MDA Senior Management Rap (on YouTube)

A friend in Canada sent me this.

I am so embarassed by this clip if it is really official. It is definitely entertaining and funny but sooooooo embarassing (to be a Singaporean).

Why must the government try to act hip and all that?

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This is even worse! It actually made the papers (The Vancouver Sun) in Canada and Reuters.

Yo! Singapore censor rap hits YouTube

Reuters
Friday, November 23, 2007
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's Media Development Authority, which regulates and censors media and the arts, has scored an unexpected hit on YouTube with a rap video about the city-state's media ambitions.

The YouTube posting has received more than 11,000 hits -- and a string of snide postings on the video site (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjLw28UVWEU&feature=related). The government body aims to promote the growth of the media industry, to promote "core values" and safeguard consumer interests, its Web site says. It hopes the rap video will showcase its potential to be "a vibrant media city."

But critics say this ambition does not rhyme with Singapore's regular censorship of films and theatre and the many defamation lawsuits its government have launched against foreign media.
In the video, middle-aged executives are seen moving and shaking to a rap tune, mouthing lines from a corporate brochure.

"William Hung is more entertaining," said one of the YouTube postings, referring to the goofy singer made famous in American Idol.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq)

Report from The Vancouver Sun

Blue Roses

I do adore flowers though I am not one to keep flowers in the house. Living at JH's place, she has flowers all the time, especially since her bf works at a flower auction company and he will give her flowers which are meant to be dumped (as in not sold and thus left to the bin). How useful :p

But it does give flowers a new life, to be appreciated by people who love flowers, instead of being left to languish and die a slow death.

One day he surprised her with blue flowers. So pretty. I have always love blue roses. I am not sure if it is a natural phenomenon or they have been dyed. What amazed me was the way it dried naturally.

I know in Singapore, if I want to keep my roses, I have to hang them upside down. They will just die if left in a vase. But over here, it just dried in the vase. So cool.

I still prefer to admire flowers in its natural environment i.e. park or garden, especially tulip fields. But for cut flowers, I do like roses and gerberas and daisies. I think they can keep well in vases and they are pretty too :)

Are You A Hopeless Romantic?

Not too bad...I thought I would be cynical or something :p

Balanced Romantic

You are the ideal balance of romance and sensibility. Well you enjoy most things romantic, you tend to keep yourself firmly grounded so that the romantic doesn't overcloud your sensibility. You aim to make decisions by following the heart, but you also let your mind take the lead in most situations. You understand the importance of a balance between your emotions and your thoughts. When you approach a new situation, you try to look at it from all possible angles and only proceed when you are confident that the situation is right for you. The same can be said for your love life. When you meet somebody that you are attracted to, you want to know some of their basic details before allowing yourself to fall head over heels in love. But once you fall in love, you are confident about your decision and you are usually right in the decisions that you make.

Kerr and S.E. Marine

Walk down Kerr towards SE Marine

Find the metal leaf printed or etched onto the sidewalk

Can you see the other leaf?

When I was staying with another friend at Kerr and SE Marine, near the Fraser River, I liked to walk up Kerr to Champlain Heights Strip Mall. That is mother nature's stairsmaster.


It was so steep, at more than 45 degrees angle, I think. I tend to feel the burn on the walk up towards Everett Crowley Park. There was just no end in sight and you wonder when it will flatten out.

It was no wonder that I never noticed that on the sidewalk, there were metal prints of leaves, different types of leaves. That was so cool as they just blended in with the real leaves.

The walk down was very easy and you would be greeted by the view of the river. Pretty!

Sephora History

Call me anal, but I do like to get my facts right or as correct as possible. It is just a process of learning.

When people mentioned Sephora, USA comes to mind. It is not surprising as Sephora is currently the leading retailer of perfumes and cosmetics in the United States and the second largest in Europe. If you go to Sephora.com, you can find over 250 brands across a broad range of product categories including skincare, color, fragrance, makeup, bath & body, and haircare, in addition to Sephora's own private label.

However Sephora is not an American brand, instead it started from France way back in 1969 and was bought over by the LVMH group in 1997.

The first Sephora store opened in New York in 1998 and the very first Sephora store in Canada opened in Toronto in 2004.

So that is why I have never seen Sephora when I used to live in Canada. It was before my time. Right now there are over 91 stores in America and around 515 stores in 14 countries worldwide, and they are still expanding rapidly.

