Mini-stories on Uncertainty

Darkly humourous and at times painfully honest stories with accompanied illustrations by Maira Kalman.

Best accompanied with a bitter chocolate drink and a sarcastic remark that rolled off the tongue earlier.

via Oh Joy!

"New Water" coming your way in 2010

China soon to have its very own "New Water". Hopefully this will relieve its partial water scarcity problem in the North; that even fueled debates to have the capital shifted out from Beijing because it is often drought hit and deemed unsuitable to have any large scale activities requiring large amounts of water e.g. Olympics

Still bugs me till no end that colleages in Shanghai keep the tap flowing when they soap or wash their cups. Grrrrrrr!


Via Treehugger

Ever wonder what quiet fuschia sounds like?

Gap knows what it sounds like.

As part of their online marketing , they are going to feature budding musicians on their website. These musicians' songs envelopes your senses and allows the users to swim in the colour. The website features an MTV of each colour and songs are downloadable for a month (from 15 February onwards).

My impression of GAP has always been classic and clean, clear colours; never so vibrant. This is a clever way of connecting with youths (through musicians) and providing an additional sensory dimension to colour which strengthens their proposition for spring and summer line. It also gives some interesting random colour facts, to help you in any case you want to wear only one colour for the following year.




Via PSFK

How to be happy at work

My favourite has to be No. 13:

I recognize happiness at work also comes from the time I don't spend at work.

More at ChangeThis

I have a confession to make.




I am a fake! I totally mixed up the meaning of 汤圆 tang yuan! And I was feeling so smug about myself for knowing the meaning!! *hangs head in shame

Glutinous rice balls known as Tang Yuan are cooked and eaten to signify unity and harmony within the family.

At least, I got that part right!

Would not have discovered today was 元宵 (yuan xiao, last day of chinese new year) till my colleagues started leaving early. I used to take this day for granted even when my mother would give me tang yuan (or was that on dong zhi? hmmmm)

And so I went to the supermarket to buy nostalgia with my favourite peanut filling in a plastic wrapper.

Something familiar?

Doesn't this light look like something awfully familiar which we find in Singapore?








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This light above is modeled after the ever-present hawker centre staple - dabao cup! By Singapore designer Larry Peh

Via Soon Lee

Hotel Azucar

Hotel Azucar, you can check in anytime you like, but you may never leave!

The website is sweet and happy as candy, probably mirroring the stay there.
Love the mixed tones - using earthy modern photos, vintage colour and background. Where ants give a authentic, it'll-never-be-too modern message to San Rafael, Mexico. They give me such a relaxed feeling, like I'm meant to go there and do nothing but enjoy the colours and envy the slow pace in which these ants move.

via fortysixthatgrace

Vege price hike alert

Before anyone says I have plunged into the depths of auntie-hood, I have not.

The story goes that in my bid to eat healthily, I went to get myself some vege at the local supermarket which usually gives me a 'buy 1, get 1 free deal'. Today when I asked her about it, she replied in a regretful tone 'You know, vege prices have all risen. If there was a promotion, I would have told you already'. Now that I recall, long beans and some other vege were inflated by 2-3RMB.

To be honest, I don't really feel the pinch, but I was shocked by the news. Although I had read about the vege price hike due to the recent snowstorm; it does not get any more real than this. Imagine this adding on to food transport woes.

Japan is not spared my the recent cold in the atmosphere as well (Shanghai is just 2 hours away).

Fireworks close enough to touch

This is what I like best about CNY in Shanghai, people playing with fireworks and seeing them burst out like diamonds falling from the sky! Just closer, and I would be able to catch one falling.

Chua Ek Kay's Reflections of Singapore River

He's always been one of my favourite artists, just a day before he died (8 feb 2008); I was at clarke quay mrt and even before I knew who drew it, was fascinated by it.

Highlight of my trip

Before my Singapore CNY trip is over, I have already decided the highlight is being able to play with my niece and nephew.

初一 is still the same with my aunts and sis coming over, I don't talk much, but just seeing them together chatting daily affairs reminds me very much that we are closely bonded - At least in our family, the mundane conversation means we speak to each other very often.

Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

I'm glad I get to celebrate new beginnings two times a year

First visitor for Chinese New Year

Edit: Pigeon died, sigh.

A pigeon is now resting in the corner of the kitchen in my parent's house, it is a little hurt as he's sitting kind of lopsided. We are feeding him water, some raw rice and lettuce.

I found him on the walkway outside our house and was pleasantly surprised it allowed me to carry it in with little resistance. But I was more taken aback at my dad who would usually complain about all my pets, I actually had to confirm three times that he agreed to carry the pigeon in to let it heal.

Love and healing to start Chinese New Year, good omens.