REMEMBERING YOU

It has been a weekend of dinners and lunches. There were the sit-down ones, the stand-and-drink-your-dinner ones, the lovingly home-cooked ones, the show-off-in-restaurant ones.

Yet it was not a blur of frenetic festive celebration.

I remember every story of happiness, every shared joke, every expectation for the new year. I was with friends and family. These are people who matter to me - with whom I share joy and disappointment, hope and fear, history and the future.

I miss the ones who were not here yet am confident that they too share my celebratory mood of the season.

It was truly a weekend of friendship and love.

FOR MAY

Thank you for making today perfect.

Now tell our mahjong friends in the kampong of Bakersfield I miss them, and it would make me very happy if they visit me here.

Happy HAPPY HoLiDaYs to all you special people!!

CHRISTMAS CHEER

Three days to Christmas. Two Days to Christmas Eve. One day left to do that little bit of last minute grocery shopping.

I am not frazzled. I am actually having a good time thanks to what is scornfully referred to as the "commercialization of Christmas".

I have been down the home-made, home-baked, DIY-gifts road. I am proud to say I did that very well. But I was exhausted before the holidays even began, and over the years, it got to where I dreaded Christmas.

These days, I know better. I BUY the prezzies. It leaves me in a much better frame of mind to enjoy the holidays with friends and family.

Happy Holidays!

THE COLOUR ORANGE

Your Blog Should Be Orange

Your writing has a star quality - it's charming, bold, and flamboyant. You write what's on your mind, without fear of embarrassment later. You are one of the most honest bloggers around, and people appreciate your daring persona.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

My blog should be orange? I identify with charming, but bold and flamboyant? daring persona?

Maybe I should do a 'VB' and take this test several times just to see what other results show up.

My choice of dark blue background was made after several days of really deep thinking - it lets me use all the funky colours for my text. HaHa

By the way we are all relieved and happy that Suzie Wong's blog is finally unlocked.

HAFLA

I love parties. Any kind of party. I especially love haflas. So when I got an invite to a hafla last weekend, I was all anticipatory for many reasons.

I have not seen the hostess for a couple of years. The major changes in her life are: she's moved twice and she's a mother.

The other ladies I rarely get to see because we circulate in different professional and social circles. It was therefore a treat to get together at all, never mind at a hafla.

There was the food, the drinks, the sweets and most special at haflas, there was the middle eastern music. And there were the dancers, every one of us. There is something indescribably intimate when bellydancers dance for the enjoyment of each other. There is the luxury of freedom to express that is not accorded in a public performance.

Then, there is the inevitable newsy girl-talk. There was so much to get to: scandals to examine, gossip to analyse, sources to verify, rumours to dispel, intentions to dissect, friends to defend, foes to villify.

By night's end, truth and trust were restored. There was a collective sense of triumph...

I love parties. I especially love haflas.

UPGRADE AND CHANGE

I am in the process of upgrading my blog. I am aware the changes make some earlier posts difficult to read because of incompatible colour choices. Bear with me. Things will get better.

MY STRIPPER SONG IS

Your Stripper Song Is

She Wants to Move by N.E.R.D. "Her off beat dance makes me fantasize (Her curves) She's sexy!!" You are 100% sex appeal. As simple as that.

What Song Should You Strip To?

My bellydance/stripper friend took the quiz. She wonders what song I should strip to. The verdict is in. I am flattered that I am "100% sex appeal". I relate to that.

However, I do not relate to the song. Here is the video:



Now we wait for our very glam showgirl friend to take the quiz. Over to you Suzie Wong!

GHRAM ROCKS THE KAZBAR

Kazbar has always occupied a special place in our mind. We love the morrocan look and feel of the place complete with cosy alcoves and mosiac glass moorish lamps.

When we learnt that our friend Ghram is now the resident bellydancer, it was time to revisit our once-favourite haunt.

The impossibly long lustrous hair framing an elfin face, the ever-present sparkle in her eyes, the mega-watt smile she flashes in your direction - she is a vision of beauty, charm and grace.


She plays to the crowd; they respond with enthusiasm and good cheer.

And all the time, you know she is really enjoying the music, the dance, the audience.


No wonder she is our all-time most loved bellydance performer.

Kazbar is at:
25 Church Street #01-03
Capital Square 3
Tel: 64382975

Bellydance show on Wed, Thurs, Fri

THE FANCY FAIRE - ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH

I admit going to the Fancy Faire two days in a row seems like overdoing a good thing. But I really really cannot help myself.

The experience is simply irresistable. There is the floral scent from lit candles, the glitter of bling bling, the rich varied touch of fabric. It is a treasure trove of unique and unusual gifts.

I buy for myself on Day 1. I buy with my friends in mind on Day 2. I come away truly happy.

RENDEZVOUS WITH THE BODYTALKS

Oh yes, it's ladies night, And the feeling's right
Oh yes, it's ladies night, Oh what a night
- Kool and the Gang

It was party night by the bodytalks.
The place was Gotham Penthouse.

The decor was decadent and sensual.
The stage was set.
The lights were low
The music was right.

