Catch Kinetic Gal on OKTO LIVE, 4th December! November 28, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Upcoming.Tags: juggling, Kinetic Gal, OKTO, singapore female juggler, singapore only female magic juggler
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Want to learn juggling? Well tune your TV in to OKTO channel, on the 4th December at 630pm and you just might learn how to juggle! That’s right… Singapore’s only female magic juggler is going to be appearing soon on OKTO!
Well, you might just have caught the trailer of yours truly while watching OKTO – the channel has a special focus on the kids and arts communities, and on User Generated Content (UGC). I’ll be appearing on OKTO’s oktoLIVE series 2, to teach everyone some juggling.. and of course, demonstrate the skill too!
It was pretty much a surprise when the producer for the program approached me and asked if i could do it. They thought it would be cool that Singapore’s only female magic juggler could teach some juggling on the show. And i thought so too! 
In fact, they told me they had originally intended for me to teach juggling + magic, but were worried that this being an invited guest segment, my appearing two times might not be appropriate. Oh wells!
The program starts from 630pm to 7pm on OKTO channel, and my part is somewhere nearer the ending of the program. I think they have some sms segment where you can send in sms-es to ask questions so do shoot if you have questions too! *grin* And of course, the host of the program, Wai Kit and Sharda will be learning how to juggle too… can they succeed? 
Well, we’ll know soon enough… See you on OKTOLIVE, 4 Dec, 630pm!
Upcoming Movie: The Princess and the Frog November 20, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Upcoming.Tags: frog prince, princess, the princess and the frog, upcoming movie, walt disney animations
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The Princess and The Frog is an updated animation of a classic story…
“…featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana, a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.”
This coming from Walt Disney sounds like a remake of Frog Prince but with new elements and new storyline. 
It looks like perfect for the little girls who love the Walt Disney five princesses and i have a hunch that this new princess might be one to make it to the rank too!
Seems to be a perfect movie for families with young children or girls!
Official website: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princessandthefrog/
Coming out in theatres on 10th Dec!
Kinetic Gal @ Via Ferreta Singapore in Orchard Central! November 13, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Miscellanous.Tags: orchard central, physical activities, rock climbing singapore, Singapore, team building, via ferreta singapore
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Here’s a little add-on to the last post that i did on the healthy body and healthy mind! I did mention that weekly physical activities can be fun too. Here’s an interesting physical activity that you could consider if your kids are old enough. Via Ferreta! Kinetic Gal just had a taste of rock climbing @ Via Ferrata in Orchard Central and it was an awesome experience! What exactly is Via Ferrata?
Via Ferrata is a traditional European mountaineering activity and Italian for “Iron Way”. It is a fixed-protection climbing path without the risks associated with unprotected scrambling and climbing.
More on Via Ferreta history on wikipedia here.
Via Ferreta Singapore is Asia’s Tallest Indoor Via Ferreta and is located at Orchard Central. The Concept: Magic Team, which i was also a part of, had a great bonding and acitivity day at Via Ferreta thus allowing me a great experience with via ferreta!
The team split into two to climb the wall (so we could understand the different difficulty levels from each other). I was tethered with J C and Ning, and together, we attempted the course on the right. From what we learnt from Mr Poh Yu Seung there are different courses on the wall and different teams could go up together. There was also the Via Ferreta part and the traditional rock wall part.
We had the chance to try both and it was really a great experience. Personally i felt that unlike the traditional rock climbing, Via Ferreta had a big element of teamwork and stuff to do which made it very fun – even though it was more challenging than the traditional wall!
I personally think that besides it being great for teams doing team building, friends trying out the cool stuff, it’d also be real great for families with slightly older kids who love physical activities! Afterall, you’re tethered to each other, and everyone have to work together to move up the wall. It’s a great way to bond as a family too, don’t you think? 
There’s a very comprehensive mini-lecture on safety and technical aspects of the climbing that all had to understand and then off we go on the wall. Looking very much like spiderman (woman), or at least a good imitation thereof…
Kinetic Gal half(??) way up the wall and looking wayyyy more relaxed then i actually was.
Kinetic Gal hanging on for dear life…
(Well, actually i was really resting! There is one carabiner on the harness which after hooking on, allows you to sit back and relax – which you’d learn how important that is, by mid-way!)
My friends show you the RIGHT way to pose:
Mr J C Sum, ala THE ILLUSIONIST way…
‘Magic Babe’ Ning – the glamorous hands-free way… with fitting colours of helmet, top and shoes to boot.
As i understood from Seung, we (J C, Ning and I) took the more difficult course… and after many grunts, pants, heaves, ‘whatnots noise of effort which you can imagine’ (for myself, the other members of the team were more glam) and much sweat, all members of the team finally made it to the top! Hooray!!
