Where Do I Begin?

Recently I saw a wedding video montage by a University friend. It featured the 2000 remix of "Love Story (Where do I begin?)" by Shirley Bassey. I must say it is a really refreshing change from the lovey dovey romantic slings which most couples will use on their wedding day. This is because the version was upbeat, jazzy and showcased the singer's prowess in her vocals. And the singer? A 72 year old British Diva demonstrating a popular drama song (Love Story) from the 70s.It moved me to bits.

Cover versions, something which artistes today edit classic songs from the past to something which adapts better in today's world. And for this song, I found at least 6 versions in imeem alone. Below are the two I liked most. The first one is the one used in the wedding videography and the original version recorded live in 1972. I hope Josh Groban will perform this song one day (like how the second one sounds!)

A real classic indeed. I am so glad I stumbled upon this chance to appreciate it.

Where Do I Begin (Away Team Mix) - Shirley Bassey

(Where Do I Begin) Love Story - Tito Beltran

To Own Our Night (2009)

As we turn the page to a brand new year today, we bid goodbye to an eventful year of turmoil and crisis.

For the first time in 4 years, I was back into the streets to countdown the new year! for the past 3 years, it had been a quiet affair on New Year's eve where a few close friends gather for food and drinks.

After unfruitful attempts to park at Marina Barrage, we were very lucky to find a perfect spot at MakanSutra Esplanande where we sat comfortably for about 2 hrs waiting for the fireworks to start. The place was far less crowded than the swamp of people waiting by the Esplanade Bay, where they sat on grass patches and concrete ground. We also have sufficient hawker food and drinks with us and so was not dehydrated like what happened during National Day. True enough, our territory was not packed with fire-works watchers even until the last min of 2008, and the view of the night sky was fabulous. I could sit 45 degrees inclined on my plastic chair and watch the sky like it belonged to me.

The fireworks was SPECTACULAR. Did not manage to take any photo because I did not want to miss any second of it. Not mentioning it is actually the first time I watch fireworks on a New Years Day too!

Happy New Year... Wish we will have a happy and healthy year ahead =)

Count Your Blessings

Last week, I attended the wake of a colleague from NYP. I have not met him before as he was already on medical leave when I joined NYP. But through brief sessions MSN few months ago, I talked to him and found out that he contracted 3rd stage stomach cancer, at the age of 33. He also had the whole of his stomach removed and will be undergoing chemotherapy. I remembered that I told him about my mum's condition and encouraged him to stay positive and strong.

Cancer, is a terrible disease. If one is lucky, you may discover it at early stage and one can be completely cured without going through tedious and costly chemotherapy. But cancer can be hereditary and some cancers are virtually symptom-less until they reached late stages and there are simply no medical checkups that can detect them early such as brain or liver cancer. Even for stomach and colon cancer, they can be easily mistaken as day to day illnesses like gastric and indigestion unless one goes for endoscopy or colonscopy.

Although I have not seen this colleague face to face, I was really very sad to see him go so suddenly. He has two very young kids less than 3 years old and it must be very difficult for his family to cope with his departure.

To all...Eat healthy, exercise regularly and relieve yourself from everyday stresses. Stress and cancer has a very strong correlation. Encourage your parents for colonscopy as colon cancer is the LEADING cancer killer in Singapore. Do cherish the ones you love and count your blessings everyday. In any case, we are very lucky to be healthy and well today.

Scrapbook Galore

The term break for polytechnic is finally ending.. and I have had a fulfilling week shopping, cleaning up the house and ... SCRAPBOOKING! It has been so long since I indulge in it that i lost control. Anyway I feel that every single scrap I make, I learn something new on how to improve it...hope one day my skills will get really polished..Here are my proud creations.

Plans are to give some to my sister and the rest will be hanging them on my cupboard in school. When the kids stressed me out, I really need something to look on and relax =P

Ways to Tie a Survivor Buff

After the season #17 of Survivor: Gabon ended last Friday, I was left not only amazed by Bob's magical immunity challenge wins, it was also interesting to see how individuals use their creativity to use the Survivor buff.

The most common way is probably to use it as a head or chest bandera which can double up as a sweat band or a tube. But good old Bob, the Physics Teacher became the first in Survivor history used it as a bow tie for almost the entire 39 days on Gabon. Maybe that is how he created a respectable and gentlemanly image for himself on the show. And he really did have these traits and hence why so many fans, including me, love his fatherly image!

If I am a Survivor? I will make it into a long scarf over my neck and create a fashion statement on CBS TV. And then, I will probably die of extreme heat stroke first before winning anything. Haha...!