It was mighty sunny last weekend but we were thoroughly child-ified at Universal Studios Singapore. Colours and music and smiles. There were alot of smiles! The park is extremely disabled- and senior-friendly. We were very impressed and encouraged (except for one guy whose ankle is made of precious gold).

Captivated @ Universal Studios Singapore

Instead of a regular party, the celebration took place in a bowling alley. I am very amazed by the ‘bumpers’ for children. For uninitiated, the bumpers will prevent gutter rolls. It was a special day, especially for the birthday boy who is obsessed with the sport.

Celebration with Bowling

This is what weekends are for. Truly.

I woke up this morning to an actual dark foggy day. As soon as I began blaming the drizzle for the low visibility of the World Expo site from the Lupu bridge, we were stopped by guards along the quiet road. The grand locale is not available for commoners yet. I had been fooled by the hotel information booklet. Quite silly, now that I think about it. So the cab headed back to the hotel. He was kind to crawl on the bridge for me to peek and check out the pavillions. Through the damp window pane, they look lonely.

In the departure lounge surrounded by folks in warm lined coats with a horizonless view of the runway, one will never guess this is April in Shanghai.

Vast and grey @ Pudong International Airport

Ground handlers @ Pudong Int'l Airport

Ready to board.

I cannot get this song out of my head. Most typical of me.

I believe that everyone has a homecity (aka the homescreen where you always return to). It is not necessary the place you grew up in or the town where you’ve worked for most of your adult life. It is the place that you know it is right to reset in.

Many people want to move out of this city. Many people talk down the policies (and politics). Many people question the intentions and doubt the future. I cannot explain why but, in all honesty, I know I want to be here in my final days. This is my New York.

Ok. So I cannot write like the guys of Fight Club.

[Ahem]

Since the less than eventful trip to the Coronary Care Unit, I have a new sense of moving forth. No more the obsession, no less the curiosity. No more the status-ing, no less the updating. No more the dramatics, no less the polishing. No more the reel, no less real.

Inspired by Julie&Julia, I plan to do 52 things, things which I have not done for at least 5 years. All in 52 weeks. Each week I will try to recapture the light of the yester brilliance. Makes me smile just thinking about it. 1st week’s assignment was simple, relaxing and quite frankly, came as a surprise. I need to catch up on Week 2 and Week 3 soon before I get derailed again. Flight schedule is not playing well with this hobby. Plus, website is not near ready. Why, lazy me.

Before this entry begins to feel more suited for closure, I shall end with my exhilaration for Michael C. Hall’s win at the Globes. I cannot wait for season 4 to return to FX.

Beijing cleaned up for the Olympics. Singapore put up prettier Christmas lights for APEC. If Bangkok has changed because of some event, I am very happy that whatever-that-is has taken place here.

I commented one night that this city is full of Manhattan-like lights. Then I was reminded that this is really the city of smiles. Yes indeed. It has even rubbed off on the usually stoic customs officers. Not just in the official airport where they are probably contractually binded to smile at tourists, even the tireless ones in the free trade zones are surprisingly nice.

I may actually be ready to return for a touristy visit soon. But right now, I just want a confirmed flight home.

A Little Good News by Anne Murray

I must have been in primary school then. I don’t quite recall how I came to know about it but bits of the song have been floating in my head for years. And today, I actually remember the full song!

There’s a local paper rolled up in a rubber band
One more sad story’s one more than I can stand
Just once how I’d like to see the headline say
“Not much to print today, can’t find nothin’ bad to say”, because
Nobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town
Nobody OD’ed, nobody burned a single buildin’ down
Nobody fired a shot in anger, nobody had to die in vain
We sure could use a little good news today

Very true.

Of course, Saving Gaia is probably a greater burden/ cause/ publicity than a person’s selfish wonderment of what can be done better, or just differently. One decision leads to another. I learned that reading Walt Disney books where the development of the story depends on your choice for Mr Scrooge. With books, you can always go to the alternative ending in the book. No question asked.

Sitting at the wake, my eyes warmed to tears that I did not realize that I have for her.

You swam, in synchrony
through the night
In the rush, we dived.
Sorry for not being where,
this night, the night your eternity lies.

Of the many things, finally made it to the Marina Barrage. View from the nation’s pride was stunning. It stirs a silent sense of peace and at the same time, makes one whine about not having a better camera that can handle night shots.

Side lesson – never sit in a cigar room when you don’t smoke. Your eyes will be the first to go. Having said that, Connoisseur Divan is lovely with pleasant hosts.

John spoke about streamlined-friendship over the net. Does the same experience apply when offline relationships goes on the internet highway? When it happens, do people stay that way simply because “they can no longer make it” for the in-the-flesh events anymore?

I will go write in my journal now.

Believe it or not, the packaging is a paper bag!

It will be amazing to see her again. Hopefully this November.

She passed away yesterday, suddenly. We have never met but yet I distinctly felt my heart sink. The shock rippled through, especially amongst the old-timers. It is not her young age, it is not her impending graduation, it is not her unfulfilled travel wish. It is just because she was a familiar person whom we have grown to recognise and trust for the past few years.

Adieus, H. It is no longer ugly.