30 November, 2011
post MAMA 2011
Best Vocal Performance (Solo): IU, Good Day
Best Vocal Performance (Group): 2NE1, Lonely
Best OST: Baek Ji Young: That Woman (Secret Garden OST)
Artist of the Year and Best Female Group: Girls Generation
and the biggest winner of the night
Album of the Year, Best Male Group, Singapore's choice for Most Favourite Korean artist: Super Junior
29 November, 2011
to use or not to use, that is the question
Article on cosmetic, suncreen chemical raises cancer risk. Read here. Use also may get cancer, don't use also may get cancer. How?
woot~
Congratulations to Girls' Generation (SNSD) for winning the Best Female Group and Artist of the Year for 2011 MAMA (MNET Asian Music Awards)!
WOooHoo!
WOooHoo!
27 November, 2011
Reminiscing: Heaven's Coin
This is one Japanese drama that was a good companion during my first year in uni. It's also known as "Die Sterntaler" (German title) or 星の金貨 (hoshi no kinka). Was hooked on this drama so much so that me and my hall mates watched it during our exams even!
Fell in love with its main actress; Noriko Sakai (as Aya who is deaf/mute), as well as its male lead; Yutaka Takenouchi (as Takumi). I don't really like the 'actual' male lead Takao Osawa (as Shuichi). Yutaka is the other half of "Beach Boys".
The trials and tribulation of Aya (nurse) reminds me of Oshin. She's so unfortunate in the drama. It even stretches to 3 seasons...but the first season was the best.
The drama was so good that it bagged its lead actress and actor (Noriko Sakai and Yutaka Takenouchi) the Best Actress (5th Japan Drama Awards) and Best New Actor award (33rd Golden Arrow) in 1995.
Heaven's Coin theme song, Aoi Usagi
Here's a link to the drama synopsis if interested.
Fell in love with its main actress; Noriko Sakai (as Aya who is deaf/mute), as well as its male lead; Yutaka Takenouchi (as Takumi). I don't really like the 'actual' male lead Takao Osawa (as Shuichi). Yutaka is the other half of "Beach Boys".
The trials and tribulation of Aya (nurse) reminds me of Oshin. She's so unfortunate in the drama. It even stretches to 3 seasons...but the first season was the best.
The drama was so good that it bagged its lead actress and actor (Noriko Sakai and Yutaka Takenouchi) the Best Actress (5th Japan Drama Awards) and Best New Actor award (33rd Golden Arrow) in 1995.
Heaven's Coin theme song, Aoi Usagi
Here's a link to the drama synopsis if interested.
22 November, 2011
19 November, 2011
camera is back
The camera is now fixed. The process was quite fast, from the day it was sent to service center and the quotation was received in about 2-3 man-days and once confirmed to proceed with repair, it took just another 2 man-days.
But the service center had some issues with their application that updates customers' info. Took 2 men and some 10-15 minutes or so, before the issue is resolved.Technology sometimes, can be unpredictable.
But the service center had some issues with their application that updates customers' info. Took 2 men and some 10-15 minutes or so, before the issue is resolved.Technology sometimes, can be unpredictable.
16 November, 2011
discount?
Was at the MRT sushi shop to takeaway some sushi. Outside the shop, there was a group of youth carrying what appeared to be giant sized vouchers.
One of them approached me when I was inside, so decided to take some time to listen to his sales pitch. The gist of a long story cut short:
1. Pay $9.99 for the coupon first
2. There are about 2 pieces that entitles the user $5 discount per min. $10 purchase, then 4 pieces that allows you to buy sushi box that's below $1.60 at $1 price and capped at max. $6 discount per voucher.
3. There are probably 6 pieces of vouchers that lets you have 50% off second bento/platter/sashimi.
4. The discount vouchers for min. $10 purchase all expire this year, while vouchers for 50% off the second bento set expires early next year.
5. All vouchers are for 1 time use only.
So, assuming I paid $9.99, then in order for me to get back that amount, I need to spend another 2 x $10 (using the min. $10 purchase to get $5 discount). So in total, I will have to pay upfront $30 just to get back what I've paid for the voucher price? So only when I'm paying the next $10 ($30+$10), then the 'real' discount starts. So at $40th dollar, I can start to 'enjoy' the discount.
So assuming I save $6 (using the buy at $1 for items priced at $1.60 or below, so $10 gets me a discount of $6). Total percentage saved at this point=($6/$40) x 100=15%
But at $30th dollar, we got back the $9.99 (round up to $10). So, in this case, the discount is higher. Total percentage saved =($6/$30) x 100=20%
50% off the second item (assuming its the same value), really means you're just getting 25% discount in total.
So assuming, you're getting a discount of say $36, it will also means $108 is paid to vendor.
Did I get the vouchers at the end? Nope, because it wouldn't work for me. I would like a voucher that lets me enjoy a discount immediately upon use.
One of them approached me when I was inside, so decided to take some time to listen to his sales pitch. The gist of a long story cut short:
1. Pay $9.99 for the coupon first
2. There are about 2 pieces that entitles the user $5 discount per min. $10 purchase, then 4 pieces that allows you to buy sushi box that's below $1.60 at $1 price and capped at max. $6 discount per voucher.