I am waiting for the day Sephora.com will accept international credit card so that people living in other countries where there is no Sephora can purchase the products. Plus the website definitely carries more items than in the actual stores.

For more information, check out: Sephora - About Us.

Another personality test

You are a Healer!
(Submissive Extroverted Concrete Feeler)

You are a HEALER (SECF)— caring, good with people, and patient. You are completely selfless and full of love. As a concrete feeler, you do well with your emotions, which are very strong. You understand and appreciate *why* you feel the way you do, and for the most part you're at peace with yourself.

Suffering in the world really pisses you off.

In relationships, it's easy for you to get hurt. Avoid all kinds of dominant (D***) people, *especially* in dating or marriage. You are a motherly figure, even if you're a guy. If you're a girl, make sure you're a mom some day. The world's children need people like you.

On the rare occasions when you try to assert yourself, you're cute and awkward, but highly effective.

The Personality Test.

Sunrise at Lake Okanagan

Sunrise at Lake Okanagan, 29 Nov 2007, 8:20am

Ray of light peeping through the clouds at 9:06am

This is the sight which greeted me after a whole night of snowing at Westbank which is across from Kelowna. Sunrise. I always love sunsets, watching the sky turning into shades of pink, orange, purple before becoming inky darkness.

Maybe the reason why I am never into sunrises is because I never wake up early enough to catch it. But looking at the amazing sight with the ray of light peeping through the clouds and falling onto the sparkling water, it makes me feel so small and in awe of God's creation.

Being in Lake Okanagan, it allows you to fully appreciate and marvel at God and what he has created on this Earth. The snow-capped mountains. The deep valleys. The clear lake. The trees. The snow. The cloud. The sky. Everything is just simply breathtaking. I just want to stay out there and just take in as much as I can of this vista.

**Click on pictures to get a bigger view**

Estee Lauder Holiday Blockbuster 2007

I am probably crazy but I actually bought the Estee Lauder Holiday Blockbuster when I was down in Portland. I first saw it on Sherie's post in her blog. It was a very good deal with the brush set. So now I have a problem. How to transport that back. Lol.

The set includes:

4-piece brush set

1 eyeshadow compact

1 blusher compact

3 lipsticks

3 lip glosses

1 lip pencil

1 eye pencil

1 mascara

1 traincase

1 cosmetic case

All these for US$48.50. In Singapore, it is going at S$98 and in Canada it is going at C$60. The CAD is still kinda on par with USD or slightly higher so the US$48.50 does look very attractive, especially since there is no sales tax in Portland *grin*

In Canada/USA, you just need to buy a fragrance to get the set at US$48.50 which is worth US$250. So there I was, thinking of which fragrance to buy. It has been so long since I last bought anything from Estee Lauder. Funny how I started out with Estee Lauder and Lancome for makeup and fragrances when I was younger.

Then I saw Tuscany Per Donna. I was stunned, I thought it has been discontinued since I never saw it in the Singapore counters or anywhere else. Turned out EL never discontinued any of its fragrances, maybe in Singapore they just do not carry the entire range.

Fragrances seemed expensive in USA. US$45 for a bottle! And it is only 50ml for Tuscany Per Donna. Alas, the scent was not what I remembered it to be. I used to love this scent back in the 90s.

Product Details: As sensuous and luminous as the Italian countryside.

This fragrance perfectly captures the warm light and relaxed sensuality of a romantic hillside villa. Even the name Tuscany Per Donna, which means "Tuscany for Women," reflects the lush blend of blooming flowers and Mediterranean herbs, softened with rich sandalwood and sweet vanilla.

Fragrance Type: Floral/Oriental

Top Notes: Rose, Muguet, Citrus, Mediterranean Herbs

Middle Notes: Jasmine, Carnation, Honeysuckle, Peony

Base Notes: Sandalwood, Amber, Vanilla

By now, I really feel like getting the set as I want to replace my existing blusher brush (also from EL in 1999) as it is pretty old now and is starting to shed a little but still in pretty good condition. It is so hard to find a good brush which gives you control on the application. Also, I quite like the SA who was very patient in helping me convert the oz to ml and find out the fragrance notes.

Then I saw Beautiful Sheer. I tried it and it was nice. I quite like it. Something different from my usual citrusy/fresh/fruity fragrance choice. It was pricey too at US$45 for only 30ml. Since I rarely buy fragrances from EL, I didn't know what is the usual price in Singapore.

