Have you checked out the NEW Yesterday.sg website?

I've always been a fan of activities that involves history and I've engaged my children by visiting the museums around Singapore to experience something that provides good learning opportunities for them and allows them to open their eyes to times other than now to see how life used to be.

I've blogged about our trips HERE. These posts have also been featured on the yesterday.sg website by the lovely people over at the National Heritage Board. As of the last school holiday, I am now an official NHB member and have a pass to enter all the museums in SG for FREE! *snigger*... things to see and things to do and learn is always good right?

So, I was invited to the yesterday.sg media launch on last Friday and previewed the new website and new initiatives that the NHB will be rolling out for the next couple of months.

I find it interesting how organisations are now involving bloggers up on par with mainstream media. Some of the bloggers as seen above *can you tell who's who?* and we were seated along side with journalists and media staff from the various newspapers & media companies. Things are surely evolving as bloggers start to have a higher profile as time passes.

The picture above was one of the pictures that the Liane Zhaobao photographer took of us "bloggers" which was supposed to be out over the weekend or earlier this week but I STILL have not seen that article come out. If anyone sees that article/picture on the chinese papers, please let me know?

They now have a spanking brand new website which is totally cool! And as part of their efforts, they now have HTV, which is Heritage TV which they will roll out a new episode every fortnight and comes in the form of very relaxed type of historical "youtube inspired" kind of amateur recording & editing which is still intruiging to watch & to learn from. This format of not making it such a formal corporate video also hopes to encourage youths to contribute their own "heritage" videos to contribute to the growing interactive learning platform.

A good touch in their presentation was that they did everything "online" from specially created introductory videos and introductions. Good attempt in reaching out to us in "our media".

Frankly, I don't have the technical expertise to dissect how the website navigates or special feature points of a website BUT Claudia has an EXCELLENT dissection of the new facelift which you should check out HERE. Once again.. check out the new yesterday.sg website HERE! or click on the screenshot below.

The NHB is also taking gaming to a new level and has launched a competition for young online game designers to develop heritage-related games for their peers called Mission Darkstar.

This is divided into two stages of competition where game developers may submit their detailed proposals to NHB by 13th March 2009. 5 teams stand an opportunity of receiving seed funding of $4000 cash where they then proceed to stage two where they go on to develop the game.

These 5 teams stand a chance to win the following:

1st Prize: $8,000

2nd Prize: $3,000

3rd Prize: $1,500

4th & 5th Prize: $500

Check out the Mission Darkstar Website for more details! Or click on the screenshot below!

The NHB also links to various other sites where you can check out more information on our museums, activities and happenings. You can find out more info at the official National Heritage Board website HERE. Or click on the screenshot below!

And another museum website for even MORE information... HERE. Many sources of information so don't say there's nothing to do in Singapore.. go check out one of our MANY museums.. yes.. there isn't just ONE museum here in Singapore.. there are more.... go check out the websites to find out more...

Another aspect of this media launch was also the introduction of YEAH! Which stands for Young Envoys for the Arts & Heritage. This is NHB's attempt to engage and enlist advocates for heritage and help to spread the message to their respective communities, networks, family members and friends while their goal is to foster a self sustaining museum-going and arts-loving culture in Singapore.

The NHB are now talent scouting interested young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 *but not limited to this age only.. this is only a rough guage.. you can be younger/older* who have a genuine interest in the arts, heritage, culture and museums. These envoys will be invited to exclusive heritage, museum, arts events and have the opportunity to meet organisations and individuals involved in the cultural and heritage fields.

Key considerations for these envoys would be that they be active online, ie bloggers/social media users or offline, ie civil society or community leaders. Also, they have to be web savvy and familiar with social media networking tools.

Furthermore, NHB will provide training and seed funding to help them develop their own initiatives that promotes the arts, heritage and museums.

If you're interested or know anyone who may be interested to be an envoy and fit the profile or even if you don't technically "fit" the profile but are still interested. Email the NHB HERE.

This event *which came with cocktails & lunch too! Slurps!* was held at the Singapore Pilatelic Museum which is yet another museum that I will be checking out at leisure with my girls one of these weeks.

For those wondering what this place is about its all about STAMPS!...their creation, development and various collections and mailing systems and postage materials...

This place is a small place just right behind Funan Centre over at Coleman street. Check it out one of these days!

