Did you know that Singapore has a natural hot spring which is open the public? I didn't know that either until a Japanese acquaintance (trust the Japanese to find out about hot springs) wanted to go there. I merely tagged along.

Apparently, my parents knew about this place too but they've never been there nor did they bring me and brother there when we were younger. Looks like I'm the only one in the family who loves hot springs and soaking my feet in warm water. Yup...no wonder I'm into spas, right?

Located at Sembawang, this hot spring is very nondescript and this is the only sign indicating where it is. I find it hilarious that there's a sign telling you that you're not permitted to wash your laundry there! LOL. Hmm...would washing clothes with water from a hot spring make it cleaner?

Path towards the hot spring

The land is owned by the Ministry of Defence, which comes as no surprise since there is an army camp right next to it. You can tell that they really do not want this place to be some crowded public spot because there are really no signs and when we consulted Google Maps on how to walk there, it told us to walk beyond this gate and to make a huge turn. Hmm. Thank goodness we trusted our instincts instead.

Interesting fact: the hot spring is natural and was discovered in 1908! It was even bottled and sold under several names, even F&N had procured the rights to bottle and sell this water. Again, trust the Japanese to build onsens in this area during WW2 but they were destroyed by the Allied Forces' bombing. Otherwise, we'd probably have lovely working spas here.

Walking towards the taps, we could smell the distinct scent of sulphur. Yup, this was a legit hot spring. My friends and I were wondering how the heck does Singapore have a hot spring when we're so far away from volcanoes? Is the land here particularly shallow, which is why whoever discovered it need not have to dig very far to get to the hot spring?

The hot spring water flowing out from taps

Foot soak anyone?

There are 3 areas with 4 taps each and visitors can bring stools and pails to fill the water up and soak your feet or other appendages. If you didn't bring either, there are some lying around the area which you can grab and use but if it's all taken up, then...too bad.

Do not turn off the taps - By order

The water from the taps are really hot. One of the visitors there told us that it's nearly boiling point. It was quite funny how the 3 of us suddenly went very Japanese and said, "Oh...we should've brought eggs to cook onsen tamago!"

In order to fulfil our need (yes, need) to soak our feet, we had to tarik our water from one pail to the next to cool it down sufficiently.

We only managed to take this one shot before a nice army boy came in to round us out as he wanted to lock the place up. Yes, they are quite strict with the closing hours at 7pm.

On the way to our dinner, I couldn't help but start thinking of what else we could cook in the hot spring water besides eggs. I reckon anything that can be cooked sous vide style would work, wouldn't it? Hmm...salmon, beef...veg...yum!

Needless to say, I'm thinking of another trip to Sembawang Hot Springs for a full on picnic with family and friends! I'm also thankful that this place is free and hasn't been commercialised because although it looks a bit shabby, I like that there are parts of Singapore that aren't that manicured.

How to get there:

1. Take the MRT to Yishun station. 
2. From the bus stop just in front (facing Northpoint Shopping Centre), take bus service 858/ 969/ 811/ 965 and alight on the 4th stop (Blk 118 or opp Blk 115B). 
3. Walk straight ahead, along Sembawang Road towards Gambas Ave.
4. Turn left onto Gambas Ave until you see that nondescript gate on your left.

Mia opened her class by showing slides of Japanese models who were in their mid-40s and looked absolutely STUNNING. Nobody would've believed that they were above their 20s and they really put the whole lot of us to shame.

"Think that their faces look very natural? Let me tell you...there's a lot of make up involved!" exclaimed Mia to the small class of about 12 students.

Here, we begin the 2 hour class on how to perfect that 'natural' beauty look that's so in vogue and how to make one look younger.

Using my friend as her model, Mia used only half of the face to demonstrate how to achieve that natural look. First off - primer. Followed by a very good foundation that's applied with a sponge. Mia emphasised that we should dab the foundation on instead of dragging it across our skin in order to have full coverage.

Despite the full range of Motives cosmetics laid out onto the table, Mia had requested that her students to bring their personal cosmetics to the class as the objective of the class was to teach techniques. Nonetheless, my friend (the 'model') later told me how light and smooth the foundation and gel eyeliner were. The brushes were uber soft too!

Men can wear make up too! Especially the more 'natural' look! It's all about evening out one's skin tone and brightening up the eyes. When it comes to Asian eyes, we tend to have more sparse eyelashes, which is why a bit of eyeliner along the waterline will go a long way.

Even double eyelids for the day!

I was thrust into the world of make up tape and cutting it such that it is customised for your own eyes. Even if you have double eyelids, Mia recommends using the tape so that your eyes will become even larger! For me...it was just a matter of having double eyelids with the same thickness (my right eye has a thinner fold).

