tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-375558172012-01-22T00:58:44.420-08:00Peregrine OnlineOverseas Travel and Livinghifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.comBlogger7081100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-21915088730466051172011-01-23T05:57:00.000-08:002011-01-23T05:57:00.383-08:00where to find Cyborg Chimera and Under the Ash in Singapore<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>If you are in Singapore and you are a reader of poetry, you can pick up copies of my two poetry collections <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Cyborg-Chimera">Cyborg Chimera</a> and Under the Ash, at the newly opened bookstore <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/ban-jian-shu-dian-Birches-Books/162855763759531?v=info">Birches</a>. The shop is located at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&pc=FACEBK&mid=8100&where1=420+North+Bridge+Road+%2304-09+Singapore+188727%2C+SingaporeSingapore+City&FORM=FBKPL0&name=%E5%8D%8A%E9%96%93%E6%9B%B8%E5%BA%97+Birches+Books" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">420 North Bridge Road #04-09</a>. They are not yet in full operation, having only recently opened for business. To avoid disappointment, you can call at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">(65) 9050 5633 before stopping by.</span><br /><br />If you are not in Singapore, you can always purchase the books online from <a href="http://www.genremall.com/contents.htm">The Genre Mall</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2191508873046605117?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-68169360435233654082010-12-19T06:15:00.000-08:002010-12-19T06:15:00.374-08:00Singapore Climate<object id="swfclipV3792708" width="421" height="316" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://player.grabnetworks.com/swf/cube.swf?a=V3792708&m=1601136"><param name="movie" value="http://player.grabnetworks.com/swf/cube.swf?a=V3792708&m=1601136"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="base" value="." /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/></object><br /><br /><div id="lw_context_ads"></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6816936043523365408?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-4902893560658046152010-12-14T05:36:00.000-08:002010-12-14T05:36:00.857-08:00The Thorn of Lion City<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>Reading Lucy Lum's memoir <i>The Thorn of Lion City</i> is not exactly pleasant, though the book is pretty well-written. The fact is, the time represented in the book just wasn't pleasant in Asia, and so reading about it can be pretty uncomfortable.<br /><br /><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1586484362&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>However, very little of Lum's account of WWII Singapore has to do with the Japanese occupation, to be honest. The Japanese do appear now and again as the "bad guys," but overall the Japanese occupation is pretty much just the background for the horror that Lum did know in her childhood — the horror of being abused by her mother and grandmother. Those two actually make the Japanese soldiers look docile and almost kind by comparison.<br /><br />Stories such as these are never fun to read in the sense that an "escape novel" is — they, instead, depict things even more horrible than those we often hope to escape from in the first place. That doesn't mean that they should be avoided though. There is certainly some value in reading books that turn the stomach a little, if for no other reason than for the fact that they remind us that (at least most of us) don't have it so bad after all. They can make us grateful for things we often take for granted. And they can give us a picture of the sort of mental toughness required to handle the worst sorts of things that life can throw at us.<br /><br />At least, that's why I return to books like Lum's — along with the fact that I like reading any depiction of my chosen home(s) that I can. I can't say I exactly like reading books about common folks during the war, but I do find them useful for these and other reasons. This is one of several memoirs on my <a href="http://fillinthegaps100.blogspot.com/2009/04/shellys-list.html">Fill in the Gaps list</a>, and I suspect the others aren't necessarily going to be easier to read than Lum's. I'll probably put off reading the others for a while, just to get a bit of a breather before encountering another disturbing piece. But I'll get around to them... eventually.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-490289356065804615?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-15846682406502953042010-12-02T23:04:00.000-08:002010-12-03T06:09:10.026-08:00Um... I doubt that<object data="http://player.grabnetworks.com/swf/cube.swf?a=F88586&m=1601134" height="451" id="swfclipF88586" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="729"><param name="movie" value="http://player.grabnetworks.com/swf/cube.swf?a=F88586&m=1601134"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="base" value="." /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/></object><br /><div id="lw_context_ads"><br />I have to acknowledge myself as someone who thinks that former Singaporean Prime Ministers (not a long list there...) can be pretty bold in their public statements — sometimes overly so. Still, I am pretty sure that the lines attributed to a former Singaporean Prime Minister in this video must have been said by someone else, if they were said at all. Given the recent death of Madame Lee (the first prime minister's wife) after suffering from a series of strokes, I doubt that any high-ranking Singaporean would have been so insensitive as to have said this.<br /><br />Just another reason to shake my head at the irresponsibility of the media.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-1584668240650295304?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-20248761181241327232010-11-28T05:24:00.000-08:002010-11-28T05:24:00.722-08:00Hainan Island<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>The tropical island of Hainan marks the southern end of China. Once thought of as the gateway to Hell and used mainly as a site for the internment of exiles in ancient times. In 1988, the island was set aside as a resort, and has undergone a lot of development since then.<br /><br />The tropical rainforests of Hainan are quite pretty, as are the beaches — though neither quite compares with Southeast Asia's. The place is pretty enough, and the seafood is excellent, but the island has more or less become a big tourist trap. It's fun enough to visit once, but I doubt I'll be too tempted to make a second trip there myself.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2024876118124132723?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-58288139783004529042010-11-23T12:36:00.000-08:002010-11-23T12:36:00.290-08:00Woo-hoo!<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>I am in Hainan island right now, with my godchildren and their family. They met me here and we're traveling about a little before returning to Singapore together. I've been away from Singapore for about 4 months this time, and so am especially happy to see my friends and family there.<br /><br />This is my first trip to Hainan, and I hope to have some great pictures to share when I get back to Singapore. But for now, I'm off to the beach....!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5828813978300452904?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-62098896027150679632010-11-19T12:35:00.000-08:002010-11-19T12:35:00.234-08:00It Gets Hard to Keep Up with it all<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>The peregrine lifestyle can make it difficult to keep up with all the little things one has to take care of day in and day out. To have a look at what all I'm trying to stay on top of this week as I get ready to make my way back to Singapore, have a look at <a href="http://web.me.com/shellybryant/Site/Blog/Entries/2010/11/15_A_Migrant%E2%80%99s_Life.html">my main blog</a>. <br /><br />I hope you don't get worn out just reading it....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6209889602715067963?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-44810643498893512982010-11-14T08:35:00.000-08:002010-11-14T08:35:00.244-08:00The Forbidden City, Beijing<a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Forbidden-City-Beijing">The Forbidden City, Beijing</a> is one of the most amazing sites to visit. The first time there, I was overwhelmed by the weight of history represented on the grounds there. It was an odd feeling to walk in from the crowded city streets to a place that resounded with a sense of solemnity.<br /><br />On more crowded days at the Forbidden City (i.e., most of the time), that feeling of cold silence is lacking, but the buildings there still hold such a long,<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-4481064349889351298?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-71721563171702870872010-11-10T08:50:00.000-08:002010-11-17T12:20:20.733-08:00In Two Days: Houston<div id="lw_context_ads"><br />I am often approached with this question: "I'll be in [fill in the city] for two days. What should I see while I am there?"<br /><br />In response, I feature 2-day itineraries to a variety of cities here at Peregrine Online. At the end of each month, a new post introduces the main sites to visit in a city if you only have two days there.<br /><br />Houston may not be the place most people think of as a top tourist destination. Still, there is plenty to do in the city, and two days there can be well-spent. So, today we'll see how to hit the highlights in Houston in a 2-day timeframe.<br /><br /><strong>Day 1</strong><br /><br />NASA<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Night</span>: if there's a professional sporting event to attend, do that; if not, dinner at Kemah Boardwalk<br /><br /><strong>Day 2</strong><br /><br />Museum of Natural Science, shopping at the Galleria<br /><u><br /></u><br /><u><br /></u><br /><u><br /></u><br /><br /><strong>Alternate sites</strong>: for real shoppers, hit the outlet mall in Cypress<br /><br /><strong>If you have a 3rd day</strong>: a day at the beach and/or on the Strand in Galveston<br /><br /><strong>For kids</strong>: Galveston beach and ferry trip, the Houston Zoo<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-7172156317170287087?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-23305718922260864692010-11-07T06:30:00.000-08:002010-11-07T06:30:00.755-08:00Young Singaporean Poets Speak<div id="lw_context_ads"></div><br />Date: 13 November 2010<br />Level 5 - Imagination Room, National Library Building<br />100 Victoria Street<br />Singapore, Singapore<br /><br />What does it mean to create "Singapore literature" in the 21st century? How do local poets taking up the art today locate themselves in relation to their predecessors and to the larger world? Join four young poets--Grace Chua, Koh Xin Tian, Teng Qian Xi and Zhuang Yusa--as they tackle these and other vital questions while relating their thoughts to their own poetic practice.<br /><br />The event, facilitated by Nicholas Liu, will include readings of poems by each of the writers, a panel discussion and a Q&A session. This session is organised as a collaboration between the National Library Board (under its Experience Singapore Literature program) and the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS).<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2330571892226086469?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-4814988598070203212010-11-02T08:26:00.000-07:002010-11-02T08:26:00.498-07:00Cycling Adventure<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>A couple of weeks ago, I made my first trip to Guilin in Guangxi Province, China. We actually stayed just outside of Yangshuo instead of in the city of Guilin, as that's the area where the really beautiful Karst rock formations are. The spot we stayed in was secluded and quiet, and great for cycling. I went one afternoon on my own, and the next with my friends. Both days were fun, with the day I went alone being the best cycling trip I've had in a while — probably a year or so.<br /><br />Here's a shot of the narrowest section of path. Just past here, it got steep and muddy, on top of being narrow, so I had to push the bike for a few minutes there or risk slipping into the muddy, wet rice paddies. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TMRSPzM5d9I/AAAAAAAAAWw/OdvZJvOZ2rw/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TMRSPzM5d9I/AAAAAAAAAWw/OdvZJvOZ2rw/s320/IMG_2375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />After finding my way across some paths like this through the farmland, and some wider, pot-holed filled dirt roads, I finally got close to the bridge I was aiming for. The problem was that every time I stopped to ask how much further, the answer was always, "About 4 kilometers," no matter how far I'd traveled since I last asked. At one point, the answer was, "That's it in the distance. The road there still winds around a lot and will take you a while to get there. I don't think you'll be able to get back home before dark if you go all the way to the bridge." The advice on an alternative route was to cross the mountain and take the bamboo raft across the river instead of heading up to the bridge. I followed the advice, which led me on a bit of a rough but beautiful ride, and I'm glad I did. <br /><br />All in all, even though I didn't make it all the way to the bridge I'd thought I would get to, I am glad I traveled the path I did. It was fun, and I got to see parts of China life that most people miss out on. That's one of the joys of cycling when you travel — you're going at just about the right pace to really see the countryside, and yet see a fair bit more than if you were walking. <br /><br />It sure made me wish to make a real long-distance trip across China's rural regions. Maybe one day.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-481498859807020321?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-81164844023770256052010-10-28T00:31:00.000-07:002010-12-03T06:21:38.653-08:00More from Texas<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>While I was in Texas in August, two of my friends and I happened to stumble across a secluded, quiet little beach. We stopped and waded with the kids for a few minutes until it started raining. Later, we went back and took my sister, after having told her and my parents about it. (my parents stopped by while I was away)<br /><br />We all agreed its best to keep the location of this little beach a secret. If word gets out, it won't be so quiet and secluded anymore.