Of Candy Crush and some OMG (not nice) food

I had initially wanted to blog about the OMG food somewhere last week when i visited the place, but u know lah, laziness got the better of me.

So when i got any opportunity to turn on my laptop (and don my facial mask), i will just blog. And it happened to be a rather happy day for me. :)

Finally crossed the level 85 mark!

Since my last entry on clearing the Candies during CNY, i was stuck once again on Level 85, since 2 weeks+ ago. And as much as i tried to clear it, both on the IPAD and my NOTE, and reading up online on how to clear the level (kinda crazy to go online to find such solutions haha), i still could not clear the level. And when i finally decided to play via FB, i managed to clear it once again!

See how proud i am, that i gave a kickass size picture to celebrate my victory! =)

And everyone i know is so into Candy Crush, all the prompts i get on my IPAD and NOTE on FB is when:

a) People want LIVES

b) People give me LIVES (thank you very much, i will use it wisely!)

c) People want a TICKET to get to the next level

And i have friends who are already at 100+ level, even though they start much later than me. So it's like a friendly competition to move up the levels. 

As far as i know, there are 320 levels (and supposedly counting) in Candy Crush. Oh my, that's a long battle ahead. But ah, everything in moderation, even candy crushing.

Totally wanted to laugh out loud in the car when i read this via Whatsapp from my cg member! =)

So, it's addictive, but don't be obsessive over Candy Crush! =)

Now, to the OMG food.

And it's not a compliment.

The theme cafe is kinda cozy even though it's open air, and in the city area. Not very big, but their comic strip character is well-known to all. 

Kinda amazed that i actually have this poster in the App that describes the food.

When you see cute looking comic strips from your young time, you will feel kinda cute and woozy that we are stepping back into our younger days. Unfortunately, it has stopped there.

What's there that is OMG 

The Breaded Fish still has bones (?!), and the French Fries are too salty. 

There's no Lava in the Lava Cake. 

The Raspberry pancake is horrible where a lick of the cream (whipped cream? shaving cream???) is just so jelat. Not forgetting how sugary fake it tastes. 

The ice-cream for the crepe tastes weird.

Their saving grace

At least their mocha is pleasant to the taste and has Snoopy on the top of the foam.

The chocolate crepe is the wisest selection on the menu for their dessert.

All their food has the comic strip characters which is kinda cute and fits the theme cafe.

This is one of the worst cafes ever.

Don't think i will ever visit again. Unless they change their chef, and match up their quality. Seriously.

 

Rating: 1/5

Ps: This is the view that my frens and i had, after we visited the cafe last week. And it seriously is surviving cos of the comic strip. If they want to move up, their quality of food should up too.

Just the way you are - Hokkien

Saw this Youtube video circulating on FB.

And i like the original version of the song by Bruno Mars and Jayesslee.

But i think this is not too bad too…. even though i only understand about 60% of what the guy was singing.

Quite a good rendition actually :)

Enjoy!

Some updates on my life:

1) I’ve changed job recently, finally after 2 years in the Logistics industry. It was a trying time, where I realise that working hard there will not bring me to a brighter future. But, God is faithful. He brought me into a new opportunity in a really unexpected timing. And it was good.

2) I’m also gonna move on to another CG….. and all is good. I think the stagnancy has been screaming out for a while. And as i reflect, it’s indeed a good time to move, as compared to last year, where i’m leaving because of people. And this time, i’m moving because i think it’s time. I’ve overstayed, and going to a new cg takes a leap of faith, since it’s around the same season i’m changing job.

So that was why my blog is once-again, on the verge of dying. And i think beyond just posting daily stuff, i will blog about constructive and more interesting things

As for my daily life, i think Twitter will be a more apt platform.

And yes, the way i write, the things that i write, will probably change from now. I wanna be informative, funny and relevant. I guess that’s what the people in 30’s does. :)

Nope, I didn’t prepare myself for Halloween

Darn! Another Halloween Episode.

