 |
| yesterday's moon |
f-stop: f/5.6
exposure time: 1/320 secs
iso speed: iso-800
focal length: 200mm
max aperture: 4.98
31 March, 2013
da moon
f-stop: f/5.6
exposure time: 1/320 secs
iso speed: iso-800
focal length: 200mm
max aperture: 4.98
incentives for commuters
Are you an ezylink (CEPAS) card holder and uses it everyday for transportation purposes? If yes, then did you know that there's this website "https://insinc.sg/" where one can sign up for an account and gets rewarded for using the ezylink on mrts? The purpose is to encourage people to travel during off-peak hours.
Easy way to "Ride, Earn Points and Redeem".
Easy way to "Ride, Earn Points and Redeem".
16 March, 2013
from Korea
A friend brought back some snacks from Korea. Gonna wait for family to come to share with them.
Also tried shopping from Gmarket (http://english.gmarket.co.kr/) the other day. Was quite fun, and there are discount coupons that one can use to offset the parts of the purchase price from vendors who allows discount coupons to be used.
The purchases were from two different sellers, and I think the cap seller did a pretty good job in packing the items. Quite pro. The total shipping costs was about SGD$16 for a weight of less than 1.5kg, the bag was about SGD$23 and the two caps in total was about SGD$30. Using discount coupons, got about SGD$13 discount.
One cap was listed as charcoal gray but it turned out to be a bit greenish in colour. The brown bag has a very heavy smokey smell that lasted days. Other than that, everything was in order.
 |
| snacks from Korea |
Also tried shopping from Gmarket (http://english.gmarket.co.kr/) the other day. Was quite fun, and there are discount coupons that one can use to offset the parts of the purchase price from vendors who allows discount coupons to be used.
 |
| Gmarket goods |
 |
| caps in smaller box, and a bag in clear plastic wrap |
 |
| caps unboxed |
 |
| small brown bag |
One cap was listed as charcoal gray but it turned out to be a bit greenish in colour. The brown bag has a very heavy smokey smell that lasted days. Other than that, everything was in order.
14 March, 2013
Gantetsu @ Ramen Champion Bugis+
Tried Gantetsu's Hokkaido King Tonkotsu ramen today.
Sat at the counter and observed the kitchen. Chef Masaki doesn't cook nowadays. The local kitchen assistants (one lady and one man) would assemble the orders and Masaki-san mans the order counter. I turned around and observed Taishoken and saw that its Japanese chef would still cook/assemble the ramen.
Not sure, but the tonkotsu ramen does look like miso ramen now, doesn't it?
The noodles were al-dente, the soup alright not too salty although it has a grainy taste/texture. Wonder if its potatoes in the soup? Otherwise, grainyness can only come from miso, yes? But I thought I had pork bones broth...
Chashiu were way too lean and tough. The eggs can be better in terms of marination (slightly longer or stronger marinade) and if only the yolk slightly more runny.
However, still ate it all up. Don't waste food.
 |
| menu |
 |
| beep beep~ |
Sat at the counter and observed the kitchen. Chef Masaki doesn't cook nowadays. The local kitchen assistants (one lady and one man) would assemble the orders and Masaki-san mans the order counter. I turned around and observed Taishoken and saw that its Japanese chef would still cook/assemble the ramen.
 |
| beary interesting |
 |
| Hokkaido King Tonkotsu ramen (@$14+) |
Not sure, but the tonkotsu ramen does look like miso ramen now, doesn't it?
 |
| curly egg noodles |
 |
| aji tamago |
 |
| super lean chashiu |
The noodles were al-dente, the soup alright not too salty although it has a grainy taste/texture. Wonder if its potatoes in the soup? Otherwise, grainyness can only come from miso, yes? But I thought I had pork bones broth...
Chashiu were way too lean and tough. The eggs can be better in terms of marination (slightly longer or stronger marinade) and if only the yolk slightly more runny.
However, still ate it all up. Don't waste food.
 |
| completed my meal |
13 March, 2013
virus attack
Was surfing the internet and suddenly a window pops out and warns that the HDD is critical and needed to be scanned for repair. Then everything starts to hang as more error messages started popping out like mushrooms!