<br /><br />Here are a couple of pictures, just to keep you wondering....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLlW_qkzAnI/AAAAAAAAAWk/t0nFZimmZ24/s1600/P1050745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLlW_qkzAnI/AAAAAAAAAWk/t0nFZimmZ24/s320/P1050745.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLlXfPDtX0I/AAAAAAAAAWo/K7GW5nTi9_4/s1600/P1050747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLlXfPDtX0I/AAAAAAAAAWo/K7GW5nTi9_4/s320/P1050747.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLlX2NV40yI/AAAAAAAAAWs/BxytyIz4O_0/s1600/P1050748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLlX2NV40yI/AAAAAAAAAWs/BxytyIz4O_0/s320/P1050748.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8116484402377025605?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-14878014608372948682010-10-23T00:29:00.000-07:002010-10-23T00:29:00.708-07:00On the Way Back....<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>I'm on my way back to Shanghai today from Guilin. This is my first trip to this stunning part of China.<br /><br />Be watching for updates here when I get the photos together for posting on Tai Shan.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-1487801460837294868?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-28889297367898078022010-10-19T00:26:00.000-07:002010-10-19T00:26:00.426-07:00Perfect Time of Year<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>This is my favorite time of year in Shanghai. It is cool but not cold, and the light comes in at fantastic angles all day long.<br /><br />Over the weekend, I had a little time to take a bike ride around the southwestern part of the city. The day was perfect, and there were lots of serious cyclists out on the roads with the rest of us. It was a great way to spend an autumn morning.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2888929736789807802?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-32104609794952048612010-10-15T09:36:00.000-07:002010-10-15T09:36:24.257-07:00Texas has its beauty too<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>I wrote a lot here about Alaska after my trip to the US in August, but didn't have much to say about Texas. It's not because there's nothing to see there, but because Alaska was new and exciting and beautiful. But Texas can have its moments too.<br /><br />Here's a brief one. These pictures were taken from the window of a moving car, so they're a little blurry. But they give an idea of how spectacular the sunsets can be along the Texas gulf coast, with all that flat land.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLPFrqx3ZWI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Z2saVQguf-4/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLPFrqx3ZWI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Z2saVQguf-4/s320/IMG_1546.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLPGt9-w_TI/AAAAAAAAAWY/xNrHKmgCiOw/s1600/IMG_1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLPGt9-w_TI/AAAAAAAAAWY/xNrHKmgCiOw/s320/IMG_1551.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLPH1tVjinI/AAAAAAAAAWc/XaOmRg_gcuo/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLPH1tVjinI/AAAAAAAAAWc/XaOmRg_gcuo/s320/IMG_1547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLPJ8VV4P3I/AAAAAAAAAWg/xQGoEjjWt0g/s1600/P1060084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TLPJ8VV4P3I/AAAAAAAAAWg/xQGoEjjWt0g/s320/P1060084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-3210460979495204861?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-2933036044799886882010-10-10T05:37:00.000-07:002010-10-10T05:37:00.423-07:00In Two Days: Singapore<div id="lw_context_ads"></div><br /><div class="post-inner" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; position: relative;"><div>I am often approached with this question: “I’ll be in [fill in the city] for two days. What should I see while I am there?”<br /><br />In response, I feature 2-day itineraries to a variety of cities here at Peregrine Online (cities in China are covered at <a href="http://www.slothjockey.com/blog/shelly_bryant">Tai Shan</a>). Once each month, a new post introduces the main sites to visit in a city if you only have two days there.<br /><br />Today we’ll see how to hit the highlights in Singapore in a 2-day timeframe.<br /><strong><br /></strong><br /><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1741046645&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><strong>Day 1</strong><br />Singapore Flyer - Esplanade / Merlion Park - walk on the river through Boat Quay and up to Chinatown for some shopping<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Night</span>: dinner at Clark Quay<br /><strong><br /></strong><br /><strong>Day 2</strong><br />Sentosa<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Night</span>: leave Sentosa for dinner at Vivo City<br /><strong><br /></strong><br /><strong>Alternate sites</strong>: shopping at Orchard Road, a culture tour through Chinatown - Little India - Geylang Serai, or a climb up Bukit Timah Hill<br /><strong><br /></strong><br /><strong>If you have a 3rd day</strong>: Orchard Road, Little India, Geylang Serai<br /><strong><br /></strong><br /><strong>For kids</strong>: Singapore Science Center</div><div><br /></div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-293303604479988688?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-83587886884536914472010-10-07T23:40:00.000-07:002010-10-07T23:40:01.002-07:00Quote from Travels in Alaska<div id="lw_context_ads"></div><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001U89IGI&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>I took a good long time to finish up John Muir's <i>Travels in Alaska</i> (I think he'd understand — there's just too much to see in Alaska to spend a lot of time reading on the trip!) In the reading, I highlighted lots of things that I wanted to keep in mind after I'd finished reading.<br /><br />I think this might have been one of my favorites of all:<br /><br />"Most people who travel look only at what they are directed to look at. Great is the power of the guidebook-maker, however ignorant."<br /><br />And there you have it — never trust your travel guide book 100%. <br /><br />(Not even if it's <i>Suzhou Basics</i>.)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8358788688453691447?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-51845471458131672522010-10-02T17:37:00.000-07:002010-10-02T17:37:00.777-07:00The Bridges of Taishun<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>It's the October holiday, and I am away in Taishun, a village near Wenzhou. The village is a little off the beaten track, but is interesting for the bridges that fill the landscape around the little town. Unlike the typical stone bridges all over the Jiangsu area, the bridges in Taishun are more typical of those in the north of China. It's odd that they are found here in the south, and only in this one tiny area, but somehow or another, here they are...<br /><br />I'll post pictures soon of the wooden bridges, so keep an eye out for an idea of what the bridges of Taishun are like.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5184547145813167252?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-23859798916870949522010-09-29T01:18:00.000-07:002010-09-29T01:18:00.810-07:00The Joys of Air Travel<div id="lw_context_ads"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A long wait taxing at O'Hare, on the way back to Shanghai earlier this month....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TJXH0E6Qs-I/AAAAAAAAAWE/gNgfPuYp8j4/s1600/IMG_1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TJXH0E6Qs-I/AAAAAAAAAWE/gNgfPuYp8j4/s320/IMG_1597.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br />We sat on the plane for a very long time before we took off. Long enough that I napped and kind of lost track of time.<br /><br />At least there was no connecting flight to be made. Like the day we went from Fairbanks to Houston via Minneapolis just a couple of weeks before. A long run through a big airport with 2 kids. We made it, seat to seat, in 10 minutes — just before the door to the flight closed.<br /><br />And then sat waiting 20 minutes for any news of takeoff.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2385979891687094952?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-65294127951733283502010-09-25T05:48:00.000-07:002010-09-25T05:48:00.584-07:00A New Venue<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>I've been blogging for a long time now. Recently, the regularity with which I've maintained some of my blogs was rewarded with a little recognition. Amazon decided to accept Tai Shan, where I blog about China and all things Chinese, into their Blogs for Kindle catalog. I am very pleased to see that blog, which I maintain at the online magazine <a href="http://www.slothjockey.com/">Sloth Jockey</a>, be made available at this new venue.<br /><br />If you'd like to subscribe to Tai Shan on your Kindle or Kindle-enabled device, you can use the link below.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0042XADP8&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6529412795173328350?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-36544660983725429952010-09-20T04:23:00.000-07:002010-09-20T04:23:00.842-07:00Updates and New HubsI updated my hub <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Five-Elements-in-Chinese-Thought">The Five Elements in Chinese Thought</a> earlier this week. The new info might be of interest...<br /><div><br />In addition, I've posted a new hub on <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Tomorrow-Square-Shanghai">Tomorrow Square</a>, one of my favorite buildings in Shanghai. You might like to see the photos there.<br /><br />And, last of all, I've posted my translation of <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Ye-Shengtao-The-Suzhou-Garden">Ye Shengtao's essay "The Suzhou Garden."</a><br /><br /><br /><div id="lw_context_ads"></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-3654466098372542995?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-62067941469373922052010-09-16T00:27:00.000-07:002010-09-16T00:27:00.310-07:00On the Road in Alaska<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>When we were in Alaska last month, we did lots of driving. It was lots of fun to cover as much ground as we did (about 2000 miles in 6 days). Alaska is a big place, and there is so much to see when you drive there.<br /><br />Some of our favorite spots on the road were these:<br /><br />Fairbanks to Delta Junction — beautiful mountain scenery there<br /><br />Glenallen to Palmer — mountains, glaciers, and usually lots of wildlife (though we had a quiet day in that department)<br /><br />Anchorage to Seward — glaciers, mountain, and sea... one of the most beautiful stretches of road I have ever seen (both directions)<br /><br />Seward to Howard — forest and wildlife (saw lots of moose here); on the Homer side of the Peninsula, lots of coastal views<br /><br />Wasilla to Fairbanks — Denali National Park<br /><br />Fairbanks north on HWY 11 — we made it to the Arctic Circle and saw the Northern Lights... <b>fantastic</b>! (Though the road is mostly frequented by big trucks at work on the Pipeline, so it's a little rugged)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6206794146937392205?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-15387799750823339952010-09-12T00:04:00.000-07:002010-09-12T00:20:02.034-07:00A Tough Cycling Spot<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When I was in Alaska last month, I had my two youngest nephews with me, and didn't do a whole lot of "rugged" travel. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span><br /><div id="lw_context_ads"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TIx7vqJwqFI/AAAAAAAAAV0/pFZcPFATsio/s1600/P1050382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TIx7vqJwqFI/AAAAAAAAAV0/pFZcPFATsio/s320/P1050382.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div id="lw_context_ads"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When I was in Alaska last month, I had my two youngest nephews with me, and didn't do a whole lot of "rugged" travel. We did, though, get to do a little cycling in Anchorage on some dedicated cycling paths near the coast, and had a lot of fun with that. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Anchorage is a great city for cycling. It's easy to rent bikes in the city, especially near the coast where the path is, and the path is a beautiful spot for a day's cycling trip. We picked our bikes up at Hertz, and got a good price on them.</div></div><br /><br />We did have a lot of fun on our half day or so of cycling, and I am very glad we got to do it. We loved seeing the seaside, with the birds and wildlife that make their home there coming out to welcome us.<br /><br />What looked really appealing to me, though, as a cycling spot, were some of the other parts of Alaska, particularly the spots north of Anchorage, Palmer, and Wasilla. <br /><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0938737279&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>We saw a number of cyclists in and around Denali National Park as we drove there. With the little guys along, this wasn't a time for me to consider doing the sort of cycling that Denali would require — and I've been really out of shape for it all year long anyway — but seeing some of the folks on two wheels in the area really whet my appetite for the adventure. I have to admit that I was more than a little jealous seeing the women and men on their bikes, struggling up the hills. I can just imagine the exhilaration that comes with reaching one of the peaks, to be greeted with the spectacular views that fill Denali. Even from the car it was pretty fantastic. How much more so from a bike, when the struggle uphill multiplies the rewards of reaching the top.<br /><br />Unfortunately, it wasn't quite suitable for our itinerary this time round. But who knows? Maybe one day....<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TIx8SEsoqKI/AAAAAAAAAV8/20xj_98uSMQ/s1600/P1050681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TIx8SEsoqKI/AAAAAAAAAV8/20xj_98uSMQ/s320/P1050681.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-1538779975082333995?