Feeling eternity through Natural Impressionism in landscapes and calligraphy by Stephen Leong Chun Hong

Winter Feeling by Stephen Leong Chun Hong

Societe Generale Gallery at Alliance Francaise de Singapour is well-known as one of the most active art grounds and prestige place for artists and collectives to exhibit. I was writing already about five young and talented Lasalle College of Arts graduates, who came up with Almanic collective and Dustbunnies exhibition. And today, there is new showcase - "Natural Impressionism" by Stephen Leong Chun Hong, President of Federation of the Federation of Arts Societies Singapore.

On the eve of 18th of June, more than hundred guests, art lovers, friends, colleagues, gathered to greet "Natural Impressionism" exhibition, opened by guest of Honour H.E. Olivier Caron, Ambassador of France to Singapore. 

Bali temples, Cambodia treasure, Korean village, bamboo forest, bushes and ponds with birds - all that objects of Leong's art are chosen to be painted and represent calmness and lack of movement, to picture stability and eternity of our world, give to the viewer feeling of imperishability and calmness, confidence in future. Calligraphy pieces such as 'Good mood' give additional prove in it. After visiting exhibition you get undeniable feeling of eternal life, that artist could create by featuring simple objects surrounding us and paining it with few brush strokes, leaving every art lover opportunity to fill out missing peices by using own experience and imagination.

Exhibition is supported by National Arts Council, Orangina, Choice Wines, Artists Generation Network and can be seen until 10th of July @Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, 1 Saskies Road, Level 2, Monday to Friday from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, Closed on Sunday, PH. 

Below are some pics of works and from the opening ceremony. Enjoy and stay tuned.

Korea, Cheju, Village scenery by Stephen Leong, Natural Impressionism,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

White Agreat, Natural Impressionism, Stephen Leong Chun Hong,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

 Artist Stephen Leong Chun Hong with friends at the opening of Natural Impressionism,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

Guest of Honour H.E. Olivier Caron, Ambassador of France to Singapore is opening
Natural Impressionism by Stephen Leong Chun Hong,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

Bali Temple Island by Stephen Leong Chun Hong, Natural Impressionism,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

Cambodia Temple at Natural Impressionism, Stephen Leong Chun Hong,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

Creative Calligraphy - Good Spirit by Stephen Leong Chun Hong, Natural Impressionism,
 Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore

Guest of Honour H.E. Olivier Caron, Ambassador of France to Singapore is opening
Natural Impressionism, Stephen Leong Chun Hong,
Societe Generale Gallery, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Singapore, 1 Saskies Road

The Fundies hangout above the Sky at Tower Club with wine and non-formal networking

Truly stunning and inspiring for success view. All World is yours...
The Fundies hangout, Tower Club penthouse, Republic Plaza, Singapore

Singapore is truly opened-minded and easy place for networking and making connections for professionals and expats, brought to Merlion city from all over the World. And every industry can have its own group and hangout. I was already writing couple of times about Hospitality industry professionals monthly Winedown Wednesdays, organised by ACI and supported by HSMAI and many other market players. I also cheered initiative of GeekGirlsCoffees to found section in Singapore to support and connect ICT female young professionals and students. I went for launch of Secret W Business - Women Entrepreneurs after-office hours meet-ups. And here is another great hangout - The Fundies. For those, who are in capital, investment and managing money.

On the eve of 12th of June, over 50 finance professionals gathered by The Fundies at the premier literally high end location, at Tower Club Reading Room, on the 64th floor of Republic Plaza, one of the three tallest skyscrapers in Singapore by architect Kisho Kurokawa, in the heart of CBD. The view from penthouse was truly outstanding and it was pleasant after office time of chatting with colleagues and watching sundown over Marina Bay Sands, sea, CBD and City Hall areas. Cim Global Management was supporting from professional side and Amphora was making friendly atmosphere providing Italian wines from Mastroberardino Winery. As wine lover, I would really recommend their Red Lacryma Christi from Campania Region. 

It was great evening with a lot of name cards exchanges and new business contacts made. The Fundies hangout is truly breezy time of enjoying non-formal, but still professional networking. They also run meeting in Sydney, so watch out for a next one and you can join their LinkedIn Group too. Who know, maybe you can make business connections on-line first. 

En Route of life begins for NAFA Diploma in Art (Teaching) graduates

 Jasmine Tan Jie Min, Self Portrait, En route, NAFA,
Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show

At the same eve, on the 10th of June, together with the opening of Oddinary Show - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Graphic Communication Graduation 2013, which I was writing about in previous post, Diploma in Art (Teaching) graduates were opening their own show - En Route, with series of works, summarizing their years of study at NAFA - Nanyang Academy of Fine arts.

