Happy Birthday, Daddy

We celebrated my dad birthday this year on 30th Jan, Wed. This time round is not the usually place we have for the past 4 years. We usually use to have it at Hougang Green, but that place have "wind-up", so we found another place that serve good food.

Originally was thinking of eating crab at the famous AMK, blk 232 Coffeeshop,"Mellben" but my sis can't really eat much due to her pregancy.

The "Zhi Cha" as we call it, is located, along Hougang St 61, Blk 684. Service is damn lousy, but they can afford to, looking at how their seats get fill-up all the time. I am really surprise at 6.30pm and is still so crowded, must be due to CNY, or Singaporean are getting richer, eating "Zhi Cha" everyday.

Here is a sample of their menu.

Been eating at this place for a couple of months so we kinda of know what are good. This time we call the usually stuff...we have

Their famous "homemake Tofu"


No famous crab to eat, so we try their Chilly Crab. Not very nice lo, they put too much vinegar


Their "Man tou", nothing much to comment, they are basically fried bread only


Their corn flake sotong, not too bad, like their very "sinful" flakes more than the sotong.


Their "4-Treasure Vege" Can see 4-type of treasure inside lo...this one ok la...not to bad also


And the bill, cost about $74.20, with the crab contributing majority of it ($42) + rice

Manage to took some photos during the meal

My Dad and me (Do I look Slimmer now..)


My sis and her hubby (Lovely ....right?)


My Mum and my sis, people say I look more like my mum, while my sis look more like my dad, what do you think?


Later we (me and my sis) each contributed $50 to Dad's Birthday red Packet which we always give during birthday...

Look at how much crab we ate....This one was from Dad's Plate


From my plate...Got to hit the gym...to burn those calories off....:-)

Lastly....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD...:-)

My Top 10 Movies of 2007

2007 had ended some 25 days ago. Think is kinda late to talk about movies in 2007, I should be looking forward to what 2008 have to offer. Well I just lazy, that why I delay till now then i starting thinking about this. So here you have it. My 2007 top 10

1. Transformer

This show is great, did not really follow the cartoon when I was young. But just by looking at the CG, make me want to see Part 2. When will that be? think should be in 2009 I hope :-) Which side are you on?

2. National Treasure : Books of Secret

I know it not as good as the original, but I put it in 2nd place because this is the other show that keep me wanting to see what happen next. Keep me at the edge of my seat all the time. The history brought out in the story is very interesting, but doubt any of it is true. Look forward to Part 3, what are they going to call it next?

3. Harry Potter and the order of the phoenix

This is the 5th in the 7 books. I must say this movie is very "dark", Harry is always angry all the time. Really like how the story develop. It is because of this movie that got me to buy the next 2 book, half blood prince and deathy hallow to read. Still reading it though.

4. Ratatouille

Though I like Sherk alot, but Part 3 was bit short and disappointing. This new one from Pixar really catch my attention. It really a very smart movie. The concept by folks at pixar are really superb. Looking forward to their next film, "Wallie", pronounce as "Wah Li"...sound familiar?

5. The Simspson Movie

Funny but not really for the kids, more suitable for adults. They really have lot of interesting humour here. But the whole show is trying to pass the message of "please protect our Earth" la...else you will be exterminated. OK?

6. I Am Legend

Seriously, this show really scary, there is only 1 actor most of the time, the rest of the show involves all the "Virus" infected human being trying to get this person. Ending really sucks, but overall still entertained by it though

7. The Bourne Ultimatum

Last of the Trilogy of Bourne movies, Matt Damon really can be the next action fighting stars, the way he execute his moves and fights here is amazing.

8. Die Hard 4.0

Another show full of actions, stuff like shooting down fighter jets can be seen here. Entertaining but forgettable though. But it still better than alot of other show in 2007

9. 200 pound beauty (Korean)

Well The only Asia show that make it to my top 10. Beautful actress and a hot soundtrack are the main draw.

10. Zodiac/Amercian Gangster

Oscar calibur show finally have a place in my top 10. Usually I don really know how to appreciate such show, they are usually slow and boring, but these 2 show turn out very good and entertaining. Though I Prefer Amercian Gangster more, Zodiac is a bit on the slow side.