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-39279761401468133162010-09-09T04:23:00.000-07:002010-09-09T04:23:00.205-07:00Notes on Alaska<div id="lw_context_ads">I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who finds it difficult to put travels to Alaska into words. Here's what John Muir says in <i>Travels in Alaska</i><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1617430331&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><i>Day after day in the fine weather we enjoyed, we seemed to float in true fairyland, each succeeding view seeming more and more beautiful, the one we chanced to have before us the most surprisingly beautiful of all. Never before this had I been embosomed in scenery so hopelessly beyond description. To sketch picturesque bits, definitely bounded, is comparatively easy — a lake in the woods, a glacier meadow, or a cascade in its dell; or even a grand master view of mountains beheld from some commanding outlook after climbing from height to height above the forests. These may be attempted, and more or less telling pictures made of them; but in these coast landscapes there is such indefinite, on-leading expansiveness, such a multitude of features without apparent redundance, their lines graduating delicately into one another in endless succession, while the whole is so fine, so tender, so ethereal, that all pen-work seems hopelessly unavailing. Tracing shining ways through fjord and sound, past forests and waterfalls, islands and mountains and far azure headlands, it seems as if surely we must at length reach the very paradise of the poets, the abode of the blessed.<br /><br />Some ideas of the wealth of this scenery may be gained from the fact that the coast-line of Alaska is about twenty-six thousand miles long, more than twice as long as all the rest of the United States.</i><br /><br />I started reading the book during my recent trip to Alaska, but didn't get very far into it. I'm trying to finish it up now, and when I came across this segment, I just though, "Yeah... that's it exactly."<br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-3927976140146813316?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-36611686852354984122010-09-06T21:54:00.001-07:002010-09-06T21:54:38.905-07:00Blogging Frustrations<div id="lw_context_ads">Apologies for the little hiatus recently. I've had some unexpected frustrations with my blog here. I'm still deciding exactly how to resolve them. Watch for updates here soon.<br /><br />Again, my apologies....<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-3661168685235498412?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-82118700675544580982010-08-20T14:30:00.001-07:002010-08-20T14:30:05.475-07:00Alaska Pictures<div id="lw_context_ads">I'm still not quite ready to do much posting about my Alaska trip, but I have put up a few pictures at <a href="http://web.me.com/shellybryant/Site/Blog/Entries/2010/8/21_Stops_Along_the_Way.....html">my main blog</a> — one from each stop along the journey.<br /><br />I will eventually sort through it all and have more to post here as well. Until then, maybe you'll see something to whet the appetite over there.<br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8211870067554458098?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-89432546714421567732010-08-14T00:39:00.000-07:002010-08-14T00:39:05.542-07:00Back from Alaska<div id="lw_context_ads">Whew! It was a great trip to Alaska. We saw all sorts of amazing things... icebergs floating on a sea of mist, sea otters at play, bald eagles, huge jellyfish, moose, caribou, snowy owls.... and the northern lights viewed from the Arctic Circle. It was <b>beautiful</b> from beginning to end.<br /><br />I'll have a lot more to say over the next few weeks. For now... wow! What a fabulous place!<br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8943254671442156773?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-77429222586183439752010-08-08T00:55:00.000-07:002010-08-08T00:55:45.954-07:00Leaving Fairbanks, Seward boundTomorrow will begin a new part of our Alaska adventure. We will depart Fairbanks and head south, eventually reaching Seward and them on to homer after a brief stay. We have enjoyed the amazing skies, gold mines, museums, and quality time with family members stationed in Fairbanks. We are looking forward now to more stunning scenery, wildlife, and adventure. It promises to be loads of fun!<br /><br />Watch for pictures here over the next few weeks. For now, it's just brief updates though.<br /><br />And, Alaska is every bit as wondrous as you've ever imagined!<br /><br /><div id="lw_context_ads"></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-7742922258618343975?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-59130747641722245612010-08-03T04:34:00.001-07:002010-08-03T04:34:00.488-07:00Start of an Adventure<div id="lw_context_ads">I just got back to the US late last night. Tomorrow I'll begin an adventure with my friend and my 2 youngest nephews — we're heading to Alaska! While we're there, we'll visit my cousin, and then do a little driving around and sightseeing on our own. <br /><br />I've never been to Alaska before, but I'm really looking forward to it. Everything I've heard makes me think it will be a place I'll enjoy a lot.<br /><br />Watch for pictures here!<br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5913074764172224561?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-363049194589499502010-07-30T04:30:00.000-07:002010-07-30T04:30:01.486-07:00Living Overseas and Being Out of Touch<div id="lw_context_ads">I've been living overseas for a very long time now. When I first moved overseas, the internet wasn't something we all had access to, and I could get out of touch with my hometown very quickly. I didn't know all the newest slang, see all the newest TV programs, and all that.<br /><br />The internet makes it all pretty much available, though, if I really want to keep up with the pop culture going on in the place where I grew up. But commercials like this one have to make you ask yourself — is there really any reason you <i>would</i> want to keep up?<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/owGykVbfgUE&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/owGykVbfgUE&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Um... really?<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-36304919458949950?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-90424378592602135322010-07-27T05:23:00.000-07:002010-07-27T05:23:00.374-07:00Snow City<div id="lw_context_ads">Snow City must be the coldest spot in Singapore. <br /><br />A few weeks ago, my friend got a free pass for 4 to go into Snow City, and he gave it to his nephew (my godson) to use. I drove him and his friends down to Snow City to play for a while. When it was time to go, I stepped into the snow chamber for less than half a minute to call them to come out, and I spent the next 10-15 minutes shivering. It was -8•C in there, which is pretty cold when you are just in shorts and t-shirt!<br /><br />The kids apparently had a lot of fun, judging from the pictures. My godson liked it so much that he asked his uncle to get the pass again when my nephew and his friend arrived. He told them that Snow City was his favorite place in Singapore. There's inner-tubing (or "intertubing," as he calls it), a snow fort, and all sorts of fun stuff. <br /><br />My friend got the passes again, and they went back to Snow City. I think the little guy might have liked it better than the two teens, but they said it was fun too.<br /><br />(If you want to do snowboarding, that only starts after 7 pm. A later visit might have made it more fun for the bigger guys.)<br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-9042437859260213532?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-24395643511954656582010-07-24T05:21:00.000-07:002010-07-24T05:21:00.289-07:00Talk About a Bad Hair Day<div id="lw_context_ads"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TEOaygAVHdI/AAAAAAAAAVc/_X-A50px_Xo/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TEOaygAVHdI/AAAAAAAAAVc/_X-A50px_Xo/s320/IMG_0706.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2439564351195465658?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-42237523346237944152010-07-21T07:57:00.000-07:002010-07-21T07:57:00.200-07:00Not too Shabby<div id="lw_context_ads">Using one of my most recent post here, I pasted the text at <a href="http://iwl.me/">I Write Like</a>, a site that analyzes your writing and tells you which famous author it is most like. Here's the result....<br /><br /><!-- Begin I Write Like Badge --><br /><div style="overflow:auto;border:2px solid #ddd;font:20px/1.2 Arial,sans-serif;width:380px;padding:5px; background:#F7F7F7; color:#555"><img src="http://s.iwl.me/w.png" style="float:right" width="120"><div style="padding:20px; border-bottom:1px solid #eee; text-shadow:#fff 0 1px">I write like<br /><a href="http://iwl.me/w/86bc26af" style="font-size:30px;color:#698B22;text-decoration:none">William Gibson</a></div><p style="font-size:11px; text-align:center; color:#888"><em>I Write Like</em> by Mémoires, <a href="http://www.codingrobots.com/memoires/" style="color:#888">Mac journal software</a>. <a href="http://iwl.me" style="color:#333; background:#FFFFE0"><b>Analyze your writing!</b></a></p></div><!-- End I Write Like Badge --><br /><br /><br />woo-hoo!! <br />You don't know how I wish that was true!<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-4223752334623794415?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-45470857321422754022010-07-18T00:33:00.000-07:002010-07-18T00:33:00.781-07:00Perfect Bike Fit<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>It's never easy to find the perfect bike fit, and I've found it especially hard for female cyclists in Singapore (though it is better now than before, but not by much). I am happy to have come across <a href="http://www.bikelabz.com/www/">Bike Labz</a> in Bedok, where you can get a custom fit for your bike, making it all just right for your own body type and posture.<br /><br />It really is worth the trouble to get a proper fitting done if you plan to spend much time on the bike. I'm glad to see Bike Labz offering the service.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-4547085732142275402?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-34655439430552625232010-07-15T01:45:00.000-07:002010-07-15T01:45:00.630-07:00Interesting Things to Note About My YouTube Videos<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>When I was putting my most recent post together, I noticed something interesting about my YouTube videos. You can view <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/hifidel">my profile</a> to get a look at what I am talking about.<br /><br />The thing is, most of my videos that have fairly good traffic are about food (over 8,000 for one of them). the other big topic seems to have to do with death (two clips involving the dead in Singapore have over 1,000 hits). <br /><br />But the biggest draw of all the videos I've posted has been the one when I shot a video of the Lion Dance that my neighbors had in their home one Chinese New Year. No, it isn't the one titled "Lion Dance," but the one called.... <b>Peeping Tom</b>.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dovuyu_OCOM&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dovuyu_OCOM&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I put the title on without thinking much about it, referring to myself shooting video across the carpark into my neighbors' window. I think viewers (over 18,000 of them) might have had something else in mind when they searched for "Peeping Tom Video."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-3465543943055262523?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-81039382110678766672010-07-12T01:36:00.000-07:002010-07-12T01:36:00.127-07:00Travel to the Great Wall<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>My trip to the Great Wall with friends back in May was a fun one. There were enough of us to make it worthwhile to get a van rather than make our own way there. The trip to the Wall was a very pleasant drive.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UAizMEsIyYg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UAizMEsIyYg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8103938211067876667?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-47836761936774219772010-07-12T01:21:00.000-07:002010-07-12T01:22:23.124-07:00Travel by Air<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>My 7-year-old godson and I were talking about my <a href="http://www.cheapairlinetickets.net/">air travel</a> plans for the rest of the year. I said something about the <a href="http://www.cheapairlinetickets.net/">cheap airline tickets</a> that will allow me to fly from here to Shanghai, then to Texas, then on to Alaska, back to Shanghai, then to Hainan and home to Singapore. He then reminded my that my upcoming <a href="http://www.cheapairlinetickets.net/">air travel</a> plans would include one more thing — Singapore-Manila-Singapore. I had almost forgotten about that one when he mentioned it. His reminder made me tired just thinking about the schedule.<br /><br />I'm glad that I managed to get <a href="http://www.cheapairlinetickets.net/">cheap airline tickets</a> for each part of the upcoming schedule. It sure helps make things easier for me, even if the whole thing still will be pretty exhausting.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-4783676193677421977?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-81184205852121733532010-07-09T04:35:00.000-07:002010-07-09T04:35:00.352-07:00Scrabble and the City<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>In Houston on July 22, there will be a big fund-raiser organized around a <a href="http://www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/event-details?id=12064">Scrabble tournament</a>. It won't be a real competitive game, necessarily (though you can cheat), but more for raising funds to fight against illiteracy.<br /><br />The timing of the event is great for me, fitting right in with my 2 older godchildren's <a href="http://web.me.com/shellybryant/Site/Blog/Entries/2010/6/6_Generation_Gap.html">newfound interest in Scrabble</a>. Too bad we aren't in the Houston area. (Well... not really, I suppose, as we couldn't afford the $500 entry fee anyway!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8118420585212173353?