And the ironic part? When i started at AML, i had Halloween-ey eyes too….. And just when i’m preparing to move on to ***H, i also kena this thing.

This time, it’s caused by color-ed (my favorite purple color) contacts.

Anyway, this was the state of my eyes on Monday. Am not gonna wear any lens for the next 1 week, and am gonna switch to Dailies. Oh, JB, how i missed u…




 

Season of Steaming Cakes

Ever since i got my gift of the Steaming cake book from my colleague 2 weeks back, there’s been a lot of activities going on in my mind and what i wanna steam in the coming weeks.

And i’ve been reading the book, and in theory i’m pretty equipped to make better steamed cakes. And i got stirred to throw money invest in a electric mixer.

When i started doing steamed cakes last year, i got myself a… (i can’t remember what that is……). after some Googling… AH! I bought a whisk to stir the mixture. And every other time, i end up sweating. Cos the whole effort is based on that whisking. And making butter cakes will be better with an electrical mixer.



In my mind, this is very expensive. 

And i got so excited when i saw the price of something like this in NTUC Extra (yes, that’s my fav hangout after tuition). And it’s pretty affordable!

Can’t wait to lay my hands on it and start steaming delicious and healthy steamed cakes.

Spamming my steamed cakes in upcoming posts! :)

 

We Run SG 10K Run – 09-10-2011

Last year i was in a mad frenzy waiting and waiting and waiting for the Nike Run to open. And was really happy to have made it.

I look forward to running Nike once again. And i’ve been doing quite a fair bit of neck stretching for a bit….. Until my Birthday. It has finally open!!! :)



Contrary to what a regular marathon predicted as per like other years that it will happen in late October, the date was confirmed to be on the 2nd week of October.

Which is fine by me….. even though i have a Half Marathon 7 days before…



Doing 2 runs within 2 weekends…. does it make me… Hardcore???? LOL.

Anyway, last month was horrendously busy, but i still managed to do a 16.8km KOTR run. And i got a present from the race….

***GROSS ALERT***



Well, my foot looked ugly, but that’s beyond the point. My 3rd toenail is in the renewal process for the 2nd time this year. Not too bad an idea.

Well, for my next run, with proper running socks, i can only hope for the best that i won’t lose anymore toe nails. Just got some stability socks for $12.90 (like they are just socks….why so expensive. But to justify, it’s Made In Bulgaria)

As at Blog posting time, i’m already 31 years old and 4 days old. I’ll post up thank-yous in my next post…. which i hope to do so tomorrow.

September is another crazy month, with 3 sessions of tuition for the next 4 weeks till PSLE’s over. And yes, more running in preparation for the next 31 km to conquer for this year. =)

First it was the GE, then PE came along….

2011 is indeed a very happening year.

We had the General Elections, where PAP lost Aljunied, and then George Yeo is no longer a Member of Parliament.

Just before we had barely recovered from all the first election, there comes another one: The Presidential Election.

And it’s been so many years since Singapore last had a presidential election.

And suddenly we had 4 candidates to choose from….
TAN TAN TAN TAN!!!!!!!!

First time PE voters like me are mostly quite perturbed, some are quite bo-chup about who they are gonna cross on this Saturday. And for the older ones, many are also very uncertain about who they want to vote.

Most of them are unfamiliar to us, except for a certain one with the signature glasses and white hair. At least for me…

My 2yo niece wants to vote a certain Mr Tan, cos his last name rhymes with ‘box’. Unfortunately, she’s 19 years too young.

The PE is important, because the elected president has 6 years to prove that he is able to allocate the national funds well, and be able to maintain and improve international relations with other countries. He needs to be exemplary in whatever he does. So, no matter how unknown these 4 candidates are to us, we need to decide. And it’s by our votes that gets our elected president at the end of this week. So, vote wisely.

If u ask me who i’m voting for, i can only say i’m voting for Mr Tan. As for which Mr Tan…. Don’t u know???

