Cheese Building?

Today, while passing by this building, I looked up!

Hey, look at all the holes there! Looks like a big block of cheese? The occupants must all be Mickey Mouse? haha...





I am no engineer, so I don't know why the holes are there. Maybe someone can tell me. :-)

Cicada or Cricket?

A sign telling us that the sound we hear in the Nature Reserve is not from the Cricket but the Cicada. I find this informative, as I think I am quite ignorant.



This was in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. So, if you hear the sounds of crickets and cicadas, are you able to tell the difference between the two?

Fire Drill

We had a fire drill today at work. Fire drills are suppose to be impromptu, but some of us knew what time it will be because we heard the person in charge of the pantry proudly proclaiming and talking about it. Haha...



Anyway, this was what the fire warden wore on their shoulders to identify themselves as wardens.
(I blocked off the workplace name. haha....)

When was the last time you participated in a fire drill?

My window's being cleaned from up high...

Yesterday, I posted about the abseiling cleaners from the outside of the building. Well, a few hours later, they appeared in front of my office window!

I felt like a fish in an aquarium. With the water being sprayed on the windows too. haha..



Well, they did a good job and I rewarded them. I think I was mad. I opened the latch on the window and pass them each a pack of ice cold milo. They were happy and they said they saw me take their photos and gave a big smile.


OK, when was the last time you cleaned your own house's window? haha...

Abseiling & Cleaning...

Was back from lunch today and I saw this. No, they are not commandos trying to save a damsel in distress or trying to snipe some terrorist in a building. They are this group of workers from a cleaning company that is cleaning the facade of a building.



Yes, they are enjoying every moment of it. You should watch them. Swinging around and spraying water at each other too! Yes, we can hear them sing too! These people must really love their work!

Do you love your current work as much as these guys? :-)

Haze is back..

Today is Sunday and this was taken on Sunday afternoon in Singapore. It seems that the haze is back in Singapore and it's earlier than usual.

This is taken at 5PM plus. When usually it is much brighter and clear.



Farmers at neighbouring Indonesian island of Sumatra are at it again. Sigh...
I have taken out my Sharp Plasmacluster Air Filter from storage and using it. haha...

Sultan Mosque

This was taken exactly 1 week ago. Last week after going out for dinner to celebrate friend's birthday, we went over to Kampung Glam (sounds glam eh, the name? haha) to a cafe where we could have some drinks and chat.



This mosque is in the area, and it is one of the landmark in this area. Even at night, it looks so beautiful.

You can visit this mosque if you visit Singapore. Just click here to read more about it at the Tourism Website or if you prefer, the wikipedia version.

Insead Asia Campus

There are many famous business schools in the world. Many have set up campuses in Singapore. University of Chicago Graduate Business School has an Asia Campus. Insead also has an Asia Campus.

I posted this photo because I just got reminded by yesterday's comments that someone who is associated with Insead is visiting! haha... Welcome to Singapore.



Other very good business schools in Singapore are the NUS Business School and Nanyang Business School. The new kid on the block, Lee Kong Chian School of Business.


If given a change to choose for an MBA from all of the above mentioned, which will be your choice?

Red Dot Design Museum @ Red Dot Traffic

How red can a building get? This red!

It sure is eye catching! What is it? It is a building called Red Dot Traffic.



That building hosts the Red Dot Design Museum.



Want to read more about the museum? Go to http://www.red-dot.sg/concept/museum/main_page.htm

When was the last time you went to a museum and which museum was it?

Valentine in the Sky by the RSAF Black Knights

Asia's largest aerospace and defence event called Singapore Airshow 2008 is being held in Singapore these few days.

I have a colleague who is an super duper airplane lover, especially fighter jets.
He is on leave these few days so that he can be at the Airshow!

This is a photo that he sent to update us. A big heart in the sky by the fighter jets.
I think it is from the RSAF Black Knights. (reading it from his blog)



Beautiful isn't it? You can read more about the airshow at: http://www.singaporeairshow.com.sg

Singapore's version of Beijing's Olympic Water Cube

I think I was reading the newspaper or magazine about the Beijing Olympic's National Aquatics Centre open for testing or something. It's also known as the Water Cube.

Guess what, I was walking to dinner earlier tonite and saw this. I thought of the Water Cube. haha..



This is just many buildings around Singapore that are wrapped up, so the demolition can proceed hidden inside. I was surprised that this one is wrapped so nicely! It's blue too which reminded me of the water cube. haha... (or is the building just covered for exterior renovation)

The DHL Balloon at night.

This used to be one popular way to get to see the Singapore from high up. The DHL Balloon gives you a 7-10 minute trip up in the sky.

This photo was capture 2 nites ago when the balloon's on the ground.



But it is going to be dethroned soon. Everyone's getting excited as the Singapore Flyer goes live on 1 March 2008.

