Claudia experience, share & review » Powershot SX120 IS

Chingay 2010

claudia — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:37:17 +0000

Did you catch Chingay 2010 on TV just now? What’s your take on it? Did you enjoy watching the parade? Having had my chance to finally watch Chingay live this year (with a ticket entrance), I was very excited while waiting for the day to come. However when I was finally there, seated at K189, the feel I was expecting wasn’t quite felt. Still it was an enjoyable night, thanks to the appearance of Kung Fu Panda, Puss in boots and the other characters from Resort World Sentosa at the finale.

Mascots from RWS at Chingay

Watching Chingay Parade to me has been an almost yearly affair. I will camp along Orchard Road, behind the barrier, to watch the pretty floats and beautiful costumes. Never had chance to witness the performances as they’re only performed at the main stages along the stretch of road. Now that I think of it, I think their first attempt at the Pit building was not quite a good one cos the stretch of road is shorter, as compared to Orchard Road. That may be why I felt very messed up. Seated in between the red and yellow zone, most of the time I hear two commentaries and music going at the same time. -_-”

Still, I must thank STB for the complimentary tickets to this year’s parade. It was quite an experience for me. The next time if I’m attending, I’ll remember the seats to grab for best view. Sharing the lookable photos taken with the Canon Powershot SX120.

Lots of lions! I like the sight!

R2D2 was marching too! So cute!!

Another highlight for Chingay? The elaborate costumes!

Must be sweating inside these. *salute* to performers!

One of the tallest float – a dreamcatcher

Kids please don’t play with fire. These are pros!

Lion birthday cake for PA’s 50th birthday! Congrats PA!

These long red things are REAL fire crackers!

Many many of the fire crackers cracking through their performance

I was screaming so damn loud and still I couldn’t hear myself! Should have just screamed all the frustration out during those few minutes! My first up-close experience with fire crackers! No wonder these are banned in Singapore. Its sooo smokey and sooooo loud! And it messes up the entire space! So not fitting into the clean and green movement we have here. *coughs* Seriously, its just pure danger lah. Worst than playing with fire.

Butterfly Lovers float

Always highlight of Chingay – The Giant Flags

Finale before fireworks – on my left

Finale before fireworks – on my right

Spotted before the parade – Vic with his new D90!

Acting silly with the pom pom provided

And I wasn’t alone! Spotted few rows down from where I was…

Wahahahahahahaha!

Weijie, Diana and me

Abang was there too! Loves!

So that’s all for my experience at Chingay 2010. Next parade to look forward to – NDP2010!!!

Photos viewable here. (I miss taking pretty photos! *HINT*)

A Christmas All Decked Out in Singapore

claudia — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:31:55 +0000

Have you seen the lighted up Orchard Road already? I was among the many who were decking out along Orchard Road on Saturday night to witness the switching on of this year’s Christmas lights. In its 26th year already, Christmas Light-up along Orchard Road is a yearly affair supported by Singapore Tourism Board.

Present at the switch-on ceremony is his excellency President S R Nathan. There were the usual speeches, performances and cheque presentation to the Community Chest from the donors (Hitachi and Starhub).

Performace by JazzKids

Guitar Ensemble and Sparkz, AWWA Teach Me

They sing beautifully!

Mr Hwang, Vice-Chariman of the Community Chest gave his welcome speech. And I couldn’t help but imagine him in red hat and suit when he was speaking. He looks like Santa isn’t he? Doing good deed sure makes one own a benevolence smile…

Community Chest raises funds on a yearly basis to meet the needs of the social service programmes we help support. Community Chest ensures that the fund-raising costs are kept to a minimum. As these costs are covered mainly by Tote Board and Singapore Pools (Private) Limited, every dollar raised by Community Chest will be made available to social service programmes under its care.

The switch on event was hosted right at the start of Orchard Road, at the atrium of ION Orchard. Before the official switch-on, Orchard Road was dark and lifeless. And just like magic, when the lights come on, everything just fell nicely in place. The joy of Christmas can be felt immediately (at least for me lah!).

See how beautiful the lights are! Shots all taken while on a moving topless bus (Hippo Bus), so pardon the quality.

The Blue Zone

The Orange Zone

Orange moving onto the Red Zone

The Red Zone

Actually its not that bad right? Moving bus + no tripod + shaky hands for night shots! Ok lah! LOL! All photos taken with the trusty Canon Powershot SX120 IS.

Other than all these beautiful lights along Orchard Road, this year, the light-up will also be stretched all the way to Marina Bay! I will sure be heading there after the APAC is over. And one more thing which I missed very much about walking down Orchard during Christmas is the well dressed up buildings! I remember many many years ago, all the shopping malls along Orchard will be dressed up for a contest. But it was discontinued in 2002. I am so so so delighted to know that this year, it is going to happen!!

