - I had a ball of a time! It helps if you've got great company to form a team.

Sadly, our team Wizard Sleeves did not win first place, losing out to the champions of the night by a measly half point but on a lighter note, I am definitely more enthusiastic about participating in more pub quizzes at Turnstyles in the City (45 Circular Road) on Tuesdays. If you think you've got a bright bunch of mates, SMS Neil at 96143004 to reserve a table as their quiz nights are extremely popular with the regulars. Winners will receive attractive prizes!

The Wednesday night that followed saw me at battle with insomnia, resulting in 3 hours of rubbish sleep so I was understandably exhausted by the time I sat down to celebrate the official union of Mr & Mrs Cheshire at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Thursday. I'm not really one for traditional 10 course Chinese wedding dinners but seriously, the Cod they served definitely made a lasting impression. It was cooked to perfection, with a subtle sweet sauce drizzled over the thick chunks of fish.

I have to say, there were a few things that really disturbed me about the wedding reception last night. One of them was about how rude some of the guests were during the best man's speech. Now, half the guests were expats, seeing as the groom is and the other half, as is Singapore, were made up of a majority of Chinese. As the best man, also an expat, was giving one of the best wedding speeches I've ever heard, not only were the tables with the Chinese guests not even paying attention, they were talking amongst themselves and laughing loudly, their silverware clanging sharply on their dishes. It was as if they were there solely for the food than to be a part of a couple's most special event.

Another thing that really annoyed me (and the other guests I'm sure) was that the hotel banquet staff were serving food and clearing dishes while each of the three video montages were playing on the screens, blocking the view of guests of other tables. I've never managed a hotel banquet before but I would think he should have had the brains to orchestrate timely service that would not disrupt the programme for the evening!

So 10 mini servings of food and what seemed like a barrel of Tiger beer later, I stumbled home and snoozed for 4 hours.

(If you've been paying attention, that's 7 hours in the last 48 hours. You can imagine the mega eye bags this morning.)

I was planning to have a nap at lunchtime this afternoon but my colleagues decided forgo our usual kopitiam noodle lunch for a nicer restaurant steak lunch. They took me to Mariner's Corner Restaurant & Steakhouse (120 Cantonment Road Maritime House #01-02) for the most delicious steak set lunch I've ever had!

They offer different selections of main courses for different days of the week but their New Zealand sirloin steak is available from Monday to Friday for set lunch. We were served garlic bread with a bowl flavourful minestrone soup which arrived almost immediately after we placed our order. The staff were not particularly approachable but they were very organized and worked fast.

The steak arrived just moments after we were finished with our soup. The 200g of grilled beef was laid seductively on a bed of roasted potatoes, soft buttered carrots and green beans. The thick, dark mushroom gravy was admittedly the most delicious steak sauce I've ever tasted. I requested for mine to be done medium rare but it arrived more red in the centre than I would have preferred. Nevertheless, it was absolutely delicious and I took my time to enjoy it, which was a good 5 minutes more than everyone else. They were even worried that I was struggling to finish it but like a good girl I eventually did.

We were expecting the dessert to be some store bought spongecake or cheap vanilla ice-cream but were pleasantly surprised when they served us bowls of creme caramel with a light golden syrup coating. My colleagues were kind enough to mention the hidden raisins and I unglamorously fished them out of my pudding before diving into the light, silken custard.

And guess how much lunch cost me? $11.90 inclusive of taxes and service charge!

If you work around the area, I urge you to call and make reservations! With all the typical local fare from the variety of food centres to choose from day to day, this cosy, understated little steakhouse will be a welcome change.

And thank God it is officially the end of my work day and it's time to go home because after such a filling lunch and the air conditioning at full blast, all I can think of is sleep.

What men would kill for...

2010-07-19T19:27:00.001+08:00

iLove: Despicable Me

2010-07-14T23:09:00.002+08:00

I haven't giggled this much at the movies in ages!

I'm not really one for cartoons but this one comes highly recommended!

Best viewed in 3D. Quick, go catch it before it stops showing!

"It's so fluffy I'm gonna die!"

Hen Night Planning.

2010-07-14T14:11:00.008+08:00

I've officially hit the window where almost everyone around me is getting married and having babies.

I love weddings, I really do. I've spent years taking down mental notes, clipping magazines and compiling them in thick, heavy binders in my mind. I love attending weddings - well, a certain sort of wedding anyway; I've found some to be quite impersonal and void of all the essence that would drive two crazy people to commit to a lifetime together to begin with.

