UNLV Singapore's UFEST @ Wave House Sentosa

Friday, November 20th, 2009 is indeed a great day to remember, because on this day, my school, the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Singapore Campus celebrates her 3rd Anniversary, which was held at this latest tourist attraction called Wave House on Sentosa Island, the other reason to remember, is because for the very first time of my life, I experienced what it is like to surf and it was quite a blast for me.  Check out the photos.

Walking towards the Wave House Building

Entrance of Wave House Restaurant & Bar

Digital Signage outside Wave House Restaurant

An overview of the digital signage and the entrance.

Being served with drinks upon entering.

This is something that is quite welcoming, I like the idea of being served with chilled drinks after some 5 - 8 minutes walk from the Beach Station to the Wave House in the humid weather, reminds me of the Hawaiian welcoming style, beautiful Hawaiian girls in hula skirts serving a chilled coconut drink or a cool chiller/cocktail.. (lol... Singapore style = served by men in black tops, white bottom?!? Where are the girls???) =P

Aiyah, guess I can't really complain.. lol..

Open Kitchen Concep att the Wave House

Grill Station, Open Concept. Nice layout if you ask me.

Toasting my glass of watered down Sprite, Too many ice =(

Walking around and checking out the facilities of the Wave House, which is only about 5 weeks ++ old and the facilities are quite brand new, and decided to take some group shots.

Visiting Profs Ken McCleary & Pamela Weaver from Virginia Tech

Group shot of Ms. Patricia Manuel and Rebel 7 undergrads

Sometimes, I really cannot but revel in the fact that the world no matter how big, with over 6 billion people, is still a small world after all.  Ms. Manuel taught me when I was in SHATEC, taking my CAO (Certificate in Accommodation Operations) in year 2000 and 9 years later, we met up again and she is now an adjunct professor with the university.  The world is indeed small after all..  Good news though (Sorry, Ms Manuel, really gotta share your joy), Ms. Manuel is engaged and getting ready to be married next year, on February 27, 2010, which happens to be my 30th Birthday! Hahaha! Coincidence?  Double happiness? LoL =D

Okay, enough reminiscence.. back to the photos and food is next! 

Chiong ah!! Food, More Food, More Glorious Food! Hahaha!

My food pile, with large amount of Norwegian smoked Salmon underneath the salads.

After a great lunch buffet of smoked salmon, chicken, baked potatoes wedges, it's time for UFEST to be kicked into action, and who else but the man of the hour - Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, Dean and Founder of UNLV Singapore should do it?

Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, Dean & Founder of UNLV Singapore

Following the opening speech, a series of celebratory programs are lined up and what's better than to have videos showcasing the events?  Check it out below!

 UNLV'S UFEST - Profs McCleary & Weaver Ballroom Dancing 1 of 2

UNLV'S UFEST - Profs McCleary & Weaver Ballroom Dancing 2 of 2

 UNLV's UFEST - S. Korean Undergrad Singing Performance

Please do pardon the poor quality as this was taken on my beaten down Nokia E61i mobile phone.  Nonetheless, overall, I would say the program entertainments are quite fun since the weather was inclement during this time.  Thank god, the weather eventually clears up and it's time to head out for the outdoor activities befitting the Wave House and the UFEST Spirit!

Check out the Advanced Flow Rider.  The waves are indeed powerful!

Gotta be the expert in order to survive those stimulated waves! =\...

Ain't the Advance Flow Rider impressive?  I was a bit apprehensive about trying it out, only to realize that, actually the school has an hour of Basic Flow Rider session booked for the students and I went to take a look and took some shots.

The Basic Flow Rider.. Looks fun and I think I can do this.. =P
Before continuing, it would be ideal to read up the warning signages and understand what are the risks associated with this rides and how to safeguard oneself.

Yup, check out the signs and how to safeguard myself and off I go!
Check it out! I signed up for the complimentary Flow Rider to try my surfing skill or lack thereof.

The waterproof blue tag, ready for the Flow Rider 2!
That's all for now folks, I need to check if I can get photos of me surfing or prolly tumbled about by the waves that prove to me, surfing ain't for the first timer, be prepared to be waved over many times before you master the art of surfing! =P  Will update again once I get the photos.  Cheerio!

APEC 2009 - Finance Ministers Social Night @ Capella Hotel, Sentosa

As the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Event in Singapore

came to a close on Sunday, Nov 15, 2009; I must say as a volunteer on the Social Night event held on Thursday, Nov 12 was quite eventful at least for me.  The APEC event is an economic event involving the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) where finance ministers of Asian countries comes together on an annual basis to discuss on economic issues and this is the 20th APEC session and Singapore is the host nation.