First reaction was, "wtf..." Then quickly logs off. Hahaa, like any good that'll do! But did notice that there was a new program installed, which was strange because I didn't install any new programs on that day. So restarted the PC and true enough, the messages appeared again. It was like 10 or more error windows that peppered the taskbar. And horrors of horrors, all installed programs did not show up on start button and everything on desktop was cleaned out! And internet connection was disabled.
First thing first, enable the internet connection. Ok. Can be done. Then googled for "system repair virus". Thank goodness, it's a known virus.
Now most files are back and it looks usable again.
Trojans are everywhere. Beware.
First reaction was, "wtf..." Then quickly logs off. Hahaa, like any good that'll do! But did notice that there was a new program installed, which was strange because I didn't install any new programs on that day. So restarted the PC and true enough, the messages appeared again. It was like 10 or more error windows that peppered the taskbar. And horrors of horrors, all installed programs did not show up on start button and everything on desktop was cleaned out! And internet connection was disabled.
First thing first, enable the internet connection. Ok. Can be done. Then googled for "system repair virus". Thank goodness, it's a known virus.
Now most files are back and it looks usable again.
Trojans are everywhere. Beware.
09 March, 2013
random thoughts
Just had a thought. When we use Google or any internet search engine, it functions as an aggregator of information, which means it returns related stuffs to our query. Imagine, if this can be taken a step further, where instead of just aggregating, it does further analysis and returns a result best suited to our needs/situation etc. Sounds like an oracle, right?
I would think, anything is possible since information are tracked and stored for future use. The basis of useful information, would be there must be a link, a relationship of some sort between those data.
Everyone wants to be understood, it is a good feeling. Spouses complaints about how the other party is not showing the kind of understanding that he/she would like to have. Imagine if you feel the entire digital world has a pretty good understanding of you, your likings and preferrences. Imagine you can ask the entire world anything that you want and instead of having to sieve out the responses from everybody else, something out there is able to do that for you and gives you its opinion.
Imagine, your learning journey being tracked and analysed and gives you feedback on the whether the skills acquisition is adequate, or whether the personality suits the intended path and gives you feedback on adjustment required.
Imagine if you're governing a country, and the country management dashboard is able to show population skillset categories in health, military, education, finance, general care management etc. Happiness level of each population area, reasons for their happiness/unhappiness etc.
The ideal world, in digital form. Would we be here, to see it?
I would think, anything is possible since information are tracked and stored for future use. The basis of useful information, would be there must be a link, a relationship of some sort between those data.
Everyone wants to be understood, it is a good feeling. Spouses complaints about how the other party is not showing the kind of understanding that he/she would like to have. Imagine if you feel the entire digital world has a pretty good understanding of you, your likings and preferrences. Imagine you can ask the entire world anything that you want and instead of having to sieve out the responses from everybody else, something out there is able to do that for you and gives you its opinion.
Imagine, your learning journey being tracked and analysed and gives you feedback on the whether the skills acquisition is adequate, or whether the personality suits the intended path and gives you feedback on adjustment required.
Imagine if you're governing a country, and the country management dashboard is able to show population skillset categories in health, military, education, finance, general care management etc. Happiness level of each population area, reasons for their happiness/unhappiness etc.
The ideal world, in digital form. Would we be here, to see it?
03 March, 2013
camera, and food trail
Had a very fun and tiring afternoon on Saturday. Went on a food trail at Bugis+. Organised by Omy Singapore. Keke, we ate from morning 11am till about 5pm. Non-stop. Faints. Took my new Samsung NX1000 for a test drive too. The battery didn't last very long. Had to change to second battery halfway through (probably 100+ shots). And, seems like I kept leaving the camera 'on' when I thought I had switched it to 'off'. Strange. Otherwise, quite nice to use. The dial was on 'P' or 'Smart' mode only. But kinda missed my macro shots though...
As for my fellow bloggers, everyone's pretty young. Around late teens to early 20s. Probably just three or four that are above 30 years of age. Female bloggers outnumbered the guys by a wide margin.
One such young new acquaintance, called me "Mom." -_-'
I guess if I'd given birth at around 19 or 20 years old, she could be that age to be my daughter. Hahaha! She's quite guai also la. Waited for me at the end of our food trail, so that she could say byebye. Was pleasantly surprised!
