girl beach: 2010

Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Party-hop this New Year’s Eve

MY PAPER, THURSDAY DECEMBER 30, 2010, PAGE A6, HOME
From http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/fvbrowserjs.php?urljs=http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ecreator/sphopf/mya301210cnd_opf_files/mya301210cnd.js&ver=Gen
Source Website: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20101230-255461.html
By Christina Ng, ncherhui@sph.com.sg, Thu, Dec 30, 2010

PHOTO: FIERY START: Fireworks lighting up the sky at the Marina Bay New Year’s Eve countdown last year. (PHOTO: THE ESPLANADE)
http://news.asiaone.com/A1MEDIA/news/12Dec10/others/20101230.112415_101230-party.jpg
MY PAPER, THURSDAY DECEMBER 30, 2010, PAGE A6, HOME

MARINA Bay will be the stage for one of the biggest countdown parties this year, with some 300,000 party revelers (masculine or feminine) expected to turn up to usher in the New Year.

The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown is organised by The Esplanade and the Urban Redevelopment Authority and comprises a ticketed event as well as festive-fringe events held at locations such as the Esplanade.

The countdown will also include a special light display to mark the final 10 seconds of 2010. Rays of bright lights will converge from opposite ends of Marina Bay to form a distinct canopy of light shining over the entire area.

Details of the party were revealed yesterday at a media briefing held at Marina Bay City Gallery in Marina Boulevard.

PHOTO: Spending tonight planning New Year's Eve Image by Paul Keleher from NYE 2007 in Needham
http://bostonist.com/attachments/austinist_kerry/nye-fire-dancing.jpg
http://bostonist.com/2009/12/29/new_years_eve_events_boston_2009_2010.php

At the stroke of midnight on Jan 1, an eight-minute-long fireworks display will take centre stage, choreographed to music specially composed by Cultural Medallion winner Iskandar Ismail.

With more vantage points such as the Marina Bay waterfront promenade and the Helix Bridge opened this year, more will be able to take in the fireworks display.

Motorists take heed: Several roads and lanes will closed at different times during the festivities.

The footway along Benjamin Sheares Bridge will also be closed to pedestrians from 6pm that day until 1am on New Year's Day.

PHOTO: For everyone out there in the Windy City who’s ready to ring in the new year
http://www.smartdestinations.com/images/blog_images/2007/12/121707-new-years.jpg
http://www.smartdestinations.com/blog/2007/12/26/new-years-eve-in-chicago/

Public-transport operating hours will be extended to handle the human traffic. The frequency of MRT trains will be increased and their operating hours extended until 2am on Jan 1.

Buses will run until 4am that day.

The ticketed event which will be held at The Float @ Marina Bay will boast a host of performers such as Taiwanese singer David Tao. Tickets are on sale for $38 at Sistic (www.sistic.com.sg).

Apart from the event, more than 15,000 Serangoon residents are expected to turn up at the Serangoon Swing 2011 countdown to be held at Serangoon Garden Circus. The party, starting at 7pm, is one of more than 50 heartland parties organised by the People's Association this year.

At a press conference held on Tuesday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua said that the Serangoon Citizens' Consultative Committee took more than a year to put together the party at a cost of some $500,000.

PHOTO: http://www.usafederalholidays.com/images/new_years_eve.jpg
http://www.usafederalholidays.com/new_years_eve.html

She said: "This is a family oriented street party for residents to celebrate in their own backyard. We expect some people to even come in their pyjamas, with their grandparents and children."

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Transport, Mr Teo Ser Luck, told my paper: "We may need so many parties to get the community into an active mood.

Most of them are in the heartland, so the parties there will be more accessible to the residents who can wear slippers and shorts and have a good time right at their doorstep."

He added: "I would party- hop if I could. With public transport, it would be so much more convenient."

