Tuesday 22 November 2016

Awesome Day at National Gallery - Keppel Centre for Art Education.


24th October is a special day for Little Hannah, as she is officially ONE and we didn't want to just go out shopping at some random unmemorable shopping centre with her - so I thought and googled hard and eventually, we decided to take her to the museum (well, sortof) - The National Galley.

I didn't expect to find a learning cum play space for babies & toddlers in any museum, but I am so wrong!

National Gallery's Keppel Centre for Art Education is located right in the heart of the city and has multiple play and learn spaces for kids of all different age groups and and it was so fun!

The different areas include:

Art Corridor, Art Playspace, Project Gallery, Children's Museum each space having its own objective like learning about colors & shapes; or creating your own art piece; making your own 3D craft project etc.

You can check it out on the National Gallery website here.

As usual, our day started with Hannah busy carrying her new paperbag handbag around the house and a bowl of "mee suah" which my mum reminded me XYZ number of times to prepare for her on her birthday!


Then we headed out for our own lunch. And she cheekily continually pulled down her headband cause she felt it will look nicer that way.

By the time we got to National Gallery, it was just after lunch. Thankfully, the place was not crowded at all since it was a Monday, though we spotted different groups of school children who were there as a class, possibly for a "field trip".

So, the moment we entered from the carpark, were greeted with a corridor filled with arty frames - mostly created by kids.


CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WORKSHOP

Then we spotted a room labelled "Children's Museum Workshop". Since it was an open space - which was good for Hannah to run around - we decided to enter and explore.

This is a big space where toddlers and children can just hang around the tables and use magnetic shapes to form structures or put together the shapes and colours on the magnetic boards. There are tables where older kids could do some self-assembled crafts to take home as well. 

There is also a cushioned area, I presume it was for kids to laze around.


Hannah being reluctant to take another step as the carpet sensation is something new to her. 
 

Soon, the bright colours and shapes got the better of her and she started walking and picking things up and throwing them on the floor.



Of course, we started piecing the shapes together as well and I felt like I played alot more than her!

Here we tried to teach her to stick the magnets unto the boards.


 


Look at the amount of magnetic shapes here!!! Overwhelming and she doesn't know what to do with them except to fling them on the floor.

That's me trying to keep her under control. LOL

Us, pretending to fit into a photo frame. 


We easily spent 30 - 40 mins just hanging out here.



Here, Hannah is trying to gel-in and play with the older kids! HAHA


WHO'S IN THE WOODS

-INTERACTIVE PLAY SPACE- 

This is meant for older kids where you kind of enter a "woods" atmosphere and there is an elongated projector screen where animals of all different colours and designs are running around in the screen.

Basically, you could select any animal you want through the computerized system, paint them on the touch-screen monitor and then post it, and your animal will come alive on the projected big screen!  Like - WOW - I mean, personally, I felt so happy seeing my customized animal running about (I know, I am easily amused!) but, if an adult feels accomplished, I think kids will love this!




IMAGINATIVE PLAY SPACE 

-THE ENCHANTED TREE HOUSE-

Finally, we only had energy left for the last activity, which is the Enchanted Tree House! 

"A fantastical play area inspired by the idea of “entering a painting”, The Enchanted Tree House invites young visitors to explore a magical forest, roam through a labyrinth and survive a dangerous river. Thrown out of the sea by a tornado, Fynn the Fish-on-Sticks, and his forest friends go on a journey to save their forest home from destruction. Discover mysteries, unexpected surprises and stories of friendship and courage along the way!" 

By Artist: Sandra Lee

I must say this "forest" is pretty interesting and beautifully painted. There are pop ups of trees and animals everywhere and when you walk into 1 corner, you get surprised by some other animal lurking around that corner.

You are just free to roam around anywhere you'd like here, Just let your imagination run wild.

It was absolutely fun for me, though I am not sure how Hannah feels about this, :)



Feeling life Alice in Wonderland.



 


Once again, Hannah is making friends on her own. 
 

And there really was a tree house where you have to climb into it.



This is the way we take selfies these days...







So, there you have it, 1 day at the Museum and it was absolutely a beautiful way to spend her birthday. I hope we will drop by again soon!

She is completely exhausted by now.

Friday 18 November 2016

Prayer on Peace.

Abba,

It hurts to see what is happening around the world, the pain, misery and suffering that others are facing - they did not choose this circumstance.

It pains me when someone close to me is struck with an unexpected sickness and it makes me anxious and gives me questions about my own life, my family, my future.
Remind me that such things are not from You and that only through You can we gain strength to overcome circumstances that we did not choose. Only through You can we gain peace and true rest, even in an unpeaceful time.

Lord, You are my peace and promise for the future. Embed your promise on my heart and in my mind. Cease my anxiety as I cast all my cares unto you.

In Jesus name,
Amen.

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Prayer on Restlessness.

Abba,

My mind is often cluttered with insecurities and doubts about the future and I often find myself lost in the mountain of "priorities" and end up feeling exhausted, yet unaccomplished.

I lose myself from time to time only to find myself in anxiety, not knowing what to do next and restless even in times when I finally get to rest. Remind me Lord, that you are in control regardless of my feelings and my thoughts. Lead me and give me wisdom to know what to prioritize and not sweat the stuff that does not matter. Give me peace and help me learn to celebrate the little things.

In Jesus name,
Amen.

Monday 14 November 2016

Phuket: Day 1 - The Life Co.


I have never heard of The Life Co. Phuket until my girlfriend invited me for a stay with her while she was there for a detox retreat. 

Well, I have never done a detox in my life before as I thought it was too much trouble and never really saw the need to, so this time, I decided that I should join her as a companion (supporter) for a few days to find out more, while taking a break from childcare (which I really needed)!

