Shines Outdoor Pte Ltd

ABBEY: I've never thought this day would come after my nerve-racking parajump at Sentosa. Groupon offered a 25sgd-voucher for a 2-hour session of wall climbing and height-related-pee-on-your-pants activities. The place is at Shines Outdoors in 1208 Upper Boon Keng Road. Upon arrival we were told to put harness and helmet. Starting the session our host, Ryan, told us to make a high five and saying our name to our group mates. There were 11 of us. This lightened the mood and made our session a friendlier one. He also advised us to stay hydrated. He keeps on telling us that all challenges are by choice. No pressure even you're the only one who did not make it. 

First stop is wall climbing. We were thought of manners for the activity. Always ask if belay is ready and you're about to climb. This is very important as the climber's life literally depends on you. As you belay focus on the climber as well as the rope and your hands. As I watched the first batch of climbers the task seems to be easy. But its not. As I climb, I found it very hard to step on the pieces as some are small. My feet don't have enough room to set in. I also tried to pull my body but its a no-no. The technique is to let your legs do the push and a little pull with your arm. JC and Ryan always checks us if we're ok after every climb.

The next one is what I called a tightrope walk. You must cross with the help of loose ropes suspended above. This is hard as well but I managed to finish it. Don't let your knees shake else you'll fall. The height is about 3-4 storeys.

The last challenge is the leap of faith. In a full-body harness you'll climb a 5-storey post, stand at the top and reach for the trapeze by jumping into it. Yes, just like what the Dark Knight did on that prison. I told Wilma I'll not do it. She told me to do it just like the other guys in the group. And then like in Sentosa, since that's the purpose of being there I took the leap. Climbing the post is not that hard. But as you go up it starts to shake. On top of it you must find a way to stand-up. When I stood up, all I can heard is the countdown of our mentor. 5,4,3,2,1 and then I jumped. I lost my grip in the trapeze though as my hands became slippery. 

The session ended by a group picture and by our mentor saying to eat to replenish our energy. We ate an extra large Domino's Pizza and a bottle of Coke.

WILL: When Abbey and I started this relationship, he confessed that he is a boring person and asked me if I want to do, eat or go somewhere just let him know, but I think he do not expect that I really love extremities of this life. Even his older sister was thankful then because I somewhat thought their lovable brother to go out from his world and taking big giant change from his life.
     I love heights and speed, and wall climbing is one of my dreams to do. Thanks Groupon you offer this kind of activity for less. Instead of $50+ we got this 3 hour session for only $25. We booked and our class was confirmed by Daniel, yesterday 12th of Aug 2012. To protect ourselves from any scratches, they told us to wear pants and shirts, we put our spf 130 sunblock for 1 to 3pm activity. Indeed, the sun's heat is scorching hot. Our group was consisted of 11 participants... 11 cool and positive people plus our host Rayyan Affan, credits to him, there is no dull moment. 
     Okay, first stop wall climbing. When I saw their wall, ha!, easy peasy. But when the guys and Abbey starts to climb and half way they told to their belay that they will go down, gosh, my faith with myself lessened and I asked myself if I really can touch the metal goal or not. Darn, its my turn, I climbed, easy at first few, but when the climbing holds started to be smaller and the humps were on my way, my body told me to stop but the ever supportive team watching and pushing me to go and reached the goal. Even the inner voice told me so, then I am one of the three who got it. 
     Next stop, well this will be the hard one for me, the balancing act. Tsk, I think my cerebellum really don't do its work when I was a child, even at this age, I am easily toppled down. This tight rope is a huge challenge for me. My hands got wet and the rope starts to shake, but Abbey succeeded on this, I cannot let him tie-up the score. After a minutes, score is 2-1. Ha!
     The pole! I am exhausted and dehydrated and some of memberof the team backed-out on this activity, some just go up on the pole but do not have the courage to balance themselves to be on top of this huge log. As usual, Abbey went first, and as I saw the trapeze from pole is quite have a great distance, I second thought about the idea but I am here to embrace all this. So I stood up and climbed the endless pole. When I reached the top, there is a small space for me to put in my feet, and I have a difficulty to step on that piece of wood. As I muster myself, I concentrated then I leaped off to trapeze. Oh my, that jumped seems forever. Haha.
     Thanks Abbey for doing this activity with me, one of my dream was fulfilled by you. Thanks to Shines Outdoor, you can contact them through mail or call them at 68417030. This is a nice activity for team building, located at Upper Boon Keng Road. 