Hmmm I have not taken a ride up before. I wonder... If there's going be discount since there's now competition :-)

Closer look at Egret at NUS.

Normally the Egret would fly away rather quickly when humans go near them. But I think this bird's a poser. He posed for me. haha...



If you are wondering where this photo was taken? This bird lives in the grass patches at the National University of Singapore.

You get to see many of them around. It looks like it can't fly eh? But they do fly and fly very gracefully too.

If you want to hear many types of birds chirping, many species of birds can be spotted along the big trees along the buildings between Yusof Ishak House and University Hall. Their sharp eye and ears can spot and hear the different chirps of the birds.

Egret

After lunch one day, collegues and I saw this bird feeling kinda lonely.

It was hunting for food. No, we were good, we did not try to feed it any human food. We left it to look for its own food.



Colleague who is a nature lover said, that's an Egret. If you do an online search I think you can find that it looks most similar to Intermediate Egret.

slow and steady. the spider weaves a huge web!

While hiking at Bukit Timah Hill the other day, a few of us looked up and saw this.

Up up up high up, the sun was shining through this empty space between the tall trees and we could see the huge web! The spider's on it too!



The spider looks scary huh? With its reddish yellowish or is it orangish colour.
Singapore's not a concrete jungle. There's a real jungle out there.

If you are from Singapore and always wanted to cycle in Pulau Ubin, visit the Pedal Ubin site at the Raffles Musuem website. They organize regular cycling rides and the next ride is on 1st March 2008.

Lion Dance performed for us just before lunch.

Yesterday, at my workplace, we had our annual lunch, always on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year. (The 7th day is suppose to signify Man's Day, ie all our Birthday)



Just before lunch, the Lion Dance was performed. It was so loud and boisterous. After the left, lunch started. (yey!)


Oh, just look at them, each lion had 2 men performing. To get that high up, one person is standing on the other person's thigh. The person that has the guy standing on his thigh is also carry the other person. They must be really strong.

The real Macbook Air on my table.

A colleague was so excited that he finally got his MacBook Air (MBA) that he placed an order for on the day it was announced.

He brought it into my office and placed it on my desk. "Ta Da". I lay my fingers on it with a hint of covetedness. It was light! Thin! But after a while, hey, it just like the iMac I have at home wat, only mine's sitting on the table. Sounds sour grapesy? LOL...


My fingers went to work again, picking up my camera and begin to snapped away, here are some photos of it. (Sorry, I know all the Daily Photo bloggers are suppose to post 1 photo a day, but here's many more of it. haha....)

The MacBook Air.



The machine that can fit into a manila envelope!



See how thin it is...
(yes, that's the Cisco IP Phone that you see on most movies behind.)



A short similar to what another colleague posted on his blog.
(also from my table. haha..)



The new and improved touch pad.



The keyboard that my colleague said made him purchase the MBA.



Why? because when it's dark, you can see that it is a back litted keyboard.



Some people complained that there's only 1 USB, but that's no problem for him.



As in most apple hardware, you see the words: Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.



The magsafe plug



So, you getting one too?
My colleague, known as Wire has many interesting reads on his blog. You can read what made him order the MBA too. haha..

How to 'chope' seats in Food Courts legally.

What is this photo about? It is a wooden token used to 'reserve' or in local slang 'chope' a seat in eating places in Singapore.

This is a token used at a new Food Court / Restaurant in Singapore that serves all food Japanese. It is called Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar. There is also a RFID card that is used for ordering food. At the end of your meal when you exit, present the card to the cashier and you will be billed accordingly.



This token thingy is used at a upmarket Food Court. At other places, people in Singapore 'chope' seats using small little tissue packs or newspaper. haha..


If you want to see the food photos me and my colleague ate, hop on to the food blog. :-) Oh yes, do you reserve seats and what do you use to reserve your seats at eating places?

Lunar New Year Dinner

What are most Chinese in Singapore doing the last few days?
Eat and eat and eat!

The 15 days celebration of the Lunar New Year, people will be eating tidbits, having meals with families, visiting relatives etc...

Here's one of our many family dinners.



Want to see close up of the food? haha.. Then click here.

Bukit Timah Peak

To those lazy ones, to save you climbing the hill to see this.
Here it is...



If you want, you can super impose your own photo on it. haha...
I think I am a bit off up there today. I seem to be talking rubbish.

Steep Slope.

"Steep Slope. Do not run." says the sign. Actually walking down the slope was already difficult enough without falling over.



This is a warning sign at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Ants @ Bukit Timah Hill

It's great to be close to nature and admire the great creation. I saw ants crawling so so so fast on the wooden fence at the Bukit Timah Hill.



Ants are always so busy. Reminds me of many people and also of myself at certain time of the year. Are you addicted to 'rushing'? haha.. I really think some people are really addicted to it!

Wishing all a very Happy Lunar New Year

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Wishing all Chinese, Vietnamese, and other people groups in the world that celebrate the Lunar New Year a very Blessed and Prosperous New Year.