The show girls were drop dead gorgeous.
The action was non-stop. The audience was pumped.
It was party night. Oh what a night.

RETURN TO FANCY FAIRE

My loot from previous visit to Fancy Faire:




Darling earrings by Simone of Blingalicious









Funky bags by Louise of Snatch

The Christmas Fancy Faire is back:

Orchard Hotel, Level 3
Tuesday, 5th December 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 6th December 9.30am - 5pm

My heart is restless; I cannot wait to find more treasures at this Christmas wonderland...

THE ULTIMATE TEASE

The lights are low. The music is seductive. She gives in to the temptation of the mood.

She looks him in the eye, smiles a knowing smile. She caresses herself, runs both hands down her body. Eyes closed, she tosses her head backwards, tresses tumbling free.The pleasure she feels is unmistakable.

She struts on killer heels showing off lithe long legs, sensual body, eyes teasing all the way. Every studied move to make him desire her madly - the fluid body undulation, suggestive hip rotation,sensual cat crawl and the in-your-face pelvic pump.

The music ends. The lights come on. I look around me.

There are twenty women in various stages of undress, bits and pieces of lingerie cover the dance floor, every one of us looking flushed from two hours of dance. We just finished the Ultimate Tease Workshop conducted by the bodytalks.

I find dance liberating; I find exotic dance to be particularly so because it frees the sensuality in me.

THE WINE COMPANY@EVANS

She had always wanted to have a place where the experience of enjoying wine is complemented with in-house dining. That wish became reality yesterday.

At the Official Launch Party of The Wine Company@ Evans, I was met by a very tired but very elated Belinda.

I knew of the obstacles she encountered at every turn. I remembered the time of self-doubt she went through. I have heard the relentless criticism of nay-sayers.

She has overcome all. She has survived. The Wine Company is her triumph.

...really cool place to chill out...

HENG HWA NIGHTS ENCORE

We wanted to go back to Pu Tien Restaurant for several weeks now. We finally found a reason to do so (yeah, right, since when did we need a reason).

It really was a good reason. The pair of them has November birthdays. Never mind that he, then she, already had their birthday celebrations. WE wanted to be in on it.

We started so daintily with blanched pork slices (L) and piggy intestines(R).

Then we lost control and ordered all our favourites *burp*.

Now we are looking at friends with December birthdays...

SEEING KETI AGAIN

She has the most dazzling smile and winsome personality. I first met her at a bellydance workshop for beginners in Singapore. I was drawn into the world of bellydance ever since.

So when Keti came through Singapore one recent afternoon, I could not pass up the chance to see her again. She is as captivating as I remembered her - the delight in her voice, the enthusiasm in her work, the optimism in her future.

We caught up on news about each other.

I am a little saddened to hear Keti say she no longer dances. Nowadays, she is busy with organising cultural and bellydance tours of Egypt . The rest of her time is taken up with dvd/cd production.

I had only ever known Keti as a dancer - a most beautiful and elegant bellydancer. But the look of contentment, certainty, and confidence on her face tells me she has moved on from bellydance to something that is more meaningful to her now.

I am happy for her.

(See Keti Sharif's Egyptian desert dance video clip here.)

HOR FUN, ANYONE?

Beef Hor Fun. It brings back fond memories: after-school lunches, family dinners, dating days, quick pick-me-up on rushed days.

The dish is so obvious. Slices of beef fried with Hor Fun in a robust gravy of stock and slightly scrambled egg for added smoothness.

So when a childhood friend visited from abroad, Beef Hor Fun was the immediate choice for home dinner. She was delighted; she had not had Beef Hor Fun since whenever.

We settled to a long night of girl-chat - husband, children, old friends, new friends, fashion, theatre. The conversation went everywhere, just like the old days.

At the end of the evening, she gave me a big farewell hug, looked me in the eye and said with all sincerity, "I so enjoyed your evocative Hor Fun".

Evocative Hor Fun? Example of usage : "Those bell-bottomed pants are evocative of bad 70s fashion". Evocative Hor Fun? Can Hor Fun be, of all things, evocative?

I looked at my childhood friend. I don't know when I will next see her. I recall shared memories. And I thought, "It's all alright." I knew what she meant...

A FANCY FAIRE AFFAIR

I look forward to the Fancy Faires. It is retail therapy in an atmosphere that is cosy, friendly, unrushed. It is about caressing the merchandise, about the intimate knowledge the vendor has of her wares, about the inspiration behind each piece of handicraft.

There is always something special waiting for me at the Faire - the most adorable ear-rings by bling girl Simone, the most versatile bag in the world by snatch girl Louise. Both are ingenious artists. Both are very dear friends of mine.

The Christmas Fancy Faires are held at:

Orchard Hotel
3rd Floor Orchard Ballroom & Lavender Room
Tues 14 November 1000-2000hrs
Wed 15 November 0930-1700hrs

Tues 05 December 1000-2000hrs
Wed 06 December 0930-1700hrs

HONEYMOON KRABI

Krabi was inevitable. We love short 3-day get-aways that take under two hours to get to. We've been to Bangkok 10 times last year. We were in Bali four times in three months. We had to go somewhere else.