投票是强制性的，投票是秘密的!!

Absolutely Busy but Fulfiling and Happening month of August

By right, i should be posting on my first run with my Nimbus-12, and a personal review of it. I ran 5.8km with it last Thursday, and i must say, it’s fantabulous. Exceeds expectation. Detailed personal review will be out in another 2 more runs.

And, suddenly, August has crept in. And it’s only 1st week and i kinda feel a bit overwhelmed and maybe a bit tired, somewhat. And is it because age has caught up with me already?

Just over the weekend on Friday and Saturday, we had Festival of Praise. Hallelujah!!



Festival of Praise is a combined effort of many churches in Singapore to come together to praise and worship God.

It has been really good, with New Life Worship band, Andrew Yeo and Pst John Bevere, who brought forth a great message – God’s grace is upon us!!!

I was serving for the 2 nights together with 2 other leaders and a few members whom i’m thankful for being there. It’s a very different experience with serving at Suntec/Jurong West cause we need to learn a. Things happens well because also, God’s Grace enables, empowers us to make it happen!

One funny thing: my colleague (from another location) was actually with his wife who’s doing the Tamil songs. And we were staring at the same Mac screen for the longest time in the same room, until he asked if he knew me! OmGod! What a Boo-boo, and what a coincidence!! Lol!!!

Suddenly, the weekend has passed so fast……

And in 6 days’ time, we are having another important Church Event….



COME TOGETHER!!

It’s so wonderful to be able to serve during this very important annual event…. Especially when i missed it totally last year because of
Influenza B. So i’m totally gonna devote my next weekend. (sans Saturday morning cause i need to devote that time to my office. AHH… TGIS).

I remembered about 14 years ago, i was saved during the 8th Anniversary at Suntec….. This marks my 14th year as a Christian, and a member of CHC. And i’m still proud of my God, my Church, my Pastor, and will continue to be! =)

It’s gonna be an awesome, glorious time of celebrating 22 years and many many many more wonderful years to come! Not forgetting that Pst Yonggi Cho is gonna come! WOW!!!

***

That makes it half the month. And there’s more happening stuff going on in the 2nd half of August be it churchwide, or on a personal note:



Reminiscenced about my graduation 2 years ago. I miss SOT... hearing the Word of God every single morning in SOT and being in His presence. 

One day in His courts, is better than a thousand elsewhere.

Then the final week of August:



Adidas King of The Road! 28-08-2011.

16.8km running trail in the City area. Waking up before the sun wakes up, and journey to City hall once again to run, it’s gonna be fabulous! 

Even though i’ve done a half-marathon this year, i’m not gonna take this lightly. And with the busyness of the month, i’m still gonna do my best and run as much as i can prior to the race. Not forgetting to take time to prep my running gears and gels really soon. 

This is kinda of the summary of my August this month. Inasmuch as possible (with inspiration to blog), i’ll update. I’m sure being such a happening month, there’s definitely a lot of topics to update! =)

AYAM PENYET RIA (Indonesian Food)

I am no foodie, but i do enjoy good food, especially after a day of hard work. Now in this season, the stress is boiling up when it’s only about 3 months to go before my kiddo’s PSLE takes place. And yes, the syllabus is getting harder by the week. It’s not just kiddo that’s racking her brains trying to solve the mathematics problems. I’m literally squeezing every ounce of brain juice trying to make it understandable for her.

Ah, the perils of over-using your brain. You get drained very easily. And it’s a day like this that i need some good food, and to reward myself. And for some reason, my all time favorite 莆田 is not what i crave. Instead, my mind drifted to this obscure shop hidden besides NTUC in Jurong Point Basement.



This is what i ate. It’s called Smashed Soft-shell Crab. (I dunno what it’s called in Malay, except it’s Penyet something-something)

This is what i have to say, on the overall:

Presentation:
As above. It’s pretty original, with the wooden bowl. Adds authenticity to its Indonesian roots. Nothing too fanciful. Just something simple and complete.