But you really spend your whole life attending weddings, even as a child. You watched your siblings, aunts and uncles, even cousins tie the knot in your sunday best. There's cake and other children to run wild with, much to the delight of the adults who then have some time to socialize with other adults, to save their sanity. What's really new to me is, on the other hand, hen nights!

Planning a successful hen night is just not as simple as that of a stag do. Mapping out a pub crawl for a bunch of rowdy men, wired and ready to drink away their consciousness just won't do. Not to mention, the bride-to-be we're honouring this weekend is much too tasteful for cheap tequila shots and a male stripper! (There aren't any fantastic ones worth the money in Singapore, from what I've heard!)

I actually began writing this post with intentions on researching and sharing with you the quirkiest hen party ideas but as I was googling I found everything much too cheesy!

I went online and found a bunch of games, props and costumes for inspiration. Everything from cheeky shot glasses, bright pink satin sashes dripping in crystals, tiaras, dare games... the works, but nothing was particularly genius.

So, since I've got my dream (future) wedding down to tiniest details, I figured I should probably give my hen night a thought too!

My ideal hen party would definitely have to take place in a gorgeous cliff top sea view villa in Bali.

My darling girlfriends and I will be treated to hours upon hours of pampering body scrubs, relaxing body massages, rejuvenating facials and all the other simple pleasures in a woman's life.

Every evening we would dine at sunset, either on the beach or with a view of the beach. Pina Coladas and Mojitos all around!

And after the 12th dinner cocktail, my entourage and I would adjourn to one of the many night clubs and dance the night away. What's more, we could party comfortably in our beach dresses and flip fops! No sore feet from 4 inch stilettos! (Nothing the masseuse couldn't take care of the next morning...)

Then, repeat cycle the next day! And who knows... I may even stay on to get married in Bali!

Is it inevitable we're back to fantasizing the dream wedding again? (It's a job hazard, having come from an events background, I'm telling you!)

Naaaaaaahhhhhhh! Being young and single is way too fun to give it up... for now. (;

My mini weekend getaway.

2010-07-12T19:56:00.006+08:00

I've been gagging for a holiday for months. The last trip I took was to Bali last June!

I haven't been abroad since but waking up in the comfort of hotel sheets can have the same effect. Well, almost the same effect.

I stayed a night at the Scarlet Hotel over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it! The room was lush and enveloped in deep, rich hues of reds and golds. The fittings were accentuated in leather and a relaxing mix of lemongrass and lavender scents hung delicately in the air-conditioned room.

Aside from just alluring aesthetics and elaborate hospitality, the Scarlet Hotel boasts the perfect location for tourists, couples in search of an accessible city retreat or an enclave for the weary individual in need of some time alone.

For more information on the Scarlet Hotel, visit www.thescarlethotel.com

What had to be my favourite part of the weekend is exploring the vicinity. The hotel is nestled in a cosy corner of the city centre and is a stone throw's away from Chinatown and Ann Siang Hill.

Along Club Street and Ann Siang Hill sit rows of quaint cafes, cosy restaurants and eclectic shops. This was also where I discovered Gem (10 Ann Siang Hil), a rustic bar with my favourite Kronenbourg Blanc beer on tap. Venture inside to find a den-like lounge area, with massive, billowing upholstered arm chairs and sofas to seat a small party.

Another must-visit bar is The Screening Room. They offer a relaxing rooftop bar, which overlooks Chinatown and the Singapore city skyline. Mega fans ensure that there is always a constant breeze to ease you into the warm tropical evenings. Ardent movie goers will delight in regular movie and food themed nights held in their cushy screening rooms.

When the weekend drew to a close, I couldn't help but feel a wave of disappointment - the kind that often gets you down after a good holiday. Luckily for me, I have only one month to slog through before my first official vacation of the year.

iLove: Benefit from Crimson Rose

2010-07-01T23:30:00.004+08:00

It's so funny how when I was 18 and partying at least four nights in a week, I never really developed eye bags or dark circles. I could go without sleep for 48 hours and still look as bright and chirpy as I would after ten hours of sleep.

Now that I'm approaching my mid-twenties, I find myself looking quite worn out even with the minimum 7 hour rest. The grey mounds under my eyes seem to swell a little more each day. Sadly, I've even turned to the Retouch Tool on iPhoto - just a little swipe and eye bags be gone!