To mark the transformation of the new Orchard Road, Orchard Road Business Association will be bringing the Best Dressed Building Contest back. Get your cameras ready for the great dress-up at the following shopping malls:

Forum the Shopping Mall
ION Orchard
Orchard Central
Paragon
Shaw House
Takashimaya Shopping Centre/ Ngee Ann City
Tanglin Mall
TANGS Orchard
The Centrepoint
The Heeren
Wisma Atria

For more details about the Best Dressed Building and how you can be part of it, go to ORBA’s Christmas site.

To find out the many more exciting line-up and promotions for this year’s “All Decked Out” Christmas, head over to Celebrate 2009 website!

Ending this post with a group shot of fellow friends and bloggers who were at the switch-on ceremony…

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!!!

I is can’t wait for Christmas to come!!! Christmas Party anyone?

OH! I forgot! And that night, I got to not just meet President S R Nathan, I shook his hand for like few minutes while he asked which media I was from! Hurhur! Ok, end of story.

Yuniko with To-Fu

claudia — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:11:25 +0000

Strawberry To-Fu tried to get close to Yuniko. And this was what happened…

One day…

Yuniko is resting comfortably on my mac

Strawberry To-Fu decides to get acquiented with Yuniko

Strawberry To-Fu wants to play but is afraid of the big kitten -_-"

Yuniko though still a kitten but he can get nasty when he's upset.

When Yuniko isn’t looking, Strawberry To-Fu moved slowly towards him…

Getting closer...

And closer...

And finally closed enough to touch Yuniko's fur! ^_^

But suddenly, Yuniko’s paw flew towards Strawberry To-Fu and grabbed her towards him.

Nooo... what is Yuniko trying to do to me?

Stawberry To-Fu was licked!

And Yuniko gave To-Fu a bite too!

What Strawberry To-Fu didn’t know is that licking and biting is just Yuniko’s way of expressing his love for someone. Eventually they got acquainted and both enjoyed each other’s company. And this was where Strawberry To-Fu ended up…

Pawed by Yuniko!

Follow @Yuniko10 on twitter for more tidbits of what this naughty kitten does everyday.

Meow~

Black Eyed Peas ROCKS F1 Rocks

claudia — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:38:14 +0000

Be warned! This is going to be a photo intensive posts! Black Eyed Peas are in the house! on my blog! They were totally awesome tonight at F1 Rocks! The crowd went crazy and everyone was jumping, hands up in the air, cameras flashing, heart thumping and boy the legs and arms were aching after their 60 minutes plus concert. William, Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo rocked F1 Rocks!

As mentioned in my previous post on DJ Havana, all photos unedited. Cos I too tired and lazy to. :S

Behind the stage before their performance

One more from backstage

First some photos of the different lighting on stage during Black Eyed Peas performance at F1 Rocks…

Stage with backlight off

The Black Eyed Peas

Coolness!

Where is the love?

BEP's dancers are amazing too!

She's just doing her thing...

Check out her body!

F1 Rocks! We rock more!

The next photo is blur, but I don’t care… its my only shot of her in the air!

She attempted to jump to country rhythm...

Tired lah! Sit down rest first.

Alright lah, I’ve got too many photos already! Just watch this sideshow to view all photos ya!

Ok time to sleep! Going to test the camera further tomorrow at F1! Hope everything will be fine when I wake up later. Not so sure if I’ll be able to sleep well tonight. Haiz…

Night! F1 final race tomorrow! And soon traffic jam will be gone… life and work should be back to a comfortable pace soon.

F1 Rocks with DJ Havana Brown is HOT!

claudia — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:55:44 +0000

I’m soooo not into the party scenes nor DJ who’s who. But after F1 Rocks, I think I’m a convert! I <3 DJ Havana Brown! Didn’t know she’s the one that mixes all the hot hot R&B songs! I’m a fan! Woohoo!!

If you’re scratching your head wondering who this hot babe DJ is, check out these shots I’ve got from F1 Rocks!

Because of this concert, I dashed to get a new camera lah! Siao bo?! The 10x zoom sure helped a lot! The photos turned out great! So much better than I’d expected! But cannot say the camera is perfect though, will do a review of it soon! Ok, I digress… prepare your eyes for lots of DJ Havana Brown!!!

All photos unedited. Cos I too tired and lazy to. :S

DJ Havana Brown at F1 Rocks

The R&B DJ from Australia

Recording vidz of the crowd on her mobile HD cam

And this was what she got on her cam… the roaring crowd!

Sizzling hot DJ right?

When have you seen a DJ wear like that? HOT!

This is my favorite shot of her.

This is not bad too!

So how? Hot or not? Don’t drool leh! I know she’s too hot to handle! See photo also nose can bleed loh! Imagine the guys standing nearest to the stage just now, steam lah!