Coffee Cup Stain

Singapore is a gloriously international city state, with a very remarkable population that is enormously diverse.  It is an endless source of fascination, for locals, expats, as well as people who’ve visited here, and after one trip, most people get a taste of the magic that is very peculiar to this place.  There are always plenty of exciting new attractions, with live entertainments from all over the world.  The local talent is fairly extraordinary as well, and there is an active arts community, creating fantastic new work in visual arts and performance.  There are some practitioners who have dedicated their lives to learning very traditional forms, and there are also many interesting talents who excel in radical innovations.

Some of the best of these innovators combine art with technology, making some of the most exciting work in the world.  The film industry has always been a place where art and technology come together, and there are certainly strong communities for film here.  You can see how exciting the community is by visiting any Indian restaurant and asking if any movie stars have ever come through. Chances are good that there have been some famous guests, since it is a relatively small place, and with good restaurants, word gets around pretty quickly.  You may not see anyone famous yourself, but you’re guaranteed a magnificent meal.

One of the most exciting times in film history for the local Indian film lovers here was in 2004, when the International Indian Film Academy held their awards ceremony here.  It seems as though it wouldn’t take much to create a local buzz, however, because this year, when the Bollywood actors and actresses had a stop over in Singapore on their way to Macau, there was a tremendous buzz at the airport.  Movie magic is highly regarded here, and celebrity fever is a very exciting local condition.

Denise and her former boyfriend Brian took a romantic vacation together three weeks before they broke up. They had actually been having problems for a few months and had discussed ending their relationship when Brian came up with the idea of taking a trip to Algarve, Portugal to try and save the relationship. Denise reluctantly agreed to it, and if she were to be completely honest the main reason she finally said yes was because she was interested in visiting Portugal. She had some distant relatives who lived near Algarve and thought she might be able to visit them while they were there.

They made their reservations at an Algarve hotel and argued most of the plane flight on their way over. However, for a few brief moments after arriving they were both so captivated by the beauty of the landscape that it returned them to their original intrigue and fascination with each other. The geography was beautiful and they stayed in a great little resort right off of the beach. As it turned out they were visiting Portugal not only near the end of their relationship but also at the tail end of the main tourist season. It was actually a beautiful time to be there and while there were plenty of other tourists, they all seemed to be pleasant and similarly in awe of the beauty of the land and sea.

However, by the end of their first evening there they had already begun to argue again and they realized that their fascination with the landscape corresponded more to their fascination with resuming a single lifestyle than with each other. However, Brian and Denise had grown extremely close in the last couple of years and one thing they always shared was a unique sense of humor. This carried them through the rest of their trip and they actually enjoyed each other strictly as friends for a while and stopped arguing. That trip will always hold a special place in each of their memories and ironically they are closer as friends than they ever were while they were dating.

Far above the beaches of a Maylaysian island, it’s possible to literally walk in the sky on a cable-stayed bridge known as the Langkawi Sky Bridge, off of the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang.  The bridge is for pedestrians only and runs a curved length of four hundred feet and seems to float far above sea level at the height of two thousand two hundred feet.  The technology for these bridges goes back to C.T. Loescher’s design for a timber bridge in 1784, but, of course, there’s been lots of improvements since then.  Early examples of this type of construction include Dryburgh Abbey’s footbridge (built in 1817), and (in 1872), the Albert Bridge, followed by the Brooklyn Bridge (in 1883).  But nothing quite beats the ability to walk out over a forested mountain in Langkawi.

One of the most elegantly designed buildings in the world is located in the heart of downtown district of Singapore, the Saint Andrew’s Cathedral.  The cathedral, located close to the famous Orchard Road and the Singapore Marina hotels, was the work of Col. Ronald MacPherson.  He designed it in 1856 as a replacement for the previous church which was destroyed by two separate strikes of lightening.  There is a small museum located within the building that contains artifacts and photos which outline the history.  However, be advised that you visit the cathedral, appropriate and respectful dress is required.

The cathedral is also home to the Christmas Village.  The theme of this year’s celebration is one of hope, of harmony and of peace, not just for those celebrating Christmas in Singapore, but for those celebration all throughout the world.  Moments of caring and of world peace will be captured and magnified through the week, in the Cathedral itself and all along Plaza Singapura and Orchard Road.  Each night of the week leading up to Christmas day will be filled with live performances of music, theatre, fine art and dance.

