A poem for poets

I miss writing poetry. And reading poetry.
I miss being read poetry in bed.
Or being given a poem.
Poetry is dying. And that seems so sad.

So I'm gonna give it a go... 

I feel somewhat down,
I feel a little blue,
I feel like I've lost something precious,
Something comforting I found in you.

I don't know where it's gone,
And I don't know what that means,
I can't help but feel disillusioned and caught up in my dreams.

I want to bring it back,
And show the world what I see so clear.
But it's hard to shine a light on all that darkness and fear.

These days it seems hard to believe in the good and the kind.
And we waste our energy on trivial things that take up all our time.

So simply put here, today...
is a tiny salute to poets then and now.
And poetry for human kind , always and anyhow.

C

Fooling someone...

"I've never fooled anyone.
I've let people fool themselves.
They didn't bother to find out who and what I was.
Instead they would invent a character for me.
I wouldn't argue with them.
They were obviously loving somebody I wasn't."
— Marilyn Monroe

SUpermoon

Here's a snippet of an incredibly interesting post I found.

The takeaway
I first heard about a possible connection between a supermoon and earthly disasters from a website called Psychic Connection.
It predicted “severe weather patterns, increased seismic activity, tsunamis and more volcanic eruptions than normal.”
In my 40 years of writing about the sky, I’ve never heard of a connection between full moons and severe weather. Can’t comment on that one.
There are mentions in the scientific literature of a possible connection between full moons and geologic activity.
The moon does indeed cause tides in the solid body of Earth, just as it causes ocean tides.
So it’s logical to assume an especially close full moon might cause geologic activity to increase,
and occasionally I’ve seen random (dare I say “fringe?”) studies suggesting this connection.
In reality, is the connection between the moon and geologic activity a strong one?
I’ve never seen a study showing a striking pattern between close full moons and increased geologic activity.
Will the March 19, 2011 full moon
--which coincides with the moon’s closest point to Earth--
bring more earthquakes and tsunamis? Will it cause volcanic eruptions?
Let me ask another question first.
Why, I wonder, do people want to believe in unfounded predictions for disasters?
The moon’s distance from Earth is changing continually.
The full moon on March 19 will be a close one,
but there’s no scientific evidence it will cause any of those events.
The March 11 moon does not prove the supermoon-earthquake theory.
In fact, it disproves it. Plus we know of closer full moons than the March 19 moon that did no harm.
Will the March 19, 2011 close full moon cause floods?
Yes, that’s different. Now we’re on more solid ground.
Close full moons do cause maximum tidal ranges.
So if a storm moves into a coastline on the day a full moon is closest,
it can cause flooding along that coast.
If you live along a coast, and a storm is heading your way on or around March 19...
expect possible flooding and take precautions.
I don’t believe science knows everything. Clearly, it doesn’t.
But we live in a complicated world, a world that features gobs of misinformation flying willy-nilly on the Interwebs, terrifying people at every turn.
So – I believe – it’s important to separate fact from fiction.
The March 19, 2011 supermoon is interesting, but it’s no reason to think that more earthly disasters are looming on the near horizon.
Better to focus instead on what’s really important now--looking to the reality of the March 11, 2011 8.9-magnitude earthquake in Japan and subsequent tsunami in the Pacific--and responding with our hopes, prayers and support.

To read more, go to
http://www.fastcompany.com/1737710/the-supermoon-and-japans-89-magnitude-earthquake

Happy Moon Gazing tonight.

Getting into the Habit

The Organic habit, that is.
Now if you really want to get down, to the nitty gritty (pun totally intended) of food these days,
there's only one way I would recommend.
Read the book "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safron Foer
 http://www.eatinganimals.com/


He gives us the A-Z, literally (pun intended again) with this book on our consumption habits
and how we are destroying our planets, our guts and our future with our detachment and ignorance.
He urges us to stop looking the other way and addresses issues we've been too cowardly to confront.



Anyway since reading the book and being pescetarian for 8 years now,
I wanted to make more of an effort to be Eco-conscious
and to eat organic whenever I can.


So here is a lists of a few organic food suppliers in Singapore that do home deliveries. :)
(Courtesy of www.organicfood.sg)

GreenCircle Eco-Farm
This biodynamic organic vegetable farm offers vegetables such as 

kangkong, caixin, pumpkin and endive.
To order:
Telephone : 6861 9286Email : NA
URL: www.greencircle.com.sg

Nature's Glory
Offers more than 150 types of organic vegetables and fruits.
Customers are free to choose what they want for delivery.
To order:
Telephone : NA  Email : NA
URL: www.natures-glory.com


Organic Himalayan
Organic vegetables and fruits are flown from Nepal every fortnight. 
Customers pick what they want from a list in an email sent to members  every two weeks.
To order:
Telephone : Na  Email : cynthiahoefer@mac.com
URL: NA


Sunny Choice
Offers a wide range of organic vegetables from abroad and local farms. 
Sunny Choice has a cafe serving organic meals and ice cream.
To order:
Telephone : 6892 2383  Email : NA
URL: NA


SuperNature
Offers five types of fruit and vegetable boxes containing pre-selected items for different dietary needs. Each box contains nine to twelve types of fruits and vegetables based on seasonal availability.
To order:
Telephone : 6304 1338  Email : NA
URL: www.supernature.com.sg

Bunalun
Offers a variety of 18 Asian or European vegetables and fruits. 

