11.26am
if you are fans of big bang, which is one of the hottest kpop groups in korea (and probably around the world too), you would know that one of their band members, taeyang (that's his stage name by the way and his real name is dong young-bae or youngbae. taeyang means sun in korean), came to singapore recently (just over the weekend which was on the 8th of february) for his solo concert called RISE. and from what i have been reading online, twitter and from other social media outlets, his concerts in malaysia and in singapore were sold out. he performed to almost 10,000 fans from both countries.
now i know what you must be thinking. since im such a huge fan of big bang's, the million dollar question is, did i go for the concert or not. well my answer is no i didnt go for it. coz not all the songs of his i liked and plus the tickets were a tad bit expensive. hey, im on an austerity drive here ok. housewife remember. im not just going to put my hand out and ask the hubby for money to watch a concert. well not unless its bigbang themselves (all 5 of them or just TOP or GD, then i will definately give it a serious thought).
just like the YG family concert, not all 5 of them came although TOP and GD did come (but you know its just not the same). on hindsight i wish i'd gone for it. ooh hey remember, i did go to the airport to see them (which technically, i did!) but oh well..no use crying over spilt milk. right, moving along with my story.
this photo that i took was for taeyang's fan gathering at bugis junction here in singapore. as i recall it was a saturday evening when my husband and i were there for dinner and i happen to chance upon this gathering at the courtyard. unfortunately though, taeyang wasnt there coz this was his fans gathering and the organizers for the event i think was doing this to create the hype and get the fans fired up before his concert. oh all this happened like a couple of weeks before concert day. kinda like a prelude, if you know what i mean, a teaser (as we like to call it in the advertising industry hahaha) and fans can win gifts during Q&A...stuff like that.
now 8 february was a sunday, so the night before i told my husband to follow me to changi city point mall (expo was just next door, where the concert was being held) so that he can hang out there for a bit whilst i go and snoop around at expo and check out what's going on there. plus i wanted to check out the merchandise booth too. oh prior to that, i'd already checked with the organizers what time they would be setting up the merchandise stall and they told me it was around 1pm. anyways, thankfully, my husband was a sport and agreed to go with me. off we went on sunday as planned.
we had lunch at changi point and then i left him at starbucks while i walked over to expo. found the hall (hall 3) where the merchandise tables were being set up as well as the concert hall.
see they were just setting up their stuff and that was probably around 12.45pm. they werent ready yet so i had to wait outside the hall. lucky it was indoor and air conditioned.
there were some fans/vips (as we bigbang followers are called) that were already waiting patiently. im telling you, some of these fans really are die hard followers. i dont know if they normally dress up that way or just for the concert day. i dont know man. you will soon see what i mean.
standee and signages set up just outside of the hall so that people will know where to go. pretty clear directions and organized i think. then, i decided to take a walk outside of the hall to see what was going on there. (coz i could see yellow iron barriers set up outside and i know definately that that was for the concert).
fans sitting and waiting for the soundcheck party. im not quite sure how the organizers are doing it, first come first served basis (meaning those who are first in line will get to stand closer to the stage or whatever, i have no clue as i've never been to a soundcheck party (which i would love to go if it was for big bang) and i think those ticket holders were VVIPs (which cost damn alot!). but hey, dont quote me on all this ok. im just speculating. but those people sitting in line are there for the soundcheck party and later on, watching the concert as well. i wish there was tickets sold just for the soundcheck party only, then at least if dont attend the concert it will be ok, you know what i mean?
this is what i mean when i say die hard fan. i've seen kpop idols dressing like that when they are performing or doing some kind of promotion etc. but this guy, wow..i give him 2 thumbs up. very bold of him. bravo! kudos to him, coz he stood out.
soon it was time to get in line coz suddenly a line started to form in front of the entrance to the hall and everybody got up and started queing ( but not those who were sitting outside). thankfully line wasnt long at all. they finally let us in around 1.35pm.
pretty organized as i said and not that many people yet coz we were all early and being "kiasu" ( its a hokkien and singlish word used to describe people who are anxious, selfish behaviour characterised by a fear of missing out) hahahahaha. the organizers set up a few tables and arranged the merchandise nicely so that everyone can see all the stuff and some fans i noticed had pre ordered their merchandise. wow.
