I can't believe how much of an idiot the Myanmar military junta is! This report really make my blood boils! The military junta ought to be condemned to life imprisonment in a burning hell for their inhumane treatment towards its OWN PEOPLE! Thankfully, we have a government that's much better. At least, I'm sure our government won't do this to Singaporeans if a disaster strike. "Myanmar urged to stop evicting cyclone victims" - Channelnewsasia.com
BANGKOK - Myanmar's military government must stop evicting cyclone victims from emergency shelters where tens of thousands of people are now living, Human Rights Watch said Saturday
For the last two weeks, cyclone victims living in schools and Buddhist monasteries have told AFP that authorities were trying to force them to return to their devastated villages in the southwest Irrawaddy Delta. The rights group said it has received reports the military has now begun ordering survivors to leave dozens of government-run tented relief camps near Yangon, ordering them to return to their homes -- even if they have no home left
The May 2-3 storm left 133,000 people dead or missing, while 2.4 million need food, shelter and medicine, according to the United Nations. In the hardest-hit towns in the delta, the military estimates that 95 percent of buildings were destroyed, while some remote villages were completely washed away
After restricting access to the delta for weeks, the military government on Friday suggested in state media that cyclone victims could return home to forage for food, including frogs and fish
"It's unconscionable for Burma's generals to force cyclone victims back to their devastated homes," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, referring to the country by its previous name. "Without shelter, food, and clean water, the government's suggestion amounts to sending people to their deaths and is courting a greater disaster," he said. "The junta should not be telling victims to forage for food and mocking the efforts of aid agencies when Burma's displaced people are still in desperate need and at grave risk," Adams said.
Myanmar agreed one week ago to allow relief workers into the delta, but the United States said Friday it remained frustrated at the slow pace of aid flows. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates told a security forum in Singapore that Myanmar government's delays in allowing aid had cost "tens of thousands of lives." - AFP
The Singapore inquiry panel on the dragon boating tragedy in Cambodia has released its findings and recommendations. The seven-member panel found that the Singapore National Dragon Boat Team waswell-trained, even though some of the rowers were new and were recruited from various associations. It found no single cause for the deaths of the five paddlers. It highlighted several contributing factors to the freak accident - the team's unfamiliarity with the race, the race site and equipment provided; low safety awareness of both the team and the organisers; and the lack of information about the event, and conditions of the Tonle Sap river. The panel made the following key recommendations to ensure that the safety of rowers is not compromised:
Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA) and its affiliates should only take part in races that comply with the IDBF guidelines for race organisation, conduct and safety;
SDBA and affiliates should ensure teams comply with IDBF's water safety policy and safety procedures while training; and
SDBA and affiliates to put in place proper selection and training system to prepare for races and to set guidelnes for overseas events.
Despite the tragedy, the panel reiterated that dragon boating is a safe sport. This incident is a reminder that accidents can and do happen, even in safe sports, and safety in sports should not be something to be taken lightly.
I can't recall when was the last time I ever bought a English pop album. All my recent acquisitions have been Mandarin pop. And with the culture of downloading from the internet, my collection of CDs have been stagnating. Nevertheless, i recently went on a "spree"... and bought 3 albums at one go. Well, I consider this a spree given that i've not purchase a single album in ages! Of course, the promotion of 3 for $49.90 at That CD Shop was veri enticing.. and was a key motivator to my impulse purchase.
Anyway, now I have 3 fabulous women sitting in my car..
The Prima Donna
"Hard Candy" by Madonna
The Diva
"E=MC2" by Mariah Carey
The Dutchess "Fergie The Dutchess" by Fergie
Anyone interested in them can contact me at 1800-YOU-DREAM!
After decades of disputes, the ownership of Pedra Branca,
or otherwise known as Pulau Batu Puteh, will finally be decided today by
the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Who will emerge as the owner of this rocky outpost?
Results will be out shortly... Stay tuned!
Afternote:
VERDICT!!
Pedra Branca belongs to SINGAPORE...
but the Middle Rocks go to MALAYSIA...
So, i guess everyone got a share of the spoils. Well, this concludes a 28-year old dispute. Let's put this behind us and work towards closer bilateral ties. A warm Singapore-Malaysia relations is definitely more beneficial for both sides than being arguing neighbours.
Spend my vesak day afternoon watching a vcd (Yes, it's a VCD... not DVD!). I can still recall how I went to Cathay Cineleisure alone on one weekday night to catch the musical movie on the big screen all by myself ... way back when it was being shown in the cinema. I remember leaving the theatre feeling totally satisfied that i had make the right choice to go catch the movie before it was taken off the screen. It was a spontaneous decision to go to the theatre at 9-plus cos I really wanted to watch the show, which none of my frenz then was keen. Even as I watch the movie again this afternoon, I simply fall in love with the show again. You might be wondering by now what is the show that I'm talking about. Well... its....
starring the Queen of Pop - Madonna
I heart the songs in the movie... written by Andrew Lloyd Webbers. How I wish the musical version will come to town! Sad to say, we dun have musicals being performed throughout the year here in S'pore... unlike in London or New York. Wish I'm back in London... where I can catch so many musicals. I only managed to watch Les Miserables during my last trip there. Sighz... longing for a doze of musical now!
收款人名称: Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund-- Chinese Embassy 银行名称: Bank of China Singapore Branch 账号: 011-0-024188-6
中国大使馆也接受支票捐款，如果你开支票，请在上面填写“Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund - Chinese Embassy”。
无论你以何种方式捐款，中国大使馆都请捐款者提供姓名和联系方式。
====================================
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan, China has resulted in the massive loss of human life and properties. At this crucial time, we should lend a helping hand to the people of China. For those who wish to help the victims, you can make a donation to the Chinese Embassy in Singapore. You can donate to the related bank account using Giro, internet banking or in cash. The details for the bank account are as follows:
Account holder: Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund – Chinese Embassy Bank: Bank of China Singapore Branch Account No: 011-0-024188-6
The Chinese Embassy also accepts donations using cheque. Please make your cheque payable to “Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fund - Chinese Embassy”.
