WOWArt is At It Again!

Moms and Dads and kids of all ages! Want to learn more about WOWArt? They are having some open houses THIS WEEK to come in and see what they are all about, and maybe let you inner artist out a bit. Remember that person? That person needs to BREATHE once in a while, and the air is indeed sweet at WOWArt. Have a looksee, those dates are:

Thursday Dec 1, from 230-430

and

Sunday Dec 4 from  2-4

I'll be there! Will you?

http://lindablackonline.tumblr.com/post/13397964257/wowart-is-still-wowing-me

MY New Charity Passion: WORLD VISION

Now I'm a big supporter of many charities - but a new one has come to my attention: World Vision, which has actually been on my radar for over a year. This year i have had the distinct honor and privilege of being asked to host The Child Supporters Celebration. I have included the Press Release for those who are interested in knowing more. 

I expressly hope that each and every one of you reading this is touched by the idea that you can help make a difference in a child's life, either by sponsoring a child for a year, or even just making a donation at the Tree Of Life (which gives you the opportunity to help out individuals or communities in so many ways, and with so many affordable levels.)

NEWS FEATURE

For Immediate Release

MALNOURISHED ETHIOPIAN FAMINE SURVIVOR NOW EDUCATES NEXT GENERATION

SINGAPORE, 11 November 2011 – He survived the 1984 Ethiopian Famine that caused an estimated one million deaths and made millions more destitute. He still experiences flashbacks of the persistent hunger pangs, his hair dropping due to malnutrition, and the endless queues for food distribution. Today, Getacher Beyene, 31, is a science teacher at an elementary school in a town in northern Ethiopia. He credits World Vision for helping him survive and his child sponsors for enabling him to thrive.

"When you don’t have these basic necessities, you totally lose your appetite for life, and you don’t have time to think about tomorrow." Beyene shares. "You cannot think about anything but a piece of bread."

 With the current drought-induced food crisis still haunting the Horn of Africa and affecting countries like Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, Beyene makes a trip to Singapore to share his transformational story of hunger to harvest with local World Vision supporters at the annual Child Sponsors Celebration on November 19 at Fort Canning.

Beyene remembers receiving biscuits and wheat flour as a child, which cured his malnutrition. As World Vision’s relief operations in Antsokia phased into rehabilitation programmes, Beyene’s father joined a local committee and reforested eroded patches of land and grew more nutritious varieties of fruits and vegetables.

"If I wasn’t sponsored, it would have been very difficult for me to complete my education," says Beyene, who became a World Vision sponsored child at six. World Vision’s Child Sponsorship programme paid for his books and school fees in elementary school, and later covered his transportation costs to a high school in a town almost 20km from home. Beyene’s sponsors continued to support him through teacher’s college.

Today, the 1984 famine might be something Beyene’s students read about in history textbooks, but drought still remains a serious threat to subsistence farmers in rural Ethiopia—the current Horn of Africa food crisis is a clear indication of how countless communities are still highly vulnerable to weather conditions and food insecurity.

The Horn of Africa is still grappling with its worst food crisis in 60 years, with more than 12 million people in dire need of food aid, caused by the prolonged drought spell coupled with conflicts in some regions. Refugee camps are severely overcrowded and at high risk of communicable diseases like cholera, while aid agencies are concerned about the lack of funding for long-term development work in these regions—the only hope of these farmers surviving the next drought season.

Despite the geographical distance and difference in language, culture, and background, there are Singaporeans who do care about the plight in the Horn of Africa. Singaporean Sophie Kho is one inspiring World Vision Child Sponsor who donated an entire fully-equipped health clinic that cost more than SGD 72,000 to Ethiopia last year, through the humanitarian organisation’s annual Life-Changing Gift Catalogue, which compiles a list of the most urgent and life-saving practical gifts for children in the developing world.