PHOTO: New Years Eve Fireworks
http://www.freechristmaswallpapers.net/images/wallpapers/new-years-eve-fireworks-382856.jpeg
http://www.freechristmaswallpapers.net/wallpaper/New-Years-Eve-Fireworks/

Heartland countdown parties

Countdown @ Boon Lay 2011 'We Are The World'
Where: Boon Lay Place
When: 7pm to 1am

Highlights: A vibrant street carnival which will showcase four continents - Asia, America, Europe and Africa - will be staged. Mardi Gras dancers and Japanese cosplayers will also dazzle the crowds. There will also be performances by veteran singer Rahimah Rahim and Taiwan TV star Chen Zhao-rong.

Welcome 2011: Party By The Park
Where: Tiong Bahru Park
When: 6pm to 1am

Highlights: Singaporeans, permanent residents and new immigrants can participate in interactive games such as the Frog Hunt where pairs comprising a Singaporean and a new immigrant, for instance, hunt for various "frog" signs around the park.

Hypesteria! 2011
Where: Open field beside Woodlands Civic Centre
When: 7pm to 12.40am

Highlights: Performances by Singapore magician Alan Extreme. There will also be a five-minute fireworks display.

The Punggol East 2011 Countdown
Where: Rivervale Harmony Square
When: 9.30pm to 1am
Highlights: Performers include the first Singapore Idol, Taufik Batisah, and host-comedians Mark Lee and Henry Thia.
By Christina Ng, ncherhui@sph.com.sg, Thu, Dec 30, 2010

PHOTO: Ring in 2011 with two fireworks shows on the Delaware River as SugarHouse Casino Presents Twice the Fireworks! Twice the Fun!
(Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)
http://www.uwishunu.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/new-years-eve-fireworks-philadelphia-680uw.jpg
http://www.uwishunu.com/2010/12/new-years-eve-fireworks-in-philadelphia-best-places-to-watch/

HELPDESK
我的字典: Wǒ de zì diǎn
Countdown: 倒数 - dào shù
Centre stage: 焦点 - jiāo diǎn
Backyard: 后院 - hòu yuàn
Pyjamas: 睡衣 - shuì yī

Reference

Saturday, August 28, 2010

For a fortnight, I felt 16 (YOG)

WEekend today August 28 - 29, 2010, VOICES, PAGE 6
From http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100828/2808VCW008.pdf
Website: http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100828-0000051/For-a-fortnight,-I-felt-16
By Edric Sng, edric@mediacorp.com.sg, 05:55 AM Aug 28, 2010

PHOTO: Blazing the trail at the opening ceremony
The Marina Bay floating platform was the stage for the spectacular Opening Ceremony on Aug 14. A crowd of 20,000 watched a spectacular show, anchored around the theme of “Blazing the Trail”. Among the highlights were a lion dance show, a fireworks display and a sublime moment during which Singapore sailor Darren Choy ran, seemingly on water, to light the Olympic Cauldron.
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 12
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP018.pdf

PHOTO: On Feb 21, 2008 IOC president Jacques Rogge announced that Singapore would be the first city to ever host the YOG. The news sent thousands at the Padang, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, into exuberant celebrations.
AFP, TODAY FILE PHOTO
From: What a journey it has been,Tan Yo-Hinn, yohinn@mediacorp.com.sg Dr Jacques Rogge opened the envelope and uttered the sweetest 25 words: “The International Olympic Committee have the honour of announcing that the first Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010 are awarded to the city of Singapore.” The Padang, and an entire nation, burst into cheers.
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, COMMENTARY, PAGE 8
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP014.pdf

PHOTO: Team from TODAY and Edric Sng
http://sgstb.msn.com/i/BC/93A97C61C32D7D3135F2BCECAC2EE5.jpg
http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4109095
The writer is Today's Voices editor.

PHOTO: From Athens to the heartlands
It involved some 2,400 torchbearers, from celebrities Joanne Peh and Randall Tan to ordinary Singaporeans from all walks of life and ages, crisscrossing the island for six days in early August.
The sight of Low Wei Jie chasing the flame reflected the spirit of the Games by a member of the public.
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 10
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP016.pdf

PHOTO: Blazing the trail at the opening ceremony
Asublime moment during which Singapore sailor Darren Choy ran, seemingly on water, to light the Olympic Cauldron.
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 12
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP018.pdf

Ivan Heng, seated not five spots to my right, had whipped off his trademark black-rimmed glasses to wipe off a tear. He wasn't the only one.