You can think of this as a wellness journey or wellness detox retreat cum holiday. 
Simply:
- decide on which detox treatment you prefer; 
- how many days you want your detox to last - 3 days? 7 days? 1 month? Or even more;
- get on a flight and check in to The Life Co. 

They are not just an accommodation/hotel, they are a wellness community, a wellness centre and support centre for chronic illness all rolled into 1! 

Besides accommodation and catering to your detox meals all day, everyday (customised to you), they also have all the facilities of a wellness spa in the resort that includes massage rooms, pools, gym, steam room, infra red sauna etc. On top of these, they plan alot of wellness activities (i.e. morning walks, yoga classes, meditation classes etc.)  throughout the day for you to really get connected to yourself, de-stress, enjoy and love yourself. 

As if these are not enough, they also have an in-built clinic with doctors you could consult with to analyse your body/blood and ensure you take the right detox treatment. I have learnt that detox also comes in various intensities that include colon cleansing & vitamin C infusion (via IV drips) etc. (There is more to detox than just drinking juices!)


So, my day started with a mis-comm with the airport-hotel transfer company that I have arranged via expedia, but thank God there was a very helpful agent who saw me idling and wandering around, so she helped me with contacting my tour agent and soon enough their representative found me and sent me off in their van. 

Phuket Transfer Agent: Tour East

Cost: SGD$30 for 2-way airport - hotel transfer

The distance between the airport and The Life Co. must have been short as it took less than 15 mins for me to arrive there.

Agents are no longer allowed to clutter the arrival hall so there is a designated area at the exit where there was a mass of agents holding up sign boards of their guests name. Sadly, I couldn't spot mine and waited aimlessly at the artificial grassland. 


Upon arrival, I was greeted this wellness wall painting.

The Life Co.'s reception area. Cosy and clean.

A few steps away would be the Vegan cafe cum restaurant. 
(Yup, this is the only type of food served here, Vegan Food!)

An example of their menu.

Around the cafe, you will spot wellness posters to remind you of what is really important in your life.

And also a notice board that says what are the day's and the next day's activities so that guests are aware and can opt to join in any of them (majority without having to pay extra e.g. daily morning walks & yoga classes) 

Another few steps away would be the "lake view" of the resort. 

This consists of a cluster of privately owned villas and a stetch of villas that is owned by Life Co., all surrounding a mini lake. 

(Obviously, the cloudy skies didn't do justice to the beauty and serenity of the place)

Lazy chairs to laze around in, randomly positioned in front of the lake.

Yes, a much better photo shot of the view.

The walkway that leads to the different villas (aka "buildings") as well as pavillions and relaxation spaces, overlooking the lake, all belonging to The Life Co. 

Along the walkway, the first pavillion is the Massage Sala, where guests could pay for a relaxing massage with lake view.


Then their hotel representative explained to me, they classified their villas into 3 buildings, 
1. Therapy building
2. Clinic building 
3. Club House

Each villa for a specific purpose and with a mini pool situated right in front of it.

THERAPY BUILDING

Here is the first building is known as "Therapy Building" which houses the steam room and infra red sauna that is exclusive to female guests. (But when I was there this building was under maintenance, so female guests could co-share the steam room and sauna in the next building with the male guests)

This is the Yoga pavillion a certified instructor will conduct 1.5hr of yoga session every morning, rain or shine and resort guests can just come and join the sessions without additional charges. 

CLINIC BUILDING

Right behind the Yoga Sala is the Clinic Building which also has a mini pool right in front and 2 levels of fully operated facilities.

Level 1: 
Steam Room, Infra Red Sauna, Lockers, Shower Rooms and Colon Detox Treatment rooms

Level 2: 
Clinic operated by Dr Thomas Lodi, IV stations for the infusion of Vitamins (as part of the detox program) as well as some other more targeted Treatment rooms.

The mini pool good for a dip.

Super well-equipped "spa centre" where the steam room and sauna is located. 

They also have multiple shower cubicles with towels, bath robes, bedroom slippers, so guests need not bring anything but themselves.

And I thought it was pretty cool an idea, to infuse water with various vegetables like celery and cucumbers. You could find such vegetable-infused water jugs everywhere around the villas to ensure you are well-hydrated.

45 degree steam room

55 degree sauna


They also have this super cool "sonic" machine which is said to help you shake off the weight and calories if you manage to stand on it 30 mins x 2 daily. 

Too bad I only found out about this on my last day! LOL

Colon Cleansing Treatment Room

IV drip stations


CLUB HOUSE

The final buildind is known as the "Club House" which houses a Gym and a Meditation Room for Mental Wellness activities. 

Similarly, right in front of the building as a pavillion space, but it was not designated for any purpose "yet" - perhaps an event space?

Entrance to Meditation Room. 
These huge round stickers are almost found everywhere in the resort as a reminder to enjoy being in the present.

Meditation room area where they have mental wellness practical lessons. 

Gym


So, here is the basic twin-sharing accommodation which my friend very kindly shared with me.  

The total occupancy of the resort runs at about 80 pax, so there are about 40 rooms ranging from basic ones like this to suites which actual villas with  mini pool right in front.

It is simple & comfortable room area with it's own walk-in wardrobe, toilets and vanity area.


And here is the view from the room, overlooking the lake.

And for the sake of showcasing, this an example of the detox meal they have customised to fit my friend's diet.




By the time I was done roaming around, I was rather done for the day and decided to practice the "sleep early - wake early" policy, 

It is the first holistic wellness centre cum resort I have ever seen and I was pretty impressed with all the treatments, service and facilities they offer though I did not sign up for a detox meal package.

To learn more about detox, what they have to offer and their resort accommodation packages, please visit their website here.

*P.S: This is an un-sponsored post and all opinions are solely my own.