One aspect I like about the museums these days is that they've really taken an effort to update the place, its more brightly lit, clean and cool. The displays and rooms are now not mangey dark dusty places like how I remember visiting them when I was very young a long time ago during some of those school excursions.

And further more... to satisfy the curiosity of our very itchy finger children.. the museums are now interactive! More buttons to press. Drawers to open. Videos to watch. Cupboards to open. Places to sit and observe. Things to smell. Contraptions to turn and swish about. Microscopes to peek into... and much more! A full sensory experience! Pretty nifty eh!~

And of course.. whats meeting up with other bloggers without a little CAMLOVIN'? And guess who I bumped into other than Claudia? Its Rachel aka Xtralicious!

So..thats it people.. go and check out the new yesterday.sg website! Go, go go!

How do you LOOK sad?

Last Thursday, I went for a press ad casting which my talent agent set me up for. For one, my agent is really fantastic lah! Very responsive, alot of lobangs and she really puts in her bids to submit & sell her talents as much as she can. While I haven't gotten a job from her talent listing yet, she hasn't failed to continue to submit my portfolio for what she feels might be suitable.

I don't blame her though as I understand its not in her hands to choose the talents for each production/TVC/Press Ad as it boils down to the client. Something good will come one day. She does help by sending me feedback on what the producers/clients have commented on me each time.

So I went for this casting with Lauren who I pulled out right after school and travelled straight to the clients place where I walked in & filled the casting form. It was an interesting experience.

Photographer: "Okay! Lets see Happy!"
Me: (Pose Smile Pose) *click click Oh yeah.. oh...good... click*

Photographer: "Left Profile? Smile! -- Okay... Right Profile? Smile! -- Okay!! Done!"

Photographer: "Okay, great! Now, Lets see Sad!"
Me: "Huh..." Oookay... (think sad..)

Photographer: "Do you want to compose yourself in the mirror?"
(Lauren giggling in the background) -.-'' I walked back after 1 minute of giggling to myself and come back trying to LOOK sad.

I look left and he has the camera in my face.

Photographer: "Okay.. NOW.. SAD."
Me: (Trying to feel EMO)
Lauren: "Mommy! you look stupid"
Me: (Evil Glare at my daughter then back to posing)

Photographer: "Err... Sad... NOT ANGRY"
Me: "Har? Damn! Was that angry? Hhaaha! Maybe I look angry when I'm sad?"
*Bursting out laughing again*

Photographer: "Okay.. try again.. ahh ok.. good! *click click click* We will be taking alot more photographs to get the shot okay?"

After about 5-6 shots, he puts his camera down again and says okay! and I burst out laughing again... WTF lah!! Whats with having the giggles!! They never stop when you want them to!

So thats it for the casting.. done and now waiting for their decision.. and now waiting for my agents casting appointment for an upcoming fastfood TVC if they shortlist me to go down for casting! Whoot! *Fingers crossed* If this TVC comes through.. that would be 2 TVCs down for me this year.. as soon as the OTHER Drink TVC gets filming soon... *filming has been delayed since end last year*

Well anyway, after I left the studio, I really wanted to know roughly HOW I could have looked for "sad" so I took some pictures and I was a little horrified.

Does THAT LOOK SAD TO YOU? No lorrrr!!!!!!! It looks more like... spoilt brat pouting. "Hmmmpfff!!!"

Hai... jialat.. try again next time perhaps if this doesn't go through... then after that was done... Lauren and I had some Mother Daughter time together at Sakae Sushi with the sushi train!

It was not too bad. $18.90++ for Adults and $10.90 for children and comes with unlimited sushi train plates except red plates. Adults have 1 complimentary red plate. Each diner is given a free bowl of seaweed Udon and 2 Mochi Ice-cream packs.

Lauren was thrilled to bits when she saw the sushi train and we totally wacked it once we sat down. She asked... "how many plates must I eat mommy?" I said "as much as you want but try to eat at least ... err.. 10 plates? Wahahahaa! *to make her $10 worth it right?*"

I was kidding but she looked so serious. "10 plates.. 10 plates.." she whispered to herself.. hahaha! I didn't want to stop her so we ate leisurely and then when it was ALL over... the destruction can be seen below...