"It doesn’t matter if it’s $5 or $50, no amount is too small. What matters is that we put our words into action and not ignore people who need our help. Maybe if we learn to see these children as our own children, we will naturally want to protect them," shares Kho.

"I think of my students as my children," says Beyene, whose students at Cheffa Robit Comprehensive Elementary School in Ethiopia are mostly children of poor farmers and day labourers. "I want them to overcome their difficulties and to dream of a higher position. My fear is they may face the same problems I faced."

Find out more about World Vision’s Child Sponsors Celebration here

Date: Saturday 19 November 2011

Time: 12.30pm – 4pm (High tea)

Venue: The Legends, Fort Canning Park 

Hosted by: Linda Black, TV presenter; Founding Member of [the]Collective

Performance by: Jack & Rai and Singapore Wind Symphony

Media RSVPs for the Child Sponsors Celebration are appreciated by Wednesday November 16. World Vision’s strongest supporters from corporate, schools, churches, and Goodwill Ambassadors will also be recognised at this event.

The public can also find out more about the Life-Changing Gift Catalogue at our Christmas roadshow, the Tree of Life:

Venues: Marina Square (Dec 8-22), NEX (Dec 1-18), Jurong Point (Dec1-22)

Time: 10.30am – 9.30pm

Performance by: Singapore Wind Symphony on 17 & 18 Dec (1pm), 21 & 22 Dec (7pm) NUS Resonance on 20 Dec (7pm)

Website: http://www.worldvision.org.sg/giftcatalogue/index.html

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. www.worldvision.org.sg

Media Contacts

Ms Lynette Lim

Head, Communications World Vision International (Singapore) Tel: (65) 6511-7115 Mobile: (65) 9742-6450 Email: lynette@worldvision.org.sg

Live updates at:

http://www.facebook.com/Worldvisionsingapore http://twitter.com/WorldVisionSG

Ms Sharon Lim

Executive, Media & PR, Communications World Vision International (Singapore) Tel: (65) 6511-7133 Mobile: (65) 9146-2297

Email: sharon@worldvision.org.sg

APPENDIX A: Horn of Africa food crisis

The food crisis in the Horn of Africa persists. Reports show a sharp increase in school closures, the number of children dropping out of school; gruesome Global Acute Malnutrition and Severe Acute Malnutrition rates; children and parents separated and protection challenges on the increase. World Vision has been providing relief aid and also planning long-term intervention for these communities and refugees.

100% of donations received for the Horn of Africa food crisis will go towards the emergency relief response.

Read more on this food crisis here. Watch a video on how World Vision is helping the malnourished children and starving families in this region.

APPENDIX B: Child Sponsorship Programme

World Vision’s Child Sponsorship Programme addresses the root causes of poverty and diseases, helping the children, their families and communities break the cycle of poverty.

When you sponsor a child for S$45 each month, which is S$1.50 a day, World Vision helps your sponsored child through the Area Development Programme in his/her community. This ensures that fundamental needs, such as access to clean water, basic healthcare, education, nutritious food and increased food security, and household income are not only available to the child and his community, but they will be empowered to help themselves in the future as well.

The money you give doesn't go directly to your sponsored child or family. This is because it is proven to be more effective and accountable to use the money on projects (eg. building a well, health clinic, school) that will benefit their community as a whole, at the same time improving the wellbeing of the child you sponsor.

This programme is not another charity handout – it transforms needy communities to achieve self- sustainability and empowers the individual to effect improvements in their own communities. Former sponsored children have grown to become lawyers, surgeons, teachers, World Vision staff and are giving back to the community.

Read our annual report here.

3

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. www.worldvision.org.sg

More WOW Ideas from WOWArt!!!

More WOW Ideas from WOWArt!!!