On Thursday night, I somehow found myself seated just beside the team that put together the Youth Olympic Games closing ceremony. I would've thought that Heng, the event's creative director, would be backstage creatively directing things, but there he was in the stands with us, wearing the silly flashing hat, laughing and crying with the rest of us.

The bit that got to him - and to many around me - was a video montage of the Games highlights, a series of photographs of athletes crossing the finish line, dancing on the sidelines, having a laugh over a meal, biting their medals, cuddling Lyo and Merly stuffed toys. You remember.

The day before the closing ceremony, I was at Marina Reservoir taking in the canoe/kayak finals. The sport meant nothing to me, but that didn't matter; it could just as easily have been curling or kabaddi. I was there to find out for myself if there was any grain of truth to all the letters we've been publishing on the Voices pages about the infectious enthusiasm of the Games.

Some East European, I think, took the bronze in one of the events. When he was in his canoe, from far, he looked a man, muscularly cutting through the water, But up close, at the medal ceremony, he was all boy - ruddy cheeks, buck teeth, cuddling his Lyo stuffed toy. And when his name was announced, he bounced onto the podium with the kind of big, pure smile you don't see at the Olympics for Grown-Ups, the kind of joy that suggests he wasn't just doing it to score a better shoe sponsorship deal.

I could've cried.

If you've been moaning about the inconvenience the YOG has caused you, I suspect you didn't attend any of the events, didn't really watch the TV broadcast to see what the Games meant to the young 'uns playing their hearts out. I suspect you've missed the point of the whole shebang.

You'll be an adult for the rest of your life, but you're only young once - before work deadlines and housing loans get the better of you. Watching the athletes and eager volunteers throw themselves into everything they did with unfettered gusto, I felt that little bit younger.

I suspect Ivan Heng did, too.

By Edric Sng, edric@mediacorp.com.sg, 05:55 AM Aug 28, 2010
The writer is Today's Voices editor.

PHOTO: Blazing the trail at the opening ceremony
By SPH-SYOGO C/Alph onsus Chern, Bryan van Der Beek, Chong Jun Liang, Gavin Foo and Leonard Phuah.
Today file photos
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 12
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP018.pdf

Thank you, Mum.
For enduring morning sickness and jeans with elastic waistbands.
For carrying us in your arms, slings, wraps, strollers and minivans.
For teaching us to crawl, walk and run before we could swim, shoot, fence, row and cycle.
For being a full-time mum, chauffeur, coach, personal chef, doctor and cheerleader.
For never missing a day at the track or in the pool.
For being at every practice, match, meet and competition.
For believing in our dream before anyone else did.
For seeing the first Youth Olympic Games as not the end of an Olympic journey, but the start of one.
For doing the hardest job in the world.
Thank you for being a mum.
From P&G, Proud sponsor of Mums TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 19
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP025.pdf

PHOTO: Blazing the trail at the opening ceremony
From Russia - with love
By SPH-SYOGO C/Alph onsus Chern, Bryan van Der Beek, Chong Jun Liang, Gavin Foo and Leonard Phuah.
Today file photos
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 12
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP018.pdf

Reference

WEekend today August 28 - 29, 2010, VOICES, PAGE 6
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100828/2808VCW008.pdf
http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100828-0000051/For-a-fortnight,-I-felt-16
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 8
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP014.pdf
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 10
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP016.pdf
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 12
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP018.pdf
TODAY, FRIDAY AUGUST 27, 2010, PAGE 19
http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20100827/2708HNP025.pdf
http://sgstb.msn.com/i/BC/93A97C61C32D7D3135F2BCECAC2EE5.jpg
http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4109095

Saturday, August 14, 2010

The little boy who could (YOG)

From http://www.edvantage.com.sg/edvantage/news/news/430200/The_little_boy_who_could.html
By AEdvantage,Wed Aug 11 2010

PHOTO: He did not want to miss the run and followed the flame.
Photo: ST Reader
http://static.edvantage.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/edvantage/430200/topImage/The_little_boy_who_could-topImage.jpg

He followed the Youth Olympic flame for two and a half hours, just to snap pictures of the relay.

