It’s The End… Not.

Many in our society tend to view students who undertake the ITE (Institute of Technical Education) path as ‘wayward’ and ‘hopeless’. Jack Neo’s I Not Stupid played on the words ITE as ‘It’s The End’ which might have created a stereotype on this wonderful youths. What’s your take on this? Read on.

On 8^th of August 2010, a 5000 strong audience gathered at ITE College East stadium to witness the symbolic arrival of the Olympic Flame and the lighting of the cauldron by the Guest-of-Honour, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. The Olympic torch was proudly carried into the stadium by not 1, or 2 but 5 torchbearers.

Activities such as the Service Excellence Carnival, 3M Skipping Challenge, EDGE Camps, National Cheerleading Competition to name a few.

The Nitec in Hair Fashion & Design (HFD) students showcased their hair design creations in the finale of the ITE Graduation Ceremony.

For the first time among educational institutes in Singapore, West Side Story was staged as a full-version musical by our talented students from ITE’s Centre for Music & The Arts (CeMTA). Directed by Mr Tony Quek, the timeless musical which is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, resonated in the hearts of many because of its love theme that hinges on the possibility of light out of the darkness, peace out of war, and love from within a world of hate.

The graduation ceremonies for Class of Dec 10 took place over three days, from 15 to 17 February 2011. The ceremonies for the four schools were attended by more than 2,000 graduands and their guests.

The main purpose of this post is to ‘educate’ people out there that ITE is not ‘It’s The End’. Not everyone can take the usual academic route but that doesn’t mean they are not capable of achieving what others can. Success stories such as Muhd. Nuridris, Founder and Executive Director at X-Clusive Music & Entertainment took South East Asia by storm with his crew and music; Kamsani Jumahat, an extremely gifted performer who has won numerous competitions and currently undertaking a Diploma in Music at LASALLE College of the Arts; Goh Yong Wei, a very talented and popular youth blogger who directs and films his own productions!

I never give up on my students and I always motivate them to find the drive to be a better person. All they need is an opportunity to shine. Having worked with them and seeing them graduate is definitely a great form of satisfaction no words could describe.

To me, ITE is not ‘It’s The End’, ITE stands for ‘It’s To Excel’.

Lifestyle Interview by OMY for Singapore Blog Awards 2011 – 入得厨房出得厅堂 美姐博客完美变身

Thank you OMY.sg for featuring me in their Lifestyle column. This article (attached below) is originally written in Chinese. Do “Like” my video and SUBSCRIBE to my newly created youtube channel! There, I’ll show you tips on how to maintain a beautiful body and of course, the legendary Tofumisu created by yours truly :*)

入得厨房出得厅堂　美姐博客完美变身

完美女性的定义是什么？不同的人自然看法各异，但相信都离不开”真、善、美”的特质。如果，再加上”身材姣好”、”厨艺精湛”和”能文善道”，是不是更大大的加分了呢？

25岁的李丽贤 Cherie 不仅是本地美容时尚博客，她的部落格也入围了新加坡部落格大奖的最佳时尚部落格的奖项。今年七月，丽贤更获得”新加坡国际小姐2011″选美比赛的季军荣衔和”完美体态奖 “，成为名副其实的美姐博客。

李丽贤虽然是个爱美的女生，却热爱美食也有一手难得的好厨艺， 也曾参加过电视烹饪节目如：《我要当食神》、《女人俱乐部》，展现手艺和设计菜肴的巧思妙想。

目前在一间工艺学校担任辅导员的工作已有两年的时间，用爱心来感化迷途学生。这样集美丽、爱心、好厨艺于一身，在记者看来，简直就是”入得厨房，出得厅堂”的完美女性！

拥有”漂亮体态”的李丽贤也大方分享了拥有好身段的美容秘诀，提供男女皆适用的四大保养贴士。

除此之外，热爱烹饪和提倡健康饮食的她也发挥创意，用豆腐代替芝士，来改良女人都爱吃的甜品–提拉米苏。为omy网友，李丽贤也示范如何在五分钟内制作健康的”豆腐”米 苏，快速又简单，多吃也不会致胖！

记得点击观赏精彩视频，一起学习做个懂得保养也精通烹饪的”完美女人”吧！

想知道更多关于新加坡部落格大奖和入围者的消息，请点击这里，进入新加坡部落格大奖的网页浏览吧！

Training for that Hot Bod, Miss Body Beautiful, Miss Singapore International 2011

Chérie Wellness Volume 2

Never in my wildest dreams I thought would be possible to be crowned Miss Singapore International 2011 2nd Runner-Up and also, clinch the prestigious subsidiary title every woman dreamed of, Miss Body Beautiful.