You guys know i’m a big fan of WOWArt! Learning Studios. A simple search of my history shows precisely what i believe in terms of education and where art fits into it. Now is YOUR opportunity to have a great experience for your kids from WOWArt with these great workshops for the holidays that are coming up! So if your kids are home on vacation, and during this rainy season they find themselves cooped up indoors and you are tired of the whining “I’m SO bored!” mantra they keep spouting, then this is DEFINITELY for you!
Take a look at these special holiday programs and see for yourself!

Kids on Canvas! (requires 2 pass)
Children are exposed to favorite artists of all times such as Henri Rousseau, Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Edgar Degas! They will be introduced to a variety of forms, techniques and application of coloring medium on canvas. Using their imaginations and adapting the styles of these famous artists. Wow! Camps (1 day or 2 day pass)
In WOW! Camps, choose from a variety of theme that best suits your child’s interest. Students are taken on a journey of explorations, experimentation, feel and play. They are also able to explore creative concepts and artworks. Wow! Workshops (requires 1 pass for each activity)
WOW! Workshops features a series of activities that will have the kids working on painting, drawing, creative art, printmaking, and coloring with various mediums and art techniques. Choose from a wide variety of programs that explores clay, 3D artworks, paintings and others.

click HERE for more info on what else they have to offer!

Wanna Help Raise Funds for A Children's Charity and Have Fun Doing It?

This is a message from my good friend Samuel Chauffaille to me AND you!

"As I know you are involved in several Charities and that you know lot of people in the city, I wanted to inform you about this initiative I am piloting via my company.

"We work in partnership with a NGO called Child’s Dream : www.childsdream.org  . We provide them with medical support (doctors, equipments, medications) as my company is the world leading medical assistance company and also we manage fundraising activities in order to have schools built and maintained by Child’s Dream for local communities in needs in the Mekong area.

"Our objective is to raise 30K US$ this year. I am in charge of this very exciting project and very passionate about it.

"One of the fundraising activity we have just set up is Dance Classes with initiation to special dances and I thought that you and your friends might be interested to try one of them and serve a good cause too !

"Feel free to pass the words around and let me know if you have people interested that I can sign them up.

"Thanks in advance for your help in making a positive difference for those children…."

ABSOLUTELY Sam! You know me so well! I LOVE children's causes and this one is a perfect one. Ladies... AND gents.. how about it? Feel like boogying your way to helping some needy children? I know I do!

Has it been in your mind to learn dancing and never manage to do it? 

Too shy to dance with strangers? 

No one to accompany you to dance?

This is now the time for you to do it, with your friends, colleagues, families, and for a good cause for the underprivileged children in the Mekong Sub-Region !

Together with Bellydance Discovery, we are bringing to you our very own dance classes which are open to you, your friends and your families. 

Four different classes have been organized and description of the various dances are found below.

WHEN?1.  Brazilian Samba: 2nd Nov, 7pm – 8pm
2.  Korean Pop: 9th Nov, 7pm – 8pm
3.  Bollywood: 16th Nov, 7pm – 8pm
4.  Bellydance: 23rd Nov, 7pm – 8pm

WHERE: Bellydance Discovery, 20 Peck Seah Street, #03-00, S(079312) (Tanjong Pagar Exit A)

COST: $15 per person per class. All proceeds will go to the Charity Fund

Art Makes The World Go 'Round...

On September 22, my kids got a fantastic opportunity: to go and sample an art class at WOWArt.

If you've seen my previous posts about WOWArt, then you already know what this post is going to be about. But, if not - then let me begin by saying... that art makes the world go 'round. We do have history, and math, and all sorts of things we could study that do not in any remote way become "art", but if you've ever studied sociology (or have or been around children) you'll find that one of the first ways besides imitative speech that we express ourselves, is in art.

I have lived in asia for 6 yrs now, and one thing i have learned is that art is not a high priority in the school system out here, nor in the culture at large. While every local parent hopes that their child will become a lawyer or a doctor, or a banker - the one thing they really hope they don't become... is an artist.