Taste:
Surprise, surprise, Surprise! It has actually exceed my expectations! Usually, when i eat Softshell Crab, it’s either too oily, and overcooked and comes with this oily feeling in my mouth. But, this softshell crab is very good, fried to its goodness. =D i like it! Their chilli could be spicier, i think! *slurp.

The vegetables are cold though, and i don’t mean the lettuce. If they are a bit warmer (and not feel like it just came out of the fridge), it will be fantabulous.

My rating: 4.25 / 5

Customer Service:
Before i go on, i have to say that i was the last customer of the day. So it’s not a totally fair review of their service level.

Considering that they are about to close shop for the day, i must say that they serve the food within 5 minutes of ordering. However, i feel that their ‘after-sales service’ is kind of lacking. 5 mins into my dinner, i asked one of the waitresses for more chilli. So she pointed to a counter and spoke incoherently.

What she wanted to say, i do not understand. So i assumed that she didn’t understand what i wanted. So i asked another waitress, who asked this same waitress to pass me what i wanted…. Anyway, i got my chilli, but i wasn’t very satisfied with the service provided. I nearly had to walk to the counter to get my chilli (for a moment, i wondered if i’m at a fast-food joint where i have to self-service?)

My rating: 2 / 5

I know this is not exactly a fair review, since this shop specializes in AYAM (Chicken) Penyet. But hey, my intention is to introduce this shop. And i’m pretty sure their Ayam Penyet is good. I wanted to eat the Bawal (Promfet) Penyet, but it was sold out. =( Next time, i’ll definitely try that out.

I definitely will eat this again, with lots and lots and lots of chilli! Ayam/Bawal/soft-shell crab Penyet rawks!

The battle of the Tablets

For those people who i know personally, i did mention about my desire on getting a tablet.

That was last year or earlier in this year when the ipad was first launched in Singapore.

My first impression of the ipad to me is that it’s just a gigantic ipod touch, which i have a 3rd generation one. And it kinda served me quite ok. Except for the part where i need to type out sermons. It’s such a pain to type on a touch screen. 

And mainly that’s the reason i didn’t get an iPhone. Nor did i get a Blackberry Storm.

However, upcoming tablets are all touch-screens! And it won’t make sense for me to get an ipad, if the functions are similar to my ipod (except mine doesn’t come with a camera).

So i kinda waited for the Blackberry playbook to come to Singapore. And it was finally launched in Singapore on the last week of June (which was last week). Yay! 

I intend to get it in September, where by then, there will be more users of the BB Playbook and maybe there will be price wars between the tablets which will eventually benefit potential buyers like me. =) Besides, there wasn’t much of explanation on what kind of plans i could buy with my telco for the BB Playbook, and how i could tether my existing BB plan on my Bold 3 to BB Playbook. All these questions are unanswered, but i truly believe that in September, there will probably be some updates and news about it.

DON’T YOU FEEL PRESSURIZED BY THE PPL AROUND YOU WHO ARE MAINLY IPAD USERS??

Erm yea, i do. But then, using whatever u want is ultimately your preference and it’s YOUR MONEY, not theirs. But then, as i mentioned earlier, i already have an iPOD Touch, so it’s kinda stupid to hold an iPad.

HOW ABOUT THE GALAXY TAB??? IT SEEMS TO BE QUITE A WORTHY CONTENDER TO THE IPAD?

Anything from Samsung is a NO-NO for me. My worst phone ever is the Samsung F-700.


Though i purchased it after a lot of researching, and being ultimately sure of its functions, i bought it. And the very next day, i felt a huge tinge of regret, and for the next 1 year, i wish i could throw it out of the window every other day.

I like Korean stuff, but not Samsung.

Though i have colleagues who are very pleased with their Galaxy Tab, but i think i’ll better not. $700 to throw out of the window after 1 day of usage, is very wasteful.