Anyway, I decided to get it and the set too :)

Product Details: A sheer blush of flowers.

Beautiful Sheer is lighthearted, radiant, romantic. Deliciously blending bright floral notes and a sheer woody accord, this inspired scent feels light, airy and modern.

Key Fragrance Notes:

Michelia Fogii--a petaly floral note, full of movement

Nashi Pear--wet and sensuous, to thrill the senses

Linden Blossom, Mimosa Flower, Ginger Lily--radiant, rich, iridescent

Padouk Wood, Boxwood--a sheer, woody blend that lends delicate balance

Snow, Snow, Everywhere

It has been snowing lots, from the Okanagan Valley since 28 November till now in the Lower Mainland (Greater Vancouver), and is set to snow even more according to the news report.

So I have been stuck at the apartment as I am up on the mountain and the roads were not cleared fast enough. Vancouver is definitely getting better at dealing with snow, but it is still not as efficient as other cities which have snow (lots of snow) all the time.

It seemed like I will be stuck in the apartment again. Not a good idea to drive down the mountain if the roads are still icy or covered with snow.

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Snow storms set down across Canada

CanWest News Service
Sunday, December 02, 2007

It may not yet be winter according to the calendar, but that didn't seem to stop violent snow storms from pummeling much of eastern and western Canada this weekend.

Weather warnings were still in place Sunday morning for much of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, with snow fall and severe weather expected across the board.

Vancouver was sacked with snowfall overnight and Environment Canada forecast a 30-centimetre blanket there by Sunday night. The western province can also expect freezing rain and showers to add even more danger to the roads later on.

By Saturday evening, ferries and flights were experiencing delays of up to 45 minutes. Road conditions on highways were also bad, reported the Vancouver Sun.

In Ontario, Environment Canada was issuing serious warnings to residents to watch the weather.

"This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions... Listen for updated statements,"_said the organization's website.

Some parts of Ontario could expect to see a 35-centimetre fall of the white stuff Sunday. The same storm was affecting parts of the United States below the border, so anyone headed to Wisconsin, for instance, should take warning.

Also under storm watch are Newfoundland and Labrador, which might suffer from 100-kilometre/hour winds, and southern Quebec, which might see 30 centimetres of snow by Sunday night, said Environment Canada.

© CanWest News Service 2007

Bags - LeSportsac and Kathy Van Zeeland

I so "heart" my new bags. It took me pretty long to buy them. I deliberated for a long time before deciding to just get these two - LeSportsac Classic Hobo Gelato and Kathy Van Zeeland Medium Satchel from Crown Princess Collection in Army.

These are handy as I had to throw away my beloved U2 bag, and likely the Gap mini hobo as there is a hole in it.

Birds or Leaves?

I took this picture with flash, but it is not showing up clearly. Click on pic to see the bigger version. It is only 630pm or so. But see that black things on the branches of the trees, look like leaves, but they are actually birds. Many many birds, all roosting on the trees.

When I took the picture and the flash went off, it was scary! Cos all the birds started flying off, lucky not towards me :p

Note to self: Never take picture with flash outside cars if subject can be violent.

PS: This is taken just outside the ebay office in Burnaby - the 4th customer support center.

Nagano Japanese Restaurant - Port Moody

This is such an overdue post. OT took me to this Japanese restaurant in Port Moody, the Newport Village. We went about a month ago and share the following for lunch. A lunch bento plus additional 2 rolls. Sadly I don't remember the rolls we ordered now. But they were good!

The portion was just nice for the two of us. Not too gut-wenching fullness after this healthy meal :)

I like Newport Village in Port Moody, the area feels like Holland Village but smaller, lots of al-fresco dining too (though it gets so cold usually).

MAC Holiday Antiquitease 2007 Collection

I am so lemming for the Curiositease: 5 softsparkle eye pencils from the Holiday Antiquitease collection.

From Mac Website:
In the majestic fashion of our Holiday Antiquitease collection, this mini colour set comes in a textured cream paper cylinder embellished with a silver royal crown motif. Inside, five Softsparkle Eye Pencil shades: Nightsky, a true black with silver pearl; Peacocked, a rich turquoise green with silver pearl; Iris Accents, a violet with silver pearl; Reflecto, a mid-tone blue with silver pearl and Goldenair, a white gold with gold pearl.
CA$37.50

Hmmm....I already have Reflecto which I hardly use (but I am loving Jealous from Alexander McQueen Collection)

Video of Snow Falling

An actual video of the falling snow up on Burnaby Mountain.