But i digress: it is within art that we find ourselves... that inner voice that drives us, guides us to things we like... and don't like. Art is that intangible thing that doesn't depend one iota on if you like it or not, whether its beautiful or not... art is solely based on emotion.

Perhaps having feelings is a liability for some, but for me - it is essential to express that connection (or disconnection) with your fellow man. Painting, sculpting, drawing, music... even poetry are all ways that we as human beings discover how to express our emotions in a tangible way, and is an essential part of our education that if oftentimes sorely neglected. Art is just as necessary as math and science... I'm a big believer in the arts, and will expose my children to it as much as i can - as a parent, if its not going to included in the curriculum, then its up to me to learn all i can about art, so i may in turn help them discover it as well. It is my duty as a parent, and i take it seriously.

And now that I have clouded your minds about my ode to art - let me tell a little about what my kids got up to at the place we love to go: WOWArt.

We arrived promptly for our scheduled class at 2:30p - but OOPS! Its snack time, so we had a delay of about 15 mins b/c my son Ewan wanted to finish his cookies. Ah, ok - very well. Eat up son, but lets hurry ok?

Our teacher was a sweet young lady who spoke Malay as well as English. Good thing too, just in case Tia, my daughter might need it. But not to worry, what my Tia lacks in communication skills, she makes up by being a sharp as a whip observer. Today's class was Pointillism, and although i must profess that I don't know what that stands for, i was eager for my kids to experience it!

Pointilism is s a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of pure color are applied in patterns to form an image. (taken from Wikipedia) Van Gogh was a frequent user of the technique, as were several others that if you see one is a famous image. 

Like this one: made famous in the movie FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF

actually called "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte"by Georges Seurat

As soon as Tia entered the room, she was ready to paint! As soon as Ewan entered, he was looking for an escape. Oh well. Can't win 'em all i guess. So while my son circled the room like a trapped cat, Tia and I sat down to work.

So she began with a painted background...

Tia chose blue...

Tia is what i like to call a "Tomboy in a Tutu" - she's so dainty and lady-like, but she's a tough no nonsense kind of gal too. She got to work right away. She loves pink, so to set off her particular design we chose the contrasting color of blue. But she didn't make a fuss. 

Then we had to dry it.

I can do it all by myself!

Then we had to draw the outline of what we wanted to add the colored dots to: a flower. Simple, elegant, easy, right? Well once the teacher and Tia began to roll the colored balls i realized - this design was going to take a lot of modeling clay!

Rolling the balls of clay...

By this time, Ewan decided he would like to hold the paintbrush... and to swirl it about the paper. It finally grabbed his attention from the fact that he couldn't find a way out of the room - well, not one that his mama wasn't going to support anyway...

Ewan finds the joy of painting in a strange room.

Tia gets into her project...

My son meanwhile thinks that the best way for him to complete his project is from a perch on my back. I oblige. As if he's the only quirky one in this family - whatever!

Yay! He did it!

The kids kept dotting and rolling, and rolling and dotting... and in the end they had a great time, an hour out of their play day was spent in an enrichment activity that doesn't begin with an "i" and ends with a "pad", and mama was satisfied that not only did they learn something, but she did too - about her kids.

WOWArt is located at 200 Upper Thomson Road #01-10 Thomson Imperial Court. They have all kinds of classes that your kids can do, and even do holiday camps as well! I have found them to be an excellent distraction for the kids and an enjoyable activity as well. Oh, by the way...

This is Ewan's Car - although to me could be an elephant as well...

Tia is proud of her beautiful pink flower... and so am I.

To learn more about WOWART check out their website HERE.

They are also on FACEBOOK too! 

Watch this space for more updates on WOWArt from specials deals to information on their camps!

Do you love fashion, but can't always afford it?

If you are buying cheap knockoff UGG boots - then you should read this. And don't NOT look because you don't want to. You OWE it to yourself to get educated and know the repercussions of your actions.

