NUS crane accident on Friday 22nd Feb 08

(Straits Times Online)

"Seconds before his 72-tonne crane toppled, he shouted a warning to fellow workers at the worksite below his perch. It bought them precious moments to run helter-skelter for safety at the worksite in the National University of Singapore (NUS) campus.

Then, even as the 60m-high tower crane tipped over, Mr Homsen, 46, swung the boom away from the nearest building, the NUS Business School.

The crane plunged to the ground. Trapped in his cabin, he died from multiple injuries to his body.

Witnesses said that as the crane fell, it hit a tree and very narrowly missed the bus stop near the NUS Business School.

Separately, Mr V. Ravindran, 43, the elder brother of Mr Thinatharan, also voiced his disquiet.

'What if the crane had fallen onto the university bus stop?' he said."

dear God, thank you for giving wisdom and the quickness of mind to the heroic crane operator, Mr Homsen before his 60 metre tall crane came crashing onto the floor, narrowly missing the NUS business bus stop or the NUS business building where many students are. Tens and Hundreds more people could have died if Mr Homsen did not swing the heavy boom of the crane away in the few seconds where he sat in his driver seat, watching and falling with it. More people could have died if he didn't shout and asked workers out of the way from below the crane in that few spilt seconds when he felt himself falling, knowing he'll die in a matter of time.

dear God, thank you for holding me back and not catching the earlier bus to business school for my project meeting. Because if i had been there a few minutes earlier and seating at the tables where the construction site is directly beside and the crane fell, i could have died too.

Thank you for protecting me all the time and my fellow school mates and others at the construction site. I do hope Mr Homsen believes in you and his soul is safe now in heaven.

All honor and glory be to God, and in Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen.

Vivitar Slim and Wide Photos

Finally developed the pictures from the Vivitar camera after sooo sooo long. Since December.

Vivitar Plus Points
- Well developed flares when you shoot at the sun
- Good contrast in colours
- Vignetting at the side creates a more 3D feeling, especially when shot towards the sky
- Lomo effect because of the lens curvature
- Cheap camera (bought for S$17 with shipping)
- Fun if you can places to shoot at, surprise when you see the picture
- Point and shoot, super easy to use

Vivitar Minus Points
- Grainy pictures that is not very sharp or clear
- Expensive to develop (approx $3.50 - 6 for 36 film, developing costs $8 + into a CD)
- Cannot view pictures until they are developed
- Need daylight and outdoor to work or else pictures are crap
- Don't shake the camera
- Wide lenses means you don't know when your finger gets in the way

Some pictures taken by Vivitar Slim and Wide on Flicker

Notice the flare effect from the sun, fabulous effect


Another flare effect, sun from above lights up the whole tree


Contrast colors, vignetting at the sides

Some pictures taken by Vivitar Slim and Wide by me! :D

Taken in Singapore (click for bigger size)

Ignore the finger because the lens are so wide, hard to gauge. With the naughty but sweet Cookie


One of the few first test shots, nice flare. My bf's garden lotus


At House, Dempsey having a pot of tea and dessert with the girls


Taken in Thailand, Chiang Rai mostly during my mission trip

Sunset

At the break of dawn, too little light but i thought this misty effect can be quite nice.


At an Akha village, notice the cracked ground


Same village, if you remember i took this with my digicam too. Contrast here is not too great and the picture is cropped cos my brother fingers got in. I didn't shoot this although i was beside my brother, there's this nasty looking rooster threatening to flap at me


Same village, notice the nice flare surrounding the small family


No more cracked grounds, at the top of the hill of the Akha village, there are actually beautiful flowers


A morning walk out of the inn/hotel and this is what we see, town life in the rural mountain




Same town, a 'Mini' shop renting mini motors. Took this because of the dog.