Their "Family Box Set" will be able to last a family of two or four for a week.
To Order:
Telephone : 6479 2598 (Tel), 6491 6566 (Fax)  
Email : service@bunalun.com
URL: www.bunalun.com.sg

Fire Flies Health Farm
Grown in the organic farm in Lim Chu Kang, they offer a wide range of fruits and vegetables.
Delivery schedules are made to accomodate individual requests.
To order:
Telephone : 6793 7875 (Tel), 6794 6908 (Fax)Email : info@fireflies.sg
URL: www.fireflies.sg


Have an orgasmic, oops I meant Organic week. :)

Christina Aguilera - You Lost Me

I've always loved Christina.... even through her 'dirty' days.
I've always appreciated the power of her pipes.
And I think she is a blond bombshell. Mother and all. :)

Her performance in Burlesque was really quite memorable and
now she's done this song "You Lost me" which I love.

Music says everything.....

So I had to post this video on my blog because I love it so much.
It makes me smile, even when I am sad inside.

And this week, I have been treated to INCREDIBLE music.
It was Faithless at Fort Canning on Tuesday
which I think is the best concert
I've seen since the Prodigy 2 years ago.
Then Andy Fletcher on decks last night at Kudeta for the Dope party
plus a bonus when Brian Tiong and Mark Lee hit the decks at the restaurant sky deck bar.

And tonight, I am on my couch, watching the Grammy's on Star World HD.

Totally blessed.
So now turn up the volume, open your mind and enjoy this awesome video.

Feel good staying home.

I spent last weekend at home.
I must admit it felt a little strange especially since most of my friends were out celebrating.
But I wanted to hibernate and spend some time in solitude.

So I got down to doing things I often put off, just to make my time at home seem more productive.

Here is a useful list that I go by;

- Clear out your work desk/study area.
Yup, sounds boring but one of the sure fix ways to feel good about staying in.
Go through all those bills, papers, receipts etc, rsvp to invites that you have been putting off.
Wipe down the desktop and dust all your books.
Trash everything that serves no purpose to me anymore.
To inprove the feng shui, place a potted plant on your table
and make sure your back doesn't face the door of the room so you don't 'turn your back on your career/work'.

- Try out that recipe you've always wanted to master.
Jamie Olivier, Nigella Dawson, whoever tickles your taste bud fancy, try out their recipes.
If you don't have the ingredients at hand, make do with what you have.
Check your pantry then google a recipe that works all the ingredients together and voila...
satisfied and full. :)

- Bathe the pets. 
If you don't have any, water the plants, trim them and sing a song to each of them.
They'll bloom tomorrow!

- Go through your wardrobe.
Give those unused outfits away...
pass it on,  and give it to someone who'll make much better use of it than you.
Goddess knows we can never quality control our fashion enough.
And it feels even better if we can spread some style around.

- Get with the program and get online.
Spring clean your computer.
Tidy up those wires and back up your hard drives.
Don't wait for the mercury retrograde.
Go through emails long overdue, reply to faraway friends,
update yourself with current fashion or hip blogs.
It may sounds trivial but time flies by when you are engrossed in good writing and reading.

- Do the laundry. 
Yup, and those chores you have been procrastinating on,
little things like wiping the fan blades down or putting in the order for new sofa covers. Get to it.
The end result is so rewarding, you can have a bloody mary after and feel no guilt.

- Put that exercise routine to use.
Yeah the 1 dvd or video file, be it yoga, belly dancing, or dance class
that we either ordered through the mail, downloaded or picked up at the fitness center
that we swore we'll do religiously but has been gathering dust in the dvd station for months. 
Go sweat!

- Meditate
Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and focus on your breath.
Observe the thoughts that come into your mind then radiate love, peace and joy from your consciousness.
You'll be amazed at how good you'll feel after sitting still for 20mins, focusing on yourself.

- Clear out your make-up or toiletries
Eye shadows and powder packs should be chucked out after a year.
Applicators like brushes and sponges should be washed weekly.
Let's not forget, all this goes on your face and skin so if you find it wasteful,
think about all that bacteria you are spreading around.
Also, if there is a cream or lotion sitting in the back of the lot,
which you haven't opened or touched in months,
give it away to someone who'll use it.

Well, that's it for now.
There are heaps of other things to productively do at home but personally,
sorting your own shit out first should be priority.

I've always been a 'house proud' personality.
Now I can be 'productive house' personality too.

Have a lovely weekend ahead.
:)

What I'm really about.

I wish I could categorise what I like to write about.
But the truth is, I like writing and forming my own opinions on almost everything.
Somethings I write about more than others but all have a philosophical influence to them.
If you read all the pieces in my Charm's Life blog,
I write about love, life, challenges, experiences, the Old, the New, the natural, and the World.

Although I have been in the fashion industry for almost 2 decades now,
I have never considered fashion to be my repertoire
so I don't write about the latest looks or currents trends.
I am still one of those 'traditionalist' who believe that confidence pulls every outfit together.
And I believe natural products and holistic remedies keep my body in shape and my skin glowing.

So for me to write about the latest underground brand
or the new "IT" place in Singapore tickles my fancy for about one whole minute.
Just about the same time it takes for fashion season to come and go.