there was a standee with images of all merchandise that was being sold and also each of us were given a piece of paper with the price list too so that we can tick/check what we wanted to buy and then pass this paper to the organizers mending the merchandise. easy process and fast too.
the merchandise table up close.
finally this was a huge hall. black huge curtains surrounded the hall area. i thought it was because there were not many fans attending this concert but i read that at least 4,000 came! wow. again, there were lots of barriers to guide fans where to go ie soundcheck party or standing queue (which if im not mistaken was for the mosh pit area).
so that was that. my sunday afternoon. i didnt spend alot of time there like i did at the yg family concert. took me about an hour in total. didnt buy any merchandise either. not worth it. actually there were only 2 reasons why i went there -
1) for my blog so that i can share with you guys the prelude to the concert and
2) to have a look see and maybe try and score some freebies (like how i did at the ygfamily concert here last year hahahahaha )
right, i've come to the end of my blog and hope you've enjoyed my storytelling. until next time, stay safe and be kind to one another! (even to animals!)
ttfn
1.02pm
11.06am
in my blog today its going to be about some places i've eaten at that i find rather unique, around singapore.
just last friday, my cousin and i decided to check out this cafe/bar/restaurant over at changi village. its called the coastal settlement or tcs. this place is away from the city so you get to be "closer" to mother nature. lots of greenery surrounds this restaurant. unfortunately, we got there pretty early (before 11am) and they were just opening up the place (guys were busy cleaning the windows, doors etc). luckily they let us in so that we could have a look around. fyi, they serve brunch on saturdays/sundays not weekdays. i had a glance of their menu and it was a tad bit expensive (to me). i also do not know how big or how small their serving portions are because we never got a chance to try out their food. maybe some other time, then i'll let you guys know ok? but for more info, just google - the coastal settlement.
now as you can see for yourself, this place is quite cool. its decorations, art pieces, paintings, furniture etc i think, are stuff collected (or bought) from the 60s, 70s, 80s and probably 90s era. gosh i love all the stuff in here. it does bring back fond memories of my childhood. come on, look at the stuff thats in this place! pretty awesome isnt it (if you're into these kinda retro stuff)
and if you are looking for a place to have say your engagement party or hmm...a small wedding celebration or even a birthday party perhaps, maybe you can consider this place. (no, i aint advertising for these people, but come to think of it, i should get paid since im "technically" blogging about them!) anyways, on to more photos, which im sure you're dying to see!
check out the retro furniture! at my grandmother's house, (bless her, she passed away a couple of years ago) my uncle has kept this similar retro looking furniture set(although its not in bright orange). bit too "loud" if you asked me but this color seems to blend in well with the deco and its "brownness" that surrounds the restaurant. it just pops!
and see here, all these photos, doesnt it take you back in time? vintage dont you think so? again i have to say, im loving this place! look at the vespa (yes, its being revived and i think its cool if done up properly and repainted nicely), the tv set (omg classic!), the record player (turn table) with a couple of vinyl records....etc etc etc... its so nostalgic. things that i've almost forgotten and now i wished my parents kept some of our stuff that we had long ago. i did ask my mom about it and she told me that if they were to have kept even half of the stuff from back in the day (or from my childhood), we'd have to have a mansion! oh-kay, sigh.
these 2 pictures (above) i took at harbourfront mall. the "kopitiam" (local cafe in other words) has a slight "retro-ish" feel to it. different types of biscuits in tins lined up the walls of the cafe. let me tell you that when i was a kid, i used to munch on these non stop. they're so flavorful, colorful not to mention crispy and fresh. so if you're ever at vivocity/harbourfront, sit down at this cafe, heavenly wang and have a cuppa then try their cookies/biscuits.
lastly, this is nothing to do with retro but i wanted to end my blog today with something korean (since i love korean food and all things korean). this is a new fast food joint at vivocity called paik's bibim bibimbap that sells basically korean noodles or rice in a healthier way - more veggies less meat. opened by renowned korean celebrity chef paik jong won (who also is the brainchild behind the popular korean bbq restaurant called bornga, which coincidentally is just next door). so anyways, i decided to try one of their popular dishes which was the warm noodles with soy sauce and it was perfect. a small bowl of hot broth and some kimchi are also given. really value for money as its affordable and under S$10.00. what more could you ask for?