3. There are probably 6 pieces of vouchers that lets you have 50% off second bento/platter/sashimi.
4. The discount vouchers for min. $10 purchase all expire this year, while vouchers for 50% off the second bento set expires early next year.
5. All vouchers are for 1 time use only.
So, assuming I paid $9.99, then in order for me to get back that amount, I need to spend another 2 x $10 (using the min. $10 purchase to get $5 discount). So in total, I will have to pay upfront $30 just to get back what I've paid for the voucher price? So only when I'm paying the next $10 ($30+$10), then the 'real' discount starts. So at $40th dollar, I can start to 'enjoy' the discount.
So assuming I save $6 (using the buy at $1 for items priced at $1.60 or below, so $10 gets me a discount of $6). Total percentage saved at this point=($6/$40) x 100=15%
But at $30th dollar, we got back the $9.99 (round up to $10). So, in this case, the discount is higher. Total percentage saved =($6/$30) x 100=20%
50% off the second item (assuming its the same value), really means you're just getting 25% discount in total.
So assuming, you're getting a discount of say $36, it will also means $108 is paid to vendor.
Did I get the vouchers at the end? Nope, because it wouldn't work for me. I would like a voucher that lets me enjoy a discount immediately upon use.
15 November, 2011
repair in progress...
Canon called today, and gave the quotation. Problem lies with the battery connector which they say is oxidized badly. Probably that's why it erroneously detected low batt because battery current can't flow through...To fix this problem need to change battery box and battery connector. These two parts total cost is quite reasonable, but the service cost is quite high. In fact, higher than the total parts put together!
Anyway, repair must proceed no matter what. Otherwise, no camera to use... *sobs*
But this will also mean that the same problem may occur again. I think the technical guy was trying to tell me how to clean it up, but by that time my mind had already shut off...due to lack of sleep...
Forgot to ask how long will the repair take though...
Anyway, repair must proceed no matter what. Otherwise, no camera to use... *sobs*
But this will also mean that the same problem may occur again. I think the technical guy was trying to tell me how to clean it up, but by that time my mind had already shut off...due to lack of sleep...
Forgot to ask how long will the repair take though...
12 November, 2011
out of service
Will be camera-less for at least 7 man-days due to camera being sent in for repair. Not sure how much it's going to cost, so need to wait for them to call. Nowadays the Canon Customer Service Center at Keppel Tower (Harbourfront) has evolved from being a one person receptionist show (way back in 2004, I think), to the current big place where there is a coffee machine for public to get a cuppa hot coffee to drink while waiting for their turn. There are 8 counters to service customers. Good eh?
Most of the people there, brought their big big DSLR and lenses, while I am still with my powershot A2000IS. Mine looks like child's play!
Most of the people there, brought their big big DSLR and lenses, while I am still with my powershot A2000IS. Mine looks like child's play!
09 November, 2011
camera
My camera is dying soon... battery newly charged up, after a short while, the display shows battery depleting...*sobs* Here's a link for similar problem but different camera model... still powershot series though..
Today, finally realised what an extended warranty from Harvey Norman means. It means, you'll still have to send to Canon customer service, get a quotation and then confirm whether that repair work is under warranty or not. If not, then pay it yourself. May have to pay diagnostic fee as well... *sobs* If it's covered under the extended third party warranty, then still have to pay for the repair first, then make a claim back. *sobs*
Below are the two models that I'm considering for now, if still getting Canon. Ixus 230 HS is the latest model and its difference with powershot sx230 is the zoom (8x versus 14x) and GPS where people also had complained about. If GPS is turned on, it means the number of shots taken before battery is dead is just about 150 shots. That is pretty low since I've managed to do 700 shots with the old A2000IS.
Today, finally realised what an extended warranty from Harvey Norman means. It means, you'll still have to send to Canon customer service, get a quotation and then confirm whether that repair work is under warranty or not. If not, then pay it yourself. May have to pay diagnostic fee as well... *sobs* If it's covered under the extended third party warranty, then still have to pay for the repair first, then make a claim back. *sobs*
Below are the two models that I'm considering for now, if still getting Canon. Ixus 230 HS is the latest model and its difference with powershot sx230 is the zoom (8x versus 14x) and GPS where people also had complained about. If GPS is turned on, it means the number of shots taken before battery is dead is just about 150 shots. That is pretty low since I've managed to do 700 shots with the old A2000IS.
 |
| powershot sx230 (@$499) |
 |
| ixus 230 HS (@$399) |
06 November, 2011
bread
Bought some buns from Mama Bakery. Used to be owned by a Japanese elderly lady, but I think the business is sold to someone else for quite some time already. Retained similar breads though.
The lobster bun tasted pretty weird. Not sure what they sprinkled at the top of the bread (dark brown bits), but it tasted weird! Not the typical Japanese curry bun curry... so, will not be buying this anymore.
The cranberry cream cheese was good. As good as previous owners'.
 |
| lobster bun (behind) and cranberry cream cheese (front) |
 |
| curry lobster |
 |
| cream cheese~ |
The lobster bun tasted pretty weird. Not sure what they sprinkled at the top of the bread (dark brown bits), but it tasted weird! Not the typical Japanese curry bun curry... so, will not be buying this anymore.
The cranberry cream cheese was good. As good as previous owners'.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