Health and Living, on the other hand, enchants me.
Self improvement and bettering one's self is the tune I like to sing.
Recommendations for wellness centers and recipes for nourishing foods
is just the kind of stuff I would gladly research and document
as I believe knowledge like that is useful and priceless.

The healing properties of herbs, the magical energies of crystals and gemstones,
the power of the planets and the elements are bountiful sources of information
that affect, help, guide and power us ALL.
Mother Nature has answers to every question we ask, it only comes down to how we pay attention.

Travel is another topic I love.
Maybe because of how exposed I was, and am to it.

But let me be clear that travel to me
is the unique cultures I get to learn about,
sacred lands and architectural marvels I get to visit, 
the locals and indigenous people I meet and learn from.
Holidays to me are more about island hopping, cuisine indulgences and pilgrimages
as oppose to shopping sprees or group tours.

One more topic that hits close to home for me is Spirituality.
The ability to draw messages to oneself,
to affirm positivity, to spread joy and to help other people.
To meditate, to observe speech,  and to acquire focus.
All the habits that help us as human beings find our true purpose in life.

Well there is it, off the top of my head.
A little more insight on me.

Namaste and Gong Xi Fa CAi.

Welcome Rabbit. :)

An ideal Sunday.

Last Sunday was rather blissful, I must say.

I started the day at 10am doing yoga with 63 other people at Verita Advanced Wellness centre in Phoenix Park... amongst other some serious yogis. :)
It was a practice in dedication to the women in Uganda.

We watched a short docu, before the practice started, on women in Uganda,
their hard labor and how difficult it was for them to make a living.
The video then went on to tell us about the "Beads for Life" program.
This program helps women in Uganda earn their own wage from making paper beads.
These organic adornments, rolled from paper are then covered in lacquer
and strung together to make bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
Buying their hand made jewelery would directly help them build their lives and feed their families as 100% of the purchase goes directly back to them.

After an intense hour of tree poses, back bends and attempted 'crows'...
We headed down to the cafe where the beads were displayed.
After ordering a mushroom aglio olio organic spiral pasta dish, accompanied with a Hibiscus and Cranberry soda from the Verita cafe ....I got to shopping.
Picking up beads for myself, close friends and loved ones.
Knowing that every contribution I made would directly help a woman,
maybe even a family across the globe.
It felt empowering and precious.
The beads sold out but if you are keen to know more about where to get them,
or are keen to throw your own Bead for Life party...
visit www.beadforlife.org for all the information.

That same day, for sunset...I went to Labrador Park to sit by the star gazebo and listen to the sound of the waves.
It was magical.
I got lost in my own thoughts and achieved some walking meditation.

And just to close my day, as healthily and lovely as I started it.
I made a broccoli pasta for dinner, with fresh home made pesto sauce and Parmesan cheese, with a chili padi garnish. (for that kick, you know.) :)
With a warm and comfy tummy,
I climb into bed to read my book before falling into blissful sleep.

How ideal.
An accomplished Sunday.

Sleeping in Singapore? Dreaming of Bali......

What is this thing with me and sleep.
I want it.
I chase it and I love my bed but somehow I'm running on a separate clock seemingly.
I just returned from an amazing 9 day trip in Bali and I had NO problems sleeping there
so I cannot help but wonder if it's just in Singapore that I have such a hard time sleeping soundly.

I have always been a night bird, a self proclaimed 'more creative' at night kind of chick.
Although I love mornings, and the smell of dew and the crispness in the air
and eggs done sunny side up,
my imagination unwinds more at night.

Bali was fantastic.
We got to enjoy the luxuries of the Ayana Resort and Spa for 3 nights
where we had drinks at the Rock bar (quite an incredible piece of architecture),
did yoga under a bale,
visited my good friend Fa's treehouse in Kabar Kabar and chill in Brawar.
We also got to hang out with Luke Stedman who is just an amazing guy with no chips on either of his sun-kissed shoulders.
I think we always expect famous or successful people to be difficult or snobbish
but I think it's important to understand how many and what kind of people they have to deal with and face and meet everyday.
And how difficult it must be for them to relate to people especially if they travel a lot and spend time with people only for limited periods of time.
It gets hard to invest time and energy in people you may only see a few times in your lifetime.
And I find when you are open, honest and receptive to people ...
there needs to be certain guards up within oneself to protect your heart and personal space.
I know Luke has done a lot of interviews for surf magazines and press in Hawaii where he surfs professionally and people read about him and watch him all the time.
That probably makes them feel like they know him.
And I can see that Luke has taken that responsibility well and tries to use it as best he can to inspire others and motivate them.
Anyway it was beautiful to spend time with souls like that.
The end of our trip we spent up east. Near Klung Klung.
The Bali Safari and Marine park has a lodge called Mara River which put us up for about
1million rupiah (us$120) in a cozy cottage room which has a balcony
overlooking part of the safari park.
So you wake up to antelopes running through your 'backyard' or
rhinos drinking from the moat outside your room.
The restaurant sits next to the lions den and most meals are accompanied with roars and frolicking or just plain lazing.
Quite amazing dinner entertainment, if I must say so.