So what are those show I am looking forward to this 2008. This topic seems like good blogging material. Will share my 2008 movies I intend to see really soon.

Resolution of the year - Keep Fit and Cut Fat down to 16%

Well, if you all know, I have joined a gym since last Mar'07. It is located in AMK Hub. It really a very nice and comfortable place to be at. Haha, I am like advertising for them. The Gym is Fitness First.

Have been thinking of joining a gym but just don know which one to join, we got so many choices. Fitness First, California Fitness, Planet Fitness, Safra Club and our very economical SSC's Clubfitt.

In the end, I settle for Fitness First, mainly due to travel distance and facilities. Not that the rest have no similar or got lousy facilities. Just the Fitness first met my most important criteria, which is distance.

SSC's clubfitt cannot be considered at all, though it is really cheap, last i check is about $2.50, but there are just too few machines, and the trainer there are not very helpfully. Not the least, too many people using the machine, going there is like waiting for the machine all the time unless you go during 1hr before they closed or super early, which really not very motivating, plus no decent bathing facilities, lockers, but what can you expect with $2.50.

At Fitness first, It is so much better, more motivated, the staff and trainer are really helpfully and provide advise, plus premium facilities, towel and locker provided. Though the membership is bit on the high side, but is really worth it with the facilities you are getting , plus all the classes are all free.

Been trying really hard to cut down on my Fat %, last i measure, I hit 19.9%, which is really very very far from my target of 16%, think the tummy fat is too much, and really difficult to get that off. I only manage to hit a good 18.1% in Nov'07, but after my korean trip, it pop back up to 19.9%, think i must have eaten too much during the trip + no exercise for 1 week. Hiaz....


But now been really working hard, weight is down from 71kg to now 69.3kg. Hope to achieve 68kg soon, hopefully before Feb'07, CNY. That is the weight I was at when I measured at 18.1% Fat Level.

Hopefully i have put on more muscle weight in the process rather than just fat haha. Well think keeping fit and staying healthy must be everyone resolution of the new year. It is so important to be fit and healthy. With this we can do alot of things be it at work or play or travel, aiya, basically everything lo.

Work Hard, Stay Fit, 16% Fat, here I come, hopefully can achieve 65Kg target also. :-)

My Block is being upgraded

This has been happening for the past 1 year, my house is being "upgraded", but not from a 5-room to a 6-room but only adding lifts that serve every floor and some landscape upgrading, like adding a garden and some resting corner here and there.

I thought it would be nice if i could document this some how, So here we are. It all started with the voting of whether will there be an upgrade. The Answer is a YES. More than 75% of those staying around my region voted positively. Within 6mth the lift structure came up. They build the lift on the left and right hand-side of my block before closing down the central lift and the middle of the block. Previously, all 3 lifts are situated at the center of the block.

They have this area, setup to house all the worker working on the project. Think the company doing the lift is call " Team-builder". They sure work as a team as every morning when i leave for work, will see all the "Blackies" doing their morning exercise before starting work. I thought this was really interesting. The supervisor really take good care of them.

Once the lift is working, they started to knock down the central life and that where the inconvenience comes. instead of taking the central lift, now I have to walk either to the left or right of the block to take the "upgraded" lift. Go to the 10th floor, walk to the central corridor (where the old lift use to be) and walk down to 8th floor, where my house is. Here is how the central lift looks like after they "KOed" it.

At first, did not really know what is the plan for the center lift of the block. Are they going to build a new one just by building one more "Shaft" like structure outside the building or they will use 1 of the 3 lift and upgrade it to serve every floor. The below photos will show you which one the "authorities" choose to go with


I really gald i not at home when they did these works, must be really noisy. They actually build a platform make of concrete and steel on every single storey. Uses the lift on the left most, aka the one nearest to the corridor.

The Last I check, they are still doing and working on the center lift. Forecast is 2nd Qtr of 2008. This mean they won't not make it for Chinese New year, what a shame, to have this mess outside my corridor during CNY. Hiaz...

Will update after the 1st Qtr (Aka Mar'07) to see how the progress, hopefully it "nicer" Sign- off for now, really tired as still having a bad cough and did not sleep well as been coughing thr the night...:-(

The job Market is Still HOT

Well, with the economy doing so well last year, it is no wonder everyone wants to move around to find a "Better" job. I did mine last year, infact, i break my own record of working in 3 companies last year. But I really gald with my final choice.