After several weeks of training and fervent preparations at Aileron Wellness, a members-exclusive gym, I was well-prepared and in tip-top condition to kickstart Miss Singapore International 2011 held on 2nd of July 2011.

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As mentioned in my previous Chérie Wellness series, I have been working out diligently on the Power Plate®. Power Plate® uses breakthrough technology in training and conditioning, ideal for muscle toning and muscle activation. Due to my knee and ankle problems, I’m advised to avoid dynamic movements so as not to aggravate my injuries. Incorporating isometric exercises on the Power Plate® machine helped to strengthen and tone up my muscles around the knee for better support and with higher muscle activation, I achieved longer and leaner muscles.

Photo Credits: StudioBe . Benjamin Huang Photography

Acceleration training on the Power Plate® machine makes the body feel as though it weighs more every time acceleration forces increase, making the workout more efficient and effective. Don’t be fooled by the tiny movements done on the Power Plate®, you will definitely feel the burn during the workout. My friends, Ben, Caren and Chun Wee joined me once at the gym to try out the Power Plate® machine.

Here’s what they said,

“I found that 45 sec longer than a lifetime.”

“The super-acceleration from the machine set at high intensity level made a simple Squat exercise incrementally tough.”

“My thighs were aching after one set, whilst normally I can go through a couple of sets without issue.”

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With my full commitment on working out at least 3 times a week at Aileron Wellness, I managed to tone up, achieving a lean bod and inches off my body in less than 6 weeks.

Like what Owner of Aileron Wellness and Master Trainer, Keith Tan said, “The epitome of health and fitness lies in having a healthy lifestyle and making exercises a way of life. It is not an option.” I aim for healthy not skinny. Working out has really improved my confidence level and boosted my self-esteem especially on stage. I’m really satisfied with my transformation and my fitness experience at Aileron Wellness where I’m exposed to different cutting edge fitness tools. I would strongly recommend this members-exclusive gym to those who desire a beautiful body at any age in achieving that enviable physique. Thank you Aileron Wellness and your wonderful team of trainers, Keith, Eddy and Andrew, for making my dream come true, taking flight in fitness and achieving that beautiful body.

Stunning Cocktail Dresses in Miss Singapore International 2011

I can’t thank you enough, i’Lovmor – The wonderful team of people behind this one-stop bridal studio – Karen, Reanne and Kassandra. Thank you for your wonderful service, unending flexibility and support throughout this competition. It is my pleasure having made lovely friends like you ladies ♥

Left to Right: Daphne Saw, Reanne from i’Lovmor, Cherie Lee

The bright yellow cocktail dress I wore during the finals for Miss Singapore International 2011 is wonderfully made and beautifully adorned with shimmering crystals.

I love how the intricate designs and refined detailing created a sexy silhouette, giving the judges an illusion of me ‘floating’ gracefully down the runway.

5 Subsidiary Title Holders from Left to Right: Novell Tan – Miss Personality, Mabel Lim – Miss Crowning Glory, Cherie Lee - Miss Body Beautiful, Yunny Yong – Miss Elegance, Stella Kae – Miss Photogenic

The other girls wearing specially designed cocktail dresses by i’Lovmor.

Ladies, i’Lovmor offers more than what you’re looking for. Meticulous made-to-measure handcrafted gowns and impeccable quality stunning dresses at amazing prices. I popped by there a few days ago to rent a gown and was told that in conjunction with the Great Singapore Sales, there’s up to 70% discount for in-store gowns and 15% discount for made-to-measure gowns starting from today, 15th July to 23rd July 2011. They are located at 402 Orchard Road, Delfi Orchard #02-15, Singapore 238876. Otherwise, you can give them a call at 6235 8900 to enquire :)

All you need is that perfect dress to complete your beautiful occasion.