The most lovely thing about Bali, I find, is the feeling of oneness you feel with the
Universe when you are there.
When you witness the morning rituals and the evening blessings.
Whether it rains or shines or the sunsets are gorgeous or cloudy,
the energy on the island
reminds you of how easy it is to be happy, simply.

Waking up every morning in Bali was a joy, knowing that the people you were bound to encounter would bring a smile to your face, or inspire you somewhat,
with a kind gesture, or a message of peace, or a happy glint in their eyes.

And it's such a karmic place where lessons are sent swiftly and reality is what you make it.
I guess now that I have shared a bit of Bali with you, I can sleep easy.
I can go to bed in hopes that I'll dream of the island tonight.

*Yawn*

WELLLL I guess I'll have to then, WON'T I?

Imagine someone calling your mother or daughter a 'c*#t' and
feel that boiling blood within you.
Try imagining watching someone speak the way you do to me,
and observe if what you feel is disgust.

Everyday you get a little more rude.
With your snide remarks and your immaturity.
What I find most repulsive of all, is that arrogance and inability to see your faults and mistakes.
And repeating them, over and over again, sometimes with sickening glee and even pride....
making it all the more off-putting.

If you don't want to stop yourself from being this way,
who's to even try and help you?
If you get SUCH a kick out of power and being so oblivious to empathy and compassion,
are you even capable of being saved?

Do you even realize that ALL this energy, the one you are blowing when you lose your head,
the energy you are draining out of the people around you, the energy it takes to make you understand...
could easily but put into so many more productive and powerful things.
Your Merry Go Round of a life is kicking you in a pattern so stagnant in personal growth
but you are arrogantly unaware.

"Digging yourself deeper in your own shit" has new meaning with you.

Someone needs to wake you up.
Because you definitely are too fast asleep to wake up yourself.
I know talking to you hardly works.
Or maybe it's because it's been me that has been the most honest and frank with you
so now whatever comes out my mouth MUST be bullshit since I called you out on all yours.

There is this monster and I'm not sure if it's in you, or coming out of you but it's there.
And if you don't recognize that and try and sort out your demons within
then nobody else can help you, even if they tried to.
SO good luck.
We all know you need it. And will need it.
When it all comes back to hit you.

If you think I'm a bitch, wait til you meet KARMA.

The Lovers

In the scope of our personal relationships this card stands for the great love that deeply touches and flows through us.
It has little to do with "failing in love," which Erich Fromm rightly says is at most an indication of our previous loneliness.
The card can indicate a new relationship or mean that our great happiness is to be found here and now in the partnership we already have.
The important decisive character of this card makes it apparent that we can only tap this source of fulfilling experience when we voluntarily "limit" ourselves and affirm from our hearts that we will follow this path with a certain person.
Each of us would certainly be prepared to take this step if we could just meet the Dream Woman or Prince Charming.
This card challenges us to stop deceiving ourselves and recognize that such mythical figures do not present themselves in completed form to us, but rather that they could be within our partner, hoping and waiting to be discovered.
The path that leads to another person is: the decision.

~ Tarot of Dreams

Images from the Tarot of Dreams® Deck, reproduced by permission of Ciro Marchetti,
http://www.ciromarchetti.com Copyright ©2006. Further reproduction prohibited.

The Rose

I figure I best describe what most women want in a man, she wants from the rose.

I love flowers. I love looking at them, running through fields of them.
Receiving them and caring for them.
But roses, well roses are special.
Especially those ever-stunning deep red ones.

Anyway back to what I want in a man, wait.... in a rose. Yes.

I don't want a dozen, or half for that matter.
Just one healthy perfect, long stemmed, thorn-free Looker.
I don't want one that's too clammed up as I love the process of watching one bloom,
and I want one which have a natural openness about it.
I promise to pamper you, Rose... water you, stare at you and sing to you...
just so you'll open up for me. Spread to all your glory.

Catching a glimpse of you in my living room makes me smile.
And I often want to color your petals with the redness of my lips.
When I breeze you across my face, I want you to smell sweet.
Of meadows and spring kisses.
Yet I acknowledge the complexity of your beauty and the delicacy of your being.

You don't often find a near perfect rose but you always remember it.
And same goes for that perfect man.

Tis the Season

And December rolls around once more.
Another year passed. This one, faster than the last.
Some of us are either worrying about Xmas presents, what to do over the holidays or winding down from the hectic year we all claim we had.
Some of us evaluate our 'gains and losses' while others are just glad the year is over so they may start 2011 afresh.
A self-made slave to man-made time lines instead of natural cycles or listening to the body.

Personally speaking, schedule is so erratic that public holidays often mean nothing to me.
And as much as I try to listen to the rhythms of life and follow the planets energetically,
every year end... I do what almost most people do.
Find yet another reason to Celebrate.

Ti's the season... is this seasons usual mantra... :)

So let's be jolly.
I know I'll get into some kind of festive spirit.
I'll buy a mistletoe to attach to my newly painted door frame,
maybe some sparkly Xmas balls :) to hang randomly around the living room.
I'll probably cave and buy some lights too... because they are multi-purposeful and I can use them for other 0ccasions. :)
Thus being eco-concious and 'celebratory'.

It's likely I will spend most of December trying to prepare for 2011
but I must remind myself to balance the work and play.
So I hope you spend this Dec doing something exciting and uplifting to close the year nicely.
Backstage, in catwalk terms or finale shows... we say "be sure to finish strong".