Also - something is wrong with ANYONE who could do this to another living thing. Still your stomachs: and CLICK HERE.

SCREEN Singapore Clip!

Here is a clip from Screen Singapore, in which Oli Pettigrew and I got to walk the red carpet and get interviewed by host Jason Godfrey. 

**My dress is Tatiana by POSSE and is available at Trixilini :)

Special Offer for YOU and Your Kids :)

 For all my overachieving mamas out there: WowART Learning is offering a special deal for my fans/followers with kids: - 5% off for Sept Holiday Passes upon signing up - additional ONE complementary lesson upon signing up for Regular Studio Lessons. My kids are going - are yours? Simply tell them you saw this info on my Twitter/FB/Blog and get this special deal!

Piano Recital!!!

Please come! I'll be hosting :)

Cosmopolitan Magazine Singapore SWAG!!!

Hello hello! Last night was the happening launch event for Cosmopolitan Magazine Singapore at the Clifford at Fullerton Bay Hotel. It was a great and fun filled event with promises that this mag would be for the modern woman with helpful tips all the way from the boardroom to the bedroom. That's a tall order.

Read my Model Rant & Rave article HERE.

But this morning i wake up and remembered I got a SWAG bag, and opened it up......

1. The first issue

2. Cosmo notepad

3. MAC lipstick

4. Shaker with Cointreau sample to make "Cointreautini"

5. Cosmo carry bag

Ahhhh! And its a Cosmo Christmas!

Meet the Equatorial Spitting Cobra

This is a picture of an equatorial spitting cobra, which is common in these parts. They are just like any other snake when cornered and will bite. But there are several species of cobra that have a unique feature: they will spit venom to defend itself.

The venom is harmless if on the skin, but has the potential to cause blindness if it gets in the eyes. Needless to say, these animals and children do not mix. We have a 2 feet long cobra running amok in the backyard/children's playground at the moment. Its been spotted for the past week sunning itself and exploring its new environs with reckless abandon. Children, dogs and adults are always down there using the yard for their own amusement. I know there are many animal advocates out there who would disagree with me, but I've already called animal control to get rid of it. It is up to them if they want to destroy it or simply relocate it, but in my mind - a venomous snake has no place where children play.

If i get a pic of the actual capture - i'll post it!

For My Cousin Margaret

Building Towers in the Sky

The day has ended and I am ready.

A little while, and my longing shall gather

dust and foam for another body...

A little while, a moment of rest upon the wind, 

and another woman shall bear me.

Farewell to you and the youth I have spent with you...

It was but yesterday we met in a dream.

You have sung to me in my aloneness, and I,

of your longings, have built a tower in the sky...

But now our sleep has fled and our 

dream is over, and it is no longer dawn...

The noontide is upon us and our half waking

has turned to fuller day, and we must part.

If in the twilight of memory we should meet once more,

we shall speak again together and you shall sing to me a deeper song...

And if our hands should meet in another dream

we shall build another tower in the sky...

A little while, a moment of rest upon the wind.

-Kahlil Gibran, poet.

Love Always,

Xenia

So Oroton!

Not too long ago I got to go into a flagship store in Marina Bay Sands and have a regular field day: which for me means dressing up, having my fotos taken, and taking whatever i wanted out of the cases to pose with. But when dressing up means picking a gorgeous dress from Lungta de Fancy exclusively at THE SOCIETY OF BLACK SHEEP, the flagship store is OROTON, and my photos taken by my best friend Zurina Bryant of ZURINA BRYANT PHOTOGRAPHY - its more than a field day.... its an amazing dream come true!

The Gold Heritage Clutch: a limited edition piece and gorgeous!

Trying the shawls... The O Silk Wrap.

Could you decide which one to choose?

I choose pink!

The Debutante Crystal Clutch - one of my faves! So sparkly!

Clutches are good, clutches are wise...