Thank you i’Lovmor ♥

Gastromania Feast at Far East Square

“Let the Feast Begin!” is a mega gastronomic bonanza organized by Icon Village, Riverside Point and Far East Square, and brought to you by omy.sg.

Gastromania Feast @ Far East Square
Date: Saturday, 9th July
Time: 11am – 5pm
Venue: Far East Square, 45 Pekin Street
Nearest MRT Station: Raffles Place

I will be introducing 8 different food and dining outlets, so join me on my Gastromania Feast at Far East Square as I savor a variety of culinary wonders right under one roof! Far East Square is a unique enclave located in the very heart of Singapore’s central business district. Opened in 1999, it is a heritage conservation project with a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafes, and pubs, as well as shops, pushcarts and kiosks. Stroll into the development, and you will discover a delightful palate of exquisite flavours at over 30 food and dining outlets. There are also coffee and tea cafes, as well as sandwich, cake and pastry shops, all set within an alfresco environment.

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1) Everyday Chinese Treats in Casual Comforts, Zhou’s Kitchen

Located at the heart of the Central Business district, Zhou’s Kitchen, a homey haven is a new casual Chinese dining concept, catering to the palates and pockets of local diners from all walks of life. I got to try one of their House Specialities, the Braised Pork Shank with Fried and Steam Buns. This flavorful tender melt-in-your-mouth piece of braised pork is great on its own, otherwise you can order some fried or steam buns to go along with it. I personally prefer the deep fried mantou for its crisped exterior and fluffy center, an ideal mix of texture which goes very well with the braised sauce.

Zhou’s Kitchen Braised Pork Shank with Fried and Steam Buns

Zhou’s Kitchen serves a variety of Chinese delicacies such as the Pansit “Xing Hua” Dumplings, “Xing Hua” style Traditional Home-made Noodles, “Fujian” style Meat Roll (Wu Xiang) and Steamed Glutinous Rice with Crab at relatively affordable prices which is ideal for those who want good food at non-astronomical rates. Besides a tempting variety of ala carte dishes, Zhou’s Kitchen offers value for money set meals, Hi-Tea Buffet and Ala Carte Buffet at their various outlets in Singapore.

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2) Legendary Fuzhou Dining Experience, SPRING JuChunYuan

Since 1865, JuChunYuan Fuzhou has stood for the finest in Min cuisine and has impressed dignitaries all over the world. This century-old restaurant with award-winning chefs and dishes from Fuzhou is presented to the Singapore gourmet scene in 2007. Aptly located at Far East Square, SPRING JuChunYuan is housed in a conserved Chinese courtyard (formerly a Chinese school) with a touch of ancient sophistication as you walk through the bamboo-lined walkway leading into the restaurant.

I had the chance to savor the famous Buddha Jumps Over the Wall which was birthed in JuChunYuan Fuzhou restaurant  in 1876. This Chinese delicacy known for its rich taste came in a large earthen specially customized jar with a combination of shark’s fin, abalone, scallops, sea cucumber, fish maw, cuttlefish, pork tendon, flower mushroom amongst other ingredients.

SPRING JuChunYuan Buddha Jumps Over the Wall 

This is my first time tasting an authentic pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and I was blown away.

The star of the next dish is the unique thread-like vermicelli which is specially flown in from Fuzhou to create one of their signature dishes, the Stir-fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon. I like it that this dish is not oily, making it easier on the palate.

Stir-fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon

Make a trip down to SPRING JuChunYuan to experience a slice of Min Culture and history, savoring the various unique and authentic Min cuisine in Singapore.

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3) Distinct Taste of Authentic Padang Cuisine, Garuda

Garuda, established in 1976, is the most successful and one of the largest Padang Cuisine restaurant chains in Indonesia. In a partnership with TungLok Group, Garuda in Singapore is the only franchised Padang Cuisine restaurant outside Indonesia, offering the most authentic fare at various locations in Singapore.

Fried Chicken with Blue Ginger Floss

The fragrance of the blue ginger floss, combined with the tempting flavors of the chicken, makes this dish almost impossible to resist! The meat was juicy, not too oily and the skin was crispy and fragrant! I love this so much, I am making another trip there myself for an Eat-All-You-Can, Buy 1, Enjoy 1 Free Dinner next week! This offer is valid from now till 31st July 2011 which is held in conjunction with the Singapore Food Festival 2011. What are you waiting for? Head on down to Garuda, Padang Cuisine now!