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-91859635447405546272010-07-06T07:38:00.000-07:002010-07-06T07:38:00.257-07:00Cheap Lanes<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>We've had a lot of fun this past week or two bowling at the Civil Servant's Club in Bukit Batok. The lanes are cheap right now — only $1.50 per game (additional $1 for shoes). I asked how long the promotion will last, and was told simply, "until further notice."<br /><br />Great stuff! And, best of all, the same deal applies whether you are a member or not. So, hurry up and enjoy the offer while it's here!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-9185963544740554627?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-70363592037724260032010-07-03T16:47:00.000-07:002010-07-03T16:47:00.042-07:00At the Ball Park<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>Did you see the video of the guy who got <a href="http://deadspin.com/5576040/yankee-fan-on-cellphone-catches-ground-rule-double-with-his-face">hit in the face at Yankee Stadium</a> while on his cell phone? He was sitting just on the foul side of the pole on the front row, leaning over the field yakking away. He didn't see the ball bounce up as it came right at him. And I bet it hurt pretty bad when the ball made its next bounce — off his face.<br /><br />I'm not a person who likes watching anyone get hurt, but I am glad this video is making its way around the internet. I've seen lots of cell phone habits that really invite trouble, like this situation. I mean, you go to the ball park to watch the game, right? Then watch. And you get in your car to drive — so drive, don't talk or the phone or send text messages. It seems like I see it several times a week while on the road — some driver or pedestrian puts himself and everyone around him at risk, simply because he is so engrossed in his little screen that he can't watch where he's going.<br /><br />I make good use of my phone, and am practically contactable 24 hours a day via cell phone. But still... there are times you just have to let it ring, and wait until it's safe to answer. Like on the road, whether walking or driving. <br /><br />And of course, at the ball park.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-7036359203772426003?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-67742131654808881362010-06-30T04:32:00.000-07:002010-06-30T04:32:00.219-07:00Suzhou Basics<div id="lw_context_ads"></div><i>Suzhou Basics</i> is out in Shanghai now, and can be found in English language bookstores in the city now. The guide is my first book-length travel guide to be published, and I am very pleased to see its release now.<br /><br />If you are traveling to Shanghai, you really should schedule in a day trip to Suzhou. It's a historic city, filled with beautiful classical Chinese gardens. I really love visiting Suzhou myself, and had a great time writing <i>Suzhou Basics</i>. I hope it will be just as fun for readers of the guide.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6774213165480888136?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-9382115322724461582010-06-27T02:53:00.000-07:002010-06-27T02:53:00.113-07:00World Expo, photos (finally)<div id="lw_context_ads">I'm a little behind schedule getting these photos up, but thought you might like to see some pictures from the World Expo in Shanghai. Most of these were taken last month, though a few are from the preview trip I made to the Expo in April.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPUkH7g4QI/AAAAAAAAAUc/hDpToK022G8/s1600/IMG_1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPUkH7g4QI/AAAAAAAAAUc/hDpToK022G8/s320/IMG_1600.jpg" /></a></div><br />The China Pavilion:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPVNTXHHPI/AAAAAAAAAUs/bXruxPJBKnk/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPVNTXHHPI/AAAAAAAAAUs/bXruxPJBKnk/s320/IMG_1618.JPG" /></a></div><br />Ukraine:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPU4IqpmpI/AAAAAAAAAUk/dtj4pg7wf_E/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPU4IqpmpI/AAAAAAAAAUk/dtj4pg7wf_E/s320/IMG_1614.JPG" /></a></div>Macau:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPVfgKdTSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/UFYeYIddgI0/s1600/IMG_1623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPVfgKdTSI/AAAAAAAAAU0/UFYeYIddgI0/s320/IMG_1623.JPG" /></a></div><br />Iran:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPVwwkCRxI/AAAAAAAAAU8/suqrn6y4Buw/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPVwwkCRxI/AAAAAAAAAU8/suqrn6y4Buw/s320/IMG_0431.JPG" /></a></div>Morocco (my favorite):<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPWIgZnkKI/AAAAAAAAAVE/hZY8NpWrG4I/s1600/IMG_0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPWIgZnkKI/AAAAAAAAAVE/hZY8NpWrG4I/s320/IMG_0488.jpg" /></a></div><br />Pakistan:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPWMajcMUI/AAAAAAAAAVM/pTV8wy9tirM/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPWMajcMUI/AAAAAAAAAVM/pTV8wy9tirM/s320/IMG_0558.JPG" /></a></div><br />The China Pavilion at night:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPWQt_MGVI/AAAAAAAAAVU/Xh8_AWNg_Fc/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/TCPWQt_MGVI/AAAAAAAAAVU/Xh8_AWNg_Fc/s320/IMG_0611.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-938211532272446158?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-60230505905657936892010-06-24T14:52:00.000-07:002010-06-24T14:52:48.858-07:00For M*A*S*H* Lovers<div id="lw_context_ads">I recently saw on <a href="http://silken-placestogo.blogspot.com/2010/06/lost-mash-set.html">silken's blog</a> that there's an old M*A*S*H* set that visitors can trek in to view out in California. I didn't know anything about this, but I bet it would be fun to see! <br /><br />When I was in New Zealand, we visited several of the Lord of the Rings sets, and really loved it. The locations were beautiful in themselves, and seeing the actual scenes made you know exactly why they wanted to film the epic story there.<br /><br />I bet the site in California would be worth a visit too.<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6023050590565793689?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-64081643322070905312010-06-24T14:51:00.000-07:002010-06-26T16:28:10.037-07:00Travel Expenses Piling Up?<div id="lw_context_ads">When traveling, expenses can pile up quick, with hotels, meals on the road, and car rental all adding up faster than we often realize. One of the ways to save a bit when you are traveling is to get the <a href="http://www.cheapcarinsurance.net/">lowest car insurance rates</a> you can find on that rental.<br /><br />At Cheap Car Insurance, finding the <a href="http://www.cheapcarinsurance.net/">lowest car insurance rates</a> for your rented vehicle is easy. You can easily compare rates by keying in the zip code of the location to which you will travel, and you'll be on your way to finding great prices on your car insurance while you are away from home.<br /><br />If you are looking for the <a href="http://www.cheapcarinsurance.net/">lowest car insurance rates</a> available at your destination, visit Cheap Car Insurance and do a little comparison shopping before you make your purchase. It could help you to enjoy some savings as those travel expenses start to pile up.<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6408164332207090531?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-64510557092335860232010-06-22T01:48:00.000-07:002010-06-22T01:48:00.953-07:00Jurong Bird Park<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=067945120X&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><div id="lw_context_ads"><i>My 6-year-old godson has gotten very interested in all sorts of writing, and so wants to share this article about his experience at the Jurong Bird Park last year. Hope you enjoy!</i><br /><br />We rode trains at Jurong Bird Park in Singapore. We went to lots of different stations. I got to whistle with a bird on stage. We saw lots of birds. There were many different kinds, like parrots and stuff. We saw a show with many kinds of birds. And I got a drawing book at the Bird Park.<br /><br />I think everyone should go to Jurong Bird Park, because it is good, and lots of fun.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6451055709233586023?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-44036296944676027582010-06-18T17:33:00.001-07:002010-06-18T17:33:45.013-07:00Korean Adventure<div id="lw_context_ads">Two of my friends just got home from a 3-week Korean trek that took them across the whole span of the country (though, for the most part, only passing through Seoul). They were both very impressed with the country, especially enjoying some mountain climbing and nature treks of the sort that we don't get to do much here in Singapore.<br /><br />One of my friends commented that Koreans really seem to have it good at home, and that they don't feel as big a need to travel outside of the country as a lot of other nationalities in the region might. My friend felt this comes from having a beautiful country of their own to explore, along with a high standard of living that allows them to travel in some comfort.<br /><br />I've only been to the part of Korea that my friends missed, Seoul, but it sounds like the country would really be worth the visit. It's a spot I've had on my "to see" list for some time, and I think hearing about my friends' adventures has moved it up a notch or two in terms of priority.<br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-4403629694467602758?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-73781643650929431602010-06-18T17:33:00.000-07:002010-06-18T17:33:17.325-07:00Lighting the Web<div id="lw_context_ads">When renovating your home, <a href="http://www.lightingtheweb.com/">home lighting</a> is one of the most important decisions you will make. When we renovated our flat a couple of years ago, there were so many things to consider. We went with <a href="http://www.lightingtheweb.com/hunter_ceiling_fan_s/126.htm">Hunter ceiling fans</a> in most rooms, as we prefer not to use air-conditioning. The fans are just perfect for our needs, and we are very pleased with the choices we made.<br /><br />At Lighting the Web, you can find great deals now to meet all of your home lighting needs.<br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-7378164365092943160?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-43235115343408156382010-06-18T17:19:00.000-07:002010-06-18T17:19:03.389-07:00Visit Edinburgh<div id="lw_context_ads">When I was small, my family hosted a friend who lived in <a href="http://www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/edinburghfourthpage.php">Edinburgh, Scotland</a>. At the time, the place sounded so far away, so exotic, and our friend made it seem so appealing.<br /><br />I have not visited Edinburgh yet, but the name of the place still makes me imagine rolling hillsides dotted with castles. The romance of it draws numerous visitors every year, and one day I hope to be amongst the throngs that visit.<br /><br />When visiting Edinburgh, I will certainly book into <a href="http://www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/edinburghfourthpage.php">self catering apartments</a>. An <a href="http://www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/edinburghfourthpage.php">Edinburgh self-catering</a> package seems to me to be the only way to go. In fact, I always prefer self-catered facilities when I travel, if I have the choice, as it allows for maximum freedom for the traveler. <br /><br />And doesn't that sound like the perfect way to see Edinburgh?<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-4323511534340815638?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-60148839579913207702010-06-13T09:05:00.000-07:002010-06-13T09:05:00.724-07:00Forbidden City<div id="lw_context_ads">I'm hoping to have my hub on the Forbidden City finished soon. Until then, you might like this video.<br /><br /><object id="swfclipV4122497" width="420" height="315" data="http://player.grabnetworks.com/swf/cube.swf?a=V4122497&m=1493949" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="movie" value="http://player.grabnetworks.com/swf/cube.swf?a=V4122497&m=1493949"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="base" value="." /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/></object><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6014883957991320770?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-54731564220462002182010-06-09T07:50:00.000-07:002010-06-09T07:50:31.760-07:00North to Alaska<div id="lw_context_ads">Woo-hoo!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=144008940X&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>I can't believe this, but I just booked tickets for me, my friend, and my 2 nephews to travel to Alaska together in August! We've been talking about it for several weeks, but I guessed it would be too expensive, too tight a schedule... or any other of a number of things that could've prevented this from coming together. But who knew we would have enough miles between us to book THREE free tickets? And that our schedule would work out just right to fit in with the redeemable flights?<br /><br />We'll travel to Fairbanks and visit my cousin who is stationed there. We are all very excited, looking forward to the big adventure. I can hardly wait for it to get here!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5473156422046200218?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-80491103739712209012010-05-25T08:30:00.000-07:002010-05-25T08:30:00.859-07:00A Little More Settled<div id="lw_context_ads">I recently spent a period of about 3 weeks where I only spent 3 consecutive nights in the same city one time. I've only been settled in here in Shanghai for about a week or so now, and am getting ready to leave yet again. But this time, I'll head home to Singapore for the next couple of months, and will (I think) only do very minimal traveling (a short trip to Malaysia is all that is planned).<br /><br />I'll be back in Shanghai at the end of July, to the US for most of August, then back to Shanghai to spend the fall here. The end of the year should see me back in Singapore if all goes as planned.<br /><br />A peregrine lifestyle is fun and all, but I think it will be nice to spend the summer being a little more settled for a while. And, I'll have lots of company in, so there's no chance of it getting boring!<br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8049110373971220901?