As for my fellow bloggers, everyone's pretty young. Around late teens to early 20s. Probably just three or four that are above 30 years of age. Female bloggers outnumbered the guys by a wide margin.
One such young new acquaintance, called me "Mom." -_-'
I guess if I'd given birth at around 19 or 20 years old, she could be that age to be my daughter. Hahaha! She's quite guai also la. Waited for me at the end of our food trail, so that she could say byebye. Was pleasantly surprised!
02 March, 2013
dinner with an old friend, interrupted
Had dinner with an ex-housemate of mine at Beauty World Centre. Think that shop changed owners, 'coz the lady manning the counter is now a different person, plus the same food didn't look the same as previous time.
Unfortunately, we were suddenly asked to leave by the kid who works there. She came to our table and interrupted our conversation by saying, "Will it ok with you if you take your leave now?" Hahaha! Didn't catch her request in the beginning, so she repeated it and frankly speaking, we were stunned. I think this is the first time (and hopefully the last) we met this kind of situation. But lucky for her, we were just probably 5-10 minutes away from finishing our dinner. If only she'd phrase it like this, "I'm very sorry to interrupt, but are you almost done with dinner? I hope you can help me out. There are customers waiting outside for quite a while now. Hope you don't mind but we'll need your table for the next customers." Same meaning, but a softer approach.
Of course, after being told to leave, we also didn't want to linger. By the time we finished payment, the next couple was standing to that uncleared table already. They must be very hungry. Actually, there are tables outside, but I guess no one wants to eat outside that day.
My friend was quite affected. But it's ok I guess. Business is business. Every pair of customers would probably spend an average of $50 there. So, if one night the table could churn 4 pairs of customers, then they can earn $200 for that 3-4 hours. Hmm..looking this in perspective, that's not alot of money also.
My friend had vowed never to dine there again, while I'd be wary of bringing any friends there too. Haha.
 |
| dinner for two |
 |
| mussels radish soup |
 |
| seafood pancake, with small shrimps and abit of squid |
 |
| cucumber and mushroom |
 |
| tasted like cooked turnip |
 |
| tau kwa, always 3 pieces only |
 |
| anchovies, super salty |
 |
| kimchi |
 |
| unsalted steamed eggs |
 |
| nice light beer |
Unfortunately, we were suddenly asked to leave by the kid who works there. She came to our table and interrupted our conversation by saying, "Will it ok with you if you take your leave now?" Hahaha! Didn't catch her request in the beginning, so she repeated it and frankly speaking, we were stunned. I think this is the first time (and hopefully the last) we met this kind of situation. But lucky for her, we were just probably 5-10 minutes away from finishing our dinner. If only she'd phrase it like this, "I'm very sorry to interrupt, but are you almost done with dinner? I hope you can help me out. There are customers waiting outside for quite a while now. Hope you don't mind but we'll need your table for the next customers." Same meaning, but a softer approach.
Of course, after being told to leave, we also didn't want to linger. By the time we finished payment, the next couple was standing to that uncleared table already. They must be very hungry. Actually, there are tables outside, but I guess no one wants to eat outside that day.
My friend was quite affected. But it's ok I guess. Business is business. Every pair of customers would probably spend an average of $50 there. So, if one night the table could churn 4 pairs of customers, then they can earn $200 for that 3-4 hours. Hmm..looking this in perspective, that's not alot of money also.
My friend had vowed never to dine there again, while I'd be wary of bringing any friends there too. Haha.
01 March, 2013
hello there, little fellow
 |
| samsung nx1000 |
After all those extensive research on Panasonic, Canon and Nikon...this is what I ended up with. Guess life is a lot like that. Expect the unexpected.
Hopefully with this, I can do more with photography and take decent human pictures too. Not just food! Wanted black but no stock at that outlet. I think it'll turn greyish soon. =P
Happy 1st of March everyone. Have fun and take care, where ever you are.