and now i've come to the end of my blog. hope you've enjoyed it. so if you're ever in singapore and if you have the time to spare, do try out these places if you like. in the meantime, take care and god bless! be kind to one another.
ttfn
12.04pm
3.49pm
i gotta admit i havent done that many crazy shit in my life but well here we are again. hahaha one more tiny one added to my crazy list.
well my little adventure begun yesterday. whilst the husband was away on a business trip, i went and did little trip of my own in to town. why? because i've been reading (as well as following) online that some of the "people" that i've been following on facebook, twitter or on instagram, that my boo, TOP (from my favourite korean group Big Bang) was in singapore for a short visit. impromtu or what, i have no idea but i obviously didnt know shit that he was coming to town.
after browsing and scouring the internet as well as reading from people's postings here and there, i decided to "re-trace" TOP's "footsteps" as much as i could, so that i could "feel" closer to him. hahahahaha...ok im a truly a diehard fan of his, not to mention the groups as well!
so yesterday morning, i hopped on the bus, and headed into town.
here we are. my first stop was to re-enact or to re-trace back from the photos people have posted a day before (well if i'd known TOP was going to be visiting singapore let alone the singapore art museum (which was where he was walking towards to!), i would've "stalked" him like how i kinda did when the guys (Big Bang) came for the YG family concert last year!). right so dont you think the picture that i took on the right is almost similar to where my boo was walking? i even tried to count the blocks on the road and stood on the spot where he walked by. hahahahaha.. yup...call me crazy, call me diehard, call me a nutter but hey, do i look like i care what people think? hey, you only live once and my motto is do what makes you happy and no regrets!
moving along swiftly...
here you can see, TOP has indeed stopped by the singapore art museum. when i was there, i overheard a couple of people talking. to be precise, it was a lady who was working there and some bloke, who was asking questions. they were already talking when i arrived. so anyways, i heard the lady saying to the guy that TOP came unannounced and nobody knew he was coming, so it was indeed a huge surprise and soon word quickly spread like wildfire that TOP (from Big Bang) was at the museum, paying a visit. if you didnt already know, TOP is a huge art fan. he collects art. (not quite such what type of art though..you can always google). after eavesdropping for a short while, i decided to check out the reception/information area (as per the picture). again, i tried my darnest to "stand" where TOP stood, (the day before) so it should be roughly around where i stood (photo of my 2 feet hahaha). after that, i asked the chap mending the counter if i had to pay to enter or was it free, thankfully it was free for citizens and permanent residents. need not say more, i was going in! one ticket please mr!
as i was heading upstairs towards the first floor of the gallery, there was this huge mural on the wall aptly named "water stains on the wall" (@ trace). it was done by an artist from china named liu jian hua. hmm..what do i know about art? frankly, nothing much. i look at a piece of art, any art, im like "oh hmm..ok...cool..er..dont get it..whatever..boring.." nevertheless, i made my way up the stairs to level one of the gallery/museum.
turned to my left and i stepped into a room that was almost pitched black except for a big showpiece being showcased in the centre of the darkened room.
ya there we go. this was what darling TOP was looking at! i spoke to a girl that was on duty and "looking" after the art work. she told me that TOP came to see this and also went into the next room. i asked if she was on duty the previous day and unfortunately she wasnt but she was told all about it by her colleagues, and passing on the message to me. she asked me if i was a fan of his and i told her that i was a huge fan of his as well as big bangs. need i say more..look at what i was trying to do for goodness sake! (no, i didnt tell her that, dont be silly!) but aaagghh... i was trying to sense his presence, trying to see if i can "feel" him as if im some kinda psychic hahahahaha
thats the art work that was done by a south korean artist named choe u-ram. and the art piece was called guardian of the hole. what hole i have no idea, dont ask me. its made out of metal and and those metal gold leaves are moving as though its being blown by a gentle wind. while staring at this i was only thinking of one thing and that was of TOP, who was standing in the same room (as i was) only the day before! its amazeballz i tell ya!
and soon it was off to the next room, where TOP made his next pitstop and so shall i.
unfortunately, i forgot to take down the artist who did this. so just enjoy the picture. i cant tell you much. if you're in singapore, do stop by the singapore art museum as its being showcased now but i dont know for how long though.
