[ s e e n + h e a r d ] A Sneak Peak of Bibap!

As most of you may know, I am into all things Hally Wave. Last February 19, a couple of my friends and I caught a sneak preview of bibap – a mix of singing, beatboxing, acrobatics and dancing  as eight chefs battle it out in the kitchen. That day it was the Red Chef and the Green Chef who battled it out for the Best Bibimbap!

Definitely loved the energy that the performers had, I think I held my breath for long periods of time during the short performance.

Judging by what we saw that Sunday – the actual performance at the Esplanade from March 30 will be a blast! If you’re looking for something a little bit different – an entertaining and informative show then catch bibap at the  from March 30 to April 01, tickets are available through SISTIC.

[ m a i l * l o v e ] Loverly Japan

Yesterday I was so happy when the Tokyo Guide Zine I bought from Janesse Rojas‘ shop  Usagi Por Moi. I love everything about the zine ~ the smooth magazine paper texture, the lovely photos, the carefully written descriptions, it is a work of art.

Aside from the zine, Janesse also included mini photos and postcards of her own artwork. She is such a wonderful and talented lady and I feel so happy to receive this at the start of this week!

Do head on out to check her blogs here and here.

[ s e e n + h e a r d ] Girl Talk!

Last Friday, I was feeling a little bit down and needed to unwind, I thought that I was in need of “girl talk”  so I dropped by at  Raffles Hotel to catch Girl Talk. It’s amazing how you can literally find what you’re looking for well…literally.

This is not your average female bonding feel-good musical. It opens with the cast – eccentric Barbara (Tina Jensen), “Ms. Perfect” Janice (Sonya Carter) and the feisty Latina sex therapist Dr. Laura (Priscilla Fernandez) getting us up to our feet while they sing and dance to Let’s Get Loud (yes, that Jennifer Lopez song).

The ladies are the DJs for Girl Talk – a radio show ten years in the running. The musical focuses on the last show for Girl Talk! From biological changes, relationships, sex, cosmetic surgery and unwanted facial hair there were definitely a lot of laughs as there wasn’t any taboo subject at all. It reminded me of my Mum and her friends’ conversations no subject was sacred – bodily fluids, sexual practices and neuroses were all laid out.

Loved the musical numbers too – Macarena, Let’s Get Loud, Before He Cheats, I’m Outta Love and I’m So Excited to name a few. Dr. Laura was a scene stealer the moment she came on stage, and it was hard for me to take my eyes off her because her body language and facial expressions are so hilarious.

It’s not an exaggeration if I were to say that everyone and their mums should come and watch! If you are a woman – in whatever phase of your life you may be in you will find yourself laughing out loud, nodding your head in agreement and getting up to your feet to do a little jig. These lovely ladies will make you feel like they’re your long-time BFFs.

After the show, we took the chance to take pictures with these lovely, quirky ladies!

[ r e f l e c t i o n ] FAITH in 2011

This is the final part of my Words for 2011, the first word was FOCUS, then there was FANGIRL and now I want to talk about FAITH.

You didn’t raise me to abandon me now
You hear my heart as I let out a shout

- Nikki Fletcher

Last year I’ve been blessed more than I could ask, think or imagine. There were countless of surreal moments that happened last year, and I would only hope and pray that this year will be even more breathtaking and fun as 2011, but with the lesser drama.

The start of the year I experienced a lot of things that threw me into an emotionally charged roller coaster ride. I am glad that through prayers and help from dear friends I was able to weather the storms that passed through my life.

To live without any spiritual guidance or spiritual connection is unfathomable to me. Having faith, hope and love are the essential elements to enjoy life and to be resilient when things do not go as planned.

I hope that my faith and relationship with God will grow stronger. That I will always remember who He is to me and not just what He has done for me.

[ f o o d i e ] A Fruity Paradise

Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.
~Erma Bombeck

[ r e f l e c t i o n ] FANGIRL in 2011

“Never underestimate a girl’s love for her favorite band. Never think even for a minute, that she won’t defend them to her death. Because it’s not just the music that makes that band her favorite. It’s the guys, the gals. It’s the fans. People whom of which she has interacted with thanks to the band. That band might of saved her life, or just made her smile everyday. That band has never broke her heart and has yet to leave her. No wonder she finds such joy in her music.”

