girl beach: December 2009

Photo: Ascending towards the Sundarijal hill.jpg. Old kampong building - no modern facilities but with electricity and clean water. Most important of all, peace and quiet places.

From: http://www.everestuncensored.org/Hiking/10022005/21%20Ascending%20towards%20the% 20Sundarijal%20hill.jpg

Photo: Soothing Green telling us goodbye for the day.jpg Perfect freedom from office hectic life but not free from manual hard work. The marvelous view and clean environment may soothe the tired body after a hard day of tolling in the field and under the hot sun.
From: http://www.everestuncensored.org/Hiking/10022005/77%20Soothing%20Green%20telling% 20us%20goodbye%20for%20the%20day.jpg

Photo: Lonely as the Tree. The middle one..jpg

Isolated far away house is still existing, especially in the north-eastern part of Singapore (Ponggol). They are mysterious and appear haunted due to its over silent and lonely landscape. It invites many stories to scare the wit out of the declared braves, when told in the middle of the dark night.

From: http://www.everestuncensored.org/Hiking/09252005/18%20Lonely%20as%20the%20Tree.% 20The%20middle%20one..jpg

Photo: A closer look at the village palace.jpg

In the early sixties and seventies, land space was not a problem and all are one-storey "bungalow". What are missing are the animals watching over the security of the houses while the owner concentrate on the field and productive works.

From: http://www.everestuncensored.org/Hiking/10022005/62%20A%20closer%20look%20at%20the% 20village%20palace.jpg

Photo: Lonely tree. Remember the Marsiling Hill 265. Charging and shouting up and down in the middle of the day and night, like mad (and wearing something green). If you happen to fall down and get poke at the most inconvenient area, the memories will last a long long time. Forget about clearing obstacles for a while as it will be too painful.

From: http://afrefiles.rutgers.edu/jrstudio/BearMt/LonelyTree.JPG

Photo: This is how a normal office will look like during weekends and holidays - or after many rounds of retrenchments. Year 2009 has its full share of such activities in closing the big door for the last time. Bye Bye forever, temp or not.

From: http://cdn.wn.com/ph/img/c1/72/ce746e567753a7cd5009935e11c7-grande.jpg

Photo: First light. Venture before the first light is darkness and madness but unavoidable as survival is at stake. With faith the light brings along the first green shoot, follow by hope and then our life.

From: http://www.hotelala.it/imgup/capodanno.jpg http://www.iuk.edu/~busdmr/pictures/pic3.jpg
http://bristolian-kam.livejournal.com/

Photo: Valentine and spreading love using the Internet. Best wishes to all the couples on earth. GOD created the combination and harmony in Heaven and invite us to join the celebration of all joyful occasions.

From: http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4715407/valentinecoloringpages-main_Full.jpg

Photo: New Year Eve (NYE) fireworks and vocanoes.
From: Asiaone photo gallery.

Places to Celebrate 2010
From http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677

Marina Bay Singapore Countdown

Spectacular fireworks choreographed to music with 20,000 floating wishing spheres on Dec 31, 2009. By Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and Urban Redevelopment Authority. Composed by Iskandar Ismail, the music features violin, Chinese instruments and Japanese shakuhachi. Free shows at Esplanade till 1am.

Photo: http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677
http://www.soshiok.com/action/RestaurantMediaImage/898.jpg

Marina Barrage, Marina Bay

Gatecrasher, one of the world's most famous clubbing brands, will throw the ultimate NYE party here with top DJs like Yoji, Ronald Van Gelderen, Blank & Jones and Scott Bond. Enjoy cross-genres of music plus the spectacular skyline and fireworks.

Photo: http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677
http://www.soshiok.com/action/RestaurantMediaImage/895.jpg

Siloso Beach Party, Sentosa

Party at 5 unique zones: Coastes, Azzura (UK DJ Seb Fontaine spins from 30-foot high stage as well as Godfather of House, Marshall Jeffersons), Café del Mar, Asia's first surfing and restaurant

venue; and Main Arena (local and international DJs like American-Korean DJ Shy).
Photo: http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677
http://www.soshiok.com/action/RestaurantMediaImage/888.jpg

Zirca, Clarke Quay

Eden - The Rebirth of Music. The dance club will be transformed into a garden of Eden with lush props and glamour on Dec 31. $25 with one drink (7.30pm to 9.30pm). $35 with one drink after 9.30pm. House pours from $12 each.