28 February, 2013
tainted
The recent horsemeat scandal in beef burgers has probably made us sit up and take note of processed food. There's really no knowing of what went inside, do we? The only thing we could rely on, would be the labels. In its manufacturing process line, what went wrong? Do they not know they've got the wrong animal mixed up in there? Or have they knowingly shoved it there, just for the sake of profits? Or, did they think it was fun? What were they thinking?!
Now, even donkey meat got into the fray. Read a report that donkey meat is found in burgers in South Africa. Would you like to have beef, donkey or horse?
Would all burger patties producers be checking their processed meat now? How about sausages?
Now, even donkey meat got into the fray. Read a report that donkey meat is found in burgers in South Africa. Would you like to have beef, donkey or horse?
Would all burger patties producers be checking their processed meat now? How about sausages?
24 February, 2013
19 February, 2013
Awakening - 贾宝玉
It was by chance that I was at Sistic website, and got to know that Edward Lam x Denise Ho's Awakening would be staged in Singapore as part of the Huayi, Chinese Festival of Arts 2013 at the Esplanade. So quickly grabbed a ticket a month before its scheduled date and there were just that few tickets left! Woa..it is that popular!
It's been ages since I last saw any theatre play. The last one was sometime during my uni days. Keke.
Awakening is adapted/inspired/re-interpretation from/of the Chinese classic, Dream of the Red Chambers (红楼梦). Dream of Red Chambers is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. I've only read bits and pieces of translated and if not wrong, a graphical version (not the novel version) of this, so went to see the play with a rather open mind.
Of course having Denise Ho (何韵诗) as the protagonist, 贾宝玉 (Jia Baoyu) made it more interesting. Star attraction! And, cute!
The anyhow bought seat was quite good. Can only afford the second cheapest seat (@$48++), at Level 4 and it was almost smack right in the middle! woOhOoo! The stage can be seen clearly though the actresses looked pretty small from up there.
Stage setup was good, with the pillars and all, liked the way the moveable screen was used for digital multimedia, the snow was effective, the music was good, the actresses were great and they looked like they're having fun and immersed when playing the roles. The stories unfolded in an interesting way, and loved the added local flavour to some of the dialogues. Brilliant! Talented people, witty script and an enjoyable production! Interesting for swear words to be scripted inside as well. Definitely for mature audiences!
There are scenes that makes one ponder on life. The scene where Baoyu loses his jade. In the story, he was born with a piece of jade in his mouth and thus, was propelled to celebrity-like status. Well protected, and pampered by the Grand Matriach. However, when he loses his jade, the entire household was thrown into a frenzy and Baoyu asked, "Why are you looking for the jade? I am here, aren't I?" A question worth asking. Is our self-worth (as perceived by self as well as others), determined by our inner strength or by material possession?
There was also another question on whether it is better to be true to one's self and show emotion as it is, or o mask everything because as Xue Baochai puts it, "Nobody wants to be around someone who is always sad or unhappy." Bitter laugh.
The second half of the play were mostly sad as it dealt with parting and death, so sniffles/nose blowing could be heard in the theatre. *sobs* Also liked how Lin Daiyu's words were replayed at the later part after her death. Impactful and haunting.
Overall, a very good play and thoroughly enjoyable.
There was a Visa Infinite promo, so got a free glass of wine thrown in as well. Muahaha! And Gold Roast was one of the sponsors, so received a sampler pack of coffee too! Double muahaahaha!
Downside, was the super duper long queue to the restroom. Bleh. Plus the super duper narrow space to move to the seats.. especially if have to pass through people who are already seated. Painful for long legged peeps as the setting makes it prone for people to knock onto your legs!
 |
| ticket to Awakening |
It's been ages since I last saw any theatre play. The last one was sometime during my uni days. Keke.
Awakening is adapted/inspired/re-interpretation from/of the Chinese classic, Dream of the Red Chambers (红楼梦). Dream of Red Chambers is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. I've only read bits and pieces of translated and if not wrong, a graphical version (not the novel version) of this, so went to see the play with a rather open mind.
 |
| Awakening booklet |
Of course having Denise Ho (何韵诗) as the protagonist, 贾宝玉 (Jia Baoyu) made it more interesting. Star attraction! And, cute!
The anyhow bought seat was quite good. Can only afford the second cheapest seat (@$48++), at Level 4 and it was almost smack right in the middle! woOhOoo! The stage can be seen clearly though the actresses looked pretty small from up there.
