tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252098932009-04-08T22:17:13.784+08:00A journal of our homecoming in Southeast AsiaCilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-26566717328371924802009-03-27T21:59:00.005+08:002009-03-27T22:23:59.796+08:00

I'm needing some gal pep talk after this week. Count on Alicia Keys to bring out the real "S" factor in you! Everywhere I'm turningNothing seems completeI stand up and I'm searchingFor the better part of meI hang my head from sorrowSlave to humanityI wear it on my shouldersGotta find the strength in meCause I am a SuperwomanYes I amYes she isStill when I'm a messI still put on a vestWith an S on

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-27814589991184480162009-03-05T22:56:00.002+08:002009-03-05T22:59:56.668+08:00

... but for very different reasons!

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-21217505758546337422008-12-13T08:35:00.005+08:002008-12-13T08:59:34.622+08:00

One of my favourite modern poems - inspired by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Jouni Koponen. Imaginative allegory about keeping perspective on "the bigger picture;" how our own short-sighted fixations cause us to miss the amazing world beyond ourselves.

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-89456328753724149662008-11-09T00:48:00.007+08:002008-11-10T09:43:56.283+08:00

It's been an eventful month to say the least. In the midst of all the global and personal changes, I find myself thinking back on Mahatma Gandhi's mantra for our idealistic grad school days: "Be the change you want to see in the world" and on the witty and suprisingly fun Avenue Q, which closed with "Everything in life is only for now."This week, news of Obama's successful presidential bid in the

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-40422725946176510222008-10-03T09:24:00.001+08:002008-10-03T09:26:24.756+08:00

Lo and behold, there IS a VP debate drinking game. Check it out! (Warnings: Not work safe. Heh.)If Biden:• refers to John McCain as "a friend" or someone he respects just before trashing him.• tries in any way to justify the complete failure that is Amtrak.• has to explain what his son did for a living after law school.• says any of the following: "climate change," "biofuels," "green," "ethanol,

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-27428441324217077792008-09-12T19:07:00.002+08:002008-09-13T01:01:03.220+08:00

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-56014289900546045632008-08-13T23:49:00.012+08:002008-08-14T23:13:00.514+08:00

After Malaysia's (continued) disappointing badminton losses tonight, I needed a diversion and came across this surprising reveal about the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. Evidently, the cute little girl Lin Miaoke was only miming the singing by the gifted but not-cute-enough little girl Yang Peiyi. The organisers felt that although "the seven-year-old Yang had the better voice," they opted to

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-59343110440299296952008-07-26T11:28:00.004+08:002008-07-26T11:43:24.263+08:00

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-62642492251439253912008-07-24T18:44:00.009+08:002008-07-24T18:58:52.784+08:00

There are as many studies for as there are against the issue of whether mobile phones cause cancer (dare I say, like global warming?)Mobile phones emit radio signals and electromagnetic fields that can penetrate the human brain, and some campaigners fear that this could seriously damage human health.Eeek!- Ronald Herberman, of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, said children should

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-23536510625405262932008-07-22T17:28:00.021+08:002008-07-23T13:09:34.843+08:00

NBC Universal's SCIFI channel is officially in Singapore! As of July 1, SCIFI is available on Starhub Channel 98 for a ~$5 monthly subscription. The premiere season features Heroes Unmasked (plus behind the scenes), Stargate: Atlantis and SG-1, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Star Trek: TNG, Quantum Leap, The Outer Limits, Xena, Medium, Sliders, Mutant X, Andromeda and Jericho, among others. Note:

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-49121704769531172932008-07-21T13:06:00.019+08:002008-07-26T11:34:21.514+08:00

Good things can come out of strikes!If you're looking for a good laugh, don't miss this quirky 3-part online musical series about "a low-rent super-villain, the hero who keeps beating him up, and the cute girl from the laundromat he’s too shy to talk to." The talented brothers Joss, Zack and Jed Whedon and Jed's fiancee created and independently produced this during the WGA strike last year.Dr.

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-52982994107392312502008-07-19T11:02:00.039+08:002008-08-30T02:03:21.607+08:00

I admit I'm impressed by the direction Apple is taking with the iPhone and the mobile (internet) industry overall. One million units sold in the first three days of the July 11 launch also proves that hype works. For you aspiring iPhoners and smartphone enthusiasts (myself included), just make sure you know what you're getting - or not! - when the iPhone 3G comes your way. There's no question it

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-25919592947021881222008-07-13T06:47:00.004+08:002008-07-13T07:01:23.647+08:00

What's a little friendly rivalry, eh?At least the iPhone activation and MobileMe problems appear to be addressed...