-Alexander William Gaskarth

There is one thought that encourages me and scares me at the same time:

I WILL ALWAYS BE A FANGIRL.

Even when I was younger I already exhibited fangirl tendencies, and it’s not just limited to my favourite boy groups (Backstreet Boys, N’ Sync, Westlife, A1, 98°, Boyzone anyone?).

I have fangirled on TV shows like HOUSE and CSI,and  Broadway Musicals like WICKED and Legally Blonde.

When I become a fan of an author I try to read as much as I can about them and also finish reading their complete works – authors like Jane Austen, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Banana Yoshimoto and Haruki Murakami.

The past year was about me embracing my fangirl side. There were a lot of times in the past when I had to restrain myself from exhibiting too much adoration for an author, a TV show or a musical group. Especially when it comes to Hallyu Wave related groups or shows or celebrities. There’s always the stigma and stereotype that comes along with being a K-pop fangirl: hyena-like screaming, peppering their conversations with random Korean words, listening to songs they don’t understand, and the list goes on…but most especially that a fangirl has NO LIFE.

I am not writing a defense on behalf of fangirls, but what I realized was that being a fangirl actually opened up a lot of opportunities for me this year. I was able to meet one of my literary idols, F. Sionil Jose because I volunteered for Singapore Writers Festival. I made a lot of friends not only from Singapore but also from different parts of the world because of the fandoms I am in. More recently, I was able to have the “press pass” experience for the Singapore promotions of a K-pop group (Block B) that I support. During their showcase at St. James, I was climbing ledges, bar stools and walls just to get that perfect shot. And by having that press pass, I was able to meet face to face with one of the Korean producers I admire – I don’t really dream big but this was a super awesome experience for me.

Being a fangirl has in some ways pushed me to be more creative – I have the chance to practice photography and even image editing, I am inspired to write more and create more stuff seeing how productive other people are. Through the inspiring stories that these people have I draw strength in pursuing my own dreams.

Because it’s not just a book, not just a song, not just a film, not just a performance  – no matter what media they use the message uplifts me, encourages me and challenges me to be a more creative person.

[ s e e n + h e a r d ] Public Garden Saturday

Hello! I know it has been awhile since I last blogged, I was really super busy lately. I hope to resume my regular blogging schedule for the next months of the year.

Last Saturday I dropped by at the Goodman Arts Centre for the first Public Garden flea of 2012. To be honest I was there mainly for the wonderful baked goodies from { S A D I E  R O S E } , here I am with Sarah! Her cookie mustache is adorable! My friend and I bought Earl Grey and Lemon muffins, slices of Banana Maple cake (I hope I got the name right), Red Velvet cake and Chocolate cake and a Caramel cupcake. We were so tempted to sample everything on the table but our waistlines were begging us for some reprieve with all the rich goodies!

I should have taken a picture of the cakes but I had no time – once it came out of the box it vanished straight to our tummies – but here’s the Earl Grey Lemon muffin. I think it was a muffin – can you tell that I have zero idea on how to tell  baked goodies apart? I only know one thing – everything from Sadie Rose is delicious!

Here I am with the lovely Sandy of the Cookie Cutter blog, she is one of the prettiest and nicest person I’ve met on the web. She also inspires me with her well-written posts over on her blog about her travels and also the quirky items she produces! So glad to chat with her for a bit! She also writes her own zine, and I am a proud of owner of both of her releases .

With the little time I had I managed to buy my staple flea market must-buys  – PAPER GOODS! The LetterBox Project will be resurrected soon so I bought some awesome cards from Ong Hwee Yen:

This gorgeous notebook was from Kariton by 1372 Designs. This is made of kraft paper I think and I was pleased with the concept they had – recycling to create paper products. I love the hand-drawn print on this notebook and in keeping with the nature theme of the cards above I chose the one with the tree on the cover.

Though I spent a short time at Public Garden, it was a wonderful Saturday for me to have met these women who inspire me to pursue a creative life and to also to get to know some of the incredibly talented makers in Singapore. Really can’t wait for the next Public Garden flea!