Happy Holidays.

Guilty?

During a recent conversation with one of my spiritual healers,
I learn that guilt has the lowest vibrations and thus attracts negativity.

We all feel guilty some time.
Whether it's that indulgent cupcake, or that lazy day at home,
we often feel we do not deserve to take a break, treat ourselves, and do nothing.

This rainy Sunday, I sit at home, running the weekend through my mind.
My mates are coming over to help me paint but I have a good mind to ditch the plan and just veg out instead.
Chat and spend some quality time with quality beings.

I step out on my balcony to find my neighbor and her husband out on theirs,
in the rain.... scrubbing it down.
Surprised.. I asked, "Hi, wow, how come you're cleaning it now, in the rain?"

Her first response was,
"Hey don't worry, I am not washing stuff (dirt, I think she meant) onto your side of the wall!"

We went about with some neighborly chit chat through a slit in our shared porch wall.
and I got back to my space.
But I couldn't help but ponder on her comment.

We feel guilt and the need to express it, even more than we catch ourselves doing it.
We apologize more times in a day then we probably should.
We seldom claim our right to celebrate or get about our business even in our own homes.

And by celebrating, I don't mean clubbing or drinking ourselves stupid or splurging cash.
I mean celebrating the fact that we have fresh water at our fingertips, and food in our fridges.
(Gosh, the fact that we even have fridges!)
Just be grateful and guilt-free for the next stroll you take in the park.
Or for that warm shower you enjoy, at the beginning and end of each day.
How precious and blessed we are, to have that so accessible to us, daily.

At your next meal, take a moment to appreciate how it was served to you.
No matter how it is delivered, release the guilt and celebrate the simplicity of consuming it.

Spend some time every day realizing the amazement of your individual life.
Then, without guilt, share some joy with the other amazing beings you hold close to you.

Let's naturally lift our vibrations so we attract more positivity n share positively.
Guilt-free.

www.awe50me.com

SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2010

CHARMAINE HARN - SINGAPORE

WHAT’S YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE WAY YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE?
We all have a purpose in life and that is reflected in our attitude towards work, the arts, relationships and ambition. I think the key is to make a life, not just a living.

Fulfillment plays a big part in MY purpose and is the driving force behind any project I chose to undertake. I want to master the art of doing less but achieving more. But discipline and patience is vital as well. And flow. Flowing is important. Understanding the cycles of life and knowing that challenges are opportunities for us to be creative.

SO HOW THE HELL DO YOU DO IT?
Prayer. And a lot of whisky. Jokes aside… it's all about Balance. Moderation. Doing everything as fairly and equally as you can. Some women call it yoga, others say Pilates, I say Balance. But according to your individual lifestyle.

Your life must complement itself. The people around you, the choices you make all must make you happy and help you be more aware.



TELL US ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE YOU?
Well I love people. I can talk to anyone and will talk to everyone. My inspiration comes from the fact that everybody has a story. Their own story. That's why often, when I met someone of importance, I ask them a simple question - "What has been your secret to success?"

David Tang, founder of The China Club & Shanghai Tang told me, "The key is to being well read. Read. As much as you can. Build a library and always be willing to learn new things."

Maggie Q, Hollywood actress and close friend confides, "We are who we are, to inspire people and we must be proud of who we are and what we do."

Faith Roberts, my Mother and Guru says, "Always surround yourself with people who are pure and good to you and bring out the best in you."

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SHAKE UP YOUR GENERATION?
Add music. A lot of it. Good music. Educate through music. Inspire with sound therapy. Heal through sound vibrations.

TURN US ON TO SOMETHING?
I swear by Nature. I love holistic remedies. For many years, I have used flower essences and essential oils to stay balanced, focused and pampered. I am also fascinated with crystals and stones.

Bach Flower Remedies & Aurora Alchemy Goddess Oils



WHAT HAS BEEN MOST INFLUENTIAL TO YOU & YOUR GENERATION?
The iMAC revolution. The Imac, Iphone, Ipod. Everything is «i» this and «i» that, in more ways than just aesthestically.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO WHAT YOU'RE DOING NOW?
Wow, this question stunned me. It brought me back to the time I was 4 years old and in the Botanical Gardens with my parents. We were all seated together in a café and my Dad had left his SLR camera on the tabletop. When no one noticed, I grabbed the camera, went outside and photographed a red Carnation flower.

To this day, I still have the picture. It is probably,comparatively, the best shot I have ever taken. That same year, 1981.. I did a TV commercial for Yamaha. I was the Girl for the Portasound. The print shot was of me, seated cross-legged, hugging a portasound with a huge grin on my face. The tvc had me skip down the Yamaha corridor, clasping my portasound, straight up to the camera to say "I love PortaSound!" Those were my 1st experiences with (both in front of and behind) the camera.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK?
My last hosting gig was for the 1st season of Supermodelme. A reality program where 10 wannabe models battled it out to emerge victorious and win $10gs. I hosted the program, acted as guest judge on various occasions, played 'Mentor' to the contestants and awarded the 1st SMM winner live on stage in Zouk at their finale event.