A close girlfriend of mine recently snagged a wholesale supplier and has begun bringing in Benefit cosmetics in bulk. Now, I don't really wear that much makeup and I'm definitely not a makeup junkie. Whatever makeup I have is just enough to last me until the palettes and tubes run out. Usually just some shadow for the brows and eyes, mascara and blusher and I'm good to go. However, I noticed that most girls in this cosmopolitan city either wear the works, or they don't at all.

Benefit, with it's whimsical names and packaging, has taken Singapore by storm. Their unique, frisky appeal quickly bought the local consumers over, in spite of the slightly higher prices.

So I went through the catalogue of available products and stopped dead in my tracks. It never occured to me that I may one day have to acquire any form of concealer. I've got relatively clear complexion, aside from the occasional acne attack, but the recent developments in droopy and tired eyes saw me making an order for the Realness of Concealness mini kit. What's more, for $30, it was a steal!

In addition to my eye bag (also applies to other flaws) quick fix, I ordered the highly sought after Smokin' Eyes kit, also for $30.

Perhaps the reason why Benefit has done so well in Singapore is that these mini makeup kits come with an instructional booklet on how to apply the products to achieve the desired look. Most ladies here will tell you that they really have no idea how to apply makeup properly. The ones who don't admit that include the minahs with their paper thin arched brows.

So if you fancy spending a little bit of money on makeup this month, do add Crimson Rose on facebook and have a look at the products available. They also bring in Nyx and are looking into bringing in Urban Decay very soon. Some sprees require a preorder but most are already in stock and ready for sale. Crimson Rose only does meet-up transactions to ensure that you receive all goods in the best condition. For the busy working girl, you can even opt for courier service at only an additional $5.

American Idol 2010: Falling Slowly

2010-05-13T14:05:00.001+08:00

This has got to be my favourite performance of this season.

Originally by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, Falling Slowly was taken off the movie Once. Although the original version has a hauntingly beautiful intricacy about it, I'm all for this edgy, climatic rendition by Top 4 contestants Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox.

Which was your favourite performance of the season and who do you think will take the title of American Idol 2010?

Although I'm not his biggest fan, I have a hunch that Lee DeWyze will inevitably take it home this year. I guess we'll just have to wait and see! Wager? (;

iLove: Ip Man 2! (and Ip Man 1 too...)

2010-05-11T12:47:00.006+08:00

If you haven't already caught Ip Man 2 in the cinema, what the hell are you waiting for?!

It's so fantastic that I don't think I could do it any justice with an attempt at a review. Please, go and watch it; especially if you have watched Ip Man 1!

I loved it so much that I've decided to rent Ip Man 1 and then watch Ip Man 2 again!!!

http://www.ipman-movie.com/

It's a crying shame that Donnie Yen has announced that this will be his last appearance as Ip Man. I don't think I could accept anyone other actor playing the role. I hope he'd seriously reconsider!

Photo credit: http://aronil.com

iLove: Breakfasts!

2010-05-10T16:40:00.006+08:00

I had quite a cracking weekend but the only downside is that it resulted in my putting on extra two kilos!

To say that I ate extremely well would be quite an understatement. But apart from cringing at the scale this morning, I'd have to admit it was definitely worth it. Besides, calories can be burned, no?

My first breakfast adventure found me at the new (well not so new but I haven't really been out in a while) Mandarin Gallery. Through recommendations, I discovered a quaint little all-day breakfast bistro, Wild Honey.

We were warmly greeted by the service staff, who even enthusiastically offered recommendations when we found ourselves completely overwhelmed by the enormous selection of tantalizing breakfasts from around the world!

The even have two iPod touches docked by the counter in case you need a little visual aid to the country style chalkboard menu! Excited, we ordered a Tunisian and European breakfast. I couldn't resist but ordered a cheeky side serving of smoked salmon to go along.

The food at Wild Honey not only satisfied our tastebuds and eager stomachs, the presentation was absolutely mouth-watering!

My Tunisian breakfast, a "sizzling pan of tomato stew, fried eggs and chorizo sausage", was both delicate and hearty, which I washed down with a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice - pulp and all.

Expect to pay the price for impeccable service and sensational food, a breakfast for 2 would set you back at least $60 with beverages. However, it is definitely well worth it with the cosy setting that simulates a breakfast table in a humble cottage.

A must try for every breakfast enthusiast! http://www.wildhoney.com.sg/

Our next breakfast adventure ensued one hungry Sunday morning as we ventured into Rochester Park. After a brief tour of our options, we soon settled on Graze.