Photo: http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677
http://www.soshiok.com/action/RestaurantMediaImage/885.jpg

Takeaway food at Esplanade eateries

Some of the eateries will prepare special takeaway food for people catching the free performances and fireworks. Tomo Izakaya will sell bento boxes while 7atenine will offer finger food.

Photo: http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677
http://www.soshiok.com/action/RestaurantMediaImage/919.jpg

Best fireworks viewing spot

Make a reservation at Orgo if you want to catch the next fireworks at Lunar New Year at River Hong Bao or the National Day fireworks. But you can go there any time to enjoy the unique martinis like Apple & Shiso, Pomelo & Basil and Pear & Rosemary.

Photo: http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677
http://www.soshiok.com/action/RestaurantMediaImage/949.jpg

Shanghai Dolly, Clarke Quay

A Dolly New Year. Shanghai theme with a bevy of dollies from China. Mando-Canto pop king William Scorpion and Queen band perform on Dec 31. $35 with one drink, 9pm. $12 for house pours.

Photo: http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677
http://www.soshiok.com/action/RestaurantMediaImage/877.jpg

The Arena Live, Clarke Quay

American R & B singer Radio and female drummer Lady Stick entertain on Dec 31. $25 to $30 with two drinks, 10pm. Moet Chandon, $128++.

Photo: http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677
http://www.soshiok.com/action/RestaurantMediaImage/879.jpg

Photo: http://www.soshiok.com/where_to_eat/restaurant/photo/1677
http://www.soshiok.com/action/RestaurantMediaImage/898.jpg

Photo: http://www.123newyear.com/images/category/happy-new-year/happy-new-year004-800.jpg

Photo: http://www.desicomments.com/dc/10/27263/27263.gif

Reference

MY PAPERTHURSDAY DECEMBER 24, 2009 A13, LIFESTYLE (Viewpoint)
http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/fvbrowserjs.php?urljs=http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ecreator/sphopf/myp241209emnd_opf_files/myp241209emnd.js&ver=Gen
by BY JILL ALPHONSO, myp@sph.com.sg

PHOTO: http://www.adobetutorialz.com/content_images/AdobePhotoshop/ART-D/tutorial423/23.jpg

PHOTO: JILL ALPHONSO
http://www.asiaone.com/A1MEDIA/justwomen/09Sep08/20080923.114304_jill.jpg

ONCE upon a time, I hated Christmas. “Bah!” I would say whenever the topic was brought up. There was never any need to say more.

PHOTO: http://typicalmacuser.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/800px-merry_christmas_1.png

It was, I think, a reaction to the fact that I had no say in family get-together. I was going to someone’s house for an afternoon or an evening – like it or not.

PHOTO: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1134/1444386082_f7606afcb6_b.jpg

Things have changed. I adore family functions now. Maybe it’s just part of getting older.

Whatever the case, in the first year that I was feeling warmly about the family Christmas Eve tradition, I decided to pitch in. “Let me cook!” I said to my mother.

PHOTO: http://media.photobucket.com/image/christmas%20house/MarilynK44/Animated_Christmas_HouseSus.gif

After all, I’d spent a few Christmases on my own in the United States when I worked there in my early 20s. Then, I’d whip up dinners for other “orphaned” friends who couldn’t afford to fly home, or who simply were avoiding being with their relatives.

PHOTO: http://media.photobucket.com/image/I%2525E2%252580%252599m%20at%20home%20with%20Christmas/calligraphie/Alsace2008154.jpg

My mother was immediately excited by my offer. “What’s the menu?” she asked eagerly.

PHOTO: http://www.north-pole-christmas.com/uploads/Wallpaper/christmas_wallpaper_berries.jpg

I planned. Pored over cookbooks. Consulted Martha Stewart via her website. Lamb, I thought. Totally nontraditional. And kind of quirky. Maybe even subversively offensive (you know, Jesus. Manger. That whole spiel). It would still be delicious. It was perfect. I’d get some chops and grill them to perfection.

PHOTO: http://www.north-pole-christmas.com/uploads/Wallpaper/christmas_wallpaper_prettyblue.jpg

My mother offered to do the vegetables. Something with carrots, that’s all I recall. My aunt would make dessert. I’d also make a simple side, like mashed potatoes.