20 students presented their Paintings, drawings, mix-media, graphic design and multimedia works, and to be honest as art lover, I could appreciate and understand their works much more, than those from design. So I spent most of the time at that Gallery.
Among interesting works, that caught my eye, there was series of self-portraits by Jasmine Tan, who paints parts of her body in very expressive manner attracting additional viewers attention by writing some statements on the paintings as well. Have a look at the picture below and judge by yourself, but I was quite impressed by interpretation of holy phrase, that was written on teeth with brackets resulted getting literal and inversion meanings.
I loved Poja Kanade mixed-art tour around Tiong Bahru neighborhood, where he got pictured HDB apartments and shop houses in unusual angle - spiral staircases, rest areas, those old apartments, that today are put in plan to be replaced with super modern steel-glass condos. I do as well a lot of pictures, when I walk around that districts. And that mixed art works help us to conserve memory and attract our attention to beauty of constructions, that we pass by everyday without noticing.

History of Geylang Serai, 

En Route, NAFA, 

Diploma in Art (Teaching)

 Graduation Show

There were the same conservation memories about Katong, Geylang and other parts of old traditional Singapore, where you still can try the best laksa in the city or prey in the old mosque. After seeing that works, reading every fact, I felt like I went to museum to learn history of Singapore. It was pleasant and unexpected benefit to my art evening. A little bit of history, that I always keen to know, especially about the place, where I live.

Desiree Tham presented interesting series "Elements of Life", that combine different technique, such as painting, writing, pressed images to show the concept of our fast moving and developing life through the juxtaposing of modern and old almost forgotten objects. Energy tower and bicycle, slow moving material vehicle and fast invisible energy, that is in fast times more powerful, than even human, who will cycle.
The same kind of confrontation can be seen in works of Siti Aisyah Bte Ahmad "The Rules", who is showing road with a lot of signs, that limit your move, but at the same time the road is all time symbol of life and development. And it's pity, but true, that we have a lot of guides and restrictions in our life. Also the turn of the road means unknown change, waiting for the walker. 
I couldn't pass without comment my favorite kind of art, where artists idea is expressed through the food, so here is work "Sundwiched Society" by Joanne Goh Gek Noi, who feels and shows, that our society is just a sandwich, where everybody is just squeezed together without any room for air. Interesting approach and of course, the sandwich doesn't look tasty, which clearly express artists attitude towards society. Check as well my favorite food media works, deeply disturbing your feeling and disgusting to the point - smashed food by Erika Norris showcased at the Magic Bullet exhibition by  graduates of Faculty of Fine Arts Masters Programme  from Lasalle College of Arts at @ ICA Gallery 2, that was part of The Lasalle Show, different parts of which I was visiting during last school year.
Read about other exhibitions at Lasalle College of Arts, that I've visited during the year of The Lasalle Show  - Artism, "The Art Incubator 4" exhibition, Art of Science: "Coded Transformations" and 1st Prize, Parallax Between_Borders: Singapore_China, Shifting between surfaces, Disappearing Moon, Inside the Subject
But lets return to NAFA. One of the last works, that got my attention was Mind by Wileen Png. According to artists statement, she painted car park, that she was passing through during many years. And I can see in one paint many changes are reflected, with objects sometimes overlapping each other, that gives you feeling of movement and even movie watching. Color inversion - schematic, inaccurate, white on black also gives you impression of minute, unstable world. You can feel, that you pry into somebody's life without asking permission. white paint, almost like chalk gives you feeling, that nothing is stable in this life and can be removed easily, as well as gives background about artist, who just turned to be adult. The painting recalled my own feeling and memories about childhood and time, when I was painting the yard court with color chalks, showing everything I see - dogs and other children with moms, cars, trees and everything, that was surrounding me.
There more works and interesting ideas from other graduates, I just highlighted those, that caught my eye. But maybe you will find something more interesting there, so it's worthy to visit by yourself!
Exhibition is up until 15th of June, at Lim Hak Tai Gallery 2, NAFA Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street from 11 am to 8 pm. Please, go ahead and have a look, it's free.
You can also get info about exhibition graduates exhibitions of other Faculties and programmes at NAFA web-site. Stay tuned and next graduation and exhibition called Connected is from Department of Design & Media Diploma Graduates and will be opened on the 24th of June, 6.30 pm at Galleries 1 & 2, Lim Hak Tai Gallery, NAFA Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street, running until 29th of June from 11 am to 7 pm. See you there!

For now, below there are some pictures from the venue for you to have a overview before you head there by yourself and appreciate young talents design works and ideas.