PHOTO: He did not want to miss the run and followed the flame.
Photo: ST Reader
http://static.edvantage.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/edvantage/430190/data.jpg - data-2.jpg

This 12-year-old boy wearing an orange t-shirt and blue shorts left everyone wondering, "Who's that boy?".

PHOTO: The 12-year-old became the star of the third day of the relay.
Photo: ST Reader
http://static.edvantage.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/edvantage/430178/data.jpg - data-3

Reason? He ran close to 15km in the rain, alongside bearers of the Youth Olympic Flame torch, as it made its way through Sengkang, Punggol and Hougang.

PHOTO: The Youth Olympic flame passed through Sengkang, Punggol and Hougang on Aug 10.
Photo: ST Reader
http://static.edvantage.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/edvantage/430174/data.jpg

Clad in slippers and clutching a digital camera - which got soaked in the rain as well, the student from Compassvale Primary School told reporters from the Straits Times that his run wasn't planned.

He said he just wanted to catch a glimpse of the flame and follow it, as he "may never see it again".

PHOTO: Wei Jie said he did not want to miss the relay, as he "may never see it again".

http://static.edvantage.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/edvantage/430176/data.jpg - data-1.jpg

PHOTO: Reporters, officials and YOG volunteers made a beeline for him.
Photo: Reader
http://static.edvantage.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/edvantage/430180/data.jpg - data-4

PHOTO: Wei Jie got to hold the spare Youth Olympic flame torch as he posed with the relay's support r...
http://static.edvantage.com.sg/site/servlet/linkableblob/edvantage/430192/data.jpg - data-5

About 2 years ago, there was also another spectacular happenings to an Olympic torch bearer. At that time a defenseless lady torch bearer was physically attacked by male protesters who charged at her. She had to used her handicapped body to protect the torch from being snatched away.

PHOTO: Chinese paralympian fencer Jin Jing carrying the Olympic torch in Paris. She sat in her wheelchair, took her torch and waited quietly for the exchange.
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20080410_1.htm
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20080410_03.jpg

PHOTO: An unarmed girl who was handicapped, and the thug had to hit her? Whatever happen to minimal humanitarianism?
"At that moment, I was only thinking about protecting the Olympic flame!", reporter received a SMS message from Olympic torch bearer Jin Jing who is in Paris (France).
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20080410_1.htm
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20080410_08.jpg

PHOTO: Jin Jing clasped the torch tightly because she was afraid that someone might grab it.
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20080410_1.htm
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20080410_07.jpg

PHOTO: After the storm, the sun will shine again. Torch bearer Jin Jing formally lit her torch and proceeded ahead with the team.
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20080410_1.htm
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20080410_12.jpg

PHOTO: Jin Jing, the wheelchair-bound torch-bearer, has found fame. China has found a national heroine to boost its fragile self-esteem after weeks of embarrassing headlines over Tibet and the Olympic torch relay.
Website: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2297096/Disabled-girl-becomes-Chinas-Olympic-heroine.html
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00694/news-graphics-2008-_694552a.jpg

PHOTO: Jin Jing, a Paralympic fencer, returned home on Wednesday and received a hero's welcome when she was recognized by people at Beijing's Capital International Airport.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)
http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/journey/paris/news/n214298857.shtml
http://images.beijing2008.cn/20080410/Img214298860.jpg

Reference

Sunday, August 1, 2010

One Voice, One Singapore at 8.10pm

MY PAPER, FRIDAY JULY 30, 2010, PAGE A4, HOME
From http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/fvbrowserjs.php?urljs=http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ecreator/sphopf/mya300710cnd_opf_files/mya300710cnd.js&ver=Gen
Website: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100730-229539.html
By JOY FANG, joyfang@sph.com.sg, Fri, Jul 30, 2010

PHOTO: NDP 2010 LOGO
http://www.ndp.org.sg/img/logo.jpg
MY PAPER, FRIDAY JULY 30, 2010, PAGE A4, HOME

UNDERGRADUATE Aylmer Low may not be in Singapore, but he will join fellow Singaporeans around the world by reciting the National Pledge and singing the National Anthem on National Day.