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-62045366520872988512010-05-21T08:26:00.000-07:002010-05-21T08:26:00.645-07:00World Expo 2010, Shanghai<div id="lw_context_ads">I made my second visit to the World Expo in Shanghai this past week. The first time I'd been was for a preview, when many of the pavilions were not yet open, and it was really crowded. I chose then not to go into any of the pavilions, since the lines were so long.<br /><br />For this visit, I went into several pavilions, again choosing those for which the line seemed reasonable. Most were pavilions for countries in Western Asia, with a few exceptions. And most were very impressive. I liked Morocco the best of those I went into, though Iran, Pakistan, Oman, and Qatar were all very good as well.<br /><br />I have tickets for 2 more days at the Expo, and will probably be given tickets for several more. I plan to attend as often as I have tickets, and hopefully will get to see many more pavilions. I am impressed with the scale of the Expo, and the fine work the various countries have done to put up a good show.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6204536652087298851?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-19157358889093175152010-05-17T08:13:00.000-07:002010-05-17T08:13:00.512-07:00It's always fun<div id="lw_context_ads">It's always fun to have friends who are good travelers come from overseas to visit the place where you make your home. I am currently in the somewhat odd situation of making my home in two different locales, Singapore and Shanghai — neither of which is anywhere near the place where I grew up.<br /><br />This year, I've had the pleasure to host my mom, sister, nephews, and niece at my Singapore home, then host some Shanghai friends in Singapore and Malaysia, and just this past week to host some friends currently living in Singapore (but originally from my home town) in Shanghai. It's been a real unique experience getting to show everyone around like this!<br /><br />If all goes as planned, the circle could be made complete by the end of the year. One of my Shanghai friends is trying to arrange to travel back to my home town with me later this year, and my Singaporean family is planning to visit me in Shanghai and/or other parts of China. What fun! (Oh, and I almost left out... a former colleague of mine from Singapore now living in the US will stay at my home in Shanghai, though I will not be there when the family visits.)<br /><br />The best of it all is that these friends and family members are all good travelers, willing to try new things, and always interested in what they are seeing, tasting, hearing, etc. It really makes it lots of fun to travel that way.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-1915735888909317515?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-50448307405728466632010-05-13T08:08:00.000-07:002010-05-13T08:08:00.777-07:00As Good as I Remembered...<div id="lw_context_ads">Last week, I traveled with some Shanghainese friends to Malaysia, visiting Melaka and KL. While in the capitol, we stayed at Cyberjaya, revisiting the Cyberview Lodge Resort and Spa. <br /><br />The place is just as good as I remembered it from my last stay. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the three-tiered pool is beautiful, and the breakfast buffet is absolutely scrumptious. <br /><br />Driving around from the resort to Putrajaya is also quite a treat. The architecture of the buildings there is really quite amazing. I love the way that part of the city looks, and always look forward to driving there when I have the chance. <br /><br />If you are looking for a relaxing trip, the Cyberview Lodge makes a great place to stop and soak it all in.<br /> <br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5044830740572846663?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-8118813043963675572010-05-09T08:07:00.000-07:002010-05-09T08:07:11.802-07:00Heading Out Soon...<div id="lw_context_ads">It's finally arrived!<br /><br />Tomorrow, I'll be heading out with 4 friends to travel to Beijing and Xi'an. We've been planning the trip for a while now, and I am excited that it will be under way soon.<br /><br />While in Beijing, we'll visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, eat some Peking Duck, and probably visit several other sites (as yet to be determined) too.<br /><br />I'm most excited about the Xi'an stop, though, as it is my first time in Xi'an. We'll see the Terra Cotta Warriors, and visit the tomb of Jingdi. I also plan to have a look around at several sites connected with the classic story <i>Journey to the West</i> — we even have a meal planned for a place called "Lao Sun Jia." It should be loads of fun!<br /><br />When we get back to Shanghai, I'll show my friends around here before they make their way back to Singapore. We plan to visit the Expo, as well as all the highlights of the city here.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-811881304396367557?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-86525331247039062622010-05-05T08:19:00.001-07:002010-05-09T08:19:41.609-07:00Out of Pocket...<div id="lw_context_ads">On a short trip to Malaysia now. More to come soon...<br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8652533124703906262?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-87308463910226587272010-04-30T22:07:00.000-07:002010-04-30T22:07:00.148-07:00Transportation at the World Expo<div id="lw_context_ads"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are some new cabs on the road in Shanghai, added especially for the World Expo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VQh68ImPI/AAAAAAAAAUE/NnMCTkba4yE/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VQh68ImPI/AAAAAAAAAUE/NnMCTkba4yE/s320/IMG_1460.JPG" /></a></div><br />About 4000 additional vehicles, looking pretty much like this one, were brought in to help accommodate the increase in transportation needs brought on by the Expo.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8730846391022658727?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-28835891696077242742010-04-29T17:46:00.000-07:002010-04-29T17:46:58.735-07:00Gold Coins<div id="lw_context_ads"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;">For many investors, there's still no better place to put your wealth than in gold. With the US Gold Bureau, you can <a href="http://www.usgoldbureau.com/">buy gold coins</a> or ingots and get it on the action too. <br /><br />Besides buying gold from the US Gold Bureau, you can pick up silver for investment as well. In fact, demand for silver has consistently gone up since 1990. <br /><br />Putting your cash into precious metals is one way to keep it safe, and the US Gold Bureau is the ideal body to help you make your investment wisely, and keep it safe once made. Check out their website to <a href="http://www.usgoldbureau.com/">buy gold or silver</a> for your investment.<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2883589169607724274?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-46636988815083626002010-04-27T21:21:00.000-07:002010-04-27T21:21:00.316-07:00but the most disconcerting...<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>The most disconcerting of public toilet signs were those I came across at the preview of the World Expo grounds in Shanghai a couple of weeks ago. The toilets were very clean, and seemed like they are going to be good for handling the high traffic expected at the Expo. But I have a feeling this sign will confuse some foreigners from Western countries.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S9Ehs25GJgI/AAAAAAAAAUM/gcysSOAir2I/s1600/IMG_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S9Ehs25GJgI/AAAAAAAAAUM/gcysSOAir2I/s320/IMG_1612.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>There is actually pretty good attention to detail in the set up of the public restrooms at the Expo — and I think setting up these facilities is actually no easy task. I thought this feature was a rather surprising touch...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S9Ei8M3TvSI/AAAAAAAAAUU/eh_JaoLuxa0/s1600/IMG_1613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S9Ei8M3TvSI/AAAAAAAAAUU/eh_JaoLuxa0/s320/IMG_1613.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />It's located right about knee-high — within easy reach when sitting or squatting (and squatting toilets outnumber sitting ones by a fair bit). I would hope I never need to press this button (and especially hope my knee never accidentally knocks against it), but I suppose it's rather thoughtful to put it there... just in case.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-4663698881508362600?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-85831756553470351332010-04-24T10:02:00.000-07:002010-04-24T10:02:00.253-07:00and the most elaborate...<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>The most elaborate of the funny signs I've seen in public toilets was most definitely this facility in Wanaka, New Zealand....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VM8svEDUI/AAAAAAAAAT0/82IJkASxTVk/s1600/DSC01444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VM8svEDUI/AAAAAAAAAT0/82IJkASxTVk/s320/DSC01444.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VND9n6-lI/AAAAAAAAAT8/7he_3TMG6Yc/s1600/DSC01445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VND9n6-lI/AAAAAAAAAT8/7he_3TMG6Yc/s320/DSC01445.jpg" /></a></div><br />The mural has seats next to it for you to sit and have your picture taken.<br /><br />This, however, is what you found inside, and these weren't just for viewing, but for using....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VM1BHaR6I/AAAAAAAAATs/Pu3wXt35yWU/s1600/DSC01442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VM1BHaR6I/AAAAAAAAATs/Pu3wXt35yWU/s320/DSC01442.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8583175655347035133?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-82074338565999308342010-04-20T09:53:00.000-07:002010-04-20T09:53:00.257-07:00sticking with the theme...<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>Sticking with the theme of funny signs found on the doors of public toilets, how about this one from the Ke Center in Shanghai?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VMRHjo82I/AAAAAAAAATk/Y34SQ6QufK0/s1600/DSC00540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VMRHjo82I/AAAAAAAAATk/Y34SQ6QufK0/s320/DSC00540.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8207433856599930834?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-76051835112569104782010-04-17T09:46:00.000-07:002010-04-17T09:46:00.207-07:00An Interesting Appellation<div id="lw_context_ads"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Found on the door to the women's public toilets at Alexandra Hospital in Singapore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VJZwRdGKI/AAAAAAAAATc/Exg9RlNUoXw/s1600/DSC00058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VJZwRdGKI/AAAAAAAAATc/Exg9RlNUoXw/s320/DSC00058.JPG" /></a></div><br />"De-stress Corner"<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-7605183511256910478?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-81549478353428781602010-04-14T09:15:00.000-07:002010-04-14T09:15:00.691-07:00Rent a Bike<div id="lw_context_ads"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All over Shanghai, there are newly installed bicycle rental stations. I am not sure how much the deposit, nor exactly how it is monitored, but I've been seeing these rental spots, with their very noticeable bright orange bikes, everywhere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VDlZAnKPI/AAAAAAAAATU/U8i4p4vwwDs/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8VDlZAnKPI/AAAAAAAAATU/U8i4p4vwwDs/s320/IMG_1476.JPG" /></a></div><br />There are lots of things popping up all over the city to make it more World-Expo-friendly. This one looks like a pretty nice arrangement to me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8154947835342878160?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-67830493912271662092010-04-11T21:35:00.000-07:002010-04-11T21:35:35.676-07:00Noodles Made by Hand<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>I always like watching the guy make noodles in the Henan noodle shop near my place in Shanghai.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8KhZlxfjzI/AAAAAAAAATE/wkv-uNb5IRI/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8KhZlxfjzI/AAAAAAAAATE/wkv-uNb5IRI/s320/IMG_0858.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8KiFzVg-6I/AAAAAAAAATM/wPPfI4_tnc4/s1600/IMG_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S8KiFzVg-6I/AAAAAAAAATM/wPPfI4_tnc4/s320/IMG_0859.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br />I usually prefer the <a href="http://www.slothjockey.com/blog/shelly_bryant/?p=175">shui jiao</a> when I am there, but the noodles are pretty good too. And it's fun to watch their creation.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6783049391227166209?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-8076670556880553982010-04-11T21:11:00.000-07:002010-04-11T21:11:25.903-07:00Fish Oil<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>The health benefits of cod liver oil have long been appreciated in Singapore, and it was upon moving to Singapore that I first began to pay much attention to <a href="http://www.fishoil.com/">fish oil</a> and the good it can do one's health. It's kind of nice to read about it at <a href="http://www.fishoil.com/">fishoil.com</a> and see that all the things I've heard over the years aren't just old wives' tales.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br /><br />According to <a href="http://www.fishoil.com/">fishoil.com</a>, the nutrients from oil-rich fish such as tuna, salmon, cod, sardines, herring, mackerel, and other types of fish come from polyunsaturated fat extracted from the fish's fat tissues. The Omega 3 fatty acids in such fish can help regulate the body's cholesterol levels, combat heart disease, prevent certain strains of cancer, aid in brain development, reduce symptoms of depression, and even protect the brain from Alzheimer's. Some suggest that it has the further benefit of helping to reduce symptoms of ADD or ADHD, and it has long been known to promote healing from injury and illness.<br /><br />Adding a steady supply of good fish to the diet is one way to get your Omega 3, but there are also good <a href="http://www.fishoil.com/">fish oil</a> supplements that can help you monitor your intake, making sure you are getting sufficient amounts of Omega 3 each day. Pop by at <a href="http://www.fishoil.com/">fishoil.com</a> to learn more.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-807667055688055398?