At the top of the world Via Ferreta Wall!
We learnt after reaching the top, that the height that we had scaled was almost equivalent to 8 storeys in HDB terms! WOW!
For parents with young kids wondering if this is suitable, i heard from Seung that they have had 7 year-olds climbed the traditional rock climbing wall before. And i usually do see young kids (primary school age) doing rock-climbing at another venue which i frequent too. The oldest person to have climbed the via ferreta wall to date, is a (i guess, funky!) 61 year old grandmother! When I grow as old, I’d want to be that active too! But honestly, just approach their counter and check it out with them if it is suitable for your family. These people are really passionate about what they do, and i’m sure they will provide you with the best advice!
You can also visit their website here: http://www.borderx.com.sg/ for more information!
A Healthy Body makes for a Healthy Mind! November 10, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Miscellanous.Tags: active lifestyle, badminton, healthy body, healthy lifestyle, healthy mind
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“All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy… and Kinetic Gal a dull magician!”
I’ve had this in my mind for a week now, but Ning beat me to saying it!
Here’s some sharing on how Kinetic Gal tries to keep active. Like my title says, I do believe that a healthy body makes for a healthy mind, so i’ve always striven to maintain exercising and keeping an active lifestyle, despite the many things i do. Now being school holidays, it’s time for you to bring your children out for some games and have some good quality bonding time too!
Since young i have always had a very active lifestyle… and the weekly exercise days doubled up as family days. For as far back as i could remember, i’ve always done at least swimming, badminton, table tennis and squash once a week with my whole family. Even in my secondary school life, when i was in table tennis, i’d have training two times a week and still head for my regular mix of swimming, badminton and squash on the weekends with the family. In fact, when my grandmother was still pretty strong, she would come along and just watch us play…
Well, ever since i have started performing, my weekends have been pretty much taken up by parties, but still, whenever i can, i would squeeze in time to play badminton, or basketball with my family!
One of my favorites – badminton! I used to play weekly, but now, i can only play it whenever i can!
In action!
Happy… and SWEATING after the game…
Personally, i feel it is very important for ANYONE to keep an active lifestyle. Besides maintaining in shape (a top priority for many girls ) an active lifestyle is part of a vital point of staying fit. Eating right and maintaining the right attitudes also contribute. But with the ever pressing matters that seem to rush us on, most of us tend to skip by the active lifestyle, and stay glued instead to the television… Hence, Kinetic Gal’s recommendation for this holiday, besides lots of movies and etc – some physical activities! Having your body in tip-top condition is THE pre-requisite to being able to focus on anything. Be it work, studies or exams!
So to keep active, why not start by having a few hours of the weekend planned out as ‘exercise/family’ time? It could be something as simple as cycling at East Coast Park, a game of basketball, or whatever physical activity that you and your children can enjoy together! You can start small… if you live at condominium apartment, swimming would be something very convenient for you. If not, how about a walk in the park every Friday night?
Why don’t you try it out? With some thought and surprises along the way, weekly physical activity day/ family day could be really fun too! Afterall, it is also great to be able to ingrain in your children healthy living with an active lifestyle, and have a good break from the other-wise monotonous and fairly sedentary studying activities!
“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” Coming Out in Theatres! November 7, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Upcoming.Tags: a christmas carol, christmas movies, disney's a christmas carol, jim carrey
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The Disney presentation of the Dicken’s christmas classic, “A Christmas Carol”, stars Jim Carrey as Scrooge. Scrooge, a miserly old man, is visited by ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come in a bid to undo the ill-will that he has done in past years.
The trailer of the movie is very reminiscent of one of my favourite Christmas movies: The Polar Express. And indeed, this movie is from the one and same director.
The cast of the movie is stellar and looking at the animations, i’m more than sure that Disney Animations will definitely not disappoint. What’s more, the movie is also available in 3D!
Sounds like one great movie to catch in true spirit of the upcoming Christmas!
Out in theatres in November!
A Christmas Header to Fit the Season! November 6, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Miscellanous.Tags: christmas header, merry christmas
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You might have realized a slight change in my Singapore Birthday Party Entertainer Blog – it is near Christmas, and hence I’ve adjusted my header accordingly to fit the season! *grin*
When do you feel Christmas is near? When Starbucks start offering their Christmas flavor?? (“Toffee Nut = Christmas in a cup” –quoted from Mr J C Sum whom I so totally blame crazy craving of Toffee Nut on ) When the Christmas lighting goes up on Orchard Road? When your children start their December holiday (and pestering you for Christmas presents? Or when you start preparing for the big bang to the end of the year with the BIG Christmas party?
