BLESS THIS GROUND

As a manager for my team, I was lucky enough to be invited to the blessing of the site that will eventually house the new LUCASFILM SINGAPORE building. The small band of rebels, err, managers, gathered for a Feng Shui blessing at 9:28am exactly (if we missed it, we would have to reschedule) as that was an optimum time to bless the ground. We read a blessing, made some offerings and buried a small wooden box, housing the elements and topped with a dragon protector. It was a cool ceremony and I am happy that I was part of it. Next month, we have the official Groundbreaking, so stay tuned for that!

BACK TO KRABI

It's the new year and we decided to visit one of our favourite places from 2010, AO NANG: KRABI but this time we went with our friends John & Lisa. One quick 90-minute flight, a 30-minute taxi to Ao Nang and voila, we were at the hotel and walking through the sunny streets of Thailand. This trip consisted of two major events: A Curry Cooking Course at the Krabi Cookery School & the Hong Island Speedboat Tour.

The cooking course (a fantastic belated Christmas present to us from J&L) was a four hour affair where we learned how to make 4 curries from scratch: Red, Green, Yellow & Panaeng. We also learned Tom Ka Kai Soup, Pad Thai, Morning Glory, Papaya Salad and Stir-fried Peppercorn Chicken. The chef teaching the class, Mrs. Ya, was wonderful and entertaining for the entire afternoon and it was a blast. We learned a lot and more importantly cooked a lot and then ate it all. It was a great memory and we will definitely use some of those recipes we tried.

The next day, we took part in a speedboat tour that took us around a number of the tiny little paradise-like islands around Krabi and it ended with a few hours at the large Hong Island. There we swam, scuba'ed, ate lunch and I fell asleep in the sand - yes it was that relaxing. While it is High Season and there are tons and tons of tourists doing the same type of tour as us making all of the islands a little crowded, it's still cool to see all those limestone formations and walk along the white sandy beaches or swim in that aqua blue water, it's beautiful.

Finally, Michelle crossed off a goal from her "bucket list" by getting an official Thai tattoo done in the traditional bamboo style. She decided to "put a bird on it" by getting five birds flying around her forearm to her wrist but instead of having it done by the gun, she got it done with the sharp bamboo stick. Mr. Tattoo (yes, that's his name), said it wouldn't hurt as much as the gun but he was a charlatan as it hurt more. Luckily it's much faster than the gun, it heals faster as well and bottom line, it looks fantastic.

After all that, we spent the rest of the time sunbathing, swimming, looking at the shops, drinking G&T's, playing pool and ofcourse indulging in that amazing Thai food. I would heartily recommend a great restaurant called The Massaman (located at 382/2-3 Ao Nang Muang 81000: that's on the main road that McDonalds & Starbucks is on a few minutes up from those shops), it's cheap, friendly and the food is fantastic. If you only eat one thing, try the namesake, the Chicken Massaman Curry, it's kind of like a Thai version of mexican mole and well worth a visit.

Overall it was a fantastic weekend and even though it was our second time here, I can totally see us going back for a third visit, yes, it's that good. Check out our pics HERE!!!

FEBRUARY 2011

What a month!!! Chinese New Year! Valentine's Day! Singaporean Basketball! BBQ's! Rock Band Parties! Art Museums! Out-of-Town Guests! Steamboats! It goes on and on!!! For the shortest month of the year we sure packed in a lot of FUN!!!

THE ULTIMATE SLIDER

Last weekend we had a BBQ and came up with THE ULTIMATE SLIDER!!! A Pork & Beef Burger spiced up Mexican Style, covered with cheese, served on a homemade Jalapeno Cornbread muffin with some mustard, lettuce, red onion & tomato.... that's good BBQ!!!

THE 2011 ACADEMY AWARDS

So here's my thoughts on tonight's ACADEMY AWARDS:

BEST PICTURE: The King's Speech

Although I don't agree with the new 10-picture nominee system for Best Picture, I am glad that King's Speech won. It's a great intimate film that focuses on the relationship of two different men amidst the backdrop of royal politics and WWI. See it if you haven't yet, it's magnificent!

BEST DIRECTOR: Tom Hooper for The King's Speech

Great film but not an astounding achievement in direction in my opinion as the acting and writing really make the film for me. In my opinion, Fincher got robbed!!!

BEST ACTRESS: Natalie Portman for Black Swan

Agreed, she was awesome, fragile, violent and haunted all at once!!!

BEST ACTOR: Colin Firth for The King's Speech

Well, well deserved. Firth knocked it out of the park in this role. Fantastic!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Melissa Leo for The Fighter

Can take or leave this one. Leo was good but not as memorable as Bale and his performance.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christian Bale for The Fighter

Agreed, Batman was amazing in this part. One of the strongest performances all around this year!

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: David Seidler for The King's Speech

Agreed, this was a fantastic script that focused on the relationship between two very different men from different worlds.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Aaron Sorkin for The Social Network

Well deserved, this is a fantastic film with deep characters and riveting dialogue. I never thought I could enjoy a movie about Facebook but I was wrong plus Sorkin is a proven writer (The West Wing, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Sports Night)

BEST ANIMATED PICTURE: Toy Story 3

Wow, this must be the political win of the evening as How To Train Your Dragon is clearly the more original and far superior film over this cashgrab threequel!

BEST FX: Inception

Agreed, any awards this film picks up are worth it!

BEST SOUND: Inception

Agreed, any awards this film picks up are worth it!

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Wally Pfister for Inception

Agreed, any awards this film picks up are worth it!

BEST ART DIRECTION: Alice in Wonderland

A beautiful looking film indeed! Rich in color but dark in tone, it's like Tim Burton's mind exploded and the Art Team put back together the pieces to create this world.

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Alice in Wonderland

See above. Very cool costumes and reimaginings of those classic characters!!!

BEST MAKE-UP: The Wolfman

Say what you will about the overall film, the practical Wolfman make-up were dynamic and frightening. Award well deserved.

There you have it, I can't comment on the job Franco & Hathaway did as co-hosts as my Oscar experience was based on updating IMDb in Singapore from time to time rather than being at Wally & Geo's house in Vancouver for an Oscar Party. Until next year...

DREAM JOB PART 2

While it has been well documented that I am living the dream by working for Lucasfilm, Michelle has finally been given the opportunity to live one of her dreams as well. A few weeks ago Michelle started a full-time 5-month contract with WWF SINGAPORE. No, not the wrestling federation but the World Wildlife Fund. As a Project Coordinator for this International Team she will focus on Outreach on a bunch of different topics including sustainable seafood and saving the Sharks (it's shocking how many are left to die simply for the fins to be part of Shark Fin Soup - yes, sharks are endangered). I'm super happy for Michelle as this new job is challenging and exciting and now it's true when we say "we are living the dream"!!! Congrats Michelle and save those sharks!!!!

SPRING CLEANING

Chinese New Year has come and gone but with that, I've given the Blog a new paint job for the new Lunar Year. Same great CORSIWORLD taste but with an all-new package...