Arts...Travels...Writing

Maldives is one of the most beautiful places I've been to. The few days I'd spent there were some of the best days of my life. I will let the photos speak for themselves:) Sunset at Anchorage Bar, while waiting for the shark feeding What an inviting sight Well-combed road to the village huts This must be sunrise The sharks know exactly when to come for their feeding, without a watch or a bell to remind them Dinner site on Fridays We were too sleepy to see these torches lit up Sundown at the boardwalk Hibiscus abound, in all colors Some variety of coconut trees Too early for the "Occupy Loungers" brigade And here's the leader of them all What refreshing drinks --- not ours... #FullMoonResort #Maldives #Sheraton

Committing some of Taatu’s point-of-views to cyber-memory, before I entirely forget about them. I wish I started recording her comments earlier, but as they say better late than never: On Sleep: Baba: Taatu go to sleep Taatu: I am sleepin’ Baba: Then why are you still talking? Taatu: I am sleep talking *** On Choice of School: Taatu: Mama, when I grow up which college will I go to? Mama: You’ll go to Harvard anak (Hopefully the one in Boston, not the one in Laguna) Taatu: Does Harvard have a playground? Mama: Good question, that’s a very important criterion! *** On Work-Life Balance After a tiring day, Mama: I am stressed out from running around all day Taatu: Then don’t run. Just walk, walk, walk *** Taatu: What’s the point of you coming home early if you anyway talk to your office Baba? *** Malls and Window Shopping Taatu: Mama I want to go to Tanglin Mall Mama: Give me 5 reasons why you want to go to Tanglin Mall Taatu: 1.  ...

I  don't agree that Steve Jobs was as great as Michelangelo, as some people tend to compare. There are similarities for sure, but there are also some differences. Both were said to be very dedicated, both were meticulous, both were very focused. Both produced great art.  But Steve Jobs was also more than just a great artist (not your traditional definition of artist anyway). While Michelangelo changed the Sistine Chapel (which of course was also a great achievement in itself), Steve Jobs changed far more than that, he changed the world and our worldview. He touched many lives and generations with his great products and innovations. His impact is far bigger and wider with the iPhone alone selling more than 90 million units to date, his iPad being a big game-changer, creating a category all its own. He changed the way we consume music, and so much more. He was the world's No.1 CEO, growing Apple by so many folds since he returned to the company, after an 11-year absence du...

Today I am remembering our trip to India in 2010, when we traveled to Shimla. This place has been featured in several Bollywood movies I suppose, and more recently it was shown in the movie the "Three Idiots". Temple atop Chail I wrote about this trip in this year's Expat Travel and Living Guide, and you can read more about it in the link below: http://www.expatliving.sg/currentissue/flipbook/2011/04TG11/index.html I thought I'd share more photos, at least some of my favorites from this trip :-) Pardon the lay out, I am still trying to find my way around here. flowers at night View from the Chail Temple The Town Hall Sunset Snowcapped Tibetan Peak in the Background All the horses The Ridge the oldest Catholic Church this side of India our furry friend

I just came back from Manila yesterday to attend my cousin Claire's wedding - one of the best weddings I have attended so far. It was a whirlwind trip, and perhaps it is partly because it was so bitin that I got reminded of the many lovely things I miss from Philippines. The top 5 things are: 1. Excellent customer service, I think its people is the biggest advantage of the Philippines: their warm nature and great intuition, are the perfect ingredients for great customer service. My most recent experience of great customer service was at David's salon at Podium where I had to rush to have my hair and make-up done for the wedding. Pressed for time, I explained my predicament to the stylist who immediately came up with a solution, I.e., to ask another stylist to do my hair while she does the make up. Hence, we saved at least 30 minutes with this simultaneous, instead of sequential, approach. I was also impressed by Discovery Suites' manner of attending to my requests. I t...

I was mesmerized by the beauty of it all. There was no gimmick, no empty promises nor other diversions typical of the more modern day acts or Internet-age personalities. What was on-stage tonight was sheer talent and versatility. When Dolores of The Cranberries took the stage at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the audience did not need any gaga-esque production numbers. All they needed was the soul, the wailing, the jumping around, and yes the requisite head banging when chanting "in your head!" It's been 20 years since I first heard of The Cranberries, and yet Dolores O'riordan still looks as energetic as she did in the early 90s. There was no intermission throughout the concert. And to think she was jumping around in some of her numbers. Now seeing this huge talent before me tonight, I am suddenly all nostalgic of the beautiful bands and duos of the 80s and 90s. At least then, musicians and artists had legitimate talents and creativity. Unlike the "stars"...