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-7318521488293005242010-04-07T22:04:00.001-07:002010-04-07T22:04:25.910-07:00Two Additional Days<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>There's been smiles on a lot of faces for the past week or so... ever since the China government announced that it will give 2 additional days of holiday for the Labour Day holiday over the first weekend of May.<br /><br />The two additional days are in honour of the opening of the World Expo in Shanghai. It should be a very crowded weekend in Shanghai, as it is a very big event.<br /><br />It promises to be lots of fun!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-731852148829300524?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-30186920180517742572010-04-07T22:01:00.000-07:002010-04-07T22:01:00.367-07:00Looking for Something to Do in Cancun?Different people like to do different things when they travel, and I always enjoy hearing from other travelers the things they look for in a good trip. Often, I hear some itinerary, and it includes things that never really crossed my mind to do on a holiday. I got just one sort of idea in the mail today, a suggestion to add <a href="http://www.cancuncosmeticdentistry.com/">Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry</a> onto one's itinerary for a holiday to Mexico. I have to admit, the suggestion did surprise me just a little.<div><br /></div><div>After reading through it, though, I can see how a visit to <a href="http://www.cancuncosmeticdentistry.com/germanarzate.html">German Azarte DDS MS</a> at <a href="http://www.cancuncosmeticdentistry.com/">Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry</a> would seem an appealing thing to add into the itinerary for someone in need of cosmetic care for the teeth. He has 19 years of cosmetic dentistry experience, and comes highly recommended. His clinic is dedicated exclusively to customers from the US, Canada, and the UK, and patients save 50-70% on their dental care, compared to the cost of doing the same procedure at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure I'd necessarily go looking for cosmetic dental procedures if I were traveling to Mexico — it's just not the sort of thing that would normally cross my mind. But I can sure tell you I'd rather travel to Cancun to and visit the <a href="http://www.cancuncosmeticdentistry.com/">Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry</a> clinic than go through the whole thing in the boring confines of home!</div><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-3018692018051774257?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-1609553627110717032010-04-06T20:43:00.000-07:002010-04-06T20:43:00.172-07:00Azul Tapas Lounge<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>I made my first trip to <a href="http://www.azulviva.com/">Azul Tapas Lounge</a> for a friend's birthday brunch earlier this week. The place was pretty nice, and the service was excellent, even for our party of 14. And the food is really good.<br /><br />The brunch includes a choice of 2 courses (from a selection of about 20 or so) for RMB130, along with a drink and tea/coffee. It was a lot of food, and really good. I think the biggest hits at our table seemed to be the blueberry pancakes. I liked them, and heard everyone else say the same.<br /><br />Azul is located at 18 Dongping Lu (near Hengshan Lu), and is open for lunch 11-3, and dinner 5-midnight. The weekend brunch (also available for holidays) runs from 11-4. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-160955362711071703?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-20969330277413843132010-04-03T08:30:00.000-07:002010-04-04T19:57:41.090-07:00Hakka Village, Fujian, China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6RBrm-b9HI/AAAAAAAAASc/e-HkmVdNvTc/s1600-h/100_0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6RBrm-b9HI/AAAAAAAAASc/e-HkmVdNvTc/s320/100_0769.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div id="lw_context_ads"></div>I'll be writing more about the Hakka Villages in Fujian Province in China over the next week or so at <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Hakka-Tulou-in-Fujian-Province-China">this hub</a>, but I thought it would be fun to post a few pictures of the place here too. These images were taken by my friend Sok when we traveled there together in November, 2008. I'm glad she's let me use them, because I lost all of my own pictures just a few months after this trip.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6RBzp_e9FI/AAAAAAAAASk/B7URRjRzF-s/s1600-h/100_0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6RBzp_e9FI/AAAAAAAAASk/B7URRjRzF-s/s320/100_0779.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br />The Hakka village (Kejia Tulou) that we visited was in Yongding. It is one of the more popular locations, only about 4-5 hours' drive from Xiamen. The place was absolutely beautiful. We loved the countryside, with the scenic green hilly landscape. And the structures that form the village are really amazing. Each is a huge round-shaped building, usually built in groups of five. The inside of the building houses a courtyard surrounded by numerous rooms for residential use. It makes for a nice, warm space — cozy, and also easily defended against invasion. Seeing them built into the hilly landscape surrounding Yongding was really breathtaking. I enjoyed the drive, seeing the ancient architecture, almost as much as I enjoyed walking amongst the buildings in Yongding.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6RCKZ6QgVI/AAAAAAAAASs/v3TxHWbvsMI/s1600-h/100_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6RCKZ6QgVI/AAAAAAAAASs/v3TxHWbvsMI/s320/100_0792.JPG" /></a></div>Fujian generally enjoys a temperate, pleasant climate. The fresh produce in the area is very good, and I liked seeing the persimmons grown in Yongding all spread out along the roadside, being prepared to market. It made for a pretty sight, with all the bright orange fruits against the greenery of the surrounding area. <br /><br /><br />There was a lot about visiting Yongding that was interesting — architecture, culture, food — but one of the things that it is hard to get past is just how pretty a place it is. If you get a chance to visit, it's very much worth the time and effort you will make to get there.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6RCO6e1gxI/AAAAAAAAAS0/mYD3uRIkFAg/s1600-h/100_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6RCO6e1gxI/AAAAAAAAAS0/mYD3uRIkFAg/s320/100_0793.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2096933027741384313?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-55880255419081256712010-03-31T08:21:00.000-07:002010-03-31T08:21:00.306-07:00Good Hotpot<div id="lw_context_ads">I went for some nice hotpot with friends over the weekend. We were at Hai Di Lao on Wuzhong Lu (near the Lainhua Lu intersection). The food was pretty good, with a nice selection of food, several complimentary items, and a very nice condiment bar, which is always good at hotpot restaurants for groups who have some who like spicy food and some who don't. <br /><br />What was really interesting about Hai Di Lao, though, was probably all the other stuff that comes alongside the dining experience. There's free internet access, a small browsing library, and free manicures and pedicures! I enjoyed watching the serving staff with some of their antics as well, including a guy who had a whole routine choreographed around the making of one type of noodles. Another fellow was my favorite of the night, though. He wiped the tables with real flair. It looked a lot like the type of gong fu you'd have to travel to some monastery atop a distant mountain to learn. Pretty impressive stuff.<br /><br />There are other branches of Hai Di Lao elsewhere in Shanghai, I think, all pretty much in line with the experience I had here. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5588025541908125671?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-12823328198821143922010-03-27T05:09:00.000-07:002010-03-27T05:09:00.045-07:00Chen ShaomeiI've recently posted a hub about Chinese artist <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Chen-Shaomei">Chen Shaomei</a> that might be of interest to readers here.<br /><br />Hope you enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/eSle" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/eSle" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe in a reader</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-1282332819882114392?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-76744919601892063892010-03-24T20:58:00.000-07:002010-03-24T20:58:42.161-07:00To the End<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Shanghai's Metro system is pretty extensive, as you can see in this picture.</div><div><br /></div><div id="lw_context_ads"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6rZCtHabKI/AAAAAAAAAS8/uHaO7MOlO1w/s1600/IMG_1392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S6rZCtHabKI/AAAAAAAAAS8/uHaO7MOlO1w/s320/IMG_1392.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br />And, it is always expanding.<br /><br />One thing I noticed when traveling to some of the furthest ends of the Metro line is that the area surrounding each station is just a little different, each having its own "flavor." So, I decided to make it a project, and take the train to the end of each line. I will post pictures and thoughts over at Tai Shan. The first is <a href="http://www.slothjockey.com/blog/shelly_bryant/?p=736">here</a>.<br /><br />Watch for more coming up soon!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-7674491960189206389?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-53505348491758589802010-03-20T02:17:00.001-07:002010-03-20T02:19:14.971-07:00St. Patrick's Day in Shanghai<div id="lw_context_ads"></div>I spent St. Patrick's Day at O'Malley's in Shanghai with friends. Here's a short video clip.<br /><br />You can read more about the place at <a href="http://www.slothjockey.com/blog/shelly_bryant/?p=730">Tai Shan</a>.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8VevlbYKtFs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8VevlbYKtFs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5350534849175858980?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-27158816628585426772010-03-19T20:13:00.000-07:002010-03-19T20:13:08.349-07:00Travel in ArgentinaFor travelers looking for good information on <a href="http://www.exploreargentina.com/esp/">Turismo en Argentina</a>, you need look no further than the Explore Argentina website. With extensive information available about travel in the country, you can find out everything you need to know before you set out.<br /><br />Along with information on tourist destinations, restaurants, and things to do, you'll see lots of good choices for accommodations. Just check the pages of <a href="http://www.exploreargentina.com/esp/hoteles.htm">Hoteles en Argentina</a>, <a href="http://www.exploreargentina.com/esp/buenos-aires-la-pampa/buenos-aires/hoteles.htm">Hoteles en Buenos Aires</a>, or <a href="http://www.exploreargentina.com/esp/patagonia-andina/san-carlos-de-bariloche/hoteles.htm">Hoteles en Bariloche</a> to find good lists of great places to stay at reasonable prices.<br /><br />A trip to Argentina would make for an amazing holiday. Before you set out, make all your arrangements at the <a href="http://www.exploreargentina.com">Explore Argentina</a> website, and you'll be sure to find the best information available to help you plan the ideal trip.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2715881662858542677?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-6040838017985124942010-03-15T20:29:00.000-07:002010-03-15T21:12:52.306-07:00More Fun Stuff<div id="lw_context_ads">My sister has still been busy posting some pictures and videos of her visit to Singapore last month. Check these out:<br /><br /><a href="http://madameblogalot.com/just-for-fun/dragon-dance/">Dragon Dance Video</a> — we were lucky to catch a dragon dance on the street just around the corner from where my family stayed when they were in Singapore; very fun!<br /><br /><a href="http://madameblogalot.com/just-for-fun/river-hong-bao/">River Ang Pow</a> — the second time I've been to the River Ang Pow during Chinese New Year, and again... lots of fun!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-604083801798512494?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-18263460637217793012010-03-12T22:23:00.000-08:002010-03-12T22:23:56.928-08:00A Quick Recap<div id="lw_context_ads">It's nice when someone else does the work posting pictures of what I've been up to the past month or so. Here's from my sister's blog:<br /><br /><a href="http://madameblogalot.com/uncategorized/reunion-dinner-oranges-and-ang-pow/">Chinese New Year</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://madameblogalot.com/just-for-fun/sights-while-cycling/">A little cycling</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://madameblogalot.com/uncategorized/a-city-built-into-the-jungle/">A lot of driving</a><br /><br /><br />She didn't follow me back to Shanghai to keep you updated on what I'm doing here, but I did post a little something over at <a href="http://www.slothjockey.com/blog/shelly_bryant/?p=717">Tai Shan</a> about what I've been doing since I got back.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-1826346063721779301?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-47376347501344475882010-03-10T19:49:00.000-08:002010-03-10T19:49:07.402-08:00Using the Kindle Reader Overseas<div id="lw_context_ads">I got a Kindle ebook reader for Christmas. I've been eyeing it for years, but was waiting for it to become available overseas.<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0015T963C&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> When it finally did this past year, my mom got me one for Christmas.<br /><br />It is the perfect device for a bibliophile who travels a lot. It is compact, holds tons of books, and is easy on the eyes. I also use it for working with files. I just marked a student's master's thesis while reading it on the Kindle. Had I read the paper on the computer screen, the 62 pages would have really worn me out, and left me in no mood for further reading for a little while. But with the Kindle, it was like reading it on paper, and as soon as I finished keying in the notes for the student, I went right on to reading my novel.