Literally... Jasmine Tan Jie Min, Self Portrait, En route, NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show,
 Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

I love that tours to HDB neibourhoods, especially Tiong Bahru, where I was living for a while, by Pooja Kanade,
 for En Route, NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Contrast of fast and slow, material and invisible, old and new in "Elements of Life"en route by Desiree Tham,
NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Rules confronting - Slow but go on! by Siti Aisyah Bte Ahmad, The Rules,
En Route, NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Food topic - my favorite one - couldn't pass by without comment - Sundwiched Society by Joanne Goh Gek Noi,
En Route, NAFA, Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Many years in on painting - feeling of movie and movement - Mind, Wileen Png, en route, NAFA,
 Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show, Singapore, 2013, Bencoleen Street 80

Singapore NAFA Graphic communications BA Honours go for graduation with Oddinary Show

Louis Lee Yu Jin, Opening of BA Graphic Communication Graduation
Oddinary, NAFA, Singapore

It just happened, that I've been visiting Lasalle College of Arts for their exhibitions within The Lasalle Show during whole past year, but I never had occasion to come just across the street to NAFA - Nanyang Academy of Fine arts to see the works of their students. And here is my first occasion and Right Away it's BIG event -  Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Graphic Communication Graduation Show 2013 - Oddinary Show of both NAFA and Loughborough University.

On the eve of 10th June, students, colleagues, art lovers, designers, friends and family members gathered to greet the graduation of 33 students, whose works and ideas were presented at Gallery 1, NAFA Campus 1. Guest of Honour Steve Lawler - Kult3D opened the Show and wished all talents to keep continue trying new even small things everyday to keep development, inspiration and creative mood. The event gathered quite a lot of guests and designers were presenting their works proudly and ready to tell you their ideas and inspirations. There were lots of real advertising samples, that means, freshly graduates already joined working community of Singapore and actively building their portfolios and making career helping out to marketing and media.
Exhibition is up until 15th of June, at NAFA, 80 Bencoleen Street from 11 am to 8 pm. Please, go ahead and have a look, it's free. Who knows, maybe you will find there creator of your next promotion campaign. It's also worthy to see, where to design is going to nowadays. I don't dare to judge, as I'm more in arts and actually had to split my time between this event and Diploma in Art (Teaching) Graduation Show - En Route, that I'll be writing about in next post.
You can also get info about exhibition graduates exhibitions of other Faculties and programmes at NAFA web-site. Stay tuned and next graduation and exhibition called Connected is from Department of Design & Media Diploma Graduates and will be opened on the 24th of June, 6.30 pm at Galleries 1 & 2, Lim Hak Tai Gallery, NAFA Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street, running until 29th of June from 11 am to 7 pm. See you there!
For now, below there are some pictures from the venue for you to have a overview before you head there by yourself and appreciate young talents design works and ideas.
More pictures can be found at the events FanPage in Facebook, where graduates and their supporters express feelings about the show.
Oddinary Show is supported by Kingsmen - Official Outdoor Media Partner, Zouk - Official NightLife Sponsor, Media Sponsors Artitute, Juice, Youth.SG, Campus, Flea & Trees, Merely Ice-Cream, Books Actually, Palm&Oak Hostel, LuvTea .
Food was kindly served by Arts and Design friendly SPRMRKT, that is located @ 2, McCallum Street.

Fashion in a City: Style Show by Noel Caleb in the heart of Singapore - Avalon @ MBS on the 29th of June

I've been super busy bee around, but still managed to drop by The Co, 75 High Street, last Tuesday, 4th of June for a second part of big Model Search 2013 casting, that is handled by Noel Caleb for big Show on the 29th of June. Since last time, when I was writing about first part of the casting on the 21st of May, in which I took part in order to be a Noel Caleb model again, more details about event came. 

It's going to be BIG! In Avalon @ MBS ... On the 29th of June... It's called Fashion in a City... And it promises to bring you everything you love in one evening - Fashion, Beauty, Food, Entertainment. From 5 pm to 10 pm guests will be enjoying fashion show by local and international brands, moreover, they will have a chance to buy desired pieces at specials of 50 - 300S$ on the event day only. Styling stations will be providing makeover and chance to be pictured by professional photographers. It's going to be big mingle among stylish people and models, designers and fashionistas. And then everybody will continue with night party in Avalon all night around. 

As a model I expect to see good crowd and walk my way presenting brands I wear. Media will come down by 5 pm for hour or so to shoot collections and quest designers. Food will be served to the guests. But for me it's great chance as well to hang out with people of my interests, make new connections, be snapped by photographers, get great pictures and smile to everybody.

If you still keen to join event as a model and be behind the scene actually doing and walking show, today, 7th of June, is last chance! Noel Caleb decided to make last call for a models - third part of the casting. As show is really going to be huge. Considering, that two previous calls brought up around 80 models for casting... And they are still looking for more, just imagine on how big event you can be part of. So please, hurry up now, put your high heels and makeup now and be @ The Co 75 High Street, 1.30 pm sharp. Male models are also highly welcomed, as Noel Caleb has partners with men clothes lines to present to.

One East Asia Gallery uncovers Ties and Fragrant Lies of the Land of Thousand Smiles showcasing 8 young Thai contemporary artists in Singapore

Manit Srisuwan, Deer Lady 3, One East Asia, Ties & Fragrant Lies

Despite I'm highly refusing to visit Thailand of private reasons, and by the way, still managed to keep my promise refusing high temptation produced by special offers from budget airlines, I'm still opened and highly interested in learning about Thai rich culture and history, a well as any culture in Asia. And here is perfect chance - One East Asia Gallery in Singapore gathered eight young Thai artists under "Ties & Fragrant Lies" exhibition, curated by Woho Weng and Joey Soh. 