If you'd like to know more about how to effectively use make up to Reset Your Youth, do join Mia at her next workshop with WellnessYogi on 11 July at the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade. Her workshop is bundled together with Trichokare's Hair Wellness at only S$20 or you can purchase a Full Day Pass (starts from S$35 and comes with a goodie bag worth S$60)! Register at: http://wellnessyogireset.eventbrite.com/?aff=melfann.

See you there!

 Is anyone able to tell me who this actor is? Oops...I haven't been watching Channel 8 dramas for ages so I have lost touch with all the upcoming newbies.  I've got to admit that he's quite good looking though. :) So...I went to this MediaCorp Channel 8 event in which they were promoting their latest drama "A Song to Remember (星洲之夜)" which is set in the 1930s.  Pity the cast didn't turn up in 1930s wear.

 Above is my glowing Gin & Tonic (it glows due to the tonic water) and buffalo wings.  The food for the evening was quite meh~.  Loved the free flow of house pours!  Had a cranberry vodka, 2 bourbon cokes and 1 Gin & Tonic. :))))

 Since it's the 1930s, it brings to mind cabarets and gambling dens so they had a 'Big Small' table there! All of us were given a small bag of chips to play with and the person with the most chips at the end will walk away with $500 worth of shopping vouchers.  Too bad, my team didn't win...despite us pooling all of our chips.

Sing came in full out 1930s gear while I tried to go with something inspired but I wore that to the office...so I had to tone it down lots.  No time to do the finger wave hair either.

 The cast went on stage to introduce themselves, their characters and the whole drama.  The person on the extreme right is a DJ from 93.3FM.

  They displayed the costumes used during the drama as well.  Quite like the cheongsams but I wonder...why didn't they also dress some of the women in the western 1930s fashion too?  I bet there must've been some rich girls during those days who wore similar fashion as those in the West. Hmm...

Besides the pregnant Sing, her hubby and another friend, most of us stayed behind to party at Zouk and I was very surprised at how fast the Zouk staff tore down the stage, red carpet etc!  They did it all in 10 min flat!

Another thing that we were treated to at 1am was the Pre-ZoukOut party with DJ Dirty South (Aus) spinning his set.  I can't remember when was the last time I clubbed so I was quite happy.  As usual, there were a few entertaining people on the floor - one ang moh woman who looked like she was doing aerobics; a group of people who looked like they were screwing and unscrewing lightbulbs; bunch of people who had finger LEDs AND another group of friends who turned up dressed as Japanese High School students.  Gotta love the crowd at Zouk!

Alrighty...that's all from me today as I've got a BAZAAR happening at Clarke Quay!!  Details below...

Date:  Sat, 10 Dec
Time: 4pm - 1am
Venue: Clarke Quay
Stall:  Oct 1983
Booth: No. 22

See you!!!

Met the ultimate camwhore yesterday via twitter. She's following me...so I think it best NOT to mention her name nor her website address (why give her what she wants? Yep...I'm "evil" that way).

Why is she the ultimate camwhore? Well, she claims on her site that she wants to be a famous model and so she posts up tons of her photos online. Nothing wrong with that BUT she has nude pics too. Now...famous model for....Playboy? The best thing is that most of her pics were taken by herself. Seriously, if you want to be a famous model, get proper shots done. Not with you in the mirror and a camera. Nobody's gonna take you that seriously unless they're porn directors. I think she's really trying to do the "ooh, I look like that..so hot" and then post it up all over her website etc so that she'll gain fame that way. Alrightey....I must stop here. Otherwise, I'll rant and start sounding like a bitch eating sour grapes. Seriously, I do think she's pretty BUT I think her method of trying to attain fame is bonkers. Her lack of humility is also a major turn off. Nevertheless, I bet there are tons of men out there who will get a turn on from her nudies. Nope, I haven't seen them. Hah.

Babe - if you're reading this, apologies if you're insulted and I completely understand if you unfollow me on twitter. This is completely my opinion and I won't start some online argument with you if you were to diss me on your site. I can't remember who said it but..."I will disagree with your opinion but I'll defend your right to that opinion."

Now that I'm done with that blurb, just some minor updates on Oct 1983 as I think some people don't read announcements on the front page! First 15 paying customers on Oct 1983 will get a free goodie bag! I'm gonna implement a free international postage after a certain amount has been purchased but I need to do some accounts to figure out what amount to use as a threshold. Psst...if you live in Singapore, the goodie bag is worth $60!!