Singapore Biennale 2013: If The World Changed

          Going to different exhibits yesterday has brought me to tears. I have never been to such events in my hometown. Art has really have its way in manifesting what one person is thinking and feeling.

          Singapore Biennale 2013 has opened its doors for me to contemporary art from Southeast Asia. With its beauty and wonder, I must say, my love for art has become more vehement. 82 artists have participated this year and all of their works are truly world-class and have strongly marked their propositions. In celebration of its fourth year, SB2013, held at different locations in Singapore, has induced its audience to open their eyes to a different dimension of the world we live in now. Various questions have been raised regarding world and national issues. Concepts and artistic practices of these artists have emerged to showcase their expertise in such a way that the audience would understand and reflect what is and what is going to happen in the world we live in today. 

Film, painting, graphic art, and the like were featured in 7 different venues: Singapore Art Museum, National Museum of Singapore, Penarakan Museum, Singapore Management University, National Library Building, Fort Canning Park, and Waterloo Center.

You can catch the Singapore Beinnale from October 26, 2013 - February 16, 2014
Ticket is at S$10 each for adults.

*Photos here are taken by yours truly using iPhone4s and edited through VSCOcam App

Getting Through Part1

Here is something I have somehow managed to master here in Singapore:
heating/cooking food using the microwave!!!

I have mistakenly chosen to live in a flat where I have to deal with arrogant and stingy landladies (owner and her Filipino girlfriend) everyday. A foodie like me will really find ways to be able to "survive." In the contract, one of the conditions says: Only light cooking is allowed. Little did I know that light cooking for her/them is just heating the food. I really should have asked her to elaborate before signing the contract. Anyway, to make things unbearable, we are not allowed to heat any raw food in the microwave because for her, that's considered cooking. Basically, all we can do is pre-heat water-based food and left-over. Her/Their irrational way of thinking is so good that it makes me question myself: "Am I really in a first world country? Seriously."

To enlighten me and further make me understand as to why, I have asked my flatmates about her brilliant house rules. They told me that the landlady does not want to lend her kitchenware or even the stove because apparently, the previous tenants who lived in her flat before us were a bunch of clumsy and inconsiderate people. So, okay. I get the point that she does not want that to happen again; however, when she posted and set the conditions in the advertisement and contract, she should have made EVERYTHING clear.

How on earth will I get through in this flat?

And so, my survival101 begins. Every time they are out of the flat or if their door is closed (Yes, they leave their door open so they can see what we do outside our rooms.), I always sneak in the kitchen and pre-heat everything and anything I want. I browsed through sites that teaches on how to poach eggs, cook rice, etc. using the microwave and voila! I am as successful as a hungry cat chasing for a sneaky mouse.

Here are the how-to steps. Enjoy!


1. Rice 

• microwave-safe container
• rice
• water

Rinse or soak the rice in the container before cooking. Put water together with the rice in your microwave-safe container. This is how I check if the water is just enough: I sink my index finger on the surface of the rice and see if the water level is 1/3 of my finger. Set the timer for 10-13minutes.

Caution: Container is VERY hot after cooking.

2. Eggs

• mug
• eggs
• water

Fill 1/2 of the mug with tap water. Gently crack an egg into the mug. Careful not to break the yolk when you crack the egg. Set the timer to 1 minute and 30 seconds. When you hear something pops, it means the egg is done. Drain the water out. Enjoy your poached eggs and don't forget to put some salt before munching on it!

As for the canned good, just pre-heat them in the microwave. :)

1, 2, 3, SURPRISE!

Happy happy birthday to my one and only!

We were on Skype few days after his trip here in Singapore and I randomly checked Tiger Air for a flight schedule to Manila. It was my lucky day to find out they have promo fare. I got my ticket for only $160! I messaged my TeamFab loves and his friends immediately to plan the surprise. I did everything while talking to him. Who says I can't be a ninja like him? Haha!

Three weeks left and I still have no clue as to how will I surprise him. I just told his friends to ask him out and I was thinking I'll just figure something out when the day comes. Thank you to ALL of our friends who have helped me plan this surprise. I hope Mr. Cuervo have been a good company to everyone. Haha!

Last night, his birthday eve, I did the surprise and I saw the most priceless reaction ever from him. He was there standing; stunned and could not utter a word. A hug and a kiss told me that he was VERY happy.

Of course, a ramen date will always be #1 in our list. Will you look at that smile? I can just swoon over it again and again.

Then, we wrapped the night up at Olive Tree Kitchen and Bar for supper with his family. An Italian cuisine restaurant located at Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City- just beside TGI Friday's. They serve antipasti, salad, pizza, small &big plates, pasta, wines etc. Food is fantastic; though, I hope they will serve the food accordingly and all at once.

I do not need to hope anymore that I will make your birthday wish come true because now, I believe I made it possible. With all my heart, thank you for always knocking at my door and making me realize that distance will never be a barrier between us. I never thought I could go this far just to see someone smile. I am thrilled and loved in this journey with you. Let's make our dreams come true!  Happy happy birthday, love! 

Ending the night with my birthday man before driving me home... I love you.