Of Sacrifice and Penance this Good Friday

Allow me, folks, to be a little more spiritual this Good Friday of 2013.

Thoughts on a Good Friday

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

Merriam-Webster.com defines the adjective Sherlockian as "of or resembling the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes esp. in the exercise of unusual powers of deduction."  And you'll get plenty of that in Graham Moore's The Sherlockian.

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

Day Trips to the Singapore Zoo

I've been to the Singapore Zoo twice already; the first during my trip to visit the ex-BF (now the Husband) here in 2008, and recently last December 2012 when we brought the Little One, the Madir, and a dear friend of the family's for a day trip inside.  And on both occasions, I still get as giddy with excitement as if it was still my very first visit.

Me in front of the Singapore Zoo entrance (circa 2008)

Visiting the National Museum of Singapore

I love museums!  I just can't get enough of them.  They're rich halls of information and make history truly come alive.  And one of the best I've visited is located here -- the National Museum of Singapore.

National Museum of Singapore (apologies as this might not be the best photo to represent this great hall)

PR: PH Economy: Cruising at City Speed While in the Highway

Not only is it more fun in the Philippines, but it is actually doing very well economically.  This positive assurance was shared by four business and trade leaders in the government and private-sector at a business forum held at the AIM Conference Center.  Charts presented at the forum showed the positive indicators stimulating the economy, from US dollar shortages to surplus, interest rates down and focused efforts to stimulate the economy.

PR: Heat Wave Summer Bazaar (April 19 - 21, 2013)

Reliving Childhood Pasts at the MINT Museum of Toys, Singapore

I love visiting museums.  So it's actually quite fortunate for us that Singapore has a number of these glorious halls of learning.  But out of all these, the MINT Museum of Toys will most probably always remain my favorite.

Cursed by Carol Higgins Clark

I've detailed in a number of previous posts that the Madir has a soft spot for mystery writer, Mary Higgins Clark.  She religiously follows this author's works, which really says something especially since Ms. Clark has been writing since the 1970s.

This taste for Ms. Clark's works has, at some point of my various reading genre stages, caught me as well; and I did eventually find myself reading some of her early works and a few new releases.  They make for really nice, light reading and a respite from those emotionally heavy works.

Now apparently someone from her family has also got the same talent in writing.  Her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, is the author of the hugely successful Regan Reilly series, stories of murder and suspense stories involving a rough and tough PI.

Now we may be fans of the mother; but we're not so much as snobs not to give the daughter a chance.  So buy a title we did -- Cursed.

Cursed by Carol Higgins Clark

(Relatively) Cheap Thrills at the Marina Bay Sands® Singapore

Singapore is one heck of an expensive city to live in.  With attractions like the Marina Bay Sands® (billed as world's most expensive standalone casino property to date), there's just simply no denying that fact that luxury and high-end designer goods and services are almost always connected/expected when living here.

Although almost synonymous to wealth and luxury, a trip to this integrated resort need not leave such a huge hole in your pocket.  Here are just a few of the (relatively) cheap* things you can do at MBS:

Marina Bay Sands® , Bayfront Avenue, Singapore

*NOTE: Cheap, in this case, means a pay out of around S$20 (Php660**) or less; and, in some cases, can also be experienced for free.

Merlion Park in Singapore

Singapore is know by many unofficial and poetic nicknames; the Lion City being the more popular one.  So it shouldn't come as a surprise that one of most famous tourist spots here would involve a 8.6 meter high statue of this majestic beast (well, half of it is anyway).

A crowded Merlion Park on a hot Friday afternoon

Photowalk Through HortPark, Singapore

Our backyard here in Singapore's full of parks, one after another; enticing weary city dwellers with their lush, green foliage and fresh, cool breeze.

I usually do my morning jog at the Singapore Science Park (which starts right behind our home) all the way to Kent Ridge; but if I'm feeling particularly artsy (especially for a morning of photography), I go on straight till Hort Park, too.

Hort Park at Hyderabad Road, Singapore

Reflections at Bukit Chandu, Singapore

Singapore, similar to the Philippines, was also invaded by the Imperial Japanese forces during World War II.  And like our nation, honors its fallen heroes and memories through museums, statues, and other commemorative structures.

One of those that serve as a reminder here of its painful past is Reflections at Bukit Chandu.

Reflections at Bukit Chandu, Singapore

Kent Ridge Park, Singapore

One of the great things about living here in Singapore is the abundance of public parks and other green, open spaces.  Whether it's simply just strolling along or taking a creative photowalk with the Husband, places like these have always been a refuge and source of calm whenever I overwhelmed with everyday living.

One of the parks we frequent, mainly because of its proximity to our home before (literally located right at our own backyard), is Kent Ridge Park.

Kent Ridge Park, Singapore