Mr Low, 21, a fourth-year law student at Monash University in Melbourne, will take part in this year's One Voice (OV).

Organised by the National Day Parade (NDP) executive committee, it brings Singaporeans together by getting them to reaffirm their national pride at 8.10pm on Aug 9.

Mr Low said: "It's a good opportunity for students abroad to be reminded of what the Pledge stands for. It also helps rekindle childhood memories and memories of home."

PHOTO: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5JCbe8MQ27hDB_H8EHCepxkgDMDrEZFhAChJIbttGfgWn-CQde_DGSjEFGWNwrOhNtJLPIBq8SfvDkqXh7v1ArLOqZTNFxy5Fu2XyzDVYY_YHfPVY-7rzW49_TIiSEBzFugzcXN5bPg/s1600/NDP3.jpg

He will join about 800 students at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, where there will be a live screening of the parade.

The event is organised by student bodies from Monash, the University of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and members from Singaporean Medical Students Victoria and the Merlion Club.

OV, which lasts for two minutes, will be streamed live on the official NDP website at www.ndp.org.sg

PHOTO: NDP 2010 a theatrical production with colourful costumes and upbeat performances
http://sgstb.msn.com/i/1E/B11AE8B7752CF53C2AC746DE5EC980.jpg http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4203975

Organisers expect 40,000 Singaporeans here to take part, not including the 80,000 in heartland celebrations and 26,500 at the Padang.

PHOTO: http://livinginsingaporetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/NDP2010-Heartland.jpg

Colonel Benedict Lim, chairman of the NDP executive committee, said OV is the "culmination point" as "it's symbolic, simple and unites the people".

So far, over 300 locations hosted by 11 partners will be involved. Partners include McDonald's, Resorts World Sentosa, NTUC FairPrice and SMRT.

Last year, there were more than 700 locations, with thousands from at least eight countries joining in.

While OV is likely to be smaller than last year's Pledge Moment, organisers say they are still canvassing for more venues.

Col Lim said that they are building on the success of last year's event by combining the Pledge and the National Anthem.

Partners are already rolling out their OV initiatives.

Resorts World Sentosa will screen the NDP live at five locations and will host a three-day celebration at The Forum from next Saturday to Aug 9. The Forum will encourage guests to participate in OV.

PHOTO: Live Our Dreams, Fly Our Flag .....
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdov7EggD6G6crBpAeBNBnqH1sOH2Xj4Akj0jO_tp-Idlqk-HTcdDqNj2Sn8v0rsV8ekn0LSx19V5lTZc-nIZ1_huFE0ka-dPO_Nufc3pF4KUAV-PS27yr2EzCOlkzAisz91hew2YPzIo/s1600/Display+our+Flag_Web+Banner.jpg
http://bukitbatokeast.blogspot.com/

Ms Andrea Teo, Resorts World's vice-president for entertainment, said that the resort feels a sense of belonging to Singapore and prides itself on its "kampung spirit".

PHOTO: IDA NDP 2015 Your Vision 2015 1st Place
http://www.rayvolvez.com/images/digital/ndp2015.jpg http://www.rayvolvez.com/blog.php

As for McDonald's, diners at 30 of its restaurants, such as those in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 and East Coast Parkway, will get to watch the NDP live on TV while about 80 other outlets will tune into a radio broadcast of the NDP. All 1,000 staff will also rally diners to participate in OV.

"We are looking forward to a fabulous national celebration with our customers," said Ms Linda Ming, its communications director.

As for Mr Low, he said that remembering lyrics would not be a problem, as they will be projected on screen.

"Most of us should be able to remember the National Anthem anyway. After all, we sang it every day while we were in school," he added.

By JOY FANG, joyfang@sph.com.sg

PHOTO: Above pictures courtesy: NDP Website & Wikipedia
http://philip9876.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/ndp08.jpg

PHOTO: IDA NDP 2015 Your Vision 2015 1st Place
http://www.rayvolvez.com/images/digital/ndp2015.jpg http://www.rayvolvez.com/blog.php

Reference