Well, for me it’s a combination of quite some things… admittedly in Singapore, there’s no white Christmas. But the recent onset of heavy thunderstorm in Singapore seems almost very much like winter in Singapore. Combined with the Starbucks and the various places putting up their decorations, Christmas which is almost still one plus month away seems pretty near!
Christmas is quite a different meaning to me… I’m not a Christian, so the religious meaning of it doesn’t really come off on me. But, having taking Christmas as a reason for the family to come together to enjoy each other’s company, to buy presents for each other (and friends), you can so see why I look forward to Christmas each year.
Following this post, I’ll be writing about some movies and games for this season, specifically, so stay tuned…
Princess Christy’s Princess Birthday Party – Magic, Juggling and Dancing!! November 4, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Shows/ Parties.Tags: christy princess birthday, jai ho dance, princess birthday party, Singapore Birthday Party, slumdog millionaire
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Princess Christy - 6th Birthday!
In the last party i hosted, the activities of the birthday party were carried out at the lift landing area… A perfect area for the magic and juggling show (Pearl, Christy’s mum had prepared princess mats for the princesses to sit on), and thereafter, a perfect area for mass dance!
Look at all the princesses!
Peal has just emailed me that they have uploaded the youtube video of the dance so i decided to post it up here too! Kinetic Gal is not in the shot, simply because… i may be good at juggling and magic, but impromptu dancing is not my cuppa tea! I might look like i’m swimming instead… … and spoil the picture.
There are actually two videos, second one of the encore – but it is not a complete video, so i won’t post it here… The children danced to the music of Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire. I had to search for the song (and there were some last minute hiccup at the party) but it was all well-worth the effort!
As you can see the children are REALLY good! From what i know, the children practised this for two long months for their graduation. Fantastic! You can see all the proud parents, ah mas, ah gongs beaming away. *grin*
Pearl mentioned she will be sending more photos to me (yay!) so i will post them up here and they arrive. This princess party definitely goes down as one of the most memorable ones.
Once again, from Kinetic Gal to the children: Here’s wishing the princesses and prince the best of luck in the upcoming primary school years… May your learning be voracious with the best teachers! And may all of you always keep this amount of zest for life!
THIS is absolutely one of the reason why i love performing for children. <3 <3
Parents Take Note! November 4, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Miscellanous.Tags: Magic, magician in singapore, Singapore
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This was once again brought to my attention by a friend who asked me about the person-involved.
I blogged about this a couple of months ago – about a magician who was arrested for sexual assault of a young boy who had trusted him as a mentor and as a friend. I’m very glad to see that justice has been served and that he has been sentenced to a jail term of 6 years for his actions.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_449819.html
Personally i still think this sentence is too light for someone who has now scarred a young boy for life. I hope the boy goes through some counseling and will be able to put all of this behind him.
I’m glad that parents are now a lot of cautious when hiring entertainers… many parents especially of girls point out to me that they feel more relieved that they can find a girl for an all-gals party. It is true that one cannot be more than careful when it comes to these kind of things!
Busy Day – Birthday Parties in All Parts of Singapore!! :) November 1, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Shows/ Parties.Tags: Birthday party, birthday party in singapore, jai ho dance, magic juggling for children, magic party, Singapore kids magic, starlight 7
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It’s been busy and there are many things to work on for Kinetic Gal! This Saturday’s birthday parties felt unusual – really great for me… so i decided that i must blog about it! Apologies there are no photos! We usually run on a one-man show basis and thus do not have much luxury of taking photos. (Just in case you’re wondering… one-man, or in this case, one-gal show?? yes I can handle all 30 kids by one person, and have been doing so for years, and YES this is one of the reason we still keep the cost affordable)
In any case, the Saturday that has just came and went was Halloween. BUT! While Kinetic Gal had calls for Halloween shows, i was already booked for a couple of birthday parties, so birthday parties it was. As usual, my parties were for the all-gals party (or almost all-gals)… I guess being Singapore’s only Female Magic Juggler, it’s always easier for gals to relate to me; and younger kids take to me too. *grin* Back to the topic though, one of the parties was for Lauren and one of the parties was for Christy.
Lauren’s party was very memorable for me – because of the spontaneity of the children. For this party, i hosted games as well, and the children all had super great fun even dancing and twisting to the music! I must admit Kinetic Gal is a little out of shape 
for i was quite out of breathe after jumping around with the children… The party layout was fantastic! With a BIG hall clear of almost everything, the children had so much space to enjoy themselves. Lauren’s birthday wish during the cake cutting was very interesting! She wished that her Daddy’s new house will be even bigger and better! *grin* That’s a first for me! Her house is already beautiful! LOL.
