Japanese Speech Competition ~ Sugoi naa....

Attended the Japanese Speech Competition last Sunday at the Japanese Association....

Was impressed by it... There were Secondary category, Junior College category, Tertiary category and Open category... There were 6 finalists each category and apparently, these contestants had already gone through the preliminary rounds and they were supposedly some of the best speakers....

I reached there a bit late and missed the Secondary and Junior College category contest. I was there just in time for the Tertiary and Open category.

Very impressive, some of them... But there were two gals that were terribly nervous and maybe stage-fright that they forgot their lines! And worse still.... They did not bring any notes with them!!!! (Die wor!!) I felt so bad for them... They were trembling on stage and staring into the air, as if trying to find the "lines" from the air....

Anyway, during the breaktime, there was a programme hosted by a Japanese teacher specialised in "Origami". And he was really impressive!!! See those works that he had done!See this fairy?? Amazing!!!!

This is an Ancient Dragon....

A dinosaur....

A dog...

And more!!! Sugoi ne!!!

Anyway, I found it interesting that the sponsors were asked to sit at one corner on stage throughout the entire prize-giving ceremony.....

They were (from left to right) Isetan, Mediya, Yusen Logistics, Mitsubishi-Electric, ANA, JAL and the big sponsor for this contest is Hitachi!!

The chief Judge gave a funny speech and the prize presentation begins!!!

The champion for the Secondary category.... (forgot her name liao!!)

Very interesting, the presenter would have to read to the champion the content of the certificate and before presenting it to her...

Next is the champion for Junior College category....

Similary, the presenter would read the certificate content before presenting to him....

The champ got himself a free return air-ticket to Japan!!! Cool!!

Next is the Tertiary category....

And the Open category....

And finally, the Guest-of-Honour, Minister for Education gave a final speech... I always tot such speech shld be given before the prize presentation... Strange wor....

This was really an experience for me... Maybe I will also take part next year!! But I would remember to bring my script up the stage!!!

Haha!!!

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Don't ask me why I landed at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve hor...

Becos I myself also donno wor!!!! Hahaa!!!!

Anyway, we just checked out of Marina Mandarin Hotel (See previous post) and just had a wonderful Katong Laksa (yummyyy!!!).... Feeling too full (and bloated with laksa gravy..), we decided to go "walk walk".... Not the usual shopping wor... I hated shopping during weekends anyway....

And after a while, we landed at Sungei Buloh!!! Actually I have never heard of this place de.....


But it looked ok and the entrance fee was reasonable (cost S$1 per adult! Cheap wor!!)... Thus, we decided to go in and walk walk lor....
Me looking tired and ugly!!! No makeup that day!!! ARGGHHH............

We were trying to spot the praying mantis!!! But to no avail... But i tot i saw one.... See it??

Very quiet and peaceful....

Look like some poet hor!!! (HAHAHA!!!)

Got a map to help us.... But in the end we only complete less than three-quarter of the entire route!! chay....

Pretending to be serious.... Actually there were lots of mozzies around!!!!
Got tortoise!!! See see!!!


Went into a dark "cave" tat housed some owls and insects!!!
See how shag i was!!!
Most interesting sight!!

SAW A IGUANA!! (Think it's iguana lah... But looked like crocodile lor... Got legs and got leather skin.... )See it???EEEkkkssss!!!!

And as mentioned, we were the "afternoon tea" for Mozzies!!!!!




See those mosquito bites???? Sigh....

Meritus Club Room @ Marina Mandarin

Wahahahssassss.....

Am really a Sua-ku lor... Never been to such "VIP-ed" hotel room before leh... Well, it all started when Marina Mandarin became the official hotel for "Phantom of the Opera" troupe in Singapore. Thus, they were given some tickets for own sales. (Click here for my post on this play)

A very good idea indeed, when they packaged the room with the tickets! ie, "Buy a pair of Cat-A tickets and get a one-night room-stay FREE!!!" Superb promotion yah!!!

Of cos, I jumped at this promotion! I originally already wanted to buy Phantom tickets... Thus, getting a free room stay was just something extra-ly good!!! (See my phantom post here).

Well, I got the room and I was upgraded to the "Meritus Club Room", which is at the top floor, housing all the businessmen an high-leveled tourists! The level is very exclusive and they got a Meritus Club Lounge on the same floor! This lounge is opened to all customers staying at the Meritus club level... They served free cocktails in the evening and breakfast in the morning... Very exclusive and private and....... basically, also quite empty...

Becos, when we were there, guess it was not peak season and moreover, it's weekend.. Thus, the room occupancy is not high and the lounge has not more than 3 tables filled when I went for the cocktail.... In the end, me and Lilian did not try the cocktail and just drank some orange juices and ate some cookies! Hahhahaha! Both of us looked so kiddish that we were a bit out of place there!

Anyway, I have side-tracked.... ok... The room..

Oh, by the way, 30th June is also Francis's customary wedding at Marina Mandarin as well! Click this post for his ROM. Woow! So, it is very convenient for me!

Some photos of his wedding night... (Lighting wasn't good, thus did not take many pictures..)

ok, now back to the room.. To better show you guys how the room look like, I need a model to pose for pictures.... hmmm... Who can I get???

TADAH!!!! A volunteer!!!!

(OMG!!....~~~~)
(Act cute??!! Can faint!!!)

Lucky din ask him to pose for the toilet shots!!! Yahahaha!!!!

Kermit's Birthday!!! It's been another year...

Yahlooo!!!

It's Kermit's birthday... once again!! Hahahha....

This year marks our (me, nan and kermit) 30th year on Earth and our 17 years of friendships.... See HERE for more "insights" into our friendship beginning!!!

Anyway, wonder if Kermit is back from her Hawaii meeting... And since Nan-chan is far away in NZ, guess this year I would just call her and wish her a happy 30th birthday!!! hmmm.... What should I get for her???? (Nan, any idea??)