Having gone through this process, come to know that people do it for different reasons, for me, it was for a better prospects and learning opportunities, I never regret moving, even though life is very much tougher out there. See more learn more, know more people also

But still I have make lots of good friends in STM, and they are the ones i miss so much. Guys and gals if you happen to visit my blog, do keep in touch by leaving a comment on my blog lo. The Desk below is a place where i spend most of my 4 and half years on, settling "quality stuff" le

Back to the topic of why choose to switch job, some leave because of the "nasty" people, some leave cos of the $ and some just left cos others are doing so. But still a word of advise, there are really a lot to consider when switching job, most important there must be a strong reason...reason like leave because of 1 nasty people is just not worth it, worst still, leave because others are doing so. Sometime have to consider opportunities and most important, will you be happier in your next job. It is not always about money, but i must say, that is one of the motivating factor as well



As I speak now, I am still seeing people leaving, both in my 2nd and current company, But looking at the US Economy, advise is to leave early 2008 if there is a nee d to, a Full recession in the US + oil prices definitely will impact singapore's economy no matter what the "authorities" kept saying we are safe. US is really a huge economy to ignore completely.

To End, I gald i have make the move, though I still not sure whether it is a better job, but for sure, my surrounding and environment are great, meet lot of friendly and interesting people and upcoming, my boss is giving me lot of new challenges ahead...:-)

Cloverfield

Was really waiting for this show to come to local shore, and it here. I actually read the review before going into the show. So I was expecting a video camera "jerky" kind of experience, but was really looking forward what the buzz is all about with this movie...the trailer on the web are not telling much about the monster and the only thing i know of is that it is taken from a video camera point of view.

Booked the ticket @ The Cathay, 9pm on 18 Jan. Watching it with Vun though. Think the theatre is about 90% full. I booked it just in the morning as i see the seats are filling up fast. I am really gald that the show was shown in 4K Digital HD, at least i can expect some HD clearness, the intro before the show tell me that this 4K Digital is 2x more sharp aka higher resolution then the normal non-digital show. Well At least that might make my $9.50 worthwhile.

Well if you still want to see the show, my advise is go see the show first then read my blog to see if you agree with what i say here? just FYI if you have not seen the trailer, this movie is taken from a video-cam perpective so expect something like this

The Opinion of the show
The show started off slowly, introduction the characters, the one holding the camera, the lead actor and actress. majority of the time really can't make out what is happening, camera shake so "violently" but when the monster appear then things get exciting.

This monster is huge, and have lots of offsprings that kill when they bite you. You will burst into pieces once you got bitten.The monster itself look only slightly shorter than the Empire State Building. But from this picture i got off the internet, seem like it should be bigger, hopefully i don get any copyright warning!! It really amazing that after dropping lot of TNT on it, this monster can still jump up and grab the Helicopter. The last scene seem to tell us that TNT have no effect on it.

The final scene is the most satisfying. The characters finally came face to face with the towering monster, look bit like an ape with spider-like features (4 legged), 2 red ears. Felt that if I am the one filming the monster, I would have run away if it was so close to me, although i may not be able to out-run it.

Some Loopholes

1. It quite surprising that the video-cam can last for >60min, thought usually 60min is kinda max out...furthermore the movie is some 84mins long.

2. When they are searching for the lead character's girlfriend, they even film while climbing through all the debris..on top of a almost toppling building....not very unbelievable. You should have seen how high and big the wind are when u are up so high.

3. When the monster is infront of me, i would be running already, not filming it in front of me...it not a movie le.

4. Would also like to know when brand the video camera is, very durable, crash also still can work, eaten by monster still can work le

Conclusion

I think it worth going to the Cinema to see, it is something new, and to be honest, at certain parts, kind of scarey as the offspring and monster very near them. It left me wanting to see further to find out what happen next. Would recommend it to anyone wanting to get some thrills, but be prepare for some dizzy spell due to the video-cam viewpoint and a lousy ending though. Until then, hope u all like my very first movie review. Will be doing more of this when i see a great movie. For lousy movie, u will know it if it is a short review...with lots of complaint.