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4) Japanese Charcoal Grill, Shin Kushiya

Shin Kushiya was established in October 2006 to introduce the Kushiyaki dining concept in Singapore. You might be familiar with the term “Yakitori”, this strictly refers to chicken or chicken parts grilled over charcoal on bamboo skewers. A popular snack in Japan usually enjoyed by locals,  “Kushiyaki” is the Japanese term for “Grilled Skewers”, referring to the use of other ingredients such as beef, pork, fish or seafood. Employing the use of Bincho charcoal from Japan, these grilled skewers are then grilled to perfection, maintaining a crisped exterior with all the natural flavors and juices sealed from within. Paired with the purest of condiments – freshly-ground sea salt, sour plum salt, curry salt, cracked black pepper and homemade tare sauce, Kushiyaki is a simple and satisfying pleasure.

Clockwise from Top: Tomato Maki, Ebi Shiso Maki, Buta Bara Yaki Miso, Black Pepper Yakitori, Kuro Goma Heaven, Yuzu Cooler

My meal at Shin Kushiya ended on a sweet note with their signature Kuro Goma Heaven – Black Sesame Ice Cream with Homemade Black Sesame Cream and Chocolate Wafer. I was immediately teleported to Heaven once I tried this!

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5) Hearty Italian Food – Pizza & Pasta, Mont Calzone

With its unique open kitchen concept, you get to see the chef in action at this modern casual dining Italian restaurant while waiting for the food to be served. Mont Calzone is the perfect place for a friendly casual lunch or business dinner. I heard that the Tiramisu is a rare find! I’m a Tiramisu LOVER and I’ll definitely try that the next time I’m there :)

Clockwise from Top Left: Sambal Marinara Pasta, Parma Ham with Rucola Pasta, Carbonara, Smoked Salmon Pizza, Rustica Pizza, Black Truffle Pizza

The Signature Black Truffle Pizza is definitely a must-eat! This hand-stretched thin crust is nice, chewy and not oily, coupled with black truffles and a runny egg set in the center, need I say more? This excellent combination makes me weak in the knees. You can also opt for your pizza to be made into an impressive puffy calzone. Do visit Mont Calzone for their 1-for-1 Large Pizza promotion, valid till 31st July 2011!

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6) Taste of India, Mirchi

Mirchi offers an extensive range of delectable and authentic Northern Indian cuisine, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to choose from. Favorite specialties include “Tandoori Non-Vegetarian Kebab Platter” which is an assortment of fish tikka, chicken tikka, seekh kebab and prawns spiced with tandoori masala. My favorites include the fish tikka and the prawns spiced with tandoori masala! Both were oven-grilled in a tandoor with just the right amount of spices and the chef cleverly managed to capture and retain the natural taste of the seafood, making them juicy and succulent.

Left to Right: Mango Lassi, Tandoori Non-Vegetarian Kebab Platter

However, I didn’t get the chance to try one of their house specials, the Jaljeera which is normally served with appetizers before a meal or drunk between meals. Jaljeera is popular in Northern India because of its cooling properties which can help neutralize the taste buds when things get too hot!

Mirchi – Taste of India tantalizes the spice of your life at various locations in Singapore!

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7) The original. Since 1911, Hock Lam Beef

Hock Lam Beef has been serving the highest quality Teochew Beef Kway Teow in Singapore. The business spans over 100 years, across 4 generations of the Tan family, and is run today by the original founder’s great-grandchild. The business has maintained its standards and qualities since 1911.

Hock Lam Beef Kway Teow

Till today, they prepared everything, from the 24-hour boiled gourmet soup with herb base to the sliced beef to the homemade 13-ingredient chilli sauce, by hand in-house which distinguishes this original recipe from its competitors. This dish definitely brings back many fond memories when I first learnt how to cook Phở Bò in Vietnam.

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8) Boutique Cupcake Bakery, ONI Cupcakes

This boutique cupcake bakery claims to use only the finest quality ingredients for their cupcakes. With a wide range of flavors, designs and sizes, their custom-made cupcakes will delight most adults and kids. I am a HUGE cupcake fan and definitely looking forward to try ONI Cupcakes. I was introduced to a tray-full of miniature ones and without any explanation on the various flavors by the staff, I picked out the ‘prettiest’ looking cuppie and devoured it.