Operating out of an old British colonial black and white house, Graze was bustling with tables of families celebrating Mother's Day.

We didn't have a reservation but were lucky enough to be shown to a lovely little al fresco table amidst the lush garden that busy morning.

If there's one thing I love about the service, it's that the waiter pulls up the chair for you and tucks you neatly into the table. There were many encounters with service staff who were kind enough to pull out your seat for you but hastily forgot about completing the seating process! That irks me! But moving on...

They lay out bottles of home made spiced honey and chilli infused oil at every table, which I thought was particularly charming. I ordered a baked omlette for myself which came with a choice of 4 toppings. The eggs were fluffy but needed an extra hint of seasoning. We still had some space at the end so we shared a portion of their mini banana pancakes with roasted walnuts and cranberry syrup. They weren't really fantastic but you can't really go wrong with pancakes.

My only bone to pick with the service is that some of the waiting staff seemed a bit disoriented. They clear your plates and refill your water all the time but you could just tell that their minds were wandering off into a different dimension. Also, when we asked for worcestershire sauce, they didn't even know what it was but claimed that they didn't have any anyway.

All in all, it was hard to get fussy with the service because it was a beautiful morning and it was really heart warming to be surrounded by dozens of rosy cheeked children paying tribute to their mommies.

If you're around the area, don't forget to give Graze a try. http://www.graze.sg/

If you're a breakfast enthusiast yourself, pray do tell the best breakfasts joints you've visited! Please drop me a comment or an e-mail at shyanne.soraya@gmail.com, especially if it's the best prata or roti kirai in your neighbourhood!

Photo Credits: glitzy.wordpress.com, curiosityfillsthecat.blogspot.com, accidentalepicurean.com

Clean & Clear Competition

2010-04-23T14:45:00.004+08:00

I rarely ever ask for anything from my readers.

In fact, I believe the last time I've ever had to garner support from my blog was FHM Girl Next Door eons ago!

But it would mean so much to me if you could take 2 minutes of your time to vote for my friend Christine Ng and I for the Clean & Clear Singapore Best Friends Model Competition.

You can read more about Christine on her blog here. Her entries are fun and quirky, loaded with visuals!

The funny thing about Christine and I tag-teaming for this shindig is that we started out as individual competitors for a Ralph Lauren fragrance a really long time ago. I was fresh out of secondary school and I believe she was a sophomore in Polytechnic, taking a diploma in Mass Communications.

As it turns out, she won and I came in second place. No hard feelings though, she completely deserved it and weeks later I contacted her about buying one of the prizes off her! Hence began a beautiful 6 year (and counting) friendship.

It was her grand idea to submit us as a duo for the competition and we're both really excited about it.

So please, if you could visit this link and vote for us, we'd be most grateful!

If we win the USD5000, you can be rest assured... drinks on us! (;

Timbre Rock & Roots!

2010-04-06T07:48:00.005+08:00

i know this is a couple weeks overdue but i've been so absolutely caught up with work and planning a mega-birthday weekend. (more on that in the next post!)

i spent a saturday two weeks ago at the marina promenade for the second night of the Timbre Rock & Roots festival, where i nearly lost my voice screaming for New Zealand's Opshop, Jools Holland and his (26 piece) rhythm and blues orchestra and the title act for the night, The Fray (of How To Save A Life & Never Say Never fame).

what i loved the most about it, apart from the performances, was the location!

the stage glowed in lights with the majestic Singapore Flyer sparkling in the background. when i arrived, the sun was setting ever so gently, etching the grand outline of the business district in the sky line.

what had to have made the most difference was the fact that we were right by the bay and this invited the most refreshing breeze! definitely something you won't experience at fort canning! not to mention, the festival offered a myriad of food options! everything from corned beef sandwiches to chunky chips to curry puffs - the most tantalizing smells wafted through the entire promenade and made me hungry even though i'd just came from dinner!

you could really tell it was a Timbre event, from the top notch acts (not necessarily mainstream) who performed to the wide array of delectable food to the warm service at the beer and spirits bars.

it was pretty unfortunate that i had to give up my tickets for the first night because i had to work late that friday. i was really excited to watch Gypsy Kings and Buddy Guy... just my luck!

i'm already waiting with bated breath to see who they'll announce to perform at next year's Rock & Roots!

p/s: on a completely separate note, i just wish to express my deepest frustration that the Jamie Cullum tickets are completely sold out! argh!