The Chinese Embassy will like all donors to provide their name and contact details.
Finally, I managed to catch the Singapore Shorts Finalists (SSF)... which i missed during the 21st Singapore International Film Festival in Apr. Wanted to watch it then but the tix were completely sold out. So glad that Sinema Old School is doing an encore of the SSF. It was my first time at Sinema Old School last nite, and I heart the place. It was quiet and relazing... an "old world" hidden within the buzz of "new era" orchard rd. There's some restaurants there at Old School... which I think I will give it a try someday... simply cos I heart that place!
Anyway, back to the Shorts... my personal top 3 favourites (with synopsis courtesy of SIFFwebpage) among the 7 finalists are as follows (in no particular order of ranking):
Silent Girls by Ric Aw
Two 16-year-old girls get lost in the strange world of love, sex and the internet. Will their friendship save them?
My Home, My Heaven by Muhammad EySham Ali
Ahmad, a juvenile delinquent, is released from his time in a Boy’s Home. After his return home, Ahmad finds himself at crossroads again despite his efforts to redeem himself from the past. Ahmad is still trying to find his way home.
KeluarBaris by Boo Junfeng
“Keluarbaris” means “fall out” in Malay, Singapore’s national language, the last command in a parade which every boy serving compulsory military in Singapore looks forward to hearing. An 18-year-old boy returns home from his studies in Europe two days before he is enlisted into the army. This story is his personal struggle between national duties and personal liberty.
After the screening, Sinema Old School arranged a short Q&A session with the directors of Kallang Roar, Love Me, Love My Dogsand the producer of My Home, My Heaven. It was pretty interesting to hear what motivates them to do what they had done... especially since it's so hard for film-makers to survive in tis tiny island. I admire their passion, courage and determination!
Oh... i did quite a bit of camwhoring last nite cos there was someone else to accompany me. Thanks G, for coming down even though it was last min request from me. Had a great time hanging out with u!
Music is my life! I simply cannot live a single day of my life without music! Ok, that's a little exaggerated but my point is I'm someone who loves rhythm... beats... meaningful lyrics! Since my sec sch days, I've been studying for exams with my ears plugged to a radio receiver, walk-man, disc-man, and now, mp3 player. Even in my workplace, I will have my radio switched on the moment I'm in. And when I'm at the gym, I need my mp3 player. I can't imagine a world without sound n rhythm.
Anyway, this week's hot release.... Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield
I went to celebrate a friend's birthday yesterday after work. We met up at this super "ulu" place near serangoon gardens - Buono Pizzabar & Ristorant at 27, Lichfield Road. It was an italian restaurant tucked away amidst landed properties. I had a hard time trying to find the place cos I didn't have the exact address. Nevertheless, I must admit that the whole "excursion" was worth it.
The food was extremely YUMMY! We ordered quite a bit of food, more than what we would normally order while eating out together. Three of my friends had the Portbello Mushrooms - baked with crab meat and finished with a rich gorgonzola sauce - for appetizer, which they were swearing by it.... saying how flavourful it was. Too bad I didn't have the chance to sample it, cos I reached later. Instead, for my appetizer, I had the Pesce Spada Carpaccio, a dish of thinly sliced raw sword fish seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice and dressed with avocado and sweet cherry tomatoes. I like the simple taste of the dish, and not to mention that the raw swordfish was veri fresh!! We also shared the house special - Buono Pizza (besides our individual main course, of course) - which was made using pork sausages, mushrooms, rocket salad and mozzarella cheese on a bed of cream sauce. The thin-crust pizza was crispy and delicious beyond words. You got to try this pizza if you ever visit the restaurant. I bet you will like it too!
I also like the ambiance of the place, even though, unfortunately, the air-con was down. There wasn't lots of customers when we were there... which made the place very quiet and relaxing. It's definitely a great place to chill out, wind down and relaz your mind after a "long hard day" at work. The set-up of the place was tastefully done, and gave a rustic feel with the use of wooden tables and chairs . The restaurant has an open concept to showcase the process of pizza making.
Service-wise, there is really nothing to complain about. The staff were very friendly and took pride in attending to the needs of the customers. I had originally ordered salmon for my main course, but was later informed by the staff that their salmon yesterday wasn't that fresh. Thus, she said the restaurant did not wish to serve the salmon and advised me to order something else. In most other restaurants, I bet the chef will just serve the salmon even though it might not be that fresh. The chef also came out of the kitchen to get our feedback on the food, which we of course gave an excellent rating! =)
I'm won over by Buono Pizzabar & Ristorante, and will definitely be back there again! For those who are interested, here's the map to the place.
Here's some of the delicacies (photos courtesy of AL):
Appetizer - Portbello Mushrooms
Side Order - Buono Pizza
Main Course - Lamb Chop
Dessert - Tiramisu
Oh... if you're reading this, Happy Birthday to you RJ!
"If you are ruled by the mind, you are a king;
if by body, a slave"
- Cato The Elder
My life, my story, my kingdom
Come fill my little world right up, right now
THE SOVEREIGN
His Royal Highness Prince Nick
An adventurous person who's into trying new things.
Believe in "Never know until you try".
Easy-going most of the times, though might appear otherwise if you do not know him.
So bottomline - Get to know him cos he's very friendly!