Really Sick...

Hiaz...fell sick on the 14th Jan recently. Really started last thursday when i felt some itch in the throat that evening. Still go to work on Friday though, but by Saturday, I am already losing my voice, but that night got to attend a dinner with my Army friends, Mr daron, Jeremy and Quek, so that night was really tired, as not feeling well, and really kept quiet throughout the thing...such a waste..:-(

Anyway, I skip church on Sunday as the throat did not improved and i feeling headache already, so "sian", cannot go gym just sleep the whole day, hiaz....Sleep really early on sunday, hopefully it become well enough for me to go to work on Monday...-->

but....no choice, I still took MC. Got a big "chuck" of medicine from the family doctor. Lucky don need to pay a single cent, as the company is paying for it....GREAT right!!...good benefits le

I actually lost some weight in the process, which is a good thing...think about 500g only la....but the bad thing is ....i got a terrible outbreak on my face....think i just too heaty

Anyway have been back to gym since then, really need to get back to strength, the infection really cause me my strength, have not been able to run as long as l use to...30mins

Really happy to have fully recovered....now to make everyday counts...and not get sick again...

Looking back at my exciting 2007 - Part 1

We are already 20 days into 2008, not much have happen to my life yet, except for falling sick, I thought it would be great to review how much exciting 2007 was to me.(At the same time, share some great photos i have taken in 2007)

To start, I spend my New Year '07 in Bangkok, almost a year ago in 2006. Reports of a local political strike at the city center of bangkok on 31st Dec, the day me and my sis & her hubby are to return to Singapore that evening. We left our hotel at around 5.30pm.

Think we probably went past some "terrorist" who planted the bombs at the city shopping area. This shopping center, largest in Asia, just newly opened, heard the bombing happen quite near this place. At that time we are about to leave this place, all the organisers are busying setting up all the stages for the countdown event.

Here are some photos i have put up together which basically summarise the trip. Was sick during the 3rd day, down with Flu, that time, really make me know the wonders of "Cold Remedy", taking just 2 pills can recovered from running nose le. It really not good having flu and still have to walk the city in this kind of hot temperature (some 29C)

Only got to know there was a bombing in bangkok once i reach home, my dad was telling me of a terrorist attack at the city center. Thanks God i did not see anything though. But after Sep 11, every bombing really brought fear among alot of us, kind of think of it, we were actually very close to where these bombing happens.

Not a good start to 2007. But much more have happen later in 2007. Taiwan Trip in Mar'07, Can't wait to share the photos...and also describe the very "Funny" happening during the trip, FYI, I am going with "Emu", aka Cheefeng, till i find time to compile all the photos, until then, hope you all enjoy this summary.

A brand new start in 2008

If you all notice, i haven't been writing anything for the past 2 yrs. 2008 seem to be a good yr to start writing again, with so many of my friends starting this year to "write".

2007 have been a great year, full of surprises and changes

- got back to church

- join a cell group (thank god)

- been to speed dating (my first time trying, though no luck)

- ditch my old job (it's about time)

- switch job within 3mths (a record for me, who can beat me in this?)

- been to encounter weekend (lots of encounters, too many and not words can describe)

- recover from High Blood pressure (it's gone...miracle)

brought a new PC. Core2 Duo - E6600 le (now it to invest in games/video & photography softwares)
Setup was a real mess as u can see from the photos. Need really to "beautify this personal corner of mine" But really happy with the matching black color. Now is to get a black modem and printer

- join a gym and purchase a trainer package to stay healthy(Well at least i know how to use the machine properly...)

- Make a 2nd Trip with "Emu" to Taiwan with lot of surprises from the chicken, although kinda of expected this kind of "Surprise", but thing never fail to amaze me...hiaz..u know that chick.

Travel to Korea..(it really fun, > 500pictures taken during the trip, love Kimchi) Will share some of the photos real soon. Elsie and miko can come over to this site and see.:-)
This Kimchi here made by me le....can eat one lo...spicy and good for health and done with full hygienic methods.

Looking ahead, lot of resolution to be fulfill and make. Well will share some of these resolution when i got the time.

Really look forward to 2008, with so many thing plan in mind...now is to set my mind in doing those things that i miss out last year...