On the eve of 4th of June, art lovers and friends could get an overview of contemorary art in Thailand, represented by young artists under 30's - Anchalee Arayapongpanit, Krissadank Intasorn, Manit Srisuwan, Phansak Kaeosalapnil, Pruethinan Kamalas Na Ayudhaya, Supparak Nopparat, Suriwan Sutham, Wilawan Saowang. The importance of introducing new art to the society was shown through support and visit of the exhibition opening by Thai Ambassador in Singapore, His Excellency Mr Marut Jitpatima, who spoke to artists admiring their ideas and vision. Artists were also warmly greeted by galleries chairman Daniel Komala eve before show and absolutely overwhelmed with guests attention and interest at the opening reception, where all artists were presented and ready to talk on what is inspiring them in work and about main idea of the exhibition reflected in title "Ties & Fragrant Lies".

All artists aim works are aimed to show controversy between image of Thailand as "The land of Thousand Smiles" and real urban life local people. For example, Supparak Nopparat shows grass and wild flowers, that seem to be almost mystery and another world objects in urban landscapes. The colors are also deformed, from tones of green to darker more dusty grey and brown. Flowers are almost dead. The forms of the bouquets also state it.
Manit Srisuwan is concentrated on similar to human characters, such as for example, manekens, that are put in strange positions, and nothing confirms, they are alive. So viewers get feeling of dead human bodies.
Wilawan Saowang paints new lock, that are put on old objects, that shows, how new things can influence old traditions, but also keep it together. Pruethinan Kamalas Na Ayudhaya specialises on traditional Thai architecture - Buddist temples, but only capturing rooftops and sky, showing respect to God and Buddist study, but also doubting it's endlessness. Suriwan Sutham concentrates on women, wearing jewelry and accessories. First look gives prospective of beauty of traditional dresses and costumes, but women covered by it so heavily, that almost lose their identity. Obsession and vanity are key issues, observed in works.

Human Institutions are "Under Control" - solo exhibition by photographer Eiffel Chong at 2902 Gallery Singapore

Inanimate - Institutions - police, Eiffel Chong,
 Under Control, 2909 gallery, Singapore

I was already writing once about Malaysian photographer Eiffel Chong, who came down to Singapore to speak about his 'Institutions' series at the launch of 'Imag(in)e sea' talks by Southeast Asian photographs community at 'Select Books' cafe and store at 51 Armenian Street on the 19th of January. And now half year later, Eiffel Chong is showcasing his first solo exhibition 'Under Control' at 2902 Gallery in Singapore.

On the eve of the 30th of May guests and friends were invited to see all four 'Institutions' series of pictures put together literally 'Under Control'.
Eiffel Chong's Institutions exploration started in 2005, when he spent a lot of time with his grandmother in A&E department at one of the hospitals in Malaysia. Since then he started to photograph different departments from puerperal to morgue - interiors, equipment, furniture, random objects as clock on the wall, religious images, flowers basket on the floor. Everything get special meaning being captured from contest and  highlighted at the photographs. As per example, clock on the wall means stopped time for many people, that is equivalent to death. New born baby welcoming flowers turn symbol of death being offered to the ground. Showing different departments in Hospital series represent circle of human life from birth to death and make artist itself and viewers to think about transiency of life.

Noel Caleb is Searching. Models Call and casting for the fashion show on the 29th of June 2013

Professional photos at the Models Search 2013 

- Noel Caleb casting and training for 

big show on the 29th of June @The Co, Singapore

Fashion brand and on-line women clothes store Noel Caleb is continuing Model Search 2013, we were writing about previously. After successful launch of 'Jonah' collection on the 23rd of March at the on the 44th floor of The Sail, Noel Caleb is going for bigger show in collaboration with it's partners, other Fashion brands. Today theys are actively searching for models to runaway for up to ten brands with guests crowd around 1000 people. This time, guys models are more, than welcome to show Noel Caleb's partners outfits. 

Details are still to come up, so stay tuned, meanwhile you still can try to cast for a show, even if you don't have any experience, next round of casting, that includes shooting by professional photographer, training session by guest speaker model, tips, hang out with others and trail walking in front of crowd, just to tease your confidence is on the 4th of June, the same place, 3rd floor @ The Co 75 High Street, Singapore, start 7 pm - sharp. Hurry up, as first session was more than competitive - around 40 'model to be' people tried their luck. Results are to be announced on Noel Caleb Fanpage, so don't miss updates. 

Photos Post - Closing Show Audi Fashion Festival 2013 Singapore - my favorite ever designer Hussein Chalayan Autumn Winter 2014 Collection

I could never imagine and even dream attend Closing Show Audi Fashion Festival 2013 Singapore to see my favorite ever designer Hussein Chalayan Autumn Winter 2014 Collection after I fell in love with his works in Istanbul, Turkey - summer 2010!

