SHARE A COKE

Come, Share A Coke with Qing!

The “Share A Coke” Campaign debuted in Australia in the summer of 2011/12.  It has arrived in Singapore for the first time, and now making its rounds on the island, in celebration of SG50 (Singapore’s 50th Birthday on 9 August 2015), as I understood from one of the staff at the Coca-Cola Roadshow.  Oops, SG50 again?  I think we are getting SG50-overload these few months!  Anyway…..

I can’t remember when was the last time I had a glass/can of Coke or any other gassy drinks.  Gassy drinks are just not my cup of tea.  However, I find this personalised can of Coke too hard to resist.  It requires a minimum spend of S$10 on Coco-Cola trademark products in order to get it.  Not that much, I think.

So I parted S$13+ from my wallet, and brought home 6 cans each of Coke, Coke Light and Coke Zero.

Surely, it is unlikely that hubby and I are going to consume them all.  Before I bought them, I happily thought that it would be a good idea to give them away to people like the cleaners of my block or children from low-income families.  After all, Share A Coke is about spreading happiness.  But alas, a surprise when I opened up the packs!  The cans have words such as You’re The Best, BFF, Chio, I Love You, I Miss You, Dude, Hubby & Wifey printed on them!  Most of these expressions are just not appropriate for the people I have in mind. 😦

I have taken time to speak with the staff at the roadshow to find out what the campaign is all about, how to preserve my personalised can without opening it etc., but I missed taking notice of the small prints at the bottom of the pack or I would have made a clarification first.  It says “This pack contains a mix of limited edition can designs.  So words said to be terms commonly used or classic expressions in Singapore, have been printed on these cans to make them a limited edition.

I have decided that I should keep a few cans for our own consumption but how can I best make use of the rest?  I am still thinking about this.  18 cans will be too much to consume, and 12 of them are expiring by the end of this year.

ANOTHER NEW YEAR

This morning, hubby and I went for our first exercise for the year.  At last, after not being able to do so for many months due to hubby’s very hectic work schedule.  With the project now implemented, I am praying and hoping that year 2015 will be a better year for him in terms of work-life balance and his health.

The weather this morning was lovely.  Cool and windy.  It was so good to be back exercising in our Lao Di Fang (老地方, Chinese words meaning our regular place).  I hope we will be able to do it regularly this year as part of our efforts to live well and stay fit.  We are all responsible for our own health and exercise is one way to achieving it.

On the eve of new year, we had a late home-cooked dinner since hubby didn’t get home from work until past 10pm.  Our meal was a little special this time though simple.

New Year’s Eve dinner at home.

Salad in ponzu (sauce made from soy sauce and citrus juice) and olive oil

Cold green-tea soba, for the first time

In Japanese tradition, people eat soba, called toshikoshi soba (年越し蕎麦) on the eve of New Year to let go of the hardship of the year or to ward off evil spirits, and also to wish for long-life.

Simmered daikon (radish) with chicken wing, also my first attempt

The recipe is from Cook Japanese with Tamako again.  We really liked it.

We then topped it off with a small glass of plum wine (梅酒) and a small piece of cheese cake each from Snaffles to complete our simple yet satisfying meal to end the year 2014.

2015 is a special year for Singapore as the country celebrates its 50 years of independence.

Taken on 30 Dec, 2014, this is a beautiful 2-minute montage of sketches and graphics on the milestones of Singapore, on the facade of the iconic Fullerton Hotel. This projection was created to commemorate Singapore’s 50th year of independence in 2015.

Whatever the celebrations there may be, I just hope that 2015 will be a year of good health & great joy with less heart-breaking tragedies and catastrophes around the world.  To those who have lost their loved ones in the QZ8501 tragedy on 28 December 2014, may they overcome their pain and grief, and move on with their lives.

May you have a blessed 2015.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS 2014

It’s the last day of 2014.

The year-end rains seem to have stopped these two days, and I finally went to Orchard Road for the Christmas decorations last evening as I was in town to attend to some matters.  With only about half an hour to spare before heading to my final destination for the day, it was a quick walk from Ngee Ann City to Orchard Central.

Lobby of Ngee Ann City, outside Takashimaya

Paragon Shopping Centre

Robinsons @ The Heeren

CentrePoint

Orchard Central – too pinky!

 

Orchard Gateway

The theme for this year’s Christmas decorations on Orchard Road is “Christmas on a Great Street“.  Too bad, the decorations didn’t impress me.  If I had to pick one, my choice would be CentrePoint which seems to be a popular photo-taking spot.

On my way down to the Marina Bay area after Orchard Road, I stopped over the iconic Fullerton Hotel briefly and managed to snap some shots of its Christmas decorations.

Red and gold colours, with lots of bears in Fullerton Hotel

I like the decorations in the Fullerton Hotel a lot better!  I wished I had the time to stay there long, perhaps over a cup of tea and be soaked in the lovely mood there, with classical music being played at the background!

CHRISTMAS @ GARDENS BY THE BAY

I visited the Gardens by the Bay again yesterday evening, with DS this time.  I was keen to see the lighting of Yuletide in Flower Dome after dark, and also the Luminarie in Christmas Wonderland which is said to be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

It was raining cats and dogs when we were on our way to the Gardens by the Bay in a taxi after 5pm.  We thought we could only settle with the Yuletide in Flower Dome which is held indoor, given the poor weather condition.  Very fortunately, the rain stopped around 7pm or I knew I would be very disappointed.