Dreaming of Oroton

The Across the Body Bag with a brass plate - uber cool! I feel so Tron!

There's always room for jewelry too!

Magic Bracelet? Awww yeah!

Thanks so much to Zurina and Diana of ZBPhotography for coming to play with me, Serena and Nina of Oroton for letting us come play in your gorgeous store, and Ilsa and Sau Yee for letting me play dress up in your closet ;).

And now for a bit of social responsibility...

Baby Chloe needs your help.

She was born with a rare disorder called Infantile Pompe Disease, and it is normally fatal, as most infants with this disease expire before their first birthday. However, Chloe has defied expectations and has not only persevered, but thrived. Being born in Singapore presents its own special challenges however, as her expenses have spiraled out of control, and there is no assistance available to her and her family. They have suddenly hit the decision that no one should have to make: continue treatment and face bankruptcy, or simply stop treatment because its not affordable. 


To Learn More About Chloe Mah - click HERE

How much is a child's life worth?

The Rare Disorders Society (Singapore), RDSS was set in April 2011 to lobby for government funding to support patients who are suffering from these disorders – only a few cases in Singapore and mostly children below 5.

So far, due to the rarity and infancy on study on these disorders, doctors have not been optimistic but the little survivors have continually surpassed their expectations (Baby Chloe just turned one). Just to share, the cost of a year’s worth of medication can average up to SG$1million in which there are no govt subsidies.

The Rare Disorders Act is supported by many other Asian countries, we hope that SG will join them and provide the necessary subsidies for these few children.


And now... something else that is equally exciting is that now - Singapore based bloggers like myself can help get the message out about the Rare Disorders Society of Singapore and help to spread awareness and help to move this important initiative into the mainstream consciousness. 


You know me... any way i can help excites me! Please read about it below, help if you can, and thank you for your attention. - L

Bloggers band together for Singapore’s First Bloggers Social Responsibility (BSR) Program

Charity have found a new share of voice in the Republic through Singapore’s first Bloggers Social Responsibility (BSR), a new social media spinoff from the conventional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  The BSR, initiated by HTC for the Rare Disorders Society (Singapore) will see Singapore’s top bloggers from all genres come together to champion awareness and raise funds for the rare disease patients – to help alleviate medical costs as rare disorders patients are not subsidised by the government.

The bloggers have pledged to use their positive influence on the blogosphere and are actively keeping themselves up to date on rare disorders in Singapore. Communication efforts will include updates over blogs, Facebook and Twitter.

Quality time will be spent getting acquainted to with the patients and sharing with the public on the A-Zs of rare disorders in Singapore through pictures and videos over new social media.

Contrary to common perceptions that Singaporean Bloggers are too indulgent and have lost touch with the concerns of the less fortunate, the BSR aim to debunk these myths and spotlight on this new initiative which could inspire many more charity driven movements over new social media in the future.

Christofle Event at Opera Gallery ION

Christofle Event at Opera Gallery ION

June 30 - On this evening i had the privilege to attend the Christofle Event at Opera Gallery in Ion by my good friend Cedric Tan. Now i’ve know Cedric from back in the day (and by back in the day i mean 6 yrs ago when i moved to Singapore) and he always had the kindness of heart to book me for his catwalk and informal modeling jobs. I have always loved Cedric, but none more so than the time he invited me and my then boyfriend Oli, and our friend Jason Godfrey and his then girlfriend Araceli, to his home for good food, great chat, and culminated in me throwing a hissy fit over a mention of an ex-girlfriend of my beau and me storming out. Neverthless, Cedric chalked up the whole embarrassing incident to too much wine and too much whine and still wanted to be my friend. And i didn’t have to pay him to be so.

