SG | Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

I am a history buff.  I love learning about the past.  So it comes as no surprise that any type of entertainment set in days gone by leaves me utterly fascinated.  Be it books, films, and of course, TV shows.

The most (relatively) recent fascination in this regard I've had is with the Downton Abbey series.  This 6-season series show tells the life of the fictional aristocratic Crawley family and their servants set in the early 20th century.  Needless to say, I was one of their legions of fans who were heartbroken to see them end their series run.  😞

However, what keeps me my interests alive are the rumors of a movie in the making (which I am seriously hoping would happen soon), and events like these -- Downtown Abbey: The Exhibition!

School of Rock 10-Year Reunion (held last 2013)

Source: IMDb.com

I've been very late in regards to showbiz news as apparently School of Rock, just turned 10 years old (last 2013, anyways).  =)

Of Pride & Prejudice Imagined Sequels and Spin-Offs

NOTE: November is National Reading Month here in the Philippines; and in order to commemorate this great and enjoyable past time, I've decided to showcase book reviews, and other related items, this whole month.  We'll return to my regular hodgepodge of post-able topics after.  So sit back, relax, and let the reviews begin!  J

Back in 2008, I was fortunate enough to have been loaned a copy of 2005's Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightly and the gorgeous Matthew Macfadyen (yes, I was a little late in catching the film.  Working and studying at the same time could really kill your leisure hours, believe me.  Hehehe!  J).

SOURCE: IMDb.com

I Miss the Old Scooby-Doo Cartoons (A Nostalgia-Infused Post)

Like most kids, cartoons also played a huge part of my childhood.  

CHIJMES: Chapel in Singapore Turned Hip Party Place?

One afternoon, during my very first trip to Singapore in 2008, the ex-BF (now the Husband) and I found ourselves within the grounds of a really nice church compound.  But we weren’t there to attend mass on this particular trip.  Nosiree; for believe it or not, we were there to have dinner.

CHIJMES

PR: Almost 100,000 and Still Growing in Viewership! Indie Film “Boses” Strikes a Chord Wherever It Is Shown

The viewership is growing for a small independent film that has been making the rounds of screenings here in the Philippines and abroad since 2008. 

Snoopy Dog House Kiddie Ride in Tampines Mall, Singapore

GIVEAWAY ALERT!  Get a chance to win travel-sized Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries from their Avocado, Olive & Basil collection.  Visit this post (link here) for more details.

The Little One loves kiddie rides.  Well, not exactly be on them while they're moving (she's scared stiff, in fact); but she does love sitting on them for hours on end.  A little corny but she's a baby (technically a toddler) so we just take it easy with her fears.

Still, that doesn't stop her from sitting on each and every kiddie ride she sees in the mall.  It's such a simple pleasure (and doesn't even cost us a thing) that we've indulged her fascination far too many times.

Out of all the kiddie rides the Little One has set her derriere on, this, by far, is my favorite among the bunch.

Snoopy dog house kiddie ride

A Snoopy dog house kiddie ride!  How cool is that?  It's just like being the World War I flying ace for only S$2.00 (Php66.00) a ride.

*S$1 = Php33

McDonald's Singapore's Hello Kitty Fairy Tales Plushie on Display

GIVEAWAY ALERT!  Get a chance to win travel-sized Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries from their Avocado, Olive & Basil collection.  Visit this post (link here) for more details.
 

I posted about McDonald's here in Singapore having a Hello Kitty plushie promotion a few weeks ago (read my full post about it in this here link).  And boy, was I surprised at how high my viewership numbers for that particular entry grew in only a few hours after posting.  Pretty amazing.  So I guess it is safe to assume that a lot of people are interested in this thing.

Like all other female bodies in Singapore, the Little One and I too, both went gaga over these cuties.  So here's a small peek at what you'll get for S$4.60 (Php151.80*), plus purchase of a value meal too, of course.

Hello Kitty Fairy Tales plushie

Kids Go Wild About AMAZONIA Singapore

I like the malls here in Singapore since most of them try to think of all members of the family when it comes to entertainment.  Anyone with babies and toddlers in tow knows how tiring it is to entertain a bored, cranky little one when on a shopping trip.  So it's really great that a lot of shopping centers here provide safe, clean, free-for-use outdoor play areas for their petite guests.

But if you're that type who wants your kids having fun inside the mall with access to ac (and doesn't mind paying a little), then AMAZONIA is a good option for you.

Source: AMAZONIA Singapore website

Psy Does it Again: The Gangnam Style Singing and Dancing Doll

You know you've got it made when you have a doll of your image and likeness offered for sale to the masses.  So whether it is officially sanctioned or not (you never know with these mass-produced toys popping up everywhere), you just know it was only a matter of time before this came out -- a Gangnam Style doll.