As for modeling, I only do so now by special request. Last weekend, I went to KL to walk the 'red carpet' at the Bonia event where Anita Sarawak performed and I did a 'celebrity catwalk' for Bonia's Italian designer, who was present at the event. Creatively, I love photography and writing. I am currently working on a piece for a friend's newly opened concept store called Word of Mouth in Bali. I write more about the people behind the idea, and add some playful touches of my own to it to make it relatable.

WHAT IS YOUR WEAPON OF CHOICE FOR YOUR PASSION?
Charm.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER?
I have been following a photographer named Daniel Luxford whom I met in a skate shop in Perth. He sold us some skate wheels. His photography is raw and amazing. His 'personal' collection on his website are my favorites.



WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FASHION DESIGNER?
Currently my favorite fashion designer is Sven for AllDressedUp.

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
My personal style is about comfort and accesorizing. I love flowy materials and chunky jewelery. I think a woman should feel confident and sexy in her choice of clothes and know her own body well enough to wear flattering cuts, according to her moods. And I love jeans... I have them in all cuts, shades and lengths.

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO NOW?
I like Funk, House and Reggae.

TELL US ABOUT THE SCENE IN YOUR CITY?
Singaporeans and everybody in Singapore are spoilt for choice when it comes to the Nightlife here. There is a scene for everyone, really. So don't expect New York styled lofty parties or hotel pent-house do's with pimped out luxuries (well you can imagine once in awhile, because it does happen occasionally). Our city scene is more intimate. The variety makes up for the lack of crowd and after hours are usually in cliques indoors.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN YOUR CITY?
Drive around. When you're done in the city, take the freeways to secluded parts of the island. Like Changi Coast, Labrador Park or even Punggol. Seek out the heartlands and explore. WALK my dog out to East Coast Park, The Botanical Gardens, Changi Village as well as out on the islands when we do Boat Trips.

EAT! Katong Laksa, Sin Hoi San, Whole Earth, cockles, stingray, chili crabs… slurp.
Skateboarding. The skate park in East Coast is AWESOME> really. But I like long boarding more down slopes and gradual hills. Go to Fort Canning's concerts & festivals. The atmosphere there is incomparable. Spend a day in the week at the beach on Sentosa ; or charter a boat for the weekend to have a bbq on one of the the surrounding islands.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SHAKE UP THE SCENE?
Organise a music festival with the 'Greats of Music today' and educate the people. Like a Music conference, with galleries and info on artists in the day and 'music appreciation' parties for the nights.

YOUR 3 FAV PLACES TO EAT IN YOUR CITY?
15 mins cafe, LaSalle / Whole Earth, Peak Seah St / Aoki Jap restaurant, Shaw Center

YOUR 3 FAV PLACES TO DRINK IN YOUR CITY?
BluJaz, Haji Lane / White Rabbit, Tanglin Village (I love those mini-Marys!)/ Orihara Shouten sake bar, Unity St.

YOUR 3 FAV PLACES TO SHOP IN YOUR CITY?
Haji Lane, Arab Street / Mandarin Gallery / Ann Siang Hill / Chinatown

YOUR 3 FAV PLACES TO HANGOUT IN YOUR CITY?
Charlie's corner, Changi Village / The Botanical Gardens / Raffles Marina, Tuas

CONTACT ARTISTS: AWE5OME

वैशाख

I have been feeling down. So down. Uncontrollably down.
And I have been hard on myself. I have been so hard on myself along with the ones I love and...
It's horrible. I feel horrible.
And for almost 2 weeks now, although I have done many exciting things and been totally inspired in little ways, I still feel bleak. Empty. Drained. Depressed.
Yes. And I am cautious about using that word, because it really is such a 'depressing' word.
But today... I saw a bit of light.
Or maybe I should say... a reason.
I know myself well enough to know that all I have been feeling, all that gunk that is surfacing now is doing so for a reason. Some internal clock. Cosmic forces.
Then I remember Vesak Day. Which is approaching and all becomes clear.
It's the Moon. Ending of a cycle. Purging of negative patterns and nasty habits.

On Vesākha Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha.

http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm

Paying homage to the Buddha

Tradition ascribes to the Buddha himself instruction on how to pay him homage. Just before he died, he saw his faithful attendant Ananda, weeping. The Buddha advised him not to weep, but to understand the universal law that all compounded things (including even his own body) must disintegrate. He advised everyone not to cry over the disintegration of the physical body but to regard his teachings (The Dhamma) as their teacher from then on, because only the Dhamma truth is eternal and not subject to the law of change. He also stressed that the way to pay homage to him was not merely by offering flowers, incense, and lights, but by truly and sincerely striving to follow his teachings. This is how devotees are expected to celebrate Vesak: to use the opportunity to reiterate their determination to lead noble lives, to develop their minds, to practise loving-kindness and to bring peace and harmony to humanity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ves%C4%81kha

I really hope this helps at least one of u. I have been hearing of many people feeling unhappy lately... and I want you to know it's part of the cycle.
We are part of the cycle. Of the whole.
What we feel, and say, and do and not do... affects it all.

Prepare yourself for Vesak Day! :) 28th May 2010 Full Moon. Go outside and have a moment.

Namaste All.