The picture is a street vendor in Chinatown that is selling decorations. The man is selling poetic wordings or greetings for the new year in Chinese calligraphy.

your very own Chinese Name Seals...

A man making the traditional name seals. It's your name in the Chinese Characters engraved on stone. This guy is making them at the Chinatown Night Bazaar.



I had one of these made when I was a little kid. I thought it was fun. Anyone out there also have your own name seal? ;-)

It sure is crowded...

Quick short post today. Scene at Chinatown Singapore these few days.



Chinese households around the world are all busy doing the big clean up. Everything must be 'spring cleaned' in time for the Lunar New Year. OK, back to cleaning....

Whispering Sweet Nothings...

Just before the Lunar New Year, everyone will be stocking up lots of goodies for friends and relatives who visit for the festivities.

Seen here, LOTS and LOTS of sweets being sold at the Night Bazaar at Chinatown.



Why do people eat sweet things during the Lunar New Year? Well, it's so that every word that will be spoken will be sweet! Just like lovers whispering sweet nothings. LOL.

Mickey Mouse loves Chinatown...

I was not joking when I mentioned that it is a Mickey Mouse in yesterday's post.

See, I think they must have paid a fair bit to pay for the licensing to use its characters ya. See Mickey Mouse is doing the lion dance!



Any Mickey fans out there? If not Mickey, any Disney fans? :-)
Few more days to the Lunar New Year! woo hoo!

It's a Mickey Mouse Light Up @ Chinatown

Look at the lights. They are all very mickey mouse.
I think two of my colleagues who are Mickey Fans must be loving this year's light up.



What's the theme of the light up in your Chinatown (if there's a theme)?

February Theme: When People Think of My City (Singapore) ...

It's the 1st of the month again! That means it is Theme Day for the Daily Photo bloggers round the world. This month's theme is: When People Think Of My City ....

What comes to your mind when you think of Singapore?

This collage is made up of certain pictures that is unique to Singapore.



Left: The Communications Tower at Changi Airport, home to Singapore Airlines.

Top Right: Merlion, one of the icons used to represent Singapore, widely used in tourism brochures. In the background, one of the most iconic Arts Theatre in Singapore. Hidden behind the merlion, the tallest hotel in Singapore.

Centre: The Singapore Flyer, opening this month! A ride on it gives you a bird's eye view of Singapore and also neighbouring countries!

Bottom Left: Food! Chilli Crabs is one of the food creation that originates from Singapore. This is not the chilli version, but the famous "Crab Bee Hoon" also very popular here. Foodies will love Singapore for the round the clock eating!

Bottom Right: Students in this region and also round the world, covet a place at the National University of Singapore (NUS). You find the finest brains teaching, researching, working and studying here. Not only a brainiac place, but also a place of sports excellence and an arts hub!


Other than those mentioned above, when Singapore is mentioned, what comes to your mind? Do you know it's also one of the busiest financial centre in the world?

Want to find out what people think of their cities? Join my friends from around the world who are participating in this Theme Day. Due to different time-zones, some photos might appear at a later time.

Portland (OR), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Memphis (Tennessee), USA - Manila, Philippines - San Diego (CA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - New York City (NY), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - San Francisco (CA), USA - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - Mainz, Germany - Weston (FL), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Turin, Italy - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Bicheno, Australia - Durban, South Africa - Joplin (MO), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Brussels, Belgium - Chicago (IL), USA - Montpellier, France - Seattle (WA), USA - Mazatlan, Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Toulouse, France - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Susanville (CA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Helsinki, Finland - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Lisbon, Portugal - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Trujillo, Peru - Dunedin (FL), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - London, UK - Baziège, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mumbai, India - Naples (FL), USA - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Setúbal, Portugal - Stayton (OR), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Arradon, France - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Athens, Greece - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Jackson (MS), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Budapest, Hungary - Rotterdam, Netherlands - St Malo, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Cleveland (OH), USA - Nottingham, UK - Kansas City (MO), USA - The Hague, Netherlands - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Wrocław, Poland - Chateaubriant, France - Cheltenham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Monrovia (CA), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Toruń, Poland - Grenoble, France - Lisbon, Portugal - New Orleans (LA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Boston (MA), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Wichita (KS), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Christchurch, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Wailea (HI), USA - Aliso Viejo (CA), USA - St Francis, South Africa - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Seattle (WA), USA - Pasadena (CA), USA - Vienna, Austria - Orlando (FL), USA - Torun, Poland - Delta (CO), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Paris, France - Stavanger, Norway - Niamey, Niger - Le Guilvinec, France - Bogor, Indonesia - Saarbrücken, Germany - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Juneau (AK), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Glasgow, Scotland - Chicago (IL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Sydney, Australia - Riga, Latvia - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Terrell (TX), USA - Terrell (TX), USA

Have a wonderful February!