21 plates. 3 containers of Edamame Peas. 4 packs of Mochi Icecream. 4 cups of water. And 2 bowls of Udon. *faints*

Whoaaa!!! We both ROLLED out of there 2 hours later... *burp!* Unbelievable... the people over there at Sakae Sushi would never believe that it was us who left that table.. Wahhaa!

Blogging in Progress

Its such a pity that this picture came out so blurry but I really like it! I hate my CRAPPY SE phone.. I want a phone that won't go PMSy blurry on me as & when it feels like it!!!! BAH!

I was experimenting with some blue pearl eyeshadow that SILK MINERAL had given me and it turned out a hit! I went to a family gathering over at a Chinatown restaurant and CJ's relatives raved at how pretty it looked. Awwww *blushes*. 2 cheers for Silk Mineral Makeup! :)

And I've recently started using moisturiser.. yeah.. don't go. "har! you mean u never use moisturiser before?".

Well... yeah.. I only use face wash & face scrubs and the occasional face mask. But lately my face has been drying up a little more than usual *must be age & hormones* so I've tried Olay Total Effects and I must say.. my face lately is as soft as a babys' backside... *doiing doiing*. Not bad really for something thats only like $12.50 a bottle.. anyone recommend another moisturiser that is around the same price range but works better?

Anyway.. meanwhile, I've never had so many backlogged posts before!! So DO NOT DISTURB.. more to come plus one of the most image intensive post I've ever had coming right up!

Blogging in Progress....

The Difference 13 years Make!

As the last day of Chinese New Year rolls out and the CNY celebrations come to a close. It has been an interesting year for me so far and I hope it continues to be as exciting and more.

To all those that I have not given you my festive greetings, allow this to be one from me to you right now.

Happy Chinese New Year!

May you be healthy, wealthy and wiser this year

and that love and happiness fill your days always.

For this final CNY post before we call the festivities to an end. I'd like a before & after picture.. yeah! NO.. its not my weightloss before & after picture again! *okay okay.. I can hear the URRGHH... you can heave that sigh of relief... *

This one is a family picture! Taken 13 years ago in 1996.

Whos in it?

(Boy Behind) - Bryan.

(From Left to Right) - Nicolette, Vanessa, Alexandra *my sister*, Samantha, Stacey *baby in arms*, Me with Victoria, Jacqueline *my OTHER sister* and Zachary *other baby in arms*

Here I was about 16-17 years old, the eldest grandchild with my grandmother who still had a headful of black hair back then.

With my sisters and little cousins... *background music playing - reminiscent of days long back.... and then ZZZZZZZZZZZZip!! Into the Future of 2009!! And what do we have!!*

Everyone now AS TALL AS ME.. or EVEN TALLER!! and my grandmother with a head full of silvery grey... :)

Whos in this now?
(From Back Left to Right) - Alex, Me with Mikayla *now youngest cousin in the family*, Zachary, Nicolette, Vanessa, Samantha, Victoria, Stacey and a VERY TALL Bryan.

(From Front Left to Right) - Mama, Eirian, Steffie and Lauren.

Who's missing from this picture? Jacqueline *my OTHER sister* - who lives in the Philippines now.

Oh my.. what a difference.. 13 years make....

New Year! New Hair... What will it be?

Ever since I found out the joys of DIY Home colouring of my hair.... I've had it done twice in the comfort of my home. I'm not too pleased with the current colour as it feels a little dead and makes me feel somewhat old.

I'm proposing a lighter colour in the coming weeks, not too much to a blonde... CJ will KEEEL me if I go blonde but perhaps a much lighter chestnut brown.

I mucked about with this online hair discovery program to see how different styles might look on me and have a couple done up with my picture. Do I look scary as a blonde?! *ponder*

Okay.. I do.. will be hitting the pharmacies to check out some new hair colour soon! *Hiao moment...Hhahaha!*

We Assume Too Much!!

Check out this highly amusing song and then you realise that we really Assume too much! '

Do ya get it? Hahahaha!!

Whats CNY without FOOD & All Things RED!?

Happy CNY Everyone! Chinese New Year has finally come and its initial days moved on. As usual, the first day is LOADED with visiting, eating, giving Ang Pows, receiving Ang Pows and reconnecting with relatives that you MAY or may not get to see only once a year.