A church at Huang Shi Mu with an Akha or Karen tribe kid


Same place, another child. Woman behind is from Karen tribe i think, their signature checkered headcloth


My favourite picture, regret not having taken more with the Vivitar. Compared to the ones i took with my digi-cam, i prefer the contrast and the vignetting here that makes everything 'come alive'


Singing orphans at a school/orphange open by Christians


Love the flare, self taken picture

:D in Chiangmai province

xoxo, principessa

15th day of CNY and i've been coughing like a hag

It's true, i am coughing like a hag. :( Like a poor old frail lady coughing her lungs out. I hate this illness whatever it is that have invaded me a day after Valentine's day. It started from the fever and the faint feeling of weakness, and mushroomed to something bigger - terrible sore throat so i can't speak for days, then coughs and coughs. Dry, irritating, sickening coughs that attacks even when i sleep, can't even sleep properly or breathe normally because there is always this tendancy to cough. And it's energy sapping, coughs that don't stop. :(

Am i getting some airway disease? Whatever this is, i am angry with the virus! It has been a week and i'm far from recovering, even the cough syrup is dwindling.

Anyway, it is the 15th day of CNY and i went to my uncle's place for popiah and yusheng party. 4 plates of yusheng, with 2 being a really special type with fruits and duck. My little nephew Issac is really cute today because he is in familiar territory, his grandparent's house where he has lots of toys. I saw him brushing his teeth with this edible toothpaste that needs no rinse, how cute and small and soft toddlers are! He is 13 months. :D

My bf is really good with kids, they seem to like him more. Its his first time meeting him!


Brushing his teeth, haha, so cute.
The green round thing is to stop the brush from going too deep in that may choke him.


Shiny eyed

I was reading the papers "SM Goh to West: Don't fear Asians resurgence" and i have profound respect for him. My growing up years are spent when he was the PM, and somehow, the words he says, his actions and plans and policies all makes me respect him. He's really wise with extensive knowledge, and i attribute it partly to his Geography background! We geographers think deeply and critically about issues, we deal with complexity and someone in his position, politicians and policy makers should preferbly have a social science background, or even if they don't, go under some social science course because it really helps us figure out the big picture and small picture.

True and very well said. Asia is emerging as a strong power both economically and politically, we have made our presence. We are important and its time the West recognize that Asians are not lower in status, all humans regardless of race and nationality are important. The West shouldn't live in their colonial mindset times, why should they continue to dominate the UN, IMF or World Bank over all these years when the world have changed? Reluctance to change the status quo.

It'll do everyone good if Asian representatives are in the councils because Asia have so much of the world population but proportionately little say, we Asians want to help too. Do you know that some researchers have already been saying that China has already overtaken the US as the world's largest carbon emitter? Since Asia contributes largely to the problem, we need a voice. If it's always the Western powers discussing and implementing suggestions without consulting our viewpoints, is it fair?

I do hope that increasingly, we will be seen as partners. We want to help too. The people of the world needs to unite to fight global problems. =)

Singapore Flyer Opening Day

Londoners have the London Eye

The cool temperate weather combined with these winter-ed trees, makes the experience so romantic!

And Singaporeans like us, have our modern futuristic ambitious Singapore Flyer.
If we want to have it, we must be number one, that's our country's motto. Highest, tallest, biggest 'ferris wheel'.

Do you know? All the carriages/capsules are fully air-conditioned and UV protected.

I wonder if I can skip the sunblock if I'm inside, ahaha. But I won't even go there in the day, i prefer the night view. I love the city at night. There's a certain romance in the air, i don't know but i've always felt this way. I'm fascinated, even the air smells different. Or maybe i just like the bright lights of the city, it's like a gigantic Christmas tree. I wish i can go out more often at night, i think i'll love the whole lounge idea, sipping a cocktail in a jazz bar and chatting cosily with friends. Oh, i hate clubs though. Noisy booze bars, too crowded for my liking.

A poor version of the picture i took of the Flyer with my 2 mega pixel phone :)

I think, i will prefer the London Eye more. As for our Singapore Flyer, only time will tell, and maybe if i've been on both i can give a real verdict.

Anyway, on the opening day 2 days ago, i met up with a very old friend :) Someone i got to know when i was only 12, during the icq, irc chatting days. And amazingly, someone i kept in touch with for so long even though at that time, we're only virtual friends. You know, i don't even keep in touch with people i used to like, be really close to or even ex-bfs? I don't talk to them anymore except Sebastian (my twin, we only speak to each other at random times because he is so busy with his own life and engin club and hall and whatever) and him (my online kor, 2 years older than me).