The story of the Nativity will be presented as the reason for the season, along with many other ethnic groups and cultures of the world.   There will be a parade filled with the artistry of people and their talents at constructing the floats.  This is a celebration of hope and is appropriate and fun for locals and visitors of all ages and religious backgrounds.  This is the way of Singapore, a melting pot of different beliefs and customs all rolled into one society.  So if you happen to be in the country this week, lucky you…head over to Orchard Road and share in this truly wonderful experience, this magical holiday.  Should you do so, you may just decide to make this part of your holiday traditions for years to come.

Many people are deciding to convert their wood burning fireplaces into gas fireplaces.  Some are doing this for the convenience, as to light a fire by simple turning the switch, is much easier and less time consuming than building a wood fire. There is less clean up as well, no ashes to sweep out after each use.  Some people are making the switch due to particular allergies those in the home may suffer from.

And some are converting as a way to create less of a toxic out put from the chimney into the environment.  Also, once you do light a fire using wood, and it’s a blazing, there is a good three hours or so until it dies down.  And while there are many options for grates and face plates that will keep the embers from jumping out onto the carpet, most people feel uncomfortable going to sleep while the fire is still burning, and just as easy as it is to ‘turn on the fire’, it is a flip of a switch to ‘turn it off’.

Thus giving you the peace of mind to just go ahead and fall to sleep.  There is a bit of cost involved, as the insert and the log will cost.  But in the end, for many it is worth it.  The downside—the scent of the burning wood.  Many of the logs look realistic, but the scent is something that many people connect to the entire experience of a fire on a cold night.   But this can be compensated for by burning cedar or pine incense or candles.

Either way, whether they are wood burning or gas, fireplaces create a warmth that extends beyond the temperature of the room.  They are the back drop for holiday celebrations and family gatherings.  They provide a warm and cozy spot for story telling and conversation.  The design elements now, and are varied enough so that any style of decor you have created in your home, will be enhanced by the addition of this modern day, inside gather around the campfire feel.

Check into one of the delightful hotels Scheveningen has to offer. The area has many and they offer up some great hospitality. You may want to just snuggle up and get some rest but don’t for get to get out and see the near by sights of the Scheveningen area. There is a lot of history and museums to see because this port coast has bee around for a very long time.

If you want to see a big city with a great mix of historical and modern buildings and busyness than visit to Den Haag. The Hague is the not to capital of the Netherlands but it is a very important city. Major governmental and Financial complexes are running from the Hague. The world courts, International Court of Justice, are located in this city. You can find it at the Peace Palace. It is a division of the United Nations. On another big city plane you could catch a train up to Amsterdam which is the capital of the Netherlands but gives a whole other picture of it has a great blend of proper and not so proper business going on. There are some amazing buildings to see. This was once just a little port town that became very important and now sits as a major city of importance.

How about some sweet Dutch buildings that give a picture of some of the neighborhoods from multiple areas of the country in one place. Visit the Madurodam. It is a miniature city. A large model of a Dutch town built at one and a quarter scale. If you want to feel like a giant for the afternoon you can wonder around between the neighborhoods of this large model. it is so quaint and has become quite the attraction. It was built in 1952 and has seen about millions of people who have stopped by to check out the craftsmanship. It was named after George Maduro who became a hero in his fight against the Nazi forces.

In some cities in the United States, the snow has already started to fall.  People are loading up their families into their vehicles and heading out to holiday gatherings, parties, and long trips to see the grandparents.  This is a time when the proper maintenance of those vehicles is extremely important.  No matter which model of car or truck you have, such as a Jeep Grand Cherokee, repair manual which will be provided by the dealer or the manufacturer will come in handy when checking off the list of things you should do to make your car winter ready.

When the temperatures drop and the roads become wet and slippery, your vehicle and all the parts will need to work harder.  To move, and to keep you safely on the road and headed out to the festivities.  Tires are of utmost importance all year round, but this time of year particularly.   You must make certain that the tread is not worn, the tires should be properly balanced, aligned, and rotated.

Check the tire pressure regularly and this will help to ensure that not only are your tires not wearing unevenly, but that they will be safe and you will feel secure.  If you should need to replace them, you will find the information in your Chevrolet Cavalier repair manual, or any manual for your particular make and model.  Antifreeze must be changed at the beginning of each winter season.  Some mechanics will suggest once every two years.