Assorted Miniature Cupcakes

I’m not able to figure out what’s the rave about these cupcakes. It was rough and dry in texture. I decided to give these cuppies another chance and took another bite, only to my disappointment. The cupcakes weren’t exceptionally good and they lacked a great deal in their service attitude. To date, I’m still searching for the perfect cupcake. Do share with me if you come across one!

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Check out the various ongoing promotions here! Once again, a very big thank you to omy.sg for this wonderful Gastromania Feast at Far East Square!

Singapore Blog Awards 2011, Adonis Best Beauty Blog – Iridescent Skin that makes you go WOW

First impression counts and physical appearance acts like a business card. This could also be the reason why there’s a sudden surge lately where many people turn to various beauty treatments and skin rejuvenation methods to achieve healthy skin and a beautiful body. That being said, you have to be mindful of your food, you are what you eat. An unhealthy diet coupled with toxins from the harsh environment, stress and restless nights, can further magnify the effects, making your skin look far from healthy. Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to experience a few amazing products two months ago which helped me attain a glowing complexion akin to a woman in love!

As some might know I’m one of the finalists for this year’s Miss Singapore International. I need to look my best and shine on stage. When I explained my concerns to Adonis, they offered me to try out the Origin Myth. Cheryl, my skin consultant mentioned that I have to make sure my skin has ample water besides a healthy diet so that toxins can be flushed out of the body. Origin Myth is ideal for people with dehydrated skin; acne skin; mature skin including sensitive skin. This treatment helps to enhance the skin’s healing process with its invigorating blast of oxygen, replenishing lost moisture and pumping up collagen levels, making the skin look dewier and supple through the use of Hyaluronic Acid. I believe that beautiful skin is never far from a woman’s top priorities in life as dull complexion could add on years to your appearance and makeup just doesn’t stay. But not to worry, dull complexion can be revived with the correct products, exfoliation and ample hydration!

Unlike most facials where you can expect a myriad of uncomfortable processes – especially the excruciating pain from extractions – Origin Myth is luxuriously soothing! After the usual deep cleansing with an oil-free milk cleanser, a gentle crème exfoliant is applied onto the T-zone to help ‘dissolve’ surface debris. My beautician then used an intensified distilled cold mist spray (unlike the common hot steam most salons use) to help soften the skin in preparation for a Derma Exfoliation – famously known as the Diamond Peel. Diamond Peel is a non-abrasive peel process to ‘polish’ the skin and also, a painless way to remove oil-clogged pores before an Oxy Jet gets down to business, working its way to  infuse my skin with a burst of oxygen. The results were instant! Within seconds of application, my skin plumped up, boosted by an intense infusion of moisture. Next, a yummy Collagen Masque is applied over my entire face to replenish essential nutrients and to aid in hydration before refined oxygen molecules in fine mist form were sprayed gently onto my face for easier penetration, stimulating massage to the surface of the skin. To end off this luxurious experience, my beautician helped relieve the tension in my upper back with an awesome neck and shoulder massage using Chakra oil.

My verdict after a week – this ultimate hydration treatment from Adonis provided a moisture boost that made my skin real smooth and ‘juicy’. Makeup glides on easily and it stayed that way for days! The diamond peel helped in diminishing all the tiny imperfections which are highly visible on camera. According to my friends, my skin appeared brighter, emanating a healthy glow.

This picture was taken today at Singapore Social Media Day 2011 at *SCAPE. How does my skin fare without foundation? :)

If you are looking for a new way to give your skin a makeover, why not try Origin Myth from Adonis to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful with a healthy radiant glow after just one treatment? Thank you for voting ‘Cherie Lee’ for Adonis Best Beauty Blog. Would love if you could vote once each day! :*)

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Adonis Beauty Tip: An important first step is to apply a skin primer as a protective barrier to help the skin fight radiation and dust.

For more beauty tips on how to protect and care for your skin, do “Like” Adonis Beauty Facebook Page and also, follow my Adonis Beauty journey.

Singapore Social Media Day 2011

Social Media for a Social Cause! Join me at *SCAPE from 2pm onwards :*)