Thousands gathered to witness Leonid meteor showers

SINGAPORE: Thousands of stargazers all over the world gathered on Wednesday to view what was said to be a spectacular show of celestial proportions.

The Leonid meteor showers were expected to rival the massive display of shooting stars in 1833 when the entire sky was lit up by thousands of meteors.

In Singapore, stargazers gathered for the show in the wee hours of the morning.

Some came prepared with telescopes, while others came empty handed but armed with wishes.

"(We wish) for a better year ahead, probably good results for our O—levels and world peace," said one.

"We’re 16 and we just finished our O—levels... hope to make some wishes...." said another.

This year, the cosmic spectacle can be seen from all over the planet but astronomers say Asia has the best viewing spots.

But many parts of Asia, including Singapore, experienced cloudy weather.

Hence, instead of a massive fireworks display the sky gazers were expecting, there were sparklers.

Scientists in Singapore say that about 14 shooting stars were visible from 4.30am to 5.30am.
— CNA/ir

PS: I saw 4. That is abt 30%. Not bad for a sleepy beginner=)

Witness to Leonid Meteor Shower 18 Nov 2009 4.20 - 5.30am!

I finally saw a "Shooting Star"!! Hooray! Yipee!!! Woosh! (Hahaha. This joke is for my reservist mates man!! hahaha) To be more precise, I saw a total of 4!! So proud of myself hahahah (Clap! Clap!)

I read about this coming meteor shower at yahoo news (More on Leonid Meteor Shower at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonids). Ok, I thought, another meteor shower... I only started paying attention when it was reported in the news. Wow! Must be something big since it was reported in the news! I surfed online for more information and it really seemed that it IS going to be a big thing. The best part was Asia would be one of the best places to watch this time! The only drawback was it was going to peak only in the wee morn ard 3-5am...... Sian half..... But all good things are worth putting in the effort and time rite?!=P

I finally decided to put in another valiant attempt after my failed first time (pls see blog below). I set my alarm clock at 2.30am ... ZZzzzz.....

Ring!!!!!!!!!!! I woke up. I struggled. My dad just returned home. My mum was resting in the living room. What would they think if I said I were going to catch some stars?!! Siao?!!! Ok, I reset the alarm clock to 4am. See how.... zzzz

Ring!!!!!!! Again. I woke up. I struggled. I struggled some more. What if cant catch any again? Waste of time?!! Heck! I went to the washroom, changed and off I went!

I drove to NUS' stadium which is pretty near my house. The sky was full of clouds. Fortunately I managed to find a part of the sky which was not overcast, not too affected by the artificial lights ard and where I can lie down, not affected by the wet grass etc.

As the mins ticked past, I could not help but wonder if this was going to be another waste trip. I always got the idea that places like East Coast and Changi would be more ideal for viewing. But I'm just too lazy to drive all the way east... The sky was with stars. I recalled how I was first awed many many years ago when I was training overseas dring NS. I happened to look up at the nite sky and Gosh! It was FULL of stars (easily trashed Singapore sky...). It was really a sight to behold!

All of a sudden, I saw IT!!! It happened so fast and unexpectedly that I don't know how to react?!!? Then... my heart rejoiced!!! Yes!! Yipee!!! Hooray!! Woosh?! (hahahah) It really took my breath away! It it really a feeling that cant be described easily. Priceless! Ok, I would keep my eyes open.

Some time past again. I was wondering if that would be the only fruit I gathered tonite when as suddenly & unexpectedly as the first one, the second one flashed ard the sky in a twinkle of an eye!! The same effect took over me...=)

The style in which the first two "Shooting Stars" happened were quite different. The first one moved in an arc and I got the first impression that God is littering (no offence meant pls=) and the second one was the standard striaght line flash across the sky.

The third and fourth one came close to each other.

Then I realised I did not make the standard wish upon a shooting star! Ok, I'd be well-prepared when the fifth one comes. Unfortunately, it did not come before I decided to pack up and went home.

It was definitely an experience and I'm so so glad I managed to pull myself out of bed=) I think I shld join some forums or clubs so that we can enjoy and rejoice together next time=) I wonder wat'd the effect be if it is really a Meteor Shower (as shown in the pic)....=)

Halloween Nite Out at Clarke Quay 31 Oct2009 Ooooooo......

This was my first time celebrating or rather participating in Halloween=) I decided last min to join my sis who was going to Clarke Quay with her frens after hrs of staring at notes for my coming exam... Besides I've always wondered how Halloween is celebrated. A little traffic jam was there as I neared the place.

When I reached at ard 11pm?, it was already quite HAPPENING!! I was treated to an Eye Feast as I walked towards the pub to meet my sister and her frens. A place called Canary which was so crowded with lotsa ppl queueing to go in that I missed it.

I could not help but were amazed by all the crowd, sight and dressing. Lotsa of Devils and Witches abound (Yawn... Boring...). Quite a few Jasons and killers from Scream "terrorised" the walkway too. Then there were also Japanese schoolgirls (my pervert fren's favourite hahahah), ladies in mini cheongsam (nose bleeding...), lolitas (nose continue bleeding...), Mario bro (took a pic with one), Chung Lis, demons, warriors, white & dark angels (their wings were a nusisance though as they walked ard).

A few were very "special" and "innovative". There is a gigantic Orange Juice drink (I wonder how the person inside can take the heat and see?!!). Another as a kissing booth (one caucasian lady really stopped the lady in "Kissing Booth and kissed her!). There was another dressed as a pageant contestant in swimsuit (literally haha). There was this weird guy or gal??? that just got a few pieces of cloth on her/him. I thought was a gal until my sis' fren told me to stop drooling cos he was a guy!!! Ok my excuse is I couldn't really see clearly in the crowd hahaha

However my favourite is ... ... a little girl dressed as Snow White. She was so excited by the sights ard her tat she was jumping up and down. So cute! Unfortunately din manage to grab her to take a photo before she was off somewhere with her parents to other adventures=( Since dun have the real one, a pic would suffice=P

I finally met up with my sis and her frens. The gals were basically witches, not scary but funny ones by the way hahaha. Then another guy colleague was dressed up as Jason. In pic above, he was caught killing one of the witches in cold blood...

We finally settled for a pub where my sis and new made frens (Jason's scythe was confiscated by the bouncer at the entrance) started dancing away while I just stood there like a block of wood (as my sis' fren said). Disco dancing is not my cup of tea.

Instead I was flirting with my eyes haha. Well since not dancing, may as well make full use of my time while tere. rite? Catching other gals' look and see if got any reaction from them haha. No luck though=/ Just for fun lah

I left at ard 2am but my sis and her frens stayed till 5am++??!!! and they still got work to do the next day!!!

Har I'd participate in next yr Halloween. Maybe something like a Huggable Bear or something so I can get to hug all the chiobus heheheee=P

Ok, some photos for yr enjoyment. Courtesy of my sis and her fren, Ceco=)