The rain has subsided a little when this shot was taken.  This giant Christmas tree with Cloud Forest at the background, bears the logo of Gardens by the Bay on top, and is decorated with lots of artificial dragonflies

Yuletide in Flower Dome, after dark

 

Reflection on the glass ceiling

  

Obviously the heavy rain earlier did not stop many from visiting the Gardens by the Bay.  The outdoor Christmas Wonderland event was packed with even more visitors which was not unexpected since there was no entrance fees required.  I saw that many of them were foreigners.  Many also went as a family, young and old, or with their groups of friends, and were busy snapping away with their cameras or smartphones.  The mood was just great!  I would say this is one event not to be missed in Singapore this Christmas, especially for those who have yet to see a Luminarie like this.

Christmas Wonderland

Mini Frontone of 14.4m at the entrance to Supertree Grove

4 Arches of 10m leading into Supertree Grove

Solo pieces of 9m each

Supertree with OCBC Skywalk.  The lighting was simply enchanting!

Marina Bay Sands seen from Supertree Grove area where the Luminarie is held

Cassa Armonica, a mini capola of 7.5m wide and 9m tall.  Choirs etc. are held here but we didn’t manage to catch any when we were there

Spalliera, a crown of lights, is the masterpiece in Christmas Wonderland.  It is some 17m tall and 31m wide.  Very impressive piece of work!

Blizzard Time is held 3 or 4 times a day at the Spalliera.  I managed to catch the one at 9:05pm from outside the Spalliera (see video below).  Many entered into the Spalliera to have a more up-close view of this magnificent luminarie, and also to be soaked in the fun during the Blizzard Time.  We had decided not to do so.  The ground was still wet, soft and muddy, and we did not want to dirty our shoes.   It would have been better if the ground was temporary paved before building the Spalliera, considering that year-end is a rainy season in Singapore.  This is one thing the organiser can improve on if a similar event will be planned in future.

Many people were still arriving when DS and I made our way out after 10pm.

Frontone, the Arrival Arches consisting of 1 Frontone of 15.65m & 6 arches

Thanks to Gardens by the Bay!  The events make this Christmas a little bit special for me because it was my first time seeing such Luminarie!

I have yet to see the Christmas lighting on Orchard Road.  With only 4 days to go before Christmas, I still can’t make up my mind to go.

YULETIDE IN FLOWER DOME

We are on the last page of the calender for year 2014.  Time seems to slip away at such a blinding speed!  And, 2015 is already quietly making its way in!

I still have no plans for this Christmas yet.  I would like to have DS joining me on outings to enjoy the Christmas decorations, and be soaked in the mood of this festive season which is my favourite time of the year.  It is just too bad that DS has been so bogged down by his work this year, even at this year-end.  I just can’t wait for him to get over the current project!  So much said about work-life balance in Singapore but I have not heard of any employers that actually care about and practise this, from people I know!

I visited the Gardens by the Bay recently. This time for the Christmas floral display themed “Yuletide in the Flower Dome“.

Yuletide in the Flower Dome

I have already lost count on the number of times I have visited the Flower Dome.  It is one attraction in Singapore that I have visited most.  Unlike other attractions, the seasonable or thematic floral displays and the beautiful blooms from the permanent display, make it interesting to visit the Flower Dome over and over again, and without getting sick of it!  There aren’t many such attractions in Singapore.

This year’s Christmas floral display in the Flower Dome is definitely much better than last year’s.  The wooden Christmas trees found both outside and inside the Flower Dome, are an eye-catcher.  Although looking plain and simple, they stand out amongst the other typical Christmas trees.  They are a piece of art.

Centre decorations after the entrance of the Flower Dome

 

Lots of bears are used for this year’s decorations.  Surely this will be an attraction for the the little ones and also the bear-lovers!

Bear Santa

Bears, Christmas trees and poinsettias aside, the decoration is set in a little snowy, western town with building, cathedral, snowmen etc.  There is also a candy factory (but no candy sales!).  Very Christmasty feel!

The tall tower which is recycled from the Orchid Extravaganza event a few months ago, lights up every evening, from 6:30pm.

This shot was taken towards the end of my visit.  The sky was dark, the reindeer were all lighted up but not the lights on the tower

I was so hoping that the lights would come on earlier, given the dark sky but they didn’t.  That was a little disappointment.  So, I reckon I will have to make another trip to the Flower Dome one of these evenings in order to see the lighting.  I think I also should not miss the Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay event which is an outdoor event that started on 29 November.  I have read that the Luminarie light sculptures in Christmas Wonderland were specially constructed and flown in from Europe, for the first time. I just hope for a good weather on the day I go!

Photo from Gardens by the Bay website

Flower Dome never fails to surprise me every time I visit.  This time it was this new installation.

La Famille de Voyageurs, Sculpture in Bronze (2014) by Bruno Catalano.  It is a gift from Singapore Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay that embodies the strategic collaboration between the two organisations

It was pouring at the time I left Gardens by the Bay.  Thanks to the very thoughtful driver of the shuttle tram between the garden and Bayfront MRT station.  Instead of dropping us in the usual drop-off point which a walking-distance away from the station, he actually drove us all the way to the sheltered lift-landing area of the station and spared us from getting wet!  Thanks Mr Driver!  This is one very good example of a GEM (Go the Extra Mile) service which I would say unusual in Singapore!

19 days to Christmas!