Everything was going fine until my mother decided I’d have to cook in her kitchen. Dinner, after all, was at her house.

PHOTO: http://www.apparenting.com/Images/front-drive-snow.png

It should have set of warning bells. My mother is known as a masterful entertainer and a great cook. She pulls off parties like no one else can. My cousins always ask hopefully if Christmas will be at her house. But she gained her reputation, you see, by being meticulous. She is a perfectionist who leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the party stakes.

PHOTO: http://www.kriyayoga.com/wallpapers/widescreen_wallpapers/christmas_wallpapers/christmas-wallpaper-pink-stargazer-dsc09909-ws.jpg

So, I should have known that she was going to bogart the entire operation. I should never have agreed to the use of her oven, her stove. Her kitchen is her domain.

PHOTO: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_9NQHNBNvV262Rh-QdM7wVAyGc2djGrS48rgFGKuNssUB4YvERvrPUUGoZEzbC8y0KnaOOKp2ov49LguSgYCAGCnJUIcOrc7OxSirWiYRL64mSPfg_yUW3HO65fePZOpJL10k8RrRGqW/s1600/Lys4.jpg

Two weeks before the dinner, I told her what I was cooking. “Sounds nice,” she said. I beamed. I was infused with the Christmas spirit.

PHOTO: http://pinoyerasmusmundus.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/greenish-glow-of-northern-lights.jpg

A week later, she called and said: “I’ve been reading about lamb.” She asked if I’d consider tweaking the recipe. Sure, I said.

PHOTO: http://static.minitokyo.net/view/21/18/70921.jpg

On the day of the show, I turned up to cook. Disaster. My mother had decided this was to be a collaborative effort. That quickly turned into her directing me to do things like checking the meat.

PHOTO: http://www.visitsweden.com/ImageVault/Images/conversionFormat_13/id_149/ImageVaultHandler.aspx

Essentially, she was in charge. In the end, all I could claim credit for was the mashed potatoes.

The lamb was...interesting. (She’d never cooked lamb in her life until that point.) Since that incident four years ago, I haven’t offered to cook for family functions.

If I was being honest, I’d say I was a little hurt that my mum didn’t trust my judgment. In truth, all she’d wanted was to be part of the fun.

PHOTO: http://www.kriyayoga.com/wallpapers/widescreen_wallpapers/christmas_wallpapers/christmas-orchids-dsc09812-ws.jpg

My mother, however, regularly cooks for me, sometimes even bringing food over for my household. I love her food. It’s so good that it brings tears to my eyes. I’m not exaggerating when I say I think I would die without it.

This year, I asked what we were doing for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. “I don’t know,” she said, sounding a tad forlorn, adding: “Your father’s singing in the church choir for the evening Mass.”

PHOTO: http://cedarlounge.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/sun_snow_oak.jpg

“We could still do dinner,” I said hopefully. She thought about it. “I guess we could order a turkey. You always like that,” she said. “You could invite one or two of your ‘orphans’ over.”

The friend I invited said he’d bring dessert (his mother was a chef and he’s an excellent cook).

PHOTO: http://www.zastavki.com/pictures/1280x1024/Christmas_wallpapers__003773_.jpg

My mother said she’d do the veg. My partner and I thought about what we could contribute. I rang my mother. “Hey,” I said, “I’ll help pick up the turkey if you lend me the car. And we’ll bring something along, too.” “Sure,” she said, sounding upbeat. “What are you thinking of making?”

PHOTO: http://www16.plala.or.jp/christmas1956/11ch-othe02/2001-pokemon.jpg

“Mashed potatoes,” I said firmly. I sucked in a breath.

PHOTO: http://www.wordcatalystmagazine.com/images/912Merry%20Christmas-1.gif

My mother paused. “Okay,” she conceded. “That’s a good idea. You do make a good mash.”

myp@sph.com.sg

PHOTO: http://www.scrapycrafter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/christmas-house.jpg

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Wǒ de zì diǎn

Tradition: 传统 - chuán tǒng
Meticulous: 严谨的 - yán jǐn de
Tweaking: 轻微调整 - qīng wēi tiáo zhěng
Exaggerating: 夸张 - kuā zhāng