Dream and live it - Singapore - How lucky I am?

Everything is in pictures - no words for this one!

Еда - отношения длиной в жизнь. Часть 4. Знакомство со сладким миром.

Один из наших эскпериментов с Женей 
- рогалики и пирожки с творогом из слоеного теста

Мои родители говорили мне, что я не ела шоколадных конфет до 5 лет, так как они сказали мне, что конфеты – это горько и неприятно. И действительно, сладости не были для меня чем-то особенным до десятого класса, когда у меня появились карманные деньги и сдача и я получила возможность вмесо безвкусной булки в школьной столовой ходить в комбинат питания через дорогу, где в кондитерской могла купить валован с вареной сгущенкой или даже два. 

То был период, когда я любила вареную сгущенку. Я покупала булочку с варенкой вместе с буханкой свежего черного. По пути на тренировку я заходила в отдел с печеньем в Никольском и покупала рожок, наполенный сгущенкой. По выходным и после тренировок могла заглянуть в Рябинушку, чтобы купить рафаэло – корзинку с птичьим молоком сверху только потому, что прослойку между ними была из вареной. Я даже пыталась отказаться от обычной сгущенки, право что качество ее и правда, оставляло жедать лучшего, так как множество производителей подделывали оригинальную наклейку на банке под гост и пару раз, открыв банку мы видели слой жира, пралавающий поверх массы. Благо, что из обычной можно было сварить любимую сгущенку, и мы этим нередко пользовались готовя орешки, трубочки и начиняя их любимым лакомством.

Я пыталась экспериментировать с различными рецептами, но мама всегда была сторонницей выпечки из того, что оказалось в холодильнике. Нередко даже сметану из рецепта заменяла майонезом. Мне удавалось отстоять только трубочки со сгушенкой, орешки и рогалики. Да и то, каждый раз на это требовалось слишком много времени для маминого участия, так что готовила я их целиком сама. Пару раз я пыталась жарить пирожки на сковородке, с луком и яйцом, с пюре, приправленном жареным луком, но особой поддержки и похвалы не получила. Пирожки требовали даже больше внимания, так как начинку надо было готовить и остужать заранее.

Из по настоящему требовавших времени рецептов я помню только торт муравейник, который мама пекла по моему заказу пару раз на мой день Рожденья, когда мне было лет 11-12. Тогда я еще наслаждалась обычной сгущёнкой. Когда же через пару лет брат вырос, мы перегли на более легкие колбаски, так как они вообще не требовали выпечки, только растолочь уже готовое печенье и смешать с топленым маслом и снушенкой, а потом поставить в холодильник на пару чаосв, а то и вообще заморозить на пару недель.

Экспеиментировать с рецептами и по настоящему следовать им, а значит и печь более сложные кренделя я начала только, когда мы стали жить с Женей. Тогда мы могли планировать и покупать продукты самостоятельно (наш кухонный расклад – тема отдельной заметки примено через неделю, когда все мои домашние страсти будут обсуждены).

Еда - отношения длиной в жизнь. Часть 3. Детские лакомства

С трудом верится, что когда-то я ела мясо? Мне тоже...

Но на даче я бы сейчас и шашлык навернула - октябрь -ноябрь 2011

Нельзя сказать, что я так уж всегда не любила еду. Напротив, в садике я тайком наслаждалась нарезкой из подгоревшей свеклы в борще и в столовой в школе всегда съедала две порции запеканки, пусть и холодной, и даже несмотря на то, что ее никто нелюбил. Я помню, что любила расторимое пюре UncleBen’s, которое тогда только завезли в Россию с сосисками, и это было мое любимое блюдо в гостях у бабушки, когда я приходила после школы.

Кстати, бабушка познакомила меня с культурой наслаждения едой. Увидев, что я ем шоколаные конфеты целиком, она пожурила меня и сказала, что даже от маленькой конфеты нажно откусывать понемножку, чтобы ощутить на языке вкус шоколада. Иначе, это просто перевод продукта. Тогда я посмеялась над ее словами и лет десять считала, что это все оттого, что конфетами она могла себя только побаловать в Cоветском Союзе, когда был дефицит на любые продукты, что уж говорить о шоколадных конфетах. Но со временем, сделавшись ценителем и любителем хорошего бельгийского шоколада, я поняла, что бабушка была права, и тающий кусочек нужно смаковать на языке. В желудке же все просто перемешано и безвкусно и неинтересно переваривается.

