T-talks over K-dramas and N-flixs

During long commutes on public transport, beside Two Dots, I really enjoy my TED app.

On this particular day, out of the long list of suggested videos, Alejandro Duran's "How I use art to tackle plastic pollution in our ocean" caught my attention. Of course, the issue of plastic pollution has been on the forefront of my mind and especially so having witnessed the devastation on many of my dives in various parts of the South East Asia. This is exceptionally intriguing as it brings in the art aspect which I enjoy too!

The beauty of TED is it suggests other related and relevant videos right after you finish one. Having only completed a quarter of my journey, I let Jason deCaires Taylor's "An underwater art museum, teeming with life" to play. It reminded me of a phrase I heard from Dr Goodall about the "resilience of nature". Naturally (pun intended), she finds her own way regardless on land or under the sea.

The next video which continued to play was Zaria Forman's "Drawings that show the beauty and fragility of Earth". From the coldest and most remote of oceans to beautiful low-lying islands, nowhere is spared from the damaging effect of human behavior.

I chose the first video because I wanted to know how others deal with this seemingly unsolvable issue of pollution. By the end of the third video, I definitely felt uplifted. Which is really why I enjoy TED talks so much. To be made aware of amazing people, incredible projects and unimaginable ideas from all over the world every single day. Watching one TED talk is actually an item on my daily habit tracker list.

Perhaps none of the three speakers, all of them artists, made any direct difference in the production of plastic or the pace of climate change but I can see the potential impact of their art. Art is not useless. In fact, I feel it is very relevant. In our current situation, we need to tug the heartstrings more than ever to effect change. The work of these artists are beyond words and I can't think of a better way to stir emotions than being dumbfounded by what you experience.

I hope to participate in a beach cleaning that yields art materials, and personally swim through the underwater art museum, and behold the magnificence of the finger painter's compositions. Three items on my bucket list which would not come to be if not for these short and sweet TED talks.

What have you learnt from TED recently?

Changi Bejewelled!

On the first day when she opened her doors for a week of preview before the official opening, I arrived full of excitement for what I thought to be a guided tour to the new "terminal". Almost immediately I received my first surprise.
Given the specific duration stated on what I thought to be coveted limited preview tickets, I had expected to wait in line and be brought around in groups to experience the facilities systematically. But there was no queue to enter and we were allowed in half an hour earlier. A check with the crew revealed that it was to be a free and easy first look of a mega mall! I'm not even sure if "mega" is an accurate enough description. 

It was certainly big enough to hold a great number of people. I found out that each time slot of 3 hours allowed 25000 ticket holders to enter but I was pretty sure that when we arrived at 330pm, the crowd within still consist of guests from the morning slot!
Feeling a little lost and stranded without a guided tour, we eventually decided to follow a photo-worthy trail suggested on Now Boarding. So off we go for the escalators to the highest floor - Canopy Park on level 5.
I have yet to attempt a live video on Facebook and had totally missed the perfect opportunity for the virgin attempt with that first look of the lush greenery! So please please please, if you have not been to Jewel yet, make sure you have your video rolling as you take the escalator up to the Piazza. You will really be enthralled by the magnificent surroundings and the overview of the entire venue inclusive of the Rain Vortex!

Next, we strolled through the Topiary Walk but were not quite able to pose with all the animal horticulture displays given the sheer number of people waiting for their turns. The elephant is definitely my favourite! 

Many of the attractions such as the Canopy Bridge and Bouncing Net were still not open so I was not surprised when I didn't come across the Mirror Maze but we did managed to snap another interesting reflection of us on the underside of the Discovery Slides! 

Didn't quite pose with them but the Foggy Bowls and Petal Garden are quite breathtaking on their own. 

The OCD in me was also able to position myself right on spot to capture our iconic Control Tower in the centre of this almost symmetrical photo! 

Then we skipped YotelAir and instead went directly to the Viewing Deck on level 2 to get this panoramic shot. The clear view and the light mist made my heart soar... my photo taking skills do not do it justice. 

Next is the Cataract Falls in the Forest Valley. It really is easy to miss these little gems against the gigantic and thunderous falling of water a stone's throw away. Glad I didn't! 

Last but not least, I really wanted to execute their final suggestion of shooting slow-mo against the waterfall in the Immersion Garden on Basement 2. Took my hubby a few tries (kudos darling!) but I do love the effect of this shot! How lucky am I to find a spot with no other visitors too!

So there you go... this was my first experience of #jewelthroughmyeyes (love this hashtag btw) and it will certainly not be the last! So many good food to try, when the queues are more manageable!