The Greater Good
Registration for NTUC’s Run 350 is already closed but if you still want to help reduce Singapore’s carbon footprint, log on to their website www.run350.com and sign up to be a cheerleader (well, it says “volunteer” but you know what to do). Spread the message for a cleaner environment and remind the participants what they’re running for. Sounds like an easy-peasy role but it’s totally crucial. Talking about doing good, I’ve noticed #HelpJapan trending on Twitter quite a bit, but most of the initiatives seem out of our reach so far. If you’re itching to do something, go on down to California Fitness’s Tsunami Charity Drive on Mar 26-27, held at at all four California Fitness outlets (14/F Republic Plaza II, 9 Raffles Plc., 6534-0900). Their Group X instructors will be holding classes like cycling, Zumba, ABT, BodyPump and BodyCombat, and you can opt to donate $10, $20 or $50 for every class you attend. Sign up as a guest at www.californiafitness.com.sg. Or, you could get back into Mother Nature’s good books by participating in Earth Hour (http://earthhour.wwf.sg) on Mar 27. Turn off the lights at home and head down to Marina Bay and Esplanade park for gigs, concerts and even movie screenings. Romantic and eco-consious-sounds like a great date idea to me.
Too Much to Think
If you’re one of those artsy types who’s dying to showcase your works, discuss literature, give a talk on design and other hippy subjects or all of the above, you’re in luck because a new kid just joined the arts space block. The NAFA Creative Design Centre + Gallery (NAFA’s Fashion Campus 2, 80 Bencoolen St., 6512-4000) is not only suitable for exhibitions and other events, it also seems to be the perfect place to be caught with your nose buried in design books. Officially opened on Mar 10, the place is just teeming with creativity, from the bold-hued geometric shelves to the arts and design-themed books supplied by illustrated books publisher Thames & Hudson. The atmosphere reminds me a little of the long hours I spent in the school library doing project research. Aah … Good times.
No Pain, No Story
As if this week’s feature story on pain wasn’t enough, M from Spa Esprit invited me down to Qi Mantra Remedial Spa to try their Gua Sha Facial. Everything I’d read said that it might hurt, so I came early and drank two cups of tea to calm my nerves. Gua Sha or “scraping” in Mandarin, is a traditional wellness method that supposedly improves circulation and aids detoxing. The acupressure massage is conducted using a scraper, resulting in red spots on the skin. It was not as uncomfortable as I’d thought it would be (save for the bit when the therapist moved a plastic scraper around my face as if she was trying to rearrange it). In fact, it was delightful. Be warned though—you might want to wait awhile before you step out in public afterwards. All that collagen-boosting, blood-circulating action made my face plump as a goldfish—not exactly a red carpet look.