Thinking back, i think i really have a very happening online life. Happening because i used to spend immense amounts of hours chatting, making friends who i don't meet unless i trust them (after talking to them for years that is). It's really funny actually, how i grew up having virtual 'boyfriends' whom i've never met, and falling in 'love' for the first time when i was 13 with this brilliant guy from Chinese High gifted education program. And after him, many more brilliant guys from famous schools, mostly from RI or Chinese High. All whom i've never met except Calvin and Hock Boon. Calvin is my first real boyfriend when i was 15, we exchanged many letters (hand written ones) and smses though we only meet about once a month?

ANYWAY, i digress too much. I met up with online kor whom i know since i was 12, and we spent a large portion of the day together. It's actually quite fun, there's so many things to do. :)

Went to the gym, to the photo place where i'm supposed to develop my Vivitar camera shots at Sunset way (but it was closed :( for CNY), took the bus to Pan Pacific for the gym, ate apples (now i must look out for hotel gym apples! they're nice), chatted about hotels and many more stuff, ate dinner at Genki (his treat), starbucks skinny latte (i'm so going to order skinny drinks next time :) while he showed me so many of his europe photos... He've been to so many European countries it's craziness, Italy, UK, Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Sweden(?), Russia and so on.. :)

I love the pictures he took, especially of this palace in St Petersburg in Russia that is designed by the same architect designing the Versailles Palace in France. All the pictures below are taken by him.

I love the white on yellow color scheme, but the roof is too elaborate for me. The windows are my favourite.


Fountains and fountains of water everywhere at the palace grounds.


How excessively rich can all these aristocrats be? Gold framed windows, gold everywhere but it's so beautiful! I can imagine huge balls and ladies in feathered hats and ballroom dresses.


Ohhhh, i'm also inspired to decorate a room in my house in French renaissance style like this

After the pictures at Starbucks, we went to peek at the Singapore Flyer on its opening night, walked through the Ritz Carlton (my first time) and from the main reception area, there's this beautifully framed view of the Singapore Flyer, it's gorgeous!!!

I'm really glad we kept in touch, he's a really special person to me because we kind of grew up together, and he's always there for me. (: He got me some lovely black n white postcards of Paris (i love the vintage-y feel of black and white pictures), and Blaise Mautin Parfumers Toiletries from the hotel he stayed at in Paris, and a yummy box of swiss made mini pralines chocolates from Lindt!

I think i'm really lucky to have people who cares for me. Including my sweet boyfriend of course! :D

xoxo, principessa

Chinese New Year 2008

CNY this year is a busy busy event, dressing up and visiting the whole day, eating and catching up with my relatives and my bf's relatives, so many things to do! :) But i am loving the hongbaos i'm getting, heh heh heh!

At the lift lobby, CNY first day



In the car, acting cute in a self taken picture

Went to my Dad's side first at Pasir Ris for vegetarian lunch...and then to my mum's side also at Pasir Ris. Pictures are all from my mum's side of the family.

Picture with Grandpa! He's 88 or 89 now. He used to make healthy brown rice porridge for me when i was young, always making food for me when i go over. My grandparents used to go around Singapore alot by themselves, and exercising in the park everyday but as years pass, and grandpa caught old-age illnesses, he can only walk a little at a very slow pace. I love my Grandpa :)

Picture with Grandma! :) She's really cute and a very very sweet person. She's always telling me that women needs to take care of their looks, we need to have a good heart and treat others kindly just as we will like them to treat us. I got my petite size and fine silky hair from her! I love my Grandma too :D

My nephew - Issac :) So adorable!

My cousin Grace, our niece Nicole (she is my cousin's sister's daughter!) and me. When we were young, we were always mistaken for sisters cos we have fine straight hair and almost the same face shape. :D


Potluck dinner so there was so, so much food!! Very good stuff though.

Day Two of CNY was spent visiting at my boyfriend's place, his relatives visit his place as his grandparents stay in his house.

What I wore on Day Two, i love dresses! Rarely get to wear them out cos they look dressy, but i love love love to wear skirts and dresses.


With my boyfriend Nopp :D Heheh, i love his new specs on him. Gives him a more mature, serious look, in contrast with the fun, floral shirt.

Even the doggy is enjoying himself in the new bed which we bought for him 2 days before CNY... he's chained because the maids are preparing food at the back. We have to leash him that day or he'll go mad begging for food and jumping on tables.

