Lunch Party for Seven

So cute. Some of them have their paws in the dish. Some eat quicker than others. Some just can't concentrate.

From cuteoverload.com

Kuala Lumpur Revisited

We took our little Subaru R1 (or was it the other way round?) to KL on May Day and stayed two nights. It's been awhile since I last visited the capital of Malaysia and it's always been a food tour more than anything - I missed the Ampang Yong Tau Foo above all. I wanted to ta paw. Armed with a little GPS device on the iPhone we made our way to places for food.

However with comparison, Penang is still the leading foodie's paradise. Geographically, Penang and JB should swap place.

Saffi and (another) Friend

Previous friend as seen here.

The Mothers-and-Daughters Taipei Tour

It was a nice, free and easy 5-day trip for the ladies in April. Because I should be responsible for the last minute bookings, and possibly because I am not a mother nor a 5-year-old child, plus it's my sister's birthday, there are enough reasons for me to be in-charge of the itenerary and the designated tour leader although I've never been to Taiwan.

In the 5 days we managed to visit temples, night markets, national museum and other tourist attractions, conquered the skyscraping Taipei 101, took tarins and buses up north to the waterfalls and 'old streets', invaded the popular shopping places in the city, experiemented the must-try local snacks. At the end of each eventful day our limbs are tired, but our bellies and shopping bags full.

It's The Real (Big) Thing

Bill Backer, creative director on the Coca-Cola account for McCann-Erickson was in a plane that got diverted to Ireland due to a fog in London. At the airport he got inspired by the group of passengers, sharing their experiences over the said drink. These people come from all over the world, and they're keeping each other company.

When he met up with Coca-Cola's Music Director later, he wrote on a napkin "I'd like to buy the world a Coke", where Billy Davis replied that if he could buy the world something, it'd be a home with peace and love to share.

I saw this ad once again on the UK tv recently. It was a programme about 'memorable tv commercials' and interviewed one of the lip-synching youth as she relates how they were gathered and taught the song over a few days and then the recording begun.

The ad that changed the world in 1971:

I'd like to buy the world a home
And furnish it with love
Grow apple trees and honey bees
And snow white turtle doves

I'd like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I'd like to buy the world a Coke
And keep it company
That's the real thing

What the world wants today
Is the real thing

New Pink Toy *Wink*

I am so pleased with my new Netbook, the Asus Eee PC (1000HA) fondly named 'Birdie'. Evidently Saffi likes it too cos she being a copycat also fancies pink things.

It is official. This new gadget is going to replace my good old Sony Vaio which remained a trusted work machine (obviously grey and silver in colour for that purpose) and the latter will be inherited by my 14yr old nephew.

Sniff. The memories.

Is it normal to feel sentimental over hardwares and appliances? As a kid I take my Sony walkman everywhere as if it was my life line. Once my brother and I had a tiff - ok, for he wouldn't let me watch my channel on the tellie, said something hurtful then completely ignored my feelings even after I had spilled my bag of popcorns (then I liked them sweet) - I stormed into the room, grabbed his AIWA walkman and smashed it on the ground. Mean, I know. I do regret and am still very sorry. But that got his attention.

I also develop feelings for mobile phones. My first, a hand-me-down from the above-mentioned distressed brother, was a very sleek black Ericsson. Alright, that having compared to the previous generation of water-bottle type Motorola. I use my phones for a long time and subsequent ones I kept nicely in their boxes, some still with original protective covers intact.

We all have said something memorable over our phones and have waited and stared at them, haven't we?

There are also sentimental feelings for rice cookers, televisions, etc. But I am digressing.

Here are some pictures to bring us back to the point:

Love Animals? Protect them.

The Animal Protectors Grant
If you have an idea for a project that will have a positive impact on animal welfare here in Singapore, you can apply for one of six grants (maximum $1,500 each) at the Singapore Animal Welfare Symposium (SAWS) 2009.

Last year, nine grants were awarded in 2008, for a range of projects including producing educational children's books on animal protection, making a documentary on animal welfare, raising public awareness on the illegal wildlife trade and sterilising stray cats.

More information here: www.animalwelfare.sg