On Vesak Day, I sent Yo home at Changi. Having tasty and tender Srikaya toasts at Kopitiam beside Departure Immigration Hall was a pleasant send-off lunch with her. There was also a different feel to sipping kopi (read: not coffee) straight out of a chinese porcelain cup. I still think that there has to be a lesson in art of drinking coffee. (Or Singaporean kopi.) ;)

Left Changi and met AK for Suntec Book Fair. AK bought two books for his two dear OSG birthday boys. I had the privilege of having dinner with the whole OSG yesterday after Sunday service. Somehow to be called ‘Cici’ by a group of boys rang kind of nice to my ear. I had the honour to be teased as ‘Nyodi’ as well. They have learnt well from that afternoon’s ST’s sermon, I guess. =P R was exceptionally caring and gentlemanly (Girls, you can start considering =D), L was way too witty and funny and chatty, A was still a shy guy, and if it was not for the other A, L would keep chattering no one’s stopping him. =P Was amused and charmed by their bantering. I left them for their OSG session feeling loving and loved.

At Suntec Convention Hall lobby, we went pass another branch of Food Republic food court. It was a far-cry from the one at Vivocity. Vivocity’s Food Republic did its name proud with its retro-Asian-Shanghainese theme, complete with particular niceties such as authentic old and unused shop houses’ wooden louvered doors and windows. Ornaments such as colourful rustic bird cages hung and leaning-on-the-wall bicycles were occasionally found on our way around too. Even the floor was of old recycled wooden planks, so deep and rich in their dark and faded patterns and shades. The background music supported its theme, we were entertained by the distinctive shrill of a Chinese Opera singer penetrating from afar. AK agreed with me that the one at Vivocity was nicer than one at Suntec. Here at Suntec, my hopeful expectation to be eating bordered by shelves of books was shattered. In this styled after colonial British library food court, instead of filled with real antique books, most of the vertical planes looked fake with books-and-classical-columns wallpapers. The counters had some real antique-looking books, although when I flipped open one of them, it was a Nora Robert’s novel. Very deep sigh. Well, I still had to applaud its odour-diffusing system. That was the first time I came out of a food court (supposedly humbler in design and facilities than any eating place) not smelling of food at all.

Because of the crowd at Food Republic and at Suntec in general (by the way, I am very thankful (emphasized) both of us could not stand shopping crowds =D), we settled on an early dinner (around 5pm plus) at Bras Basah Complex food court, which was much less packed with people. AK was already hungry because of his meager (and light, he said) lunch at McD and I was too of the few slices of toasts. We considered Fort Canning Park as the next destination to spend some leisurely time together, but at the end, found a nice windy spot around SMU to do some work, one equipped with power points for my laptop =P I edited and remarked on E’s essay whose lesson was to be on the coming Saturday and AK had to manage an unpredicted business, a rather secretive one he would need to claim. ;)

Nearby was the Singapore National Museum. AK said we should not miss the opportunity since it was so close-by from our spot, and since I had been wanting to see Singapore Built and Unbuilt exhibited at the Canyon. The old colonial museum building was attractive in itself from outside, in particular with the touch of modernity of its central glass staircases. Projects displayed at the exhibition in the form of horizontal film strips were equally impressive. It was inspirational and it passed on certain motivational push for me, but there was always apprehension. The short videos of interviews and discussions among architects were intimidating. It was no different from listening to Greek. Other than that, I was delighted with the beautiful visual compositions of lines and forms on presentation panels. I am also glad that I am no longer too ignorant of the architectural possibilities and upcoming projects in Singapore. My favourite is still the upcoming Marina Bay pedestrian bridge, a double helix structure, spiraling and likened to a DNA structure. Must be a crossing experience. =)

Other portions in the Museum were enjoyable too, especially the Food sanctuary. Most of the food and the sellers and their devices are already considered antique here in Singapore but still are rampant in Indonesia. =P

Thank you very much AK for bringing me around and being with me to enjoy the day. =) Oh and he bought me Christianity on Trial by Colin Chapman. An interesting read at a glimpse, and I still have a lot to learn. =)

What happened on days after, is to be continued..

posted by Graciana@Home at 1:25 pm