I'd like to start off with gracious thanks to Silk Mineral who has very kindly sponsored a very gorgeous range of sparkly mineral make up eyeshadow. I'm using *starlight copper* here. I have previously used Fine Gold HERE. I like sparkly! *ok.. ooops... ditzy moment... moving on...*

We headed off this year comfortably in comfortable tops and jeans. No polyester woven Chinese New Year outfits that are worn once a year this year. Thank God!

Lauren and Eirian with me in the cab....

The hubster, CJ and me colour coordinated with red tops and blue jeans... whoot! And of course, I took a picture with Serene, my sister in law when I met her later that day. *loves both*

First stop of the day... my auntys' house! Very nicely decorated... hungry and looking forward to 2 main items that you'll see here. Oh and the lucky apples are cool eh! There are chinese words on them!! And they're ON THE apple skins.. not pasted on.

How did they do that! They could make branded apples! Or imagine wedding favours w ur names/pictures GROWN on it. U literally have to grow them apples months ahead before your wedding to ensure you have a crop harvested in time for the wedding but SO COOL CAN!

And this is part one of what I was looking forward to! Deep fried yam nian gaos!! *sslluuurpp!!* these are SOOO good! Hows it done? Sandwich the sliced nian gao in between yams/sweet potato. Dip in batter and deep dry and serve crispy, chewy and hot! *drools*

And an assortment of ingredients for DIY pohpiah and pie tie!! *shiok lah!* ... yam cake too... So good lah!

Pineapple tarts and Kuey Lapis! (Layered cake) and a prominent CNY dish. Pen- Cai! Which is a braised dish of alot of expensive ingredients like abalone, prawns, mushrooms, scallops, mushrooms and alot more on top of braised cabbage chap chye mix served in a giant bubbling claypot.. quite visually impressive...

And this crab ball bamboo shoot soup is only made ONCE A YEAR during CNY and every single person in our family LITERALLY looks forward and waits a whole year just to get this and when it comes out! *Wahh!! Wack it!!* I had at least 12 balls. So there's carrot cake, curry chicken and roasted chicken too... so good..

And of course... CNY is extra nice when my sister, Alex is in around to celebrate it together. *hugs*

A highly amusing thing this year though was that MANY relatives on MY SIDE, couldn't recognise me for a while. They greeted me like a stranger ONLY when we first exchanged greetings only to realise once I sat down to speak to them that it was ME! I thought it was strange but highly complimentary lah! "Oh! Its you Pam! My god! Its you!"...

Me: "Uh huh... -.-""

I didn't change THAT MUCH! Last CNY 2008 post can be found HERE! but I suppose they didn't expect me to be even smaller?! And then it was even more hilarious at CJ's relatives home. Even more didn't recognise me.. some thought a stranger tried to gatecrash!... Can't be that CJ remarried SO FAST RIGHT! *pFFFFFffft!* Wahahaha!!... I wonder how they will react NEXT YEAR! We'll see!

And surprises of surprises.. I asked my grandma to take a photo with me and guess what! This was the first shot and then she asked "like that can take meh?" So I showed her that we were perfectly in frame. And she said. "Take again!"... uh huh... oookay... *looks at her suspiciously* and then we took at least another 8 more shots... "again! again!" she said and then a final shot where she was smiling.

So sporting and fun lah!! *big hugs* I'm the eldest grandchild okay! :) My grandma if only blogging was popular back in her days would be a cool blogger chick okay! Wahahaha!

Minutes later, CJ walked into the kitchen and asked "what are u two doing?!".

Me: "CAMWHORING!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

I walked into my uncles' computer area and noticed a frame and squealed. "Ah Gong!!" It was a picture of my grandfather when he was about 22 years old. I miss him so much!! Will visit him at the church one of these days...

After all visiting my family side, we head off to visit 3 more relatives homes from CJ's side and then we all adjourned to Pizza Hut! And stuffed ourselves silly with Lava Crust Pizza *slurps*, Lasagna, Fish Nuggets and icecream! So good lah!!

And we caught Gareth, our nephew with a new "thing" where he trembles on command and its so cute lah!! Check that out! :) So how was your CNY?

Damn Funny Filipino Style Jokes

If you are familiar with the filipino language/accent, you might get these jokes and if you do, you'll find that they're just so damn funny!

The filipino language is beautiful... specially when it's in its purest form: Tagalog. But when we start to combine it with the English language, the use of the letters "P" and 'F" are reversed, we drop the letter "V" and replace it with the letter "B", and end up kind of butchering the words with the accent...