Weekends in Singapore

I have had 2 amazing weekends back to back here in Singapore.
Not to say it seldom happens, but these 2 I want to document.
Last weekend, I went on a Singapore-style road trip.
Aidan, Stewart and I drove to Kranji, past the cemeteries.. which were pleasantly peaceful toward the famous Bollywood Veggies for good old, locally grown, organic grub.
Lunch was Papaya salad, mixed vegetable stir up, scrumptious brown rice, cheese toaties (?) and a lot of dessert.
Yeah, their Chocolate Banana cake and banana bread is 'to die for'.
We had about 5 servings and they gave us a couple more. :)
The 3 of us then walked around the reserve, observed all the locally grown and even found a lake we sat by, for awhile and watched the wildlife.
I squealed like a 4 year old when a giant monitor lizard crossed my path to get to the water.
We could have stayed in the sanctuary for hours but a storm came and Ivy Singh, the owner of Bollywood Veggie signaled to us to get back in.
We grabbed more dessert to take away then drove around the farmlands, stopped by Kranji beach (yes there's a beach there which faces JB) and even went by the Goat farm.
Driving around Neo Tiew Road reminded me of my road trips around South West Australia and their wine region.
No doubt, it is a completely different experience but comforting to know that Singapore does have it's lush landscape when we seek it out.

Saturday early evening and we head over to Lakeview.
Brian and Curly got registered the week before and are legally Man & Wife now so a celebration was in order.
On the menu, popiah... DIY... the best way.
Also a signature way of 'communal eating' amongst this group of friends.
Sometimes it's Congee, other times Soup noodles.
But always presented in a way where you could have it just the way you liked it...

The Bamrah Brothers worked their music magic with Tom (Kelly, DJ Shellsuit) and we were all blessed with funky tunes and smooth grooves.
At one stage, the Mini-Marys came out and everybody had to try...
Take a cherry tomato coated with and from the dish marinated with Worcester sauce, pepper, Tabasco, salt. Dip it in your ice cold (premium) Vodka shot, eat the wee tomato and knock back the shot.
YUM!

The music started sounding better (I mean honestly, it hard to sound better than DJ Shellsuit & the Bamrah brothers) but the conversation started flowing easier and it wasn't long til the weekend really kicked in and the atmosphere meshed magically.
A few more cycles of popiah, cocktails and live jam sets and Saturday ended sweetly.
If not in deep sleep.

This weekend started with the Welcoming Home of a long lost friend Nasser.
Dinner at Oso on Friday night up in the Penthouse followed by drinks at La Maison got me much drunker than I even really realized.
When I woke up on Saturday morning, without a hangover...
Aidan lovingly reminded me of our McDonald's greed earlier that morning. WHAT??!!
I gave in to a fillet o'fish and fries. Aargh! And I asked for sauce which I wasted! OMG.
Truly bad behaviour!
Anyway before we headed out that night, Aidan and I went for a quick swim in the evening before it started pouring rain again.
Saturday night started at the Magic Bar.
Bar 84 at the Gallery Hotel.
This quaint little bar sits elegantly, as if floating amidst tall wooden beams in the darkness behind the hotel. As a group of 7-8, we were seated comfortably and our orders taken quickly.
I had the bloody mary which was delish.
After about 45 mins into conversation, we were asked to move to the main bar.
There, a little Japanese man hosted us and showed us a whole array of Magic tricks.
Telling on him, in detail would be plain mean... and I wouldn't want to spoil the experience for you anyways.
All I can say is... Go and experience it for yourself. It will blow you away.
One more thing, there is a $20 cover charge per head.
But I find it is worth every cent and shows support to magicians and artists alike.
We left Bar 84 with our jaws dragging the floor. But we were up for some dancing so we went to OverEasy in search of some disco. Has took good care of us there and we got to see Tracey Phillips which is always a treat.

On Sunday, I was craving Indian and went to Komala's but it was closed for renovation so I had dim sum and laksa instead.
Rie and I spent the afternoon making salad and a healthy rice mix for Sophie, Tiff, her brother, Fabian, Aya, Stew and Aidan who were jamming in the living room.
Guitars, cajons, keyboard harmonicas, shakers, bass guitar, more cajons all covered the hall and raw music filled the area.
There's a certain power in sound vibrations and how healing music is... even in it's rawest form.
And it was mesmerizing to see a whole group of friends grooving together happily.
We all ended up watching E.T sprawled on the floor, surrounded by cushions and it totally brought me back to my childhood.

Today I feel renewed and ever ready.
My friends are planning a camping trip on Lazarus Island soon and that is probably more a mental mission than a physical one so I am off to prepare.

Singapore is as magical as we make it.... wish me luck.

Thalassaemia

I have recently agreed to make an appearance at a charity event in Sri Lanka (Colombo) in September so I decided to do some of my own research into the rehabilitation center and see how I could possibly help them, starting now.

The disease is Thalassaemia
and the charity is for the establishment of the National Thalassaemia Center at Kurunegala.

"Thalassaemia is a genetically inherited, non curable, but easily preventable disease. It is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorder. The production of normal hemoglobin is partially or completely suppressed in this disease. Treatment for thalassaemia is costly and needs life long therapy. As the disease is inherited, the best way of preventing thalassaemia is avoiding marriages between carriers." -

(http://www.zimbio.com/Sri+Lankan+Models+And+Actress/articles/n01hcF-aDsE/Thalassemia+Rehabilitation+Fund+Sri+Lanka)

Bascially, children with the disorder have to go through dialysis up to twice a day.
It can be very painfully and demoralizing, as Jacquie Mei (my Catwalk Lao Si) tells me.