WHY THE BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK?

Because i’m a Blackberry user! And 1 year plus after carrying a blackberry smartphone, i have nothing but pleasure with using it. And i’m pretty sure that the BB Playbook will continue to please me. Besides, the size of it is in between the Galaxy Tab and iPad. So i don’t need to carry a huge bag just because i can fit the iPad.

OK, i’m just biased, can or not?? =)

Let’s say if i get my BB Playbook, my plans on getting a MacBook will change, where i’ll just get an iMac. Whenever i go, i’m still connected. =)

But then, until i make payment for it, nothing’s definite. Anything can happen till then.

Will i end up with a iPad and a MacBook? Will i end up with a BB Playbook and an 21” iMac? Will i end up buying nothing??

Watch this space. For now, the battle continues with a need and a want.

I tried 2 times without success…. OMG

And i hasn’t upgraded my BB to BB BOLD 9780.

I was at IMM, and have decided in my heart that i’m gonna upgrade to BB BOLD 3. So i started to queue…… and lo and behold, one of the customer service peeps came and said

”Sorry, the re-contract system is down currently. Would you like to come back at 8pm or tomorrow?”

OMG! Just when i’ve decided that i’m not gonna struggle with TO BUY or NOT to buy… Seriously, after my previous entry, i had been struggling with this NEED and WANT thingy. (As always, i struggle… )

Ok, never mind. I had a fantastic run and a yummy Teochew dinner with D…. after boarding the train at Gombak, a random thought stroke me, and “Maybe… maybe i can still get my BB 9780 today”

I silently rejoiced when i walked down the train station towards the M1 Shop…. and then i saw the shutters were down. It’s another OMG moment.

 
But i guess, all is not lost yet. According to the staff at M1, there’s WHITE BB BOLD 3.  I wonder if the staff mistook it for BB BOLD 2.

I shall try again tomorrow, or until i successfully switch it over! Haha.

Rain rain……… GO AWAY!

BLEAH!

The rainy season that was inherited from 2010 is still here.

Officially, i have 5 months and 22 days from my inaugural half-marathon.

 

And i so wanted to run this week. And, aptly the saying in Chinese is 
天不作美.

And to 雪上加霜, my ipod Touch went KAPUT yesterday morning. Totally spoiled my day. But the good thing is, i sent it in yesterday after work, and i just got an email from Sapura Hospital to say that my Ipod can be discharged. So am gonna look forward to it. I hope i will just get a change of battery, and not a 1-for-1 (which i’m hearing stories about them being refurnished sets).

Hope for great weather tomorrow!!! Am aching for a 7KM run!!!! =) 

 

My Favorite iPod game: Angry Birds

Ever since i’ve upgraded myself from the PSP to iPod Touch in March this year, i’ve been exposed to the very magnificent world of Apple Apps store, as well as the many free games that we will download into our machines.

As u know, i initially wanted to get an ipod nano, so that i can sync it with the Nike Application. After some careful and very practical thoughts, i’ve settled on the iPod Touch. This also exposed me to many many wonderful games that i’m still playing today.

One of the first apps that i’ve installed is Angry Birds. I started with the Lite version, and oh boy it was fun fun fun!!! And i wasn’t even thinking about spending any money on apps. But u know, when u repeat something so frequently, u know that it gets boring over time.

Until one fine day, i decided that i need more than just playing the same few levels, and i paid USD0.99 for the full version of Angry Birds. I didn’t look back from there. Cos up till today, i’m still trying to finish all these levels.

After all, it’s one of the top game apps on iTunes store, even until today. And the fight between these birds and those silly green pigs will not cease (and the levels will continue to grow), apparently, their peace treaty didn’t work out. Don’t you love continuation of this game, and the quarrels between these 2 silly groups?

Disclaimer: My blog is still very family friendly. There’s a few words used that are offline from my non-vulgarity policy. Despite that, have a great laugh!!

And oh yes, ANGRY BIRDS is