Singapore Oct 14-17, 2009: Pt 1

Made a trip down to the Lion City recently. As part of my focus on developing my hosting skills this yr, I’ve been looking for suitable opportunities all year. I found out sometime back (think it was posted on Kakiseni) that History Channel Asia was doing a “Search for a Host” contest and decided to submit an entry online . I worked with a like-minded friend to produce a video entry and found out 2 weeks ago that I’d been shortlisted for an audition in Singapore! The only drawback was that the finalists had to make our own way to the audition location (read: Singapore) but since i) it was always clearly stated in the terms & conditions ii) it’s just Singapore (where my sister lives and that I don’t mind visiting off and on!) iii) it’s good for the experience and to meet the production house, off I went…

In short, it really really so far has been a GREAT experience. It’s soooo nice to pepper up my “fixed” schedule (mind you, not like it’s ever thaaaat fixed!) with special projects & such…and this one really came at the right time after a few months of like the same stuff, some tedious realisations and not too much new developments in my day2day work/life (spiritual life notwithstanding–this aspect has been incredible these past few months).

We had to attend an interview on Thu, Oct 15 and tell a historical story in front of the panel of judges (turns out there were 5; 3 from History Asia itself and 2 from the production house, Beach House Pictures). On Fri, Oct 16 we had to do a screentest. I was actually most worried about the storytelling part…so after some indecision and research, I decided to do a story on Guru Rinpoche/Padmasambhava, the Buddha associated with bringing Buddhism to Tibet, hence it many ways “founding” Tibetan Buddhism. But due to my schedule I had to squeeze in the research only on Mon/Tue. Also, i found out my internet wasn’t working on Tue, so had to do most of the research/printing at the studio only on Tue itself.

Then, Wed had arrived and I’d to take the 12pm bus. So, i decided to write out some notes in the bus, but erm since it’s not exactly that easy to write on a bus, i just did a summary in point form of the main content. My arrival synched with my my bro-in law and sis’ finish work time so they picked my up and we went out for dinner. That day was also my niece’s (Jean Yi) birthday so after dinner we went to pick up her cake that she had personally chosen herself, then went back to have a small celebration.

Ok, she obviously loves pink! And princesses! And tiaras/wands!  

Guess wha'ts her favourite colour?

She loves princesses! And tiaras! And wands!

With my other niece, Min Yi, cutting the cake

 

The bday cake on fire! (courtesy of my hp's limited pic abilities)