 
The Official Invitation Card sent out to Finance Ministers and Corporate Partners

The social night event on Thursday was the official dinner for the 16th APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting held at the Capella hotel on Sentosa Island. I managed to come up close though not personal enough (Security issues) with our dear Finance Minister, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and some other Asian countries' Finance Ministers as well.

Recounting the moments as I arrive on Sentosa Island and met up with fellow volunteers as we trek up the road in order to reach the Capella Hotel, Singapore 1st Six Stars All Suite Hotel.

External Views of the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. 

On reaching the hotel, the top priority was to get to the Grand Ballroom and what better than to look out for the signboard? =P

 

Lo' and Behold, On reaching the external area of Capella's Grand Ballroom, I'm greeted by the security equipments already in place.

Security is so tight I don't think a fly can even get in undetected! =P

Proceeding on, I came to the entrance of the grand ballroom, I was actually surprised to see a unique shape for the ballroom.. It's actually round! Check it out!

Really rounded, it kinda unique.. but seriously.. Circle ballroom? =P 

The top part of the Grand Ballroom.. has actual lighting effects.

Moving next, I checked out the table settings and layout.. quite elaborately laid out but it gives me the feeling that the layout is a bit cramped.  What do you think?

What do you think?  The layout seemed quite alright to me but still feel quite cramped.

Walking past the reception area, I took a quick shots of the table settings.. kinda nice and looks very foresty.. I wonder could that be the theme of the evening?

 

Scattered white orchids petals on the cocktail tables with the lamp and cloth napkins.

 

 The Partners Reception Table I'm volunteering at, meet & greet!

 

The foresty oasis theme I guess.. not bad for decor but it seems too spaced out for me. 

 

Shot of the base of the oasis tree..

Being a little nature lover I am, I looked out from the gathering point at the Gallery where the volunteers are gathering and the following photos are scenic views available at the hotel.

Nice scenic views right? I'm so tempted to use as wallpaper if not for the cargo ships out there.. =(

Taking the scenic shots and guess who decides to make a cameo appearance? 
Mr. Peacock or is it Ms. Peacock?

 

Pool View at the Capella Hotel, Sentosa.. If only I can take a dip now.. =P

Light up and getting ready for actions!

Just as I was enjoying sneaking last few shots before photography is banned.. the alarm went off...

 

Check out the commotion, security forces zooming in on the perpetrator. =P

It's a miracle to see that there are people who thinks that despite all the heightened security thinks they can come waltzing through the metal detectors with loaded pockets of stuff..  Declare them for God's sake!  In the end, gotta zoomed in by the security and police to check out the person.  Really stupidity at its best! =P

Anyway, back to duty and photography is banned for security issues as the Finance Ministers, their spouses arrives and it was a hectic three hours blackout situation of all photography equipments.. sorry folks, no chance of snapping photos with various Finance Ministers. =P

Anyway, after the event.. the volunteers were invited to have a meal of the "leftovers" from the Ministers' Dinner, means it's ok to whip out my phone camera and start snapping away.

So first thing first.. the wines that they serve to the Ministers...

Shiraz Red Wine and Chablis White Wine.  (I chose the Chablis Premier Cru - Nice Taste!)

Given the choice of food being given to us, I chose the Chablis Premier Cru White Wine cos it goes much well with the food instead of the full bodied Shiraz Red Wine.  However, before the food is served and urrmm all the drinking of Wine, water and sprite, I gotta visit the loo!

 Always remember to wash one hands after visiting the toilet! =P

Entering the ballroom and sitting down at the oval table that was used inside the ballroom, I realize that the centerpiece that the event company used at the table was nice in aesthetics but it is totally obstructive in views and over the top.. and I can't see the person seated directly next to me.  (According to party planner David Tutera, this is a conversation turnoff!)

Nice centerpiece but it's too tall and opaque!

Anyway.. hungry as it is.. here's the food pictures.. it's kinda really a turn off at the way it was presented to us.. especially the vegetables.

Oven Baked Salmon!  So many pieces! Must be yummy!

Check out the vegetable presentation! It looks so gross! Makes me feel its meant for the dogs! =P

To make things more palatable and visually pleasing, I decided to dress up my plate of salmon with the vegetables and dress it with a weird sauce that taste neither like satay sauce or laksa sauce!  Creamy yet non-spicy in a way yet carries the tinges of curry or laksa leaves.

(Personally I feel that the sauce is a cheap substitute to complement the salmon dish with the full bodied Shiraz red wine.)

Dressing up the plate before the sauce

The final presentation with the sauce over the salmon.. Nice and Appetizing eh? =P

It was a great evening and to round off this blog post, here's two shots of the APEC Volunteers who helped out at the Social Function!  Good night!