<br /><br />I have downloaded some great material for the Kindle as well, most of it free, though I did pay for a few books. I've got roughly 400 titles in it now. I bought a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to China, which I always like to have a copy of, and will find especially useful when I take guests to Beijing and Xi'an in May. <iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1741048664&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:right;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> The Kindle weighs less and takes up less space than the paper version of the book, <i>and</i> can carry all the other 300+ titles I've got loaded in it as well. I think it is the perfect way to travel. I've made plenty of trips in the past while carrying lots of books, and it can be very tiring. I hope this makes that easier.<br /><br />I know that there are a lot of people who are not quite sold on the ebook readers that are out these days, and I understand the objections, but I do have to say... it's a nice fit for my lifestyle!<br /><br />There's only one drawback I've found so far. The $1.99 download fee per book if you use the Whispernet network while overseas seems excessive to me. I believe that if they lower that fee, the device is going to become even more popular with users overseas.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-4737634750134447588?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-72705229228855388622010-03-07T00:41:00.000-08:002010-03-07T00:41:22.237-08:00Travel Memories<div id="lw_context_ads">I just pulled out a video from 2005, when I traveled with my godchildren, their parents, grandmother, and my godsister to New Zealand. It was a good reminder of what a great trip that was. We really had fun.<br /><br />One of the nicest spots was the <a href="http://www.peregrineonline.com/2007/09/photos-from-otago-peninsula.html">Otago Peninsula</a>, just outside of Dunedin. The place itself was absolutely beautiful, and the sea creatures who make their homes in the area were fun to watch. We were within two meters of a penguin when another swam in from the sea and walked up to where we stood and on to its nest just up the hill from us. It was an impressive sight that I will probably never get to see again. I was utterly amazed by the wildlife we got to see so close-up.<br /><br />I don't think I have any desire to live in New Zealand, but if I did, for some reason, have to make my home in Dunedin, I could probably stand it. Either way, the memories of the day spent at Otago Peninsula are some of my best travel memories ever.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-7270522922885538862?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-4793347607152386012010-03-04T07:16:00.000-08:002010-03-04T07:16:37.319-08:00Food Poisoning<div id="lw_context_ads">Food poisoning is rough, though it isn't serious, provided the patient avoids dehydration. In tropical regions, that is always the trick, as the direct sun can get you zapped, even without the addition of diarrhea and vomiting. Also, the hot, muggy weather in such places means that food can spoil more easily than it would elsewhere.<br /><br />So, what to do when food poisoning strikes?<br /><br />• fluids, fluids, fluids — isotonic drinks are great<br />• avoid all dairy products<br />• BRAT — bananas, rice, apples, toast (a water rice porridge is preferred here in Singapore)<br />• rest, and stay out of the sun, if possible<br />• don't wander too far from the toilet — you'll need it more often than you like!<br />• if you can't get the vomiting and diarrhea under control, see a doctor sooner rather than later<br /><br /><br />Even when you eat at places that are usually clean, you can still run across food poisoning. It seems to be most frequently encountered in seafood meals, but certainly not exclusively so. In fact, the doctor recently told me that it can even pass from person to person — information I'd not heard before. He warned that it is very important to clean all surfaces with disinfectant when anyone in the house has food poisoning, because it can pass to the rest of the household.<br /><br />I hope you don't ever get struck with it, but if you do, don't panic. It's not serious, as long as you keep yourself hydrated. It is, however, decidedly uncomfortable. <br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-479334760715238601?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-50051443063060193092010-02-26T19:00:00.000-08:002010-02-26T19:00:01.101-08:00Suzhou Book — completed!<div id="lw_context_ads">I finished up my work on the Suzhou book I've been writing and got it handed in to the publisher today. As long as he doesn't request lots of rewrites, I am done with the project! I'm excited to have my first full length travel guide wrapped up, and look forward to its release in May.<br /><br />Exciting stuff!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5005144306306019309?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-88356426375660639862010-02-23T18:54:00.000-08:002010-02-23T18:58:41.496-08:00Finally!<div id="lw_context_ads">Some friends are coming to visit me in Shanghai this spring, and their plans have made me get up and make plans to <i>finally</i> visit Xi'an. I've not yet been to the old city, seen the terra cotta warriors, and soaked up the history that resides there. I am really excited about the whole thing.<br /><br />I'll meet up with my friends in Shanghai first, then we'll make our way to Beijing and on to Xi'an. It's been a good long time since I was last in Beijing too, so the whole trip looks like lots of fun to me. We'll be making the journey in May, so I'll keep you posted.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8835642637566063986?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-56938603907097130162010-02-20T07:06:00.000-08:002010-02-20T07:06:00.787-08:00Upcoming Book Launch<div id="lw_context_ads">My book <a href="http://www.genremall.com/poetryr.htm#cyborgchimera">Cyborg Chimera</a> will soon be available in bookstores in Singapore. To launch the sell of my poetry collection here, we'll be hosting a book launch here over the last weekend in February. I'll post some pictures when it's done. For now, I'm looking forward to the event, especially because my family from the US will be here to celebrate with me!<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5693860390709713016?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-3358962471220915872010-02-17T06:56:00.000-08:002010-02-17T07:05:21.308-08:00Year of the Tiger<div id="lw_context_ads">I've been having a great time this week with my family here for new year. We welcomed in the <a href="http://www.slothjockey.com/blog/shelly_bryant/?p=669">Year of the Tiger</a> over the weekend. Here's a couple of pictures of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Singapore.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S3wFDwB3g8I/AAAAAAAAARQ/pBUrwRO-Oms/s1600-h/IMG_1138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S3wFDwB3g8I/AAAAAAAAARQ/pBUrwRO-Oms/s320/IMG_1138.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S3wFJToWtTI/AAAAAAAAARY/QcLYEP8lHTQ/s1600-h/IMG_1220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S3wFJToWtTI/AAAAAAAAARY/QcLYEP8lHTQ/s320/IMG_1220.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S3wFOZ4RVeI/AAAAAAAAARg/SkhgC4Pc6m0/s1600-h/IMG_1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S3wFOZ4RVeI/AAAAAAAAARg/SkhgC4Pc6m0/s320/IMG_1227.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S3wFWn7NWpI/AAAAAAAAARo/96slK64U8zY/s1600-h/IMG_1243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yvmLbngb448/S3wFWn7NWpI/AAAAAAAAARo/96slK64U8zY/s320/IMG_1243.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-335896247122091587?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-33087683595376206642010-02-14T02:01:00.000-08:002010-02-14T02:01:00.133-08:00Happy New Year — the Year of the Tiger<div id="lw_context_ads">Today is the first day of Chinese New Year. <br /><br /><h1><font color="red">新年快乐 <br /><br />Happy New Year! <br /><br />万事如意</font></h1></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-3308768359537620664?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-82145864165123677952010-02-11T03:38:00.000-08:002010-02-11T03:38:00.444-08:00The Day Has Arrived!<div id="lw_context_ads">Today is the day my family gets in to Singapore. They will be spending Chinese New Year with me. The last time my mother was with me for Chinese New Year was 14 years ago, and it's been 9 years since my godsister was last here for the holiday. It will be the first time the rest have experienced the Spring Festival.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to a fun three weeks!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8214586416512367795?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-24495758735739579792010-02-08T06:34:00.000-08:002010-02-08T06:34:00.146-08:00Kind of Funny<div id="lw_context_ads">I saw something kind of funny written as an ad across the bumper of the taxi that was in front of me at a traffic light tonight. It said <a href="http://www.catchcheatingspouse.com.sg/">www.CatchCheatingSpouse.com.sg</a>.<br /><br />There's nothing funny about the business advertised, of course, but the name of the site is pretty clever. At any rate, it certainly caught my eye.<br /><br />Almost as amusing as <a href="http://www.hungrygowhere.com/">HungryGoWhere.com</a>.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2449575873573957979?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-29275267328265738282010-02-05T05:31:00.000-08:002010-02-05T05:31:00.466-08:00Some Good News<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shellybryant-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0809573490&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;" align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><div id="lw_context_ads">I got some exciting news earlier this week. My poem "Manipulation" was nominated for a Rhysling Award. This is my first Rhysling nomination, and I'm pretty excited about it.<br /><br />The Rhysling is awarded by the Science Fiction Poetry Association each year for best poem (as voted by members) published the previous year. There are two categories, short (under 50 lines) and long (over 50 lines). It is the biggest award for speculative poetry.<br /><br />My poem "Manipulation" first appeared in <i>Scifaikuest</i> in the May 2009 online edition. It is in the long poem category.<br /><br />You can read the full text of my poem <a href="http://www.gromagonpress.com/rhyslingreaderspage.html">here</a> — you'll have to scroll down to find it.<br /><br /><hr>Check out the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/2009-Rhysling-Anthology-Drew-Morse/dp/7770056462?ie=UTF8&tag=shellybryant-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969">The 2009 Rhysling Anthology</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=shellybryant-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=7770056462" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important; padding: 0px !important" /> at Amazon<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2927526732826573828?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-8304944864139628002010-02-02T04:42:00.000-08:002010-02-02T04:42:00.359-08:00Manis Manis Indonesian Restaurant<div id="lw_context_ads">I recently popped in to Manis Manis Indonesian Restaurant, almost by accident. It wasn't what I had planned to eat when I made my way to Turf City, but a series of events led me to the door of the restaurant, and after looking over the menu, my friend and I decided to give it a try.<br /><br />When we got seated, I was pleased to see that the place is comfortable enough, but nothing fancy. It was kind of late for lunch, but there were still a few other tables who had guests lingering after having finished their meals. It looked like the chicken was pretty popular, but the portion was very big, and my friend and I thought the two of us might not be able to finish. So we went for the beef rendang, sayur lodeh, and an avacado drink for each of us, along with the basket of fish crackers that comes with every meal. In most Indonesian restaurants, that would be just about right for two hungry women, but the portions here were much bigger than we expected, and we were <i>really</i> full when we finished (but we did finish it all!). <br /><br />The food was pretty good, and the prices were not bad at all. We had our whole meal for right about S$20 altogether. Considering the size of the portions, I was impressed with the price. And, I saw that they have a set lunch for just $4.50, which is no more than you'd pay in a food court in a shopping centre. That's a great deal.<br /><br />I'm pretty impressed with Manis Manis, and I'm sure I'll be back before long. The value for money is hard to beat.<br /><br />And I noticed they do catering too... a fact I'll keep in mind for future reference.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-830494486413962800?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-28603363221847072582010-01-30T06:08:00.000-08:002010-01-30T06:08:00.188-08:00How-to-video: bidding on Priceline<object id="swfclipV3972429" width="421" height="376" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a=V3972429&m=1055688"><param name="movie" value="http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a=V3972429&m=1055688"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="base" value="." /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-2860336322184707258?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-30897114338326320312010-01-27T06:40:00.000-08:002010-01-27T06:40:00.147-08:00Bottle Tree Park<div id="lw_context_ads">It had been a while since I'd eaten at Bottle Tree Park in Yishun, but I recently went there when some friends from China were here visiting. It was nice to see some changes at the place. The fishing has reopened (it was suspended when we were last there), and there were some cute little swan-shaped paddle boats on the pond near the train tracks.<br /><br />The food is still good, as always, and the atmosphere is very pleasant. The last time I was there before this most recent visit (back in September, I think), we just had drinks and let the kids ride their bikes around the pond. Either way — whether eating or just relaxing, the place is a nice spot for enjoying a nice atmosphere and good company. And it's really nice to see that some of the old services have been resumed, and some new ones have kicked off.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-3089711433832632031?