Psy's Gangname Style dancing and singing doll

The Addams Family Musical to be Shown in Singapore

A recent trip to Resort World™ Sentosa found us face-to-face with huge posters about the upcoming theater production, The Addams Family Musical.

The Addams Family Musincal (photo by Carol Rosegg; SOURCE: rwsentosa.com)

TV Channel Surfing in Singapore

I'm ashamed to admit it; but I do watch a lot of television.  I know it's bad for my health, and I pray frequently that the Little One won't pick up the habit; but it's the only activity that can totally shut off my raging thoughts even for just a little while.

I'm the type of person who has a hard time shutting myself off mentally.  It's enough to drive me bonkers; but as long as I'm glued to the boob tube, I'm fine.  Keeps my sanity in check.  In fact, it's my stress-reliever after a hard day on the job.  So it isn't really a wonder that I'll be continuing my bad habit here in Singapore. 

Now unlike in the Philippines, we, for the meantime, opted not to have cable television installed for a number of reasons.  So for now, we content ourselves with watching shows at the local channels.  And believe me, there are some distinct differences one notices.

TV channel surfing in Singapore

Things We Forget: Sticky Notes Left in Public Places

A Singapore-based blog whose posts I've been following for almost 2 years now, thingsweforget.blogspot.com is a simple site that shows inspirational quotes written and drawn on sticky pads which are then placed all over Singapore (and beyond).

Source: http://thingsweforget.blogspot.com/

It's More Fun in the Philippines: Jollibee's Happy Filipinos

Just saw these really cool, and funny, videos at the Department of Tourism (DOT) YouTube page.  New ads for our It's More Fun in the Philippines tourism campaign.  This time in cooperation with Jollibee.

A Time Waster's Special: Listverse™

Listverse™, as their tagline states, is the ultimate, and the original, top 10 list site.

Source: Listverse™ website

Warm Bodies: A Zombified Romantic Comedy

You've read it right.  A movie about a romantic love story between a zombie and a human being... uhhh... right...

Source: IMDb website

WEDDING SUPPLIERS REVIEW: Libante Strings

NOTE:  How time quickly flies!  Yes, folks, I've been married for more than 2 years now, and silly me, after doing a quick back track of all my previous wedding suppliers review posts, I noticed that I had yet to do one for our strings trio from Libante Strings and photobooth provider, Photobot.  

And since we've been such satisfied customers of both, I've decided to go ahead and prepare a review, albeit a tad (?!) late.  But as they say, "better late than never;"  so please bear with me as I post a few backlogged posts to show our gratitude to these 2 businesses.  J

I've mentioned in my original Wedding Expenses post that the then-fiancee (now the Husband) and I were quite particular with the wedding budget.  We didn't want to start our married life with debts so we decided early on that we would make a list of our wedding "necessities" and "wants."  Once we've met all the necessaries, then we'd determine if there was still room for the "nice-to-haves."

Well, hiring a string trio was not exactly part of the "necessities" list mainly because we could have just as easily have played recorded songs at the church and the reception area since a full sound system was already provided by our caterer as part of our package.  Shame if it won't be put to good use, right?

But regardless of how practical I wanted to be, I just couldn't shake off the thoughts of soothing violins and pianos in the background while I walked down the church aisle.  So after a little prodding, this "nice-to-have" was suddenly elevated to a "necessity" (never underestimate the power of a woman planning her dream wedding, folks.)

The internet is such a wonderful source of information, wouldn't you agree?  And it was there where I found Libante Strings.

Libante Strings trio playing at our wedding at San Agustin Church
(SOURCE: Libante Strings FB page)

Song to Barbie by Bevlyn Khoo

Just discovered this song quite recently, sung by a Singaporean singer named Bevlyn Khoo.  Aside from its catchy rhythm and smooth tune, I love the message that she's trying to imply -- that looks aren't everything. 

Don't just aspire to be eye-candy because having a mind of your own is a valuable asset that will never fade.

Harry Potter™ Fever in Singapore: Holy Grass-Flavored Jelly Beans, Harry Potter™! Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frog (Part 2 of 2)

I must admit, one of my favorite scenes in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the part where Ron and Harry first meet on the train to Hogwarts. 

It might seem like such a boring scene but it stuck to me because I enjoyed reading about their magical food.  How ingenious and totally out-of-this-world must it be to have such marvelous, unusual treats!  So it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'd buy these exact same items at the Harry Potter™: The Exhibition souvenir shop.

My treats from the world of Harry Potter

Harry Potter™ Fever in Singapore: Harry Potter™ The Exhibition at The ArtScience Museum (Part 1 of 2)

NOTE:  Hi!  Hope everyone's ok now after the recent floods and rains last week.  Hope you're all doing great!

Fresh from success of their recently concluded Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands here in Singapore once again brings another totally entertaining exhibit to the public -- Harry Potter™: The Exhibition.

Enter the world of witchcraft and wizardry