Насдаждаться маленькими кусочками продуктов меня научили семейные посиделки с семечками, когда как-нибудь вечером мама жарила целую сковородку и мы прободили часы лузгая мелочь подсолнухов,  и получая удовольствие от маленьких семекек. Можно было лущить по одной или насладиться вкусом, начистив горстку и сразу отправив ее в рот. При этом, родители всегда четко разграничивали, что домашние семечки – чистые, а вот покупать стаканчики, стопочки и кулечки у старушек у школы и на улице – небезопасно, так как никогда неизвестно в каких условиях эти семечки приготовлены. Ходили байки, что одна из продавщиц болела туберкулезом, но мне больше было противно думать, что они нередко греют ноги в остывающем товаре. Семечки эти я не покупала, но зато иногда баловалась сахарными самодельными петушками, которые тоже были забракованы родителями, как грязные, но что поделать, в прямом смысле, леднцы были слаще любых запретов. Зато, жевачку нам есть не запрещали. Я помню, что еще до перестройки мы бегали в ларек за Турбо и Лав Из, которые теряли вкус и становились резиновыми уже после пяти минут интенсивных пузырей. Кроме того, какое-то время модными были соки Юппи – только добавь воды, их яркий цвет явно выдавал их химический состав, но для только что распахнувшей на мир глаза страны – это было открытие.

Еда - отношения длиной в жизнь. Часть 2. Отказная выносливость

Моя морда, то есть собака Норд никогда не отказывает себе,
если хочет пить в жару на даче,
надо мне сделать эту картинку заставкой  и девизом - и сделать питье привычкой

Отказ от определенных видов еды случался со мной не единожды. Вчера рассказывала, как отрывилась в лагере кукурузой и потом не могла смотреть на нее 15 лет... Более того, помню, что уже в том же Северном я не переносила чернослив, которым неизменно украшали рис с гуляшом. Уж слишком водянисто склизким, но и непереносимо сладким был сухофрукт. По той же причине я отказалась от батона с изюмом, так как изюм там чаще всего был просто склизским, чем постоянно расстраивала маму, которой именно такой хлеб и нравился. И вот на этой почве я отказалась и от самого изюма. Вообще со временем я поняла, что дело в качестве сухофруктов, и можно их не замачивать перед едой. Тогда есть их приятнее. И я стала их есть, только вот не мыть. И вот чудо, никакой грязи в моем желудке не появилось, а сухофрукты оказывались намного слаще.

Отказ от продуктов – это унас семейное. Вот папа в детстве переел горох в деревне, так он до сих пор ест его только незаметно и в салатах.

Первым моим добровольным публичным откзазом от пищи был майонез. Помню, было мне лет 8, я требовала, чтобы родители покупали сметану, хотя она была дороже. Так что я сказала во всеуслышанье, что больше не ем майонеза. Все сначала удивлялись, но постепенно с моей стойкостью все привыкли к тому, что я не ем майонез, и даже салаты перестали заправлять чтоб дать мне возможность тоже их есть. Постепенно сметана вошла в рацион нашей семьи, и даже последние несколько лет мои родители сами отказалась от вредного жира, предпочитая молочный продукт, и только мой брат как растущий организм каждый день уплетает куски хлеба, облитые майонезом. Кирилл, кстати, тоже еще тот отказник. Вот например, мы с ним поспорили, что он год не будет есть мороженого, и это только на диск игр для компьютера. Предлагая спор, я и не думала, что он серьезно будет держаться год. Ведь приз не стоил того. Для меня это было ясно. Да и диск этот он мог получить хоть завтра в подарок или купить. Но здесь же дело принципа, выносливости и стойкости. Диск я ему купила. И он тут же предложил новое пари - год без майонеза. Выдержал, и вот у него новый плеер.

Кстати сказать, стойкость в отказе от продуктов привита нам с детства. Сколько раз я помню по пути на дачу в жаркий жень мама или бабушка отказывали мне в бесконечных просьбах попить, говоря, что пить будем, когда придем на дачу. Я наверное, им просто докучала, так как надо было постоянно останавливаться... До сих пор, в моих путешествиях я никогда не пью на ходу. Всегда сначала завершаю отрезок пути. Хотя мои спутники не раз упрекали меня в преднамеренном обезвожевании организма, особенно в жарком тропическом климате. 

Еда - отношения длиной в жизнь. Часть 1. Наказуемая несдержанность, или почему надо делиться жевачкой, а но не манной кашей

Одна из первых фото - с мамой. Судя по щечкам, поесть я любила))

Поскольку я стала получать много комментариев по поводу моей стройной фигуры, вопросов про диету и кухню Азии, я начала задумываться про мои отношения с едой – этим везде следующим за тобой по пятам другом, отношения с которым длятся всю жизнь и неотделимы от нее. Начав разбираться в моем кухонном поведении, вкусовых предпочтениях и пристраястих, я постепенно стала уходить глубоко в детство и находить связи и причины, идеи и то, что было сказано взрослыми и глубоко врезалось в мою память . Все то, что влият на мою едовую жизнь сегодня, на самом деле тянется невидимыми ниточками в моем мозгу из моего детства, подкреплено опытом и экспериментами и делает мою гастрономию такой какая она есть.