I realized that apart from sending picture/educational books to the kids, a useful contribution would be nourishment or holistic help someway.
I gathered from reading the Center's mission statements that these patients could benefit significantly from medication such as Vitamin E.
I went on to find this chart stating Palm Oil as one of the best source of Vitamin E.
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/images/vite.jpg

Anybody have any suggestions or hook ups to help me do this>?

My Singtel Drama...

Before I begin this story.... I must say that I don't know why I did not blog it down sooner.
I have repeated it so many times.... I feel it is a total waste of energy.
So, I am venting it one last time... in black and white.

In January...I was blissfully unaware of the perks of a Blackberry.
I would tease my friends whenever I saw how attached to them they all were.
Crackberry, we would nickname it and they would try to convince me to swap over..
Me, cockily refusing, saying I would never be a slave to the device.

WHAM!

Aidan buys himself an Iphone and is given a $500 voucher to spend within a day...
He cannot use that voucher to buy another Iphone so he tops up some more cash and gets me a Blackberry Bold 9700. He knows that I have many friends in Hong Kong and Indonesia that use the BBM service.

At the time, I was using the Nokia e71 which I was really pleased with. I loved the picture quality, the speakers for my music, the slick feel. I wasn't looking to change but the BB seemed so tempting.

Last week of January I call Singtel, to check on my plan and what it would cost me to swap over to a BB data plan.
The lady tells me that my contract expires on the 4th of Feb so I figured it would be best I wait it out and then sign on a brand new contract. It also meant I had 2 weeks to suss out other price plans with other providers.
I checked with M1 and StarHub (even bought a Green card by mistake... another story there),
asking them of their price plans for data usage etc to compare.
After dabbling in numbers here and there, I decided to stick with Singtel...more out of convenience than anything else.

This is where the saga begins....

On the 10th of Feb, I go into Tampines mall to recontract. I was also given a $100 voucher to spend on a handset.
The lady who served me was a lady named Gladys.
I told her I wanted to use my voucher on the Samsung Colby but wanted to recontract on the Blackberry Flexi Plan $49 a month with a 15G allowance, as I am now using a Blackberry. (which I was holding in my hand)
She fiddled with her computer...got me my free phone, took my IC, I filled out some forms, she typed out some stuff then took me the cashier and it wasn't long before I was on my way.

A day or so pass and I do not receive any data service. I can still make calls and receive smses but can't surf the web or download my BBm.

I call Customer Service and they tell me my data plan has not been activated.
After about an hour conversation, re-telling the story and reconfirming the plan, the service person tells me that it should work in a day or two.

So I wait.

Chinese New Year arrives... steamboat feasts, catch-ups with Cousins, lots of yu-sheng and Open Houses.
Does my data service work? Nope.

I call Singtel on the 2nd day of CNY....speak to a guy and he pretty much tells me the same thing.
So I wait....and then.. FINALLY.... woohooo....I'm connected.

I hook up my email, my bbm, my whatnots, whatsapp & whatsups.
All my BB friends are stoked, my Nokia e71 ditched and life seems so much sweeter on crack(berry).

I now notice that once a BB friend realizes you are a BB user too... pins are swapped as well as approving nods.
They say "Welcome to the Family... You'll never look at email, messaging etc the same again."
or "It makes so much more sense and the bills are even cheaper...."

3 weeks into full addiction... I decide to check my account balance with Singtel.
Just to know, roughly, what my cost would be.
The automated voice on the phone properly pronounces, "Your account balance dated March 11 is Five hundred and seventy two dollars. Your last bill paid was Feb 28th 2010."

WTF?

I remember paying my bill the day after my data was connected, so as to better give me a gauge of data charges.
So what I am hearing now is that in 3 weeks, I rounded up a bill of $572?
Huh?

I call Singtel...
After an hour of being redirected to 3 different people and telling them all my story...
asking them how my charges have escalated so ridiculously, this lady Erma tells me that the breakdown shows I have a penalty charge of $450 for downgrading my plan.

She then proceeds to tell me that my plan did not run out, as the 1st Singtel lady told me,
and then when I went into Tampines Singtel, the lady swapped my plans instead of re-contracted me and downgraded my plan. So now I have to pay the penalty.

I ask to speak to the manager, or someone who can help me.
Erma puts me through to this worker named Marziah Mohd and
as I am explaining the situation to her..
she answers me with "yah.....so." and "ah..ok I will call u back in a few days, OKAY?"

I tell her I do not appreciate her tone and asks again to speak to the Manager.
She puts me on hold and after some time, I am directed to yet another lady.
I tell her my situation all over again and this time, she is apologetic, telling me she will waive the penalty and reset the billing charges.
She tells me Singtel is sorry and my next bill will only reflect my usage from today on my BB flexi $48 a month plan with 15g allowance.
I put down the phone relieved. I believe this is the last I will hear of this.

I go to Bali for 2 weeks. For Nyepi... for the Kiss Villas launch party...
I get back into Singapore two nights ago.
I call Singtel to check my outstanding balance.

Five hundred and seventy two dollars.

???