Stage setup was good, with the pillars and all, liked the way the moveable screen was used for digital multimedia, the snow was effective, the music was good, the actresses were great and they looked like they're having fun and immersed when playing the roles. The stories unfolded in an interesting way, and loved the added local flavour to some of the dialogues. Brilliant! Talented people, witty script and an enjoyable production! Interesting for swear words to be scripted inside as well. Definitely for mature audiences!
There are scenes that makes one ponder on life. The scene where Baoyu loses his jade. In the story, he was born with a piece of jade in his mouth and thus, was propelled to celebrity-like status. Well protected, and pampered by the Grand Matriach. However, when he loses his jade, the entire household was thrown into a frenzy and Baoyu asked, "Why are you looking for the jade? I am here, aren't I?" A question worth asking. Is our self-worth (as perceived by self as well as others), determined by our inner strength or by material possession?
There was also another question on whether it is better to be true to one's self and show emotion as it is, or o mask everything because as Xue Baochai puts it, "Nobody wants to be around someone who is always sad or unhappy." Bitter laugh.
The second half of the play were mostly sad as it dealt with parting and death, so sniffles/nose blowing could be heard in the theatre. *sobs* Also liked how Lin Daiyu's words were replayed at the later part after her death. Impactful and haunting.
Overall, a very good play and thoroughly enjoyable.
There was a Visa Infinite promo, so got a free glass of wine thrown in as well. Muahaha! And Gold Roast was one of the sponsors, so received a sampler pack of coffee too! Double muahaahaha!
Downside, was the super duper long queue to the restroom. Bleh. Plus the super duper narrow space to move to the seats.. especially if have to pass through people who are already seated. Painful for long legged peeps as the setting makes it prone for people to knock onto your legs!
16 February, 2013
meteorite explodes over Russia
On 15th Feb 2013 (Friday), a meteorite entered Earth and exploded over Russia causing injuries to some 1000 people.
Read more from this link.
On the same day, an asteroid 2012 DA14 of about 150 feet wide (about 45 metres), swept past Earth with its closest approach that was 22000 miles away from Earth. It was said that if an asteroid of DA14 size do hit the earth, it will not wipe us out but could've flatten an entire city.
Read more from this link.
Aliens, space, planets, galaxies etc. All very interesting topics. If meteorites, asteroids or comets should come, the hope is that it will land somewhere in our oceans or desserts. If not, well...
Live now and live it well. Treat everyone, like how you would like to be treated yourself.
Read more from this link.
On the same day, an asteroid 2012 DA14 of about 150 feet wide (about 45 metres), swept past Earth with its closest approach that was 22000 miles away from Earth. It was said that if an asteroid of DA14 size do hit the earth, it will not wipe us out but could've flatten an entire city.
Read more from this link.
Aliens, space, planets, galaxies etc. All very interesting topics. If meteorites, asteroids or comets should come, the hope is that it will land somewhere in our oceans or desserts. If not, well...
Live now and live it well. Treat everyone, like how you would like to be treated yourself.
15 February, 2013
14 February, 2013
homecooked meals, a luxury
Yesterday's dinner was steamboat.
Today we had dinner at home too.
Prepared and cooked by my sister. Well done!
 |
| raw ingredients, to be cooked inside the rice cooker |
 |
| ingredients all in |
 |
| green vege, various balls, mushroom and geoduck yums |
Today we had dinner at home too.
 |
| preserved sausages, steam fish, chop suey and soup |
12 February, 2013
CNY @ Home
How was your CNY celebration? Hope it was fun and filled with love and laughter!
First day of Lunar New Year, started off with vegetarian breakfast.
Then, we had aunties and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews from the Tang family (mom's) side coming to visit. Many many people in the house!
 |
| fortune cat and dancing lion |
First day of Lunar New Year, started off with vegetarian breakfast.
 |
| vegetarian breakfast |
 |
| lots of gluten yums~ |
Then, we had aunties and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews from the Tang family (mom's) side coming to visit. Many many people in the house!
 |
| adorable niece and nephews from SG cousin |
 |
| yee sang for lunch |
06 February, 2013
public transport, today
Much has been said about the projected figure of Singapore's worse case scenario's population size. But the problem is, with the present. The here and now.