Дойдя до сути и начала начал, а также проанализировав раздичные этапы моей жизни, я поняла, что на мое кухонное поведение очень много влияло и окружение, и страны, и другие культуры. Мне много что есть сказать и написать, поэтому вместо первоначальной идеи написать заметку, я начинаю серию под названием «Еда – отношения длиной в жизнь», не хочу говорить, что это «отношения всей жизни», так как все-таки хочется думать, что для меня эти отношения не главные в жизни, то есть я живу, не чтобы есть, а ем, чтобы жить.

Обещаю писать каждый день про маленький аппетитный или не очень кусочек моих отношений с едой, связанный с тем или иным этапом жизни, людьми, страной или окружением. Ну и в конце, конечно же напишу про еду блондинки в Сингапуре.

Итак, эпизод первый для затравки и нагуливания аппетита на завтра.

Наказуемая несдержанность

Мои первые воспоминания о еде - довольно странные обрывки, зарисовки и сценки из семейной жизни глазами ребенка. Вот мама ругает меня за то, что я не дождавшись семейного застолья напробовалась и незаметно слопала все грецкие орехи, которые были выставлены в вазочке на праздничный рождественский стол у нас дома. Орехи были дефицитом, я помню, что тога я еще могла залезть под стол и прятаться там от родительских упреков, значит, было еще время Советского Союза, я смотрела наш маленьких черно-белый, первый в доме телевизор с экраном в десять дюймов и думала о том, что все-таки орехи были вкусные и ужержаться я никак не могла. Это было время перед обедом, когда мы с бабушкой и дедушкой ходили с утра в музей, тогда как родители непонятно зачем завернули в то же время в суд. Наверное, были свидетельствовали за или против нашего соседа по коммуналке – пьяницы, жившего в комнате напротив.

Connecting female ICT students and young professionals. Geek Girls Coffees supported by Google launches in Singapore.

Guest speakers from Irene Xu from Citi and Virginia Yang from Ebay 

are giving tips on how to do innovations to attendees of Girls Geek Coffees, 

Singapore, First Meetup @ Asia One Square, Google office

To be a programmer, scientist, computer guru and technical professional don't mean to be isolated from society introvert, who never goes out and socialize. So decided Miriam Hochwald and the talented Scholars of the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship (AU/NZ) and Google, when they started GGC - Geek Girls Coffees Meetups around Australia & New Zealand in 2009. That was 4 years ago, when first meeting was organized, and today GGC has 64 chapters around the World, mainly in every city or near university campuses in Australia and New Zealand, but other continents catch up as well with Coffees in Canada, United States and United Kingdom and South America. And now with the launch of GeekGirlsCoffees in Singapore.

On the eve of 26th of April around 40 Geeks gathered for a first meeting in Google office in Singapore @Asia One Square. On a side note, Geek Girls are about balance and diversity, so male supporters are welcomed as well, and this time around third of the crowd were guys, that can't not to please, as males shows such an interest to participate in women activities and meetup, discuss topics and support initiatives.

Magic Bullet is pulling out feelings. Masters of Fine Arts blow minds at Singapore Lasalle ICA Gallery Graduates Showcase

My favorite play by Erica Norris - sweets mash-up,
  Magic Bullet exhibition, ICA gallery,  Lasalle Singapore

You would not believe, but since I started to go for art exhibitions in Singapore, yesterday was the first time I saw piece of art I was ready to buy here and now, and I was such in love with it from the first glance... And it was not even one particular work, but whole series, concept and feeling... And just imagine, that this happened to me, not at the Art Stage, the main exhibition of the year in Singapore, not at the internationally well-known galleries openings, like Bartoux-Singapore, I was writing about, but at the opening of the last chapter within The Lasalle Show 2013, that is mainly featuring students works. 

I was visiting ICA Galleries Lasalle College of Arts quite often this year to check, what are the ideas of fresh graduates and students and to see, where art development in Asia is going to, so some of the interesting show cases I shared in previous posts. Especially memorable for me was Parallax Between_Borders: Singapore_China as some reminds of my China life experience. Other exhibitions were also interesting and I found some new tendencies. I put the list of show cases I wrote about at the end of this post, so you can check by yourself ideas of young artists, pics of their works and  my thoughts regarding it. But here and now is THE story, how did I meet MY BRAIN-BLOWING ART...
At the eve of 25th of April art-lovers, students, friends and professors gathered at the ICA Gallery 2 for opening of the truly mind-blowing showcase "Magic bullet". Lasalle College of Arts was finishing academic year, featuring works of Erika Norris, Jying Tan and Phuong Dang, graduates of Faculty of Fine Arts one and half year master program.

Singapore Lacrosse - Getting serious. From families fun to first international match against Hong-Kong

Lacrosse, Male Singapore Hong-Kong match, Padang, 20 April 2013

Being expat is not only endless pleasure, but also is continuous challenge to adapt in new environment, to accept some rules and blend into other cultures. It's also challenge to find new friends and make circles of people around. It's twice hard, if you are looking to socialize and have pleasant time with family, as it should fit in timetable of hardworking dads and be resting time for busy moms, it should be enjoyed by children of all ages and fun for teenagers.

