Tag: family

Experiential Marketing @ Changi Airport

January 2, 2008 • Blog • 2 comments

Yes, I am back from my Beijing sojourn together with my family. It was unforgettable and memorable.

On the day of our departure on Christmas Eve, we spent about an hour or so wandering Changi Airport Terminal 2 before leaving on our plane. There, we came across an interesting roadshow cum promotion which the airport was running while celebrating the Christmas season.

I thought that it was quite innovative to encourage travellers to spend more at the various retail and F&B outlets at the airport, while providing a Chrismassy feel through the use of experiential marketing techniques. What makes this special is that it took place at an airport rather than a shopping mall. Increasingly though, airports are repositioning themselves as lifestyle destinations – in fact, the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam has a casino and mortuary in it!

Off to Beijing!

December 23, 2007 • Blog • 8 comments

Courtesy of me & me photoes

Yes, we are off to the wintry weather of the Northern Chinese city of Beijing for a vacation. I hear that temperatures now are in the range of between -6 to 6 deg C, so you can bet that it is going to be quite freezing cold there. Of course, regular readers of my blog would know about our propensity for polar climes, so this isn’t surprising. My son Ethan in particular is very excited about the snow, and says that he is already dreaming of building snowman.

In the words of Dean Martin, “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas….” Or perhaps Chen Lei does it better in this classical Chinese hit “One Night in Beijing”:

See you guys in 2008!

A Funky Monkey and Busy Bee

December 19, 2007 • Blog • 2 comments

As part of his graduation ceremony, Ethan recently performed two items at his childcare centre Learning by the Park. Ethan is the boy in the green T-shirt with a shark on it wearing long red pants.

The first above is a segment from the song “Funky Monkey”.

The second segment above is one where the kids pretend to be bees.

While his performance isn’t quite Asian Idol material, well at least he is trying his best. And that’s what matters most I guess.

Achieving Well Being

December 2, 2007 • Blog • 8 comments

Yesterday evening, my family and I went down to support the launch of my Aunt Cherry Choo’s new business “Being Associates” at Stirling Road (Blk 169, #01-1149). As an ardent supporter of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it gave me pleasure to see my aunt embracing its principles and going into a business venture which supported holistic health. An authorised Natorny Health & Complexion Care Centre, Being Associates specialise in complexion problems and health care achieved largely through herbal nourishment founded on principles of Chinese herbology. You can find out more about them here.

The spanking new shopfront of Being Associates at Stirling Road near Queensway. Note the brand colours of blue and white.

Ethan Turns Four!

November 25, 2007 • Blog • 6 comments

As Ethan celebrates his fourth birthday this coming Tuesday (27 November), we had a great week of multiple celebrations. This actually felt uncannily like his third birthday, if you can recall, with pretty much the same players (close friends and relatives). Looking at the photos just makes you wish you were a kid all over again doesn’t it?

First was a celebration with his good friend Dyann, who turned five on 19 November at her place.

Ethan and Dyann before lighting up the candles.

Yarra River Rocks!

November 9, 2007 • Blog • 4 comments

Giant Ferris Wheel and Melbourne Skyline from Yarra River

After my week-long hiatus, I have decided to pick up the pen (or keyboard) once again and to start blogging. Let me continue from where I last left off on our Melbourne trip. This time, our photographic adventures centre around the scenic and lovely Yarra River.

Just a short walk from our hotel, the Yarra River is a scenic spot for sporting fun and social activity in Melbourne. The Yarra River was very important to Aboriginal people, and its name is thought to derive from Aboriginal words meaning “ever flowing”. To us, it offered a nice respite from the buzz of the city like Melbourne’s many parks, and has some of the most splendid views of the city. In fact, it is one of the favourite spots of avid photographers hoping to catch a representative shot of the city.

Topless Fun in the Sun

October 14, 2007 • Blog • 3 comments

Once in a while, you find the need to indulge in a streak of exhibitionism and hedonistic fun. It isn’t always that one gets to do something that will turn heads in the public.

First, we took Ethan along to East Coast Park, where he had fun cycling…

Snowy Sensations

October 12, 2007 • Blog • 8 comments

One of the reasons why we were so thickly dressed in Melbourne was because my son Ethan wanted to see snow. And see snow we did (well some snow since Spring plus global warming made quick work of alpine icicles). Waking up at the ungodly hour of about 4.45 am, we took a day trip to Mount Buller, a famous ski resort about 3 hours drive from Melbourne City and spent a day in a white winter wonderland. Having been to Hokkaido in December, I must add that Mount Buller isn’t in quite the same league. Nonetheless, it was great to see Ethan’s face light up as he pelted us with snowballs .

A view of the alpine “village” with ski resort hotels atop Mount Buller. As you can guess from the photo, it wasn’t as cold as we imagined it to be.

Fantastic Fireworks

August 17, 2007 • Blog • 20 comments

Brought my family to catch the Fireworks Festival, a must go for anybody with a 3.75 year old. Part of the National Day celebration, this year’s event was unique as you could buy tickets to sit comfortably on the floating platform at Marina Bay. At $8 apiece, it wasn’t too expensive. Besides, it gives you a breathtaking view of the action.

Here are some pics and videos for memories. My son Ethan certainly enjoyed it and I am sure he will have sweet dreams tonight.

Discount Retailing at People’s Park

June 27, 2007 • Blog • 19 comments

Recently, my wife and I visited the Swanston Essential Store located at People’s Park Complex to pick up some toiletries. Apparently, it has been quite an institution for the denizens of the Chinatown area.

Anybody who need to purchase toiletries and cosmetic items will pop over now and then. They stock items like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, eye-liner and anything else which makes one prettier, better smelling, cleaner and germ-free. The success of the outlet has spawned a branch nearby at People’s Park Centre just across the road.