Tiger Airways advertised impossibly, irresistably low fares to Krabi. We figured Krabi was IT.

We stayed at Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort which sits on 8-hectare of beautifully landscaped grounds with 500-metre of pristine white-sand beach.

We checked out Krabi Town. It was utilitarian. We checked out Ao Nang. It was deserted. There were no shopping, great eats, happening clubs. Eco-tours, rock climbing, canoeing rule. Unfortunately, these are not our idea of a great time.

We beat a hasty retreat to our hotel. We passed our time like honeymooners. Namely we ate at the hotel (a first for us), sat out by the pool, strolled along the beach, enjoyed and entertained each other. We lived in splendid isolation.

...walking hand in hand with the one I love...

It is a self-evident truth that honeymooners are the happiest people anywhere...

HENG HWA NIGHTS

Pu Tien is a coastal city in Fujian Province with a dominant Heng Hwa population, a minority dialect group within Fujian. It is also the name of a restaurant on KitchenerRoad that serves authentic Heng Hwa food. What is outstanding about Pu Tien (the restaurant) is that the food here is ordinary chinese food prepared with great skill and presented with loving care.

Here is the scrumptious dinner we had. From top clockwise:

1. Thinly sliced bottle gourd fried in sticky rice flour with egg batter (a la Orh Luak).

2. Home made braised tofu with the most delicate aroma and texture.

3. Fried taro that has a caramelised crispy outside and fluffy inside. Just heavenly.

4. Heng Hwa Fried Beehoom - not soggy, not dry, just perfect textured with the right balance of prawn, belly-pork, vegetables, peanut, mushroom and topped with crispy fried seaweed.

5. Tender shoots of Kai Lan topped with delicate beancurd skin.

6. Neatly sliced rings of squid which was first roasted then braised in stock resulting in a delicious combination of flavours.

A closer look at the squid dish - notice the evenly sliced rings...

... the supreme dish of the evening - the fried beehoon!

Pu Tien Restaurant is at 127 Kitchener Road, S. 208515. Tel 62956358

A DATE WITH ROMANZA ESPANOLA

I was at Romanza Espanola because of Rose Borromeo and Chang Hsiao Min. One is a long time friend; the other is a fellow bellydancer. Both are dedicated Flamenco artistes. Romanza Espanola is the expression of their love for the dance form in their own way.

... with long time friend Rose Borromeo,

Artistic Director of The Rose Borromeo Spanish Dance Company

Romanza Espanola is a two act Spanish dance-drama-theatre produced by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and the Rose Borromeo Spanish Dance Company.

Act One - Viva Flamenco - is a series of dance that showcases Flamenco rhythms.

Act Two - Romanza Espanola - tells the universal story of young love through dance, music comedy and drama.

My knowledge of Spanish culture and dance is regrettably limited. But for one short evening, I was transported to a magical place where arrogant elegance meets forkloric charm, where fiery temperament meets romantic naivete. I saw the beauty in the proud that is the Spanish character.

The Hsiao Min Fan Club. From L ...

Kyoko, Namiko, Li Hoon, Serene, Rani, Agnes, me
It was a night for catching up with fellow dancer friends too :)

PARTY AT BBB

BBB stands for Brian's Birthday Bash. Brian's wife (the lead dancer in Lady M number below) organised a most unforgettable party. Everyone had fun. Maybe too much fun?? You tell me :)

THE SHOWGIRLS OF BBB

A DATE WITH BELLYDANCE

(photo courtesy of Claribel and Kyoko)

He is one of the best known and respected master teachers of middle-eastern dance. And he is invited by Claribel to conduct a series of techniques and choreography classes over 3 days. I am fortunate to be in some of those classes.

The participants are of all levels of proficiency - some early beginners, several competent dancers, a few notable performers. All put in their best effort.

Because the master teacher inspires everyone to want to give their all. He shows and reminds us what this dance form is about. He brings out the mood of the music - the beauty, joy and playfulness of love - in an easy flirtatious style. There is the happiness in his face, the twinkle in his eyes, the lightness of feet, the graceful movement of hands.

In this workshop going through the paces, remembering the feel of the dance and hearing the music all over again, I know why I am in love with bellydance.

Note: Claribel, one of our most respected teachers of Middle East Dance, conducts master -teacher workshops several times a year. Check her website for regular updates.

PIZZA PARTY

They came, they caught up about the latest with each other, they made ooh and aahh noises over the toppings selection, then they eagerly awaited that first pizza to come off the cute little Pizza Express Napoli.

As each pizza reached the table, the chorus of hmmms was followed by lip smacking noises in a feeding frenzy. All ten pizzas were polished off with great relish at high speed.

Many hours went into the prepping stage.Yeast and flour with a liberal dose of perspiration made for the super-thin crust. Each pizza was made out to individual specs - more cheese/less cheese, all salami/no salami. More hours of hot work behind the little oven.

It was a night for pampering friends. Special friends. There will be more of such.