It's Snowing!

Taken 40 minutes after the first snowfall

Yes! It is SNOWING in Vancouver, or rather up on top of Burnaby Mountain. The rest of Lower Mainland is not snowing (yet). Apparently it is like -0.5C up on the mountain where I am, where SFU is. The snow is soooooo pretty! In fact, it is still snowing while I am writing this. Perfect morning to have a hot cuppa of cocoa with marshmallows and gazing out of the window, admiring the view. Big, small flakes falling onto the ground.

I will take more pictures later, hopefully there will be more snow glistening on the trees and ground.

Christmas in Starbucks

Peppermint Mocha with sprinkles

Christmas mug and cover - red and green unite once again

The christmas menu on a "stocking"

It is true, I have not seen a city mug in this Starbucks outlet. I think Starbucks makes better flavored coffee like mocha than caramel machiato.

Prima Taste Again

We went to Prima Taste again last month after some event. So I got to try more items. Yay.

Mee Goreng

Chicken Rice

The mee goreng was not too bad, but I think it cannot compare to the Indian version we get in Singapore coffee shop. The sambal was really good though. The chicken was tender and slippery smooth, but I always feel that it is so hard to "butcher" chicken rice. What was really really good was the beef rendang with coconut rice. That was really heavenly.

Tim Hortons

Boston Creme donut and English Toffee Coffee

Tim Hortons, the place for coffee and donuts. It is a Canadian icon. Business wise, I believe it is now either owned by the Americans or back to Canada again. There have been so many changes to the business landscape in Canada.

It started off in Hamilton, Ontario in 1964, and in 1995, merged with Wendy's and thus started the expansion into America. In 2006, it completed an IPO and is now an independent company again.

But to Canadians, Tim Hortons is still a Canadian company and love by all for its great coffee and donuts. (Probably why the franchaisee for Krispy Kreme went bankrupt in Canada in just a few years - only left with 7 stores in Canada and run directly by the US HQ). Over the years, Tim Hortons offers more food choices and also serves sandwiches, bagels, soups, cakes, muffins, pies, etc.

Starting off in Oakville, Ontario, means that I got "brainwashed" into having Tim Hortons donuts/timbits and Second Cup coffee. These are more readily available in Ontario. Moving to BC means I hardly see Tim Hortons and Second Cup at all. Instead I saw more Starbucks in Vancouver than anything else.

But I remembered grabbing a maple cream donut at the Tim Hortons at Metrotown Save-On Food (a tiny outlet) almost every time I went grocery shopping. I didn't care much for the coffee. Even now I don't care much for it :p I discovered a new place for good coffee - Blenz - started in Vancouver :)

But now there are definitely more Tim Hortons than before in BC. Amazing. More Starbucks too. Vancouver is really a coffee drinking "capital". Another trivia - Starbucks owns Seattle Best Coffee too!

ChocolateTuxedo Cream Cheesecake

CHOCOLATE TUXEDO CREAM CHEESECAKE - Layers of our Fudge Cake, Chocolate Cheesecake, Vanilla Mascarpone Mousse and Chocolate

Finally, I got the picture we took of this amazing cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory. Drool over it.

Garburator Friends

Everyone needs to have a few "garburator" friends - friends who will help to finish up your food or leftovers ;p

In Bronte, the guys would always polished off all the food we cooked, so there was no worries about food wastage or being spoiled from keeping for too long. We always kidded about some friends (guys) who ate mountains of rice, and they themselves loved to compete among each other to see who can eat the most at buffets. Boys!

In BC, I am thankful to have a few of such guy friends too. I can count on at least 3 guys who will finish my food (portions here are huge) or take my baked goods back. Having such friends also mean that they are sharing your calories :p

So last night JC came over with OT, and they helped to finish my bread and butter pudding and the rest of the cheesecakes. I am just not a cheesecake person. Lol. I only finished 1 slice and 2 x 1/2 slices on my own over a span of 6 days.

JC felt the bread and butter pudding was ok, not overly sweet. Hmmm....maybe my tastebuds need checking. I know I don't really like it too salty or sweet, but spicy is ok. He agreed with me that it did taste like banana cake :p