We did not take much pictures at the airport when we arrived, hence we took more this time round.
For some strange reason, Rachel had more than 6 access cards!I only discovered this nifty door sign outside our hotel rooms on the last dayRachel's sis and mom with two friendly twin sisters working at MeritusAnother picture of the twins who even brought our parents out shoppingEveryone waiting for our buses at the hotel lobbyMy parents with their new friendsHappy familyHappy family againHan Joo and I taking picture with an Esplanade backdrop...Han Joo and Nic at the airportRachel and I with the chairman of the Singapore Teochew AssociationChecking in our luggage which has increased by a few extra piecesOne last picture in ShantouThe snack I bought puffed up in the plane at high altitudeAlmost homeSingapore!
This concluded our 5D4N Shantou trip. Stay tuned for updates on my 14 days odyssey in India next. That was a whole different experience altogether and definitely one of the more adventurous travel I have attempted so far.
We have a winner for Monica Holloway’s Cowboy and Wills contest: Congratulations to Ms. Vivian See. I am heartened by the fair number of emails that I received for this contest, including entries that came from abroad.
However, there is only one prize. I will be contacting the winner via email.
Via Miracle White World. The commentary is damn funny. The slang is kind of like Singlish. According the the video description on youtube, this took place at Brunei Hospital:
Thanks Aaronfor this invite. 🙂 Last Saturday (20 Mar), Rachel and I headed down to Fort Canning for Real Love Works, a Marriage Central event where they invited 1000 Singapore couples to enjoy a romantic picnic for two with snacks, drinks, entertainment, mats, umbrellas, all catered for. You can check out their official website for more information.
It was drizzling slightly. The organisers were thoughtful enough to provide umbrellas for everyone and the event went on as planned.
The rain did not deter the turnout
Upon registration, each couple received a large picnic basket each, packed with goodies, including an exclusive couple card game called “In his shoes, In her heels”, which was launched on the day itself.
Couple card game which involves a series of intimate questions
The event was to start at 4pm. Rachel and I arrived at around 4.30pm and promptly set up our mat on a nice cosy spot with a good view of the stage. As there was not much going on for the performances before the arrival of the Guest-of-Honours at 6.20pm (printed on the program sheet we were given), we spent the waiting time munching on the snacks and exhausting the reading material we brought along.
Our picnic basketOur bottle of sparkling juiceThere were plastic champagne glasses and grapes too - how thoughtfulMarriage Central promotional brochureMass couples picnicOutdoor movie screening for later in the eveningHappy couple
The roving caricature artist did a portrait for us and there were also roving musicians who serenaded the crowd. We enjoyed ourselves much during this time.
Caricature artist who drew our portraitDrawing for another coupleRoving musicians
By 6.30pm, we were getting a little restless as the Guest-of-Honours, Mr Zainudin Nordin (Mayor, Central Singapore District) and friends were late and nothing was happening. The whole bunch of VIPs only arrived at 6.50pm. A good half hour late and with no apology…
There was a screening of the film, Love and Lyrics scheduled, after the VIPs launch the event. Rachel and I decided not to stay as we have another appointment. Hence we quietly made our move out while the emcee was introducing the couple card game, after the even launch.
Mr Zainudin and friends placing in the "W", "O", "R" ,"K" and "S" to launch eventConfetti! Event launchedRachel and I quite like the flower arrangement One last picture before we take our leave
All in all, it was still a delightful way to spend a weekend afternoon and we much appreciate the effort put in by the organisers. Rachel and I figured it would be more romantic if we return to picnic there alone next time, as opposed to a mass picnic with so many other couples. Thanks to Marriage Central, we will make full use of the picnic basket and mat they gave us on another weekend.
Should you be at Orchard Road this Sunday, Marriage Central will be having another event to we kick off “Real Love is in the Air”. They will be making their way to various locations island-wide (from Orchard Road to the heartlands alike) over the next few weekends to encourage couples to pen down their commitment towards strengthening their marriages on a huge Real Love Works structure:
“Real Love is in the Air”
Venue: Urban Green Room (outside Wisma Atria)
Date: 28 February 2010, Sunday
Time: 2.50pm
Plugging this for my friend, Peixian, otherwise known as Miss Glitzy, her online moniker. Peixian is organising a charity drive to help raise funds for the Singapore Council of Women Organisations – Star Shelter, in conjunction with her blog’s first anniversary on 2nd April 2010. More information is available on Miss Glitzy’s blog or you can also read my direct copy and paste below:
The Star Shelter was set up in 1999 to help women and their children who are being abused. Women who are admitted to the shelter are aged 18-75 years old and children ranged from newborn to 10 years old for boys and no age limit for girls. Residents at the shelter form a good mix of all races and religions and all of them are referred by the Family Court, Family Service Centres, the Police, Hospitals and other agencies that run crisis helplines. Some of the beneficiaries need a place to stay when they leave their abusive relationships, as well as to be protected from their partners.
Let’s Care and Celebrate! is a campaign conceptualised by Miss Glitzy not only to commemorate the one-year blogging milestone, but to take the opportunity to spread the love by helping others in need. While we are fortunate enough to enjoy quality lifestyle and wholesome relationships, we can also contribute to the society by supporting other women to rebuild their lives and regain their confidence.
Joe & Dough, a cafe serving gourmet sandwiches and coffee at Hitachi Towers #02-05, is celebrating its first anniversary (31st March) by being part of this campaign.
13th March 2010: Makeup workshop for the beneficiaries of Star Shelter with Wiwit Wiwit, who is a popular makeup blogger, taught the residents how to do day and night makeup. All participants received a goodie bag with 8 basic makeup products (foundation, eyeliner, mascara, eye brow pencil, eye shadow, blusher, lipstick and fragrance) sponsored by Silkygirl.
22nd March – 3rd April 2010: Give a Gift Charity Online Auction
Miss Glitzy and other fashion bloggers will contribute their favourite items for readers to bid! All proceeds will be in aid of SCWO – Star Shelter.
10th April 2010: Joe & Dough coffee making workshop for the beneficiaries of Star Shelter Beneficiaries will learn how to be a barista and what to take note of when they are working in the F&B industry.
Be a volunteer – call +65 6837 0611 for more information.
To donate:
1) By cheque – Pls write the cheque payable to “ SCWO – Star Shelter” , include your name, address and NRIC/FIN numbers for tax deduction.
2) By bank transfer –
Name of Organisation : SCWO – Star Shelter
Bank & Branch Name : DBS Bank Raffles City
Name of Account Holder : SCWO – Star Shelter
Bank Code: 7171
Branch code: 033
A/c No to be credited : 033-021094-9
A L V I N O L O G Y 