My cousin told us this joke last night and I cannot stop laughing! If you can, read/say this in the closest filipino accent you can to get the joke.

---------------------
3 maids were at the agency waiting to take a test.
The manager said "I'll give you 3 words, use them and form a sentence. The words are Chicken, Nut & Bread."

The first maid said "Yesterday, I went to the market and I bought Chicken Nut Bread"

The manager said "Pass! Next!"

The second maid said "Last night for dinner, I made Chicken Nut Bread"

The manager said "Pass! Next!"

The third maid said "Last night, I went into my maams room and I saw the pillow over her face, Chicken Nut Bread*!"

The manager: "......"

(*She Cannot Breathe) - Get it?

---------------------
I found more online and I got into a laughing fit. Mommy & Alex! I'm sure u're reading all this.. SO DAMN FUNNY okay!

Use UNO, DOSE, TRES in a sentence.
UNO, DOSE TRES are on fire!!! (oh no, those trees)

Use DEDUCT, DEFENSE, DETAIL, and DEFEAT in a sentence.
DEDUCT jumped over DEFENSE, but DETAIL landed before DEFEAT. (the duck jumped over the fence but the tail landed before the feet)

Use DEPOSIT in a sentence.
Please check the bathroom. I think DEPOSIT is leaking. (the faucet)

Use PAMPERS and PAPERS in one sentence.
At the gasoline station, I asked the attendant, "Do I PAMPERS or do I PAPERS?" (pump first, pay first)

Use MASTURBATION is a sentence....
Third world countries suffer from MASTURBATION (mass starvation).

And another one of my favourites...

What are the three prides of the Philippines? Pride pish. Pride chicken. And pride rice. (fried)

Bwuhahahaahahahahaaahaa!!! *holding stomach...* Enjoy!

CNY Reunion Lunch - OMG So Much Food...

Family Reunion Lunch! I was up early at 630am *my MIL was up by 3am to start on the soup!* to help prepare food but many of the ingredients have already been prepped over the past couple of days.

All these dishes all have their CNY significance and we always have them. I'm missing the image of the small steamed bitter good luck fish and Tang Yuan *glutinous rice balls in sugared water filled with peanut or black sesame filling* bc they didn't come out clear but there was so much other food, I practically left the table looking and feeling 6 months pregnant and guess what!

Guess! I fell asleep after all that eating for the next 3 hours after... wahhhh *snort* Urgh...

Then whats reunion dinner without Yu Shang! Self Made.. very yummy and FILLED with salmon. *I don't like salmon but its good luck...*

And steamed fish, chicken, roasted pork, char siew and my mother in laws' special Ngoh Hiang.. aka meat rolls. The usual rolls have water chestnut so I have a separate pack of rolls specially made without them *I'm allergic to waterchestnut if you don't already know* and I get 3 rolls ALL TO MYSELF every year at each meal.. .Bwuhahahahahaha!!! *slurps*

Day 1 of Chinese New Year tomorrow.. alot of snacking to come.. a Luncheon to hit over at the Toh House *looking forward to the fried yam/nian gao fritters*... then travelling all over Singapore to visit, give Ang Pow, receive Ang Pow and devour people's packet drinks and tidbits... *can feel my bodys' heatiness rise just thinking about it...*

Happy New Year again!! :)

And so CNY Begins..

Uncle Robert.. *as seen in the picture here* invited everyone on my side of the family for a reunion dinner this evening... so now CNY finally begins... we all headed down to Viet Lang Vietnamese Restaurant which is located right next to the Arts House at Old Parliament Lane.

Nice cosy place. The food presentation was lovely. The people.. well were... errr... family as usual. Pictures were taken.. kids were playing.. general topics were discussed.. nothing really out of the ordinary....

And yeah.. if our Uncle Robert looks familiar.. you might know him from AIA. Where he runs the Robert Young Agency... wahhaa... ah hah! I imagine some of u now going.. I know that dude! Anywayy..... my top today is compliments of my sweets, Shelly who sent that to me as a suprise christmas pressie! :) Swee bohh... lol!

And how do we go to a family dinner without taking a picture WITH THE DADDY!! wAHAHA.. Yep, thats our dad and my youngest sis, Alex and... so it begins.. Reunion Lunch tomorrow! And Day 1 & 2 to come... *cough - must BAO ang bao liao! Runs off...*

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!