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-60291728403206514562010-01-25T17:59:00.001-08:002010-01-25T17:59:39.890-08:00Garage Sales Provide Relief<object id="swfclipV3986677" width="421" height="376" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a=V3986677&m=1093297"><param name="movie" value="http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a=V3986677&m=1093297"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="base" value="." /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6029172840320651456?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-78048163508635241932010-01-25T17:06:00.000-08:002010-01-26T07:16:17.298-08:00Omega 3There's been lots of talk over the past several years about why we need a good source of <a href="http://www.omega3.org/">Omega 3</a> in our diets. For a long time, Singaporeans have taken cod liver oil as a good source of Omega 3, but it seems to have only come to the attention of Americans over the past 5-10 years. <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.omega3.org/">Omega 3</a> fatty acids, found especially in fish oils, have a lot of health benefits if taken on a regular basis. Omega 3 improves cardiovascular health, fights depression, prevents some allergic reactions, lowers cholesterol, and boosts the immune system. Some say that it can help you lose weight. But the most important benefit of <a href="http://www.omega3.org/">Omega 3</a>, I think, is that it helps brain function. That's the reason I've always heard Singaporean parents offer for why they give their children a daily dose of fish oil.<br /><br />I don't know why it's taken people in the States so long to catch onto a practice that was never very secret in Singapore, but I am glad they have done so at last. My sister's family has become faithful takers of fish oil for its Omega 3's, and I have heard a lot of other Americans who have done the same over the past several years.<br /><br />For me, it's a habit I picked up pretty early on in my stays in Singapore.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-7804816350863524193?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-56126128156809860972010-01-24T06:25:00.000-08:002010-01-24T06:25:00.175-08:00Neighborhood Watch - update<div id="lw_context_ads">I recently mentioned that <a href="http://www.peregrineonline.com/2010/01/neighborhood-watch.html">my neighborhood lacks and sort of Neighborhood Watch program</a>. There's been some rowdy behavior in the area lately, but nothing that seems like worth reporting to the police. At the same time, it looks like enough that it would probably be wise to have someone keeping an eye on.<br /><br />There is an office for the Residence Committee in my building. I didn't realize that, amongst other things, they serve as something like a Neighborhood Watch, only better. With the RC, they don't go around looking for trouble-makers, but instead serve as a communication center where residence can report inappropriate behavior without having to make a police report. If there seems to be a pattern of such activity, the residence council can bring it to the police department's attention. In this way, citizens can be involved in keep the neighborhood safe, but without having to go and waste the police department's manpower following up on every little disturbance.<br /><br />I still don't like the idea of how we all in my neighborhood sat there and saw the fighting and other things going on a couple of weekends ago without doing a thing, but at least I know this is an avenue available to me for reporting such things. <br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5612612815680986097?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-2249127644390198952010-01-21T05:40:00.000-08:002010-01-21T05:40:00.332-08:00Poetry and Writing Coach<div id="lw_context_ads">I've recently begun offering a new <a href="http://www.poetrycoachonline.com/index.html">coaching service for writers and poets</a>.<br /><br />You can have a look at my website to see <a href="http://www.poetrycoachonline.com/how_it_works.html">how it works</a> and what <a href="http://www.poetrycoachonline.com/services.html">services</a> are offered. I hope to add a series of online <a href="http://www.poetrycoachonline.com/courses.html">poetry courses</a> in the next few weeks as well.<br /><br />And now I'll let this particular blog go back to its normal work of discussing travel and the peregrine lifestyle.....</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-224912764439019895?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-64646066469821683502010-01-18T06:36:00.000-08:002010-01-18T06:36:00.256-08:00Attacks on Churches in Malaysia<div id="lw_context_ads">The other day, a friend and I were discussing the recent attacks on churches in Malaysia. It seems that the dispute is one of language. A Christian organization got itself into some trouble for using the term "Allah" in Malay when referring to God. This is a big no-no. All of the Christian groups I know in Malaysia and Indonesia use the term <i>Tuhan</i> (equivalent of Lord), as "Allah" in the Malay language is used exclusively for the Islamic God.<br /><br />I am a bit torn on this issue. I would like to think that no one has a monopoly on any language or any word — that words and language belong to all in the community of its users, if they belong to anyone, and that the entire community has a right to shape the way the language is used. I really would like to believe that, in theory.<br /><br />On the other hand....<br /><br />The reality is that there is another option for the Christian workers in Malaysia. They can use the term used by pretty much everyone else in the Malay-speaking Christian community, <i>Tuhan</i>. When they know that the use of "Allah" is both offensive and illegal, why not use the alternative term and keep the peace?<br /><br />It's not an easy issue to settle, and I am saddened by the turmoil it's stirred up. I understand 9 churches have now been attacked. What a pity.<br /><br />Who says there's nothing in a name?<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-6464606646982168350?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-35317264465212990122010-01-17T10:13:00.000-08:002010-01-17T10:13:00.400-08:00Unearthing Aztec Ruins<object id="swfclipV2755" width="421" height="376" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a=V2755&m=1055691"><param name="movie" value="http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a=V2755&m=1055691"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="base" value="." /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-3531726446521299012?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-83579135660210983872010-01-17T06:01:00.000-08:002010-01-17T06:01:37.070-08:00Cheap Flights at Travel.com.auGetting <a href="http://www.travel.com.au/flights.html">cheap flights</a> online has never been easier. When booking with <a href="http://www.travel.com.au/flights.html">travel.com.au</a>, you'll find lots and lots of great deals on <a href="http://www.travel.com.au/flights.html">international airfares</a>. Wherever you are planning to holiday, you can bet that you'll get the best deals on air tickets from travel.com.au.<br /><br />When booking <a href="http://www.travel.com.au/flights.html">international flights</a> from travel.com.au, you have plenty of airlines to choose from. All of the most popular airlines offer excellent prices at the site, including <a href="http://www.travel.com.au/flights-on-sale/qantas">Qantas</a>, <a href="http://www.travel.com.au/flights-on-sale/jetstar">jetstar</a>, <a href="http://www.travel.com.au/flights-on-sale/united-airlines">united airlines</a>, and the ever-popular <a href="http://www.travel.com.au/flights-on-sale/singapore-airlines">Singapore Airlines</a>. Whichever airline you plan to travel by, you'll find great deals on your tickets at travel.com.au.<br /><br />Check out the site for the best prices around... then, relax and enjoy your holiday!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8357913566021098387?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-15158332512243601852010-01-15T06:49:00.000-08:002010-01-15T06:49:00.245-08:00Neighborhood Watch<div id="lw_context_ads">It was kind of disturbing over the weekend to witness two events — one violent and one potentially so — at the coffee shop in the building next to mine. On Saturday evening, I saw a group of 4-5 men fighting in the coffee shop. Nobody did much about it, other than scamper to a spot of safety. A chair was thrown, and one glass of beer. One man was left bleeding, though apparently not seriously injured. (He cleaned up his bleeding nose and ear, and then sat back down to finish his beer.) Nothing much seemed to come of it, other than giving me a good story to share over dinner with friends later that night — a little excitement on an otherwise mundane day. Things like this, after all, don't happen very often in my neighborhood.<br /><br />Funny, then, that the next day when I was having lunch with friends at the coffee shop on the other side of the road (ok, perhaps I do spend too much time there), we saw a police chase. A boy sped off on his motorcycle, riding on the pedestrian path. Fortunately no one was walking there, as I am very sure he would not have been able to stop, given the speed he was traveling. The police chased on the road, but because of the way the car park is constructed, the boy was able to get into the car park while the police car had to circle around. A couple of minutes later, the boy ran through the coffee shop and went to hide. No one did anything to impede his run through the coffee shop. When the police circled back, there wasn't anything anyone could really tell them. The boy had disappeared amongst the buildings that are pretty closely packed together there. <br /><br />As soon as the police left, the boy reappeared, again riding his bike on the walking paths. Everyone in both coffee shops noticed him, and the two fellows serving as his lookouts. It appeared that there were several other men in the coffee shop working with them. I don't know for sure what their specific racket was, but I suspect drugs (though it could be stolen goods). <br /><br />I have no idea how to go about reporting what happened after the police left the scene. As I said, things like this don't happen in this neighborhood very often, and we don't have a neighborhood watch system at all. But as I started thinking back on these two events that happened back to back, I remembered that I've seen a bit of an increase of such events over the past few years — a couple of fights, and a few times that there were obviously gangs hanging out at the coffee shops downstairs, perhaps using the facilities as a place to work from (like I do, though I do different work). <br /><br />I guess that's the problem of living in a place known for its peace and safety. No one knows what to do when things do go in a less than peaceful, orderly manner. Unlike my neighborhood in Shanghai, where I've seen <a href="http://www.slothjockey.com/blog/shelly_bryant/?p=512">people help stop a thief</a>, all of us just sat watching the police get foiled by their man, just like we sat watching as a brawl began to unfold the day before. Nobody wants to see the neighborhood become unsafe, but nobody wants to get involved either.<br /><br />The motto you see in a lot of ads in Singapore says "Low crime doesn't mean no crime." It's meant to create a sense of vigilance. But we are sadly lacking in that area, and easily caught off guard.<br /><br />It worries me. Because if we don't watch our neighborhoods, who will?<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-1515833251224360185?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-89519370285444480872010-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:002010-01-12T06:00:04.743-08:00Money Talks, and Talk is Cheap<div id="lw_context_ads">Over the past couple of weeks, two of my friends have been admitted to hospitals here in Singapore for major surgery. One had back surgery, and the other had a large tumor removed. One in Alexandra hospital, one in Glen Eagles. One had a private room, and the other was in a ward with 5 other patients.<br /><br />Surgery is, obviously, never fun, and no one likes staying in the hospital. For most of us, we'd expect the best service for the patient in the private room at the private hospital. So far, I've been surprised. Her doctor did not even come out after her operation was completed to explain the situation to her husband and those of us who were waiting with him, despite the fact that it took considerably longer than was originally expected. The nurses were fine, but not especially gentle or attentive. Overall, I thought the staff at Alexandra, despite having a more demanding situation with 6 patients to a room, gave more careful attention to the other friend who was staying there than the nurses at Glen Eagles gave to the one in their care.<br /><br />Usually we like to think we get what we pay for. In this case, it didn't seem to me to be true. It's something I'll keep in mind if I have a need for medical care any time in the near future.<br /><br />*touching wood now*<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-8951937028544448087?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37555817.post-53632523373923233742010-01-09T04:42:00.000-08:002010-01-09T04:42:00.488-08:00not much has changed<div id="lw_context_ads">My return trip to Kukup, Malaysia, revealed that nothing much has changed in the little fishing village. It is still a lazy, sleepy place to visit — just perfect for a slow-going time to relax, fish, and eat tons of seafood.<br /><br />This was my second visit to the kelong in Kukup, the first being about 3 years ago. Both trips were for church retreats. The facilities are pretty basic. I would say they work nicely for a youth camp, but are not exactly ideal for older visitors. (In fact, the older the visitor the less suitable, I would say — especially considering how much fun the kids in our group had!)<br /><br />There's not a lot to do but relax in Kukup – fishing, karaoke, and eating are pretty much all you'll find there. But it is a pleasant way to relax, especially with a big group of friends.<br /><br />And of course, the seafood is <b>really</b> good, and plentiful1<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=570300&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Peregrine Online by Email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/37555817-5363252337392323374?l=www.peregrine-online.com' alt='' /></div>hifidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15352378657716999176noreply@blogger.com0