One of the other party that had such an impression on me is Christy’s princess birthday party! I’m always continually amazed by how much effort the parents put into the party. Christy’s party was a princess party – which was why Kinetic Gal was hired! An all-gals party was right down my alley The princesses and prince (one singular one) were all dressed up so nicely in their prince and princess costumes!
In any case, i had been told before hand, that the children had a graduation song from a famous movie – Slumdog Millionaire… and understanding so, I went searching for the soundtrack for this party!
The specific song from the soundtrack was: Jai Ho. I believe many of us who have watched the movie would be familiar with it. There is even a PCD (Pussy Cat Dolls) version!
Even though we had a big of lag time because the funny MP 3 just refused to work and we had to pull out a laptop and use that to sound into the speaker, it has fantastically worth it.
Can you imagine a mini concert like dance (spontaneous) at the apartment floor landing? What was amazing was that the children could still dance to the choreography even at the floor landing with only half the class (they danced as a class during graduation).
EVERY single one of the parents and the children were so high during the dance (me included!). I’ve never find myself enjoying so much… *grin* I found out that a proud parent had uploaded the clip of their class doing the same dance during the concert, so i got the link to share it with you…
I find it amazing the children are only 5 or 6 years old! (I can still remember my K2 graduation dance… It was a slow moving waltz – and nothing like this!)
There is footage of the ‘mass dance @ floor landing’ but it has yet to be uploaded… I’ll definitely post that here when Christy’s mummy let me know about it.
For now, to the children: i wish everyone the best of luck in the upcoming primary school years… May your learning be voracious with the best teachers! And always keep this amount of zest in and within yourselves!
And of course to the birthday gals: Happy Birthday!!
Toxins Found in many Facepainting Paints!! October 29, 2009
Posted by Kinetic Gal in Miscellanous.Tags: Birthday party, birthday party activities, face paints, facepainting, facepainting singapore, singapore face paint, toxic
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!!! Parents take note!!!
A recent article on HealthDay News two days ago reported about reseachers finding lead in the facepainting paints usually used for Halloween and facepainting. If your kids love facepainting especially for the Halloween upcoming, you might have to take note!
The full article can be found here: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100247626>1=31036
And the full research paper here: http://safecosmetics.org/downloads/PrettyScary_Oct2709.pdf
To summarise the article, researchers have done some testing and research on common brands of facepaints easily available on the market – either off the market or on the internet, and have found that:
“All 10 face paint products tested contained lead, and six out of 10 had known skin allergens, including nickel, cobalt or chromium, at levels above recommendations of industry studies.“
For those who did’nt know, heavy metals (eg. nickel, lead etc) are detrimental to children, especially for their growth and development. Even more scary is that many of the facepaints are also mislabeled! Some of them were labeled as hypoallergens even though they were not!
By the way, FDA approved paints actually do NOT check for heavy metal, and many of the brands were FDA approved, which really raises the question if FDA approval is a good enough standard for face paints to go by!!
This is scary especially as a biological science student myself, because i’m all TOO clear about what kind of effects these heavy metal can have on the human body. I’m sure many of us are aware that certain crystals cannot be used to contain drinking water – simply because they contain lead! What more about paints that are directly applied to areas like the face, near the eyes (!!!) of the young children…
From my regular parties, i know that children really do like facepainting in general, and as some might say – what’s the harm in just once in a blue moon? Well the thing is experts do say there might be harm even if you use it only once a year (and i know many kids to be regular party attendees!), and in the case of health, it’s always better safe than sorry!
Even though the above article is based on paints in USA, i believe many of our local sources are similarly from overseas. Since that is so, here are some of my suggestion if your child really likes facepainting:
- Suggest other activites like customising your own party bags! This is an AWESOME activity at a party – the kids design their own party bags (and if they are too young, they get stickers to choose and stick) and they all have great fun showing off their bags too!
- If your child insist on a facepainter, check with your facepainter their paint source and insist only on safe paints from reputable companies.
- Use reputable facepainters only!
- Ask that the facepainter avoid the eye area. (Give a really wide berth at the eye area)
- Instead of painting on the face, do body paint (eg on the arm) instead. While it is applying onto the children’s body still, the body epidermis is less absorbent than the facial epidermal layer.
- Make your own colourful facepaint from organic sources for DIY fun instead. Wiki-How teaches you how to do it from food stuff! If it is safe for consumption, it is safe to apply on the skin! http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Face-Paint
It’s always better to be safe than sorry – especially in the case of the health of our young ones, so i do hope that parents will take note about this!