This is an important fluid during the colder months, which protect your radiator and will not allow your engine to freeze up when everything else seems to be freezing up.  Consult your mechanic, but your car will most certainly benefit from a switch to lower grade oil.  Taking these small steps will keep your car in working order, ready for all the shopping, the fun and the joy of the holiday season this year.

In Singapore, the streets are wide, devoid of constant honking, and sparkling clean. Pedestrians and cars alike all paid attention to crossing signals and traffic lights. English is spoken everywhere. If it wasn’t for the muggy heat that makes you think you’re in a hot shower all day, I would have sworn I was back in Australia.

Singapore does have the typical Malaysian cultural cuisine and influences, but it’s more like a five star deluxe property of Southeastern Asia, or maybe it just felt that way because I was staying in a Singapore boutique hotel. I’ve enjoyed three nights of absolute luxury. Or was it because I found myself in the middle of the APEC action. When I arrived in Singapore, I saw banners welcoming the delegates from the 2009 APEC Convention. APEC stands for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and leaders from around the world, including President Obama were all in the city for the event!

If I’ve learned anything from my time near the equator, it was to take things slow. My first day, I got oriented and saw the Fountain of Wealth, the Padang, the large Merlion Statue and Fort Canning. After all that, I headed back to my hotel for a little nap. Night time is when Singapore comes alive and shines, literally shines with all the beautiful lights shimmering on the water. I took a pre-dinner stroll down the river to Clarke Quay and watched the fashionable and the rich toast cocktail glasses and champagne flutes at the waterfront restaurants outdoor patios.

My last day in Singapore, I hit up the ethnic neighborhoods, I walked through the temples of Chinatown and had a marvelous meal in one of the food stalls, I got to sample fried carrot cake, and shaved ice dessert with strawberry and milk. Very delightful. Then I hit Little India and bought a few sari’s and was still too full from Chinatown to try any of the India food, which smelled and looked delicious.

How do you go from a sleepy little fishing village to a military base and then an exciting popular tourist site? Well, check out Sentosa, Singapore and you will see. Tourists come from far and wide to this island and they find it all here. It doesn’t matter if you are young or just young at heart. It doesn’t matter if you live on the wild side or have a more sedate and intellectual personality. Are you single? Are you married with a family? It doesn’t matter. Whatever brings you to Sentosa, you will enjoy your time here. Whatever the reason, hotels Sentosa offers will handle your physical needs. The amenities offered are also first rate with your satisfaction top priority. The staff is very friendly, polite and helpful.

Now that you are settled in and ready to explore, let me tell you about some of the things you might enjoy. And there are plenty. What about the beautiful clean sandy beaches with their spectacular scenic views? And of course there are the water sports that go along with beaches. Not that active? Just relax under a big umbrella with a good book and a good drink What about golfing or hiking, enjoy the lush, green gardens. Be sure and see Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon. You will be amazed at the sea life you can observe here. There is history to be found at Fort Siloso and the local museums, there are the theme parks and nature parks. And I mentioned the wild side. Well, you have the nightclubs and bars that offer the most popular music and dancing and a beverage or two. And the fabulous food, you can dine in elegance at a fancy restaurant, or walk along the beach and sample fresh seafood from one of the quaint little shanties. Are you convinced? Sentosa translated means peace and tranquility but there is a whole lot more.

It’s winter time now. Bet you wished you would have thought of needing a new stove in the summer before it got so cold. But now it is time to break down and look through all the adds named “stove for sale“. It makes one stop and wonder sometimes what really makes up a stove. Most of us have just taken for granted having one in our home. It just is a part of a home. It has just always been there. It usually comes with the house when you buy or rent it. But what really makes a stove a stove?

Let’s start with an original, the wood stove. It is still the most economical heating option around. This stove remains very popular to many people. I think it also has that wonderful smell that adds to the whole cozy feeling of having a heating stove. Choosing the right place to put the stove is a good start. Pick a larger, well occupied room as the main heating area to put the stove. That way everyone can eat and hang out together in the warmest room in the house. Then have the heat transferred to other areas of the house.  It takes a little planning.

The main part of the stove is of course the “big belly” section that stores the burning logs. But the most important part may just be the chimney. At least to the functioning of the stove. It is really important to get the air to flow well through the stove. The idea is of course to keep the good clean heat circulating through the house and the bad emissions sucked out of the house. Now a days, there are many ways to filter the smoke out into the air so that it has less affect on the environment. I suppose simply put, stoves are just that for the most part, simple.