And what can be more uniting and enjoyable than sports and games hangouts together with all family on Sunday... Out, just to enjoy chilly weekends afternoons in Singapore, when it's already not so hot for a day and sun slowly going down. 

While Singaporeans are concentrated on to achievements in individual sports such as badminton and table tennis, Taekwondo lessons in community clubs and different kinds of marshal arts in numerous centers, running marathons and even challenging for triathlons, expats are tend to bring their home games to Singapore and found mini-clubs, playing their favorite sports, just for fun and leisure.

If we will play the game of associations, we will certainly name cricket for British, football for Germans, Italians, Spanish, rugby for Newzealanders etc., etc. But surprisingly, for US Americans, neither basketball nor American football work in our story, because US American families in Singapore are enjoying lacrosse. I haven't even heard about this game, until my friend introduces it to me. Sticks, lots of running, goals, balls, after trying to understand the game from explanations, I watched couple of Youtube videos, so can you do. Apparently, lacrosse is popular in US and even one of the sports in schools. Clubs have national cups and people are following their teams. And male teams even have their own designed helmets as part of outfit. Wow, that was like whole new world for me.

And here comes my chance to watch the game life... On beautiful sunny hot Sunday afternoon, on the 20th of April 2013, First time ever Singapore was hosting international Lacrosse match against team from Hong-Kong, and, moreover, at the heart of Singapore, at Padang field, Singapore Cricket Club Ground, with the stunning view to Marina Bay Sands Hotel, City Business District highskapers. 

Hosting Secret W Business - networking for women entrepreneurs. The Co is new home for start-ups and communities in Singapore

Morgane Gaubier is sharing her thoughts at Secret W Business, The Co

 Since very begining, even before official opening, when only interior and communications were ready for use, The Co building @ 75, High Street in Singapore is home for active and creative, entrepreneurs and start-ups, communities and hag-outs. It started with bloggers gathering by Noel Caleb on the 29th of January, then proceed with hosting of Noel Caleb 'Jonah' fashion collection launch, that included Models X Bloggers Search, Models Gatherings and Trainings, shooting and recording sessions, Clothes Fitting, I was writing about in my Blog. Meanwhile, The Co started to host OpenCoffee Club meetings - gathering for start-ups and entrepreneurs. Official opening on the 20th of March with hand-made coctails from Bar Stories was just great networking for business activists. And since then The Co just started to be place for different communities and business circles. 

Trying luck in Facebook - thanks to Think Tank Photo for winning experience

Think Tank Photo Facebook contest Airport 4-Sight Rolling Camera Bag

Working in Social Media and Marketing I got to know not only how does new on-line works and influences peoples' minds, thoughts and interests and drives actions, but also some hidden insights, that are not obvious to usual users of social platforms.

Literary being 8 hours per day in Facebook, I was very skeptical about all Fanpages contests, giveaways, competitions for most Likes and Shares. From simple pictures of cute babies with most "Likes" at communities pages for bored mums to almost junky spamming "Best deals" Fan Pages, all of them just wanted to get audience to spread the word in future or just combine database of people by getting access to their contact information and basic features. Using this database they could filter and target audiences  spotting those, who are likely to buy their or partners' products. There were common cases, when that databases were used not only to promote partners, but were just simply sold to third parties for further usage. The rules are simple - by Liking and Sharing Pages we allow page owners to access our personal data and sometimes even our friends lists. Moreover, games and applications will ask your permission to post from your behalf on your wall, that will appear in News Feed of your friends...

Горы слонов, геометрия чайных плантаций, муж за морями, дикость животных и Будды старше двух тысяч лет - Шри-Ланка

Чайные ковры Шри-Ланки

Шри-Ланка – остров Цейлона – для людей, родившихся и выросших в Совестком Союзе, вечно будет ассоциироваться с желтой упаковкой чая «Со слоном». А ведь и правда, Советский маркетинг ничего не преувеличивал. Слоны и чай на Шри-Ланке есть. А еще высоко в горах, между чайными плантациями стоит хижина, откуда сэр Липтон начал руководить своей быстро-растущей империей. Сегодня туристы ездят на так называемую площадку Липтона, откуда он созерцал высокогорья острова и бесконечные плантации чая...
И трудно поверить, что чай на Шри-Ланке начали выращивать только в конце 19 века, когда плантации кофе были убиты вирусом, и трудно поверить, что слоны на Шри-Ланке пережили 29 лет гражданской войны, окончившейся всего 3 года назад, и трудно поверить, что стычки не стерли улыбки с лиц людей, и рыбаки до сих пор каждый день выходят в море за новым уловом... И наверное, мало кто знает, что Шри-Ланка – это буддистская страна с религиозной историей более двух тысяч лет. И в целом, Шри-Ланка это свосем не Индия, пускай, это и остров в Индийском океане.