On the third day, i visited my Pastor's house and one of my bf's uncles at Katong, a really scenic new condo 3 minutes walk from the famous Katong laksa. Lovely house that i can only dream of having, it costs close to 900k :I Maybe if i work really hard, i'll be able to afford it when i'm 35 or 40! hahaha (: But in anyway, a happy and cosy home is the best for me even if it's a simple HDB. (:

xoxo, princi_pes_sa

PS: As usual, i have another song for the day. I really like this one by Paul McCartney (frm the Beatles), his song for The Lake House movie: This Never Happened Before.



A very touching movie of love that transcends time, it is a must-watch for romantics at heart. :)

"Dance with me"

I watched this movie when I was working at the airport, it was one of the last few days of my duties and I caught this in the transit passenger lounge on a nice comfy couch. :) I love dance, and frankly, it is something I'll want to do all my life because it is the best form of personal expression.

This is the theme song of the movie "Dance with me", filmed about 10 years ago. The song is a bit too long so there is don't need to listen till the end.



And when they danced this rumba with the song "You're my Everything"... i nearly cried. Every time I hear this song, i'll be thinking of dancing this rumba with someone really special. :) Rumba is my favourite latin dance because it is so romantic and sensual.

This is the Spanish version, not suitable for the young as mentioned by Youtube. So if you're below 16, don't click!




The English version, video is made by someone and is not the original music video


How can anyone have such a nice body? If someone like him loves me so much, and looks so cute and have a body like that, i'll dump my boyfriend and marry him instead!!! I think Latin guys looks really cute! :D

xoxo, principessa

PS: Why don't I see much Asians with buffed bodies anyway? Most average guys on the street just looks blah. I think Asian guys have double standards because they expect women to be slim and toned and pretty BUT they themselves do not even work out at all! So they're either string beans, fat bellies or fleshy with no muscles. Aurck! No standards themselves then don't expect women to be perfect!

PPS: The rumba song will definitely be a wedding song for me :)

Happy Chinese New Year!

As I'm writing this, it's still CNY eve and I just had reunion dinner at my Grandma's house. Usually, reunion is at my place cos my Dad's the oldest son but since this year our house is not in good condition (toilet downstairs is spoilt and the house is so messy!), we held it at Grandma's instead. Her hand is not good though because there is so growth on it, and it hurts a lot and she can't cook, can't touch wet stuff. :( So most of reunion dinner is bought, i forgot to take pictures (silly me, i must take pics tml!) and we had steamboat, hakka yong toufu (made by my family), yu sheng, specially marinated chicken (bought), some wealthy looking dish that cost $138+ cos it has REAL mini abalones shaped like a boat, this fish pancake looking thing and many many stuff inside.

My Sis and I (I did her makeup and hair)

To create a radiant and youthful look, so i pinned up her hair, smoothen her complexion and lent her my blush, pluck the brows and all that


My friend GJ said that this dress resembles the elf color, okay so its my Elf Green Resort Dress! I love it to bits cos it's the right length right shape and its cute and cool cos it's made of cotton! A nice summer dress ;)

Funny, my mum wore my jelly shoes and because it has holes, and she stepped on some dung on the grass, she threw them immediately in the rubbish bin downstairs and went up the lift bare-footed. I quickly snapped a picture to capture the moment, we were all laughing cos it's so funny!

Anyway, I was cleaning up my room when i found lots of mementos from the past

Like this, an old photo of my mum and brother long, long ago. She's probably in her early thirties


A photo of my dad's old home in Pulau Tekong island, before its torn down of course. He lived in a kampung and had to take the boat to attend school on the mainland.

It has been an eventful day as I looked at old mementos - letters friends have written, yearbooks, photos, gifts and... memories and keepsakes of the past. As i looked at his letters and those young days where boys professes their love for you and that it'll last forever and ever, that they'll never leave ever, this whole nostalgic feeling came over me and for that few seconds, i could still remember how terrible it felt to have those promises shattered into a million pieces again. And how it felt when we were together, young innocent hearts who didn't know better and promised the world to you, but reality is much more cruel, circumstances changes and feelings fade, its part and parcel of sweet secondary school romances. 99% of the time, they don't last no matter how you thought you'll be part of that special 1%.

Before I end this post, i'll like to share this video MTV of this song "Qian Li Zi Wai" by Fei Yu Qin and Jay Chou. I watched this on repeats during one family dinner at the restaurant and fell in love with it, precisely because it is so sad.



xoxo, principessa