Dial-A-Curry

ABBEY: I was ecstatic when Wilma told me she won 100sgd food vouchers. Wow, that's a lot. But the catch is to spend them all until the end of the month after receiving the vouchers 2 weeks before the deadline. 

For Mexican food we got burrito, chimichanga and chingadera. They all came with mashed red beans, guacamole and salsa. 

For Indian food we had plain and garlic naan, vegetable samosa, chicken tikka, and sheehk kebab. Those were spicy but delicious. I felt hot on my stomach after the meal. We got the food in two deliveries not in one sitting :) 

By the way they only deliver but islandwide (1-hour guarantee). Delivery charge is 7sgd and all food is subject to 7% GST.

WILL: Crossed finger I emailed my details, after few minutes, Expat Living Singapore replied to my mail! Darn, I am one of the fastest and most blessed girl to won a S$100 voucher. 
      Dial-A-Curry do not just offer an Indian Food, they also catering a Mexican(Cafe Mexican) and Italian. They start to accept orders from 6PM and ends on 1030PM, and they promise one hour delivery time and they proved that to us. 
      First, we tried their Mexican food. I went for burritos. the chicken wrapped in tortillas with side dishes of salsa and cheese. The taste is so nice, that I ate it all. Burp!
      Before the remaining $60 voucher expires, we ordered all the Indian Food that we can eat that night and shared this wonderful blessings with our housemates. Naan, oh their garlic naan is so good that I asked Abbey if I can eat all of those. Haha! 
      This is indeed a good experience. Thanks to Expat Living Singapore and Food & Spice Co P/L in sponsoring our two dinners for the month of July, you guys really made us full! 

Hermès - The Gift of Time (Singapore 2012)

ABBEY: The third chapter of Ecclesiastes on the Holy Scriptures tells us that there is time for everything. Hermes tells just like that in their exhibition call The gift of Time. It is currently displayed at Old Railway Station in Tanjong Pagar. It ends August 12. It shows timepieces made from bags, pieces of tables utensils, and even water. Also it gives a hint the humble beginnings of the brand. It teaches us to cherish the time and savor it. When was the last time we were excited to set our footprints in the end of first snowfall or appreciate the silence when the vacuum cleaner was turned off?

WILL: The traveling exhibit that was started in Hong Kong now stepped-in at the shores of Singapore. As one of leading brands of bags and fashion, Hermes presents the Gift of Time Exhibit in the historical Tanjong Pagar railway station. As we enter the old railway, we are very delighted that Hermes open this exhibit to public for free and installed their arts at the place who holds many memories of Singapore. 
     There are 7 rooms with different designs with a colorful and informative insights. The Hermes really portrays how the time played a big role to their company.  
     Remember Hermes represents by a horse and at the first room, there is a sundial and in the middle is a horse, as they shows that time is eternal. Just go round and round. 
     As we enter the second room, one of their usher approached and gave us a pouch and told us to keep all our watches and all the devices with time inside to fully enjoy the exhibit. The second room was full of quotations that will made me think, how happy to live our life once we achieved to do those phrases. 
     Now entering the third room, there's a saddle and a pole...a pole that is huge (taller than Abbey) that I really can't imagine any horse can surpass that by jumping over. 
     4th room, displayed some cup and saucers designed by Hermes with a spinning top-like that represents balance. 
In the fifth room, they show off some of their famous bags with golden clutches and some swatches of different leather formed as a bird. The imaginary time was in the 6th phase. 
    Seventh is the most attractive, I can say, playful imagination indeed. 
    As we went through these rooms, facts by facts we understand how to appreciate the time. This is the most valuable gift we can give to every people in our lives.