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-76006459025527179862008-07-06T17:08:00.001+08:002008-07-06T17:08:28.734+08:00

As a person of faith who's also an unabashed science fiction and fantasy fan, my interest was piqued by this recent article on God Is My Co-Pilot which looks at how scifi addresses religious issues.Despite a recent trend toward secularism, God is still front and center in the ages old debate between science and religion. There is a popular misconception that a great divide exists between science

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-2620999282719486512008-07-05T10:33:00.006+08:002008-07-05T21:32:41.363+08:00

"Everyone has a black sheep in the family. This one is blue."Kabluey is out! A fun, well received indie comedy by Scott Prendergast about a hapless brother helping his sister care for her two boys in Austin, TX (there's an inside joke here for those who know). Check it out if you live in New York City, Austin, San Francisco or Los Angeles ... or wait patiently ;). Happy 4th of July!

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-54746583701945321542008-07-02T23:37:00.008+08:002008-07-05T09:44:14.847+08:00

Amidst all the weddings, births and our recent 3rd anniversary, I am once again reminded of this Shakespeare sonnet which conveys so much (and so beautifully!) on the unconditional, long-suffering and forgiving nature of true love.Let me not to the marriage of true mindsAdmit impediments. Love is not loveWhich alters when it alteration finds,Or bends with the remover to remove:O no! it is an

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-80456367888732017582008-06-30T09:57:00.005+08:002008-06-30T10:14:37.604+08:00

Tongue in cheek tribute to Bill Gates.Wired:David Letterman's blue screen spoof: Engadget's Day In The Life:

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-4581748935058563172008-06-14T13:41:00.002+08:002008-06-27T16:15:04.340+08:00

Here they are, the 2008 SyFy Genre Awards nominees! You'll be able to vote for your favorites once a day between June 25, 2008 and July 25, 2008 at www.SyFyPortal.com. All clips are owned by the companies and people who created them, and we only claim ownership on what we made.

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-53523681205922482862008-06-11T20:51:00.010+08:002008-06-12T04:15:15.628+08:00

JK Rowling gave the Harvard Commencement address this year on failure, imagination and life long friendships. Wish we had her at our commencement years ago! My favourite parts below. On this wonderful day when we are gathered together to celebrate your academic success, I have decided to talk to you about the benefits of failure.... Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-36577095785858977142008-05-24T14:50:00.012+08:002008-05-24T22:54:46.440+08:00

Goodness! What am I going to do on weeknights now that American Idol is over? The funny thing is, this was the first ever season of AI that I'd watched from start to end, as I thoroughly enjoyed the auditions, most of the final 12 and definitely both Davids.I'm glad David Cook won as I felt he had the more mature presence and better overall package of musicianship, personality and intelligence (

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-14649269932187933852008-05-18T12:36:00.016+08:002008-05-19T11:24:12.564+08:00

This excerpt from John Winthrop's 1630 sermon "A Model of Christian Charity" was recently used during the inauguration of Harvard's 28th president, Drew Gilpin Faust. Based off a passage in the bible (Matthew 5:13-16), Winthrop suggests that God holds us accountable for our deeds, esp. when placed in positions of leadership.For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-83733559630184001432008-05-17T23:56:00.000+08:002008-05-18T23:06:45.155+08:00

5. Back by popular demand, it's only in Singapore till May 19 (tickets here) before moving to Kuala Lumpur from May 28 till June 15. The show sold out in both cities in its first season.4. Experience a musical almost entirely in Malay, peppered with classic favourites like Getaran Jiwa and Jangan Tinggal Daku. No fear, for those language challenged, there are subtitles!3. Support a local

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-45469022426551839272008-05-10T09:15:00.004+08:002008-05-10T09:24:27.317+08:00

Pangea Day is a global event bringing the world together through film.Why? In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that – to help people see themselves in others – through the power of film.Starting at 18:00 GMT on May 10, 2008, locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-29320782006220865162008-05-09T19:55:00.014+08:002008-05-10T09:17:56.118+08:00

It's great to be proud of the company we keep:Nokia today has donated 350,000 euros (~USD $510K)to the Finnish Red Cross to help victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. There is an urgent need in the South East Asian country for housing, and the donation will allow for the provision of thousands of temporary shelters as well as a significant amount of tools and materials to help in the rebuilding

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25209893.post-68166680449757319382008-03-29T18:17:00.047+08:002008-03-30T22:04:35.833+08:00

Saw "We Will Rock You" aka the Ben Elton and Queen musical today. Totally rocked! The cast vocals weren't perfect but the solid band, witty pop music and local references, and the overall nostalgia more than made up for it. The musical just opened and runs through April at the Esplanade. Highly recommended for Queen and Freddie Mercury fans, lovers of rock'n'roll, and heck - even those merely

Cilipadihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01559578543490628194noreply@blogger.com2