Few days ago, I was at Buona Vista MRT around 11.20pm. Didn't manage to catch the train, too packed. So waited. After 5 minutes, no train in sight. Nvm, can wait. Then announcement came. Track fault, so trains will be moving slower than usual. Next train, 6 minutes. Ok, not an issue. thought I'd take a cab to save some time.
At the taxi stand, no cab in sight but a queue had formed. Some like-minded people who didn't want to wait for a packed train, decided to take cab but none came. Taxis that arrived, were 'on-call'. Great, ended up taking the bus to Jurong East, and barely made it to the last train, and finally reached CCK at 12.10am. Not an issue, because last bus is 12.55am. Waited, and waited and waited. The bus came after 1240am.
Back-track to the morning, was at Jurong East interchange waiting for bus #197. The next bus only came after half hour of waiting time. Hmm. Lack of drivers? Scheduling issues? Bad traffic? Guess, it's all of those.
Two days ago, was at AMK after dinner, about 9pm. Waited for MRT. One came, packed. Never mind, waited for the next one, 6 minutes later. Still sardine packed. Gave up, took cab. Abundance of cab at AMK taxi stand.
Just yesterday, was at Jurong East MRT platform A, at about 730pm. So crowded that it was impossible to board so waited for the next one. Nothing came. Info board showed nothing. Meanwhile, the train to Pasir Ris kept coming at 3 minutes interval. More passengers alight and now waiting at Platform A. The same direction at Platform D, 6 minutes interval. Crowd had built up at that side too. Waited till 8.10pm, still no sign of any train for Platform A. No announcement, no nothing.
No doubt infra can be improved, but it takes the entire ecology of the system to be able to support the expansion. We can have more tracks, but it needs to be complemented by sufficient trains. But sufficient trains, in turn, need to be complemented by good scheduling, and pretty good recovery if something like track fault or train fault occurs. When all fails, then need the ground people to disseminate information in a timely manner too.
Much improvement is needed. Meanwhile, passengers and users of public transportation need to cultivate patience......ohm......
Few days ago, I was at Buona Vista MRT around 11.20pm. Didn't manage to catch the train, too packed. So waited. After 5 minutes, no train in sight. Nvm, can wait. Then announcement came. Track fault, so trains will be moving slower than usual. Next train, 6 minutes. Ok, not an issue. thought I'd take a cab to save some time.
At the taxi stand, no cab in sight but a queue had formed. Some like-minded people who didn't want to wait for a packed train, decided to take cab but none came. Taxis that arrived, were 'on-call'. Great, ended up taking the bus to Jurong East, and barely made it to the last train, and finally reached CCK at 12.10am. Not an issue, because last bus is 12.55am. Waited, and waited and waited. The bus came after 1240am.
Back-track to the morning, was at Jurong East interchange waiting for bus #197. The next bus only came after half hour of waiting time. Hmm. Lack of drivers? Scheduling issues? Bad traffic? Guess, it's all of those.
Two days ago, was at AMK after dinner, about 9pm. Waited for MRT. One came, packed. Never mind, waited for the next one, 6 minutes later. Still sardine packed. Gave up, took cab. Abundance of cab at AMK taxi stand.
Just yesterday, was at Jurong East MRT platform A, at about 730pm. So crowded that it was impossible to board so waited for the next one. Nothing came. Info board showed nothing. Meanwhile, the train to Pasir Ris kept coming at 3 minutes interval. More passengers alight and now waiting at Platform A. The same direction at Platform D, 6 minutes interval. Crowd had built up at that side too. Waited till 8.10pm, still no sign of any train for Platform A. No announcement, no nothing.
No doubt infra can be improved, but it takes the entire ecology of the system to be able to support the expansion. We can have more tracks, but it needs to be complemented by sufficient trains. But sufficient trains, in turn, need to be complemented by good scheduling, and pretty good recovery if something like track fault or train fault occurs. When all fails, then need the ground people to disseminate information in a timely manner too.
Much improvement is needed. Meanwhile, passengers and users of public transportation need to cultivate patience......ohm......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