Neverthless i always support my friends, and Cedric’s clients, Christofle -HERE - were having an exhibition at the gallery. Now to say Christofle does silverware is like saying [the]Collective does hosting. There is SOOO much more to them both. Cedric said i could invite some other friends, so Cynthia Lee MacQuarrie, Zurina Bryant, Paula Robinson and Tanya Amador were all in attendance as well. We had an amazing time with lots of champagne, champagne, and more champagne. There was also a mention of truffle oil, and someone named Alberto. I’m not sure it all escapes me at the moment.

Thanks so much to Cedric for letting us come to support you! It was a great event.

And thanks to those from Christofle, great friends that i met at last years event and it was so nice to see you all again!

He Da Man: Cedric Tan 

Good times with good friends

from left: Cynthia, Zurina, me, Tanya, Paula

FIRST Film Fest for The New Paper

Just a couple of days ago, my very good friend Cynthia Lee MacQuarrie (Official Website HERE) and I were invited to present an award for a filmmakers competition that was hosted by The New Paper - a local newspaper in Singapore. I was very excited to go - a love grassroots endeavors and chances for people to be recognized for their skill and efforts. Despite a niggling sinus infection, i even went shopping with Cynthia to pick out a dress for the night, then hurried home to get ready myself before we were to meet at the Park Hotel.

The effort for the night was to make it as glam as possible. We were to arrive at the venue, The Shanghai Dolly, chauffered in white cars - and we were dressed to the nines. I'm proud to say my dress came from Warehouse, and it was lovely. So we met at the lobby of the Park Hotel. Cynthia and I were to present 8 awards together, and we were going to just go and have a great time.

We were to arrive in separate cars tho. I was to ride in a car with a girl named Tania, she is Miss Singapore Universe 2010 - and she had an escort and was very tall. We took a foto together. Now i'm a tall gal, but she was in taller heels and i felt absolutely dwarfed! As soon as we got out of the car (I was first) there was a huge CRUSH of papparazzi - it was so intimidating! That's happened to me twice in the past week, and the flash bulbs going off like crazy feel like little explosions after a while, and becomes a not so pleasant experience. But i smiled through it - like i always do.

Me, Tania, and her escort

So while i was waiting for Cynthia to arrive, i ran into a new acquaintance, George who is a talent signed with Fly Artiste Management, and we took a photo together too.

Me and George in front of the photo wall

So we went inside the venue - and it was packed! the event was running late already - and i honestly hated that the VIP's were the reason it was running late. That is one of my pet peeves about Singapore - no matter the show, they'll always hold up the event for the VIP's. and then some VIP's don't bother to show. As a model when i used to do runway shows, i would curse every single one of them for making us wait for over an hour. We were on time. Even those people who weren't labeled VIP's were on time. Why couldn't the so called VIP's be on time too? To me, the people who showed on time WERE the VIP's.

Anyway, i digress. We were seated in the roped off area and given champagne and food and choice seats. George and I chatted until Cynthia and the rest of the VIP's arrived. Then we were whisked backstage to get ready for our awards presentation. Cynthia and i rehearsed nothing - but as soon as we were on stage... it was...

THE CYN AND LIN SHOW!!!!

I introduced Cynthia, and she introduced me, and we got down to business. I ripped open the envelope and started announcing winners. Our first winner came up and there was a flash from a camera. Cynthia said, "hey, do you wanna take some pictures?" - meaning, take some more! and we had loads of fun posing with the winners! Here are some of the pics....

Yeah, good times

There was plenty of laughter, and our goal was to be entertaining. Some of the winners were shy, some were totally game, some were a bit tipsy. All in all - super fun!

After, Cynthia and i went back to our seat, had a few more drinks, and got to watch the rest of the show. We had a great time, and were shown a first class time as well. Thanks goes to all the winners, presenters, and everyone who submitted a film to make this the success it was. Also, great thanks goes to The New Paper for making this event a class act, and for letting me be involved. 

A Class Act

 PAPPED!!!

Me on the left on the red carpet, and Cynthia in the green dress on the upper right panel.

**Link to The Electric New Paper Story**