and so that concludes my little adventure. after spending about roughly an hour, i was famished! had me some mexican fast food nearby (first time trying it out and it was pretty good and i had my favourite - churros!)
here we go. lunch! yummy! again, if you're ever in singapore and dying to eat mexican, try baja fresh at bras basah road (please google it). its a mexican fast food chain. at the salsa bar, there was freshly made salsa which was unlimited which means you can take as much or as little as you want, hot sauces and tostada chips which was given to me by the cashier (but whether its refillable/unlimited or not, i have no idea coz that was more than enough for me!). and thats how i ended my day. would you do the same thing as i did? are you crazy enough?
oh yeah, im just adding this last picture in of taeyang (another hot member of Big Bang) who is doing his solo concert here in singapore on february 8 at the singapore expo near changi. this is only for your information, just in case you might wanna attend.
ok im bidding you adieu for now. i dont know when i'll be blogging next but until then..god bless and be good to others!
ttfn
4.46pm
p/s almost forgot, TOP was awarded the visual culture award for his artistic talents and potential to grow as an art curator along with his interest in furniture and construction design at the prudential eye awards held here recently at marina bay sands. (and thats part of the reason why he was in town!)
pp/s - if only TOP knew how utterly dedicated i am to him (not to mention a TRUE VIP fan) it would surely make him feel touched, dont you reckon? lol
5.00pm
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! wow...we've made it through to 2015!! didnt last year past by so fast?? i dont know about you guys but to me, it did. where did the days go, i have no idea. as i look back on 2014, the only highlight of the year was attending my brother's wedding in the middle of the year and that was it.
overall, for malaysians it hasnt been a smooth ride. first it was mh370 that went missing (and still is!), then it was the downing of mh17 where all lives on board was lost (due to evil people raging war against each other and killing innocent lives!) and finally it was the budget airlines airasia that went down recently. so tragic! imagine not seeing your loved ones ever again, and they are gone .. just like that, without any rhyme or reason.
but nevertheless, we still have to push on and try to move forward and hope that 2015 will bring us better luck and no more tragedies. i think 3 in one year is more than sufficient to last us a lifetime! indeed it was a bad bad year for us malaysians.
anyways, on a lighter note, how did you all celebrate the long holidays? how was christmas (to those who celebrated it) and how did you usher in the new year? as for me, well christmas is usually all about family and spending quality time with them. oh and lets not forget all the eating and merry making in the process. for the new year, i was home with my family, playing board games (cluedo) which was fun coz we havent played it in ages! and in between, i was just chilling out with my close friends, having get togethers, dinners, coffee sessions etc. thankfully the weather wasnt as bad and there were some good days (when it wasnt pouring like crazy!)
christmas tree and a mini keg of german beer to kick off christmas!
will you feast your eyes on that!! how bloody amazing does that look? all i can say is YUMMYYYY!
delicious home cooked food made by my aunt, almost everything made from scratch. my aunt told us that she was busting her chops in the kitchen the entire day! no joke ok! anyways, i couldnt ask for more! it was a darned good meal! you know, all i did this holidays was eat eat eat! shucks i've piled on the pounds! ugh! but hey it was bloody worth it.
more glorious homecooked food made by my aunt, this time doing chinese style! hey, she's one great cook not to mention baker as well! and this is only her hobby as she loves cooking and baking, making us her guinea pig. hahahaha but whose complaining!
more home cooked food but this time done by my mom (also a good cook/baker! indeed it does run in the family hahaha). and i can proudly say that made sangria with cut fresh fruits! oh boy... *hic*
last but not least, since it was good weather (although it did drizzle a lil bit), my friends and i chilled out by the pool, having drinks, snacking away and catching up with each other. let the good times roll.
well thats about it. i've nothing much to say except that i hope 2015 will bring all of us more joy, fun, happiness and laughter and enough of all this bullshit thats going on around the world. we should try to live in peace and harmony and make this world a better place for all to live in, not kill each other every single day..it will never end in a good way, trust me. we should also stop being greedy, selfish and get power hungry! instead count our blessings!
alas, i'd like to leave you with these wise words by the dalai lama. we bought this piece of canvas back in december and we are going to try to live by these words! maybe you guys should try it too and keep this as your 2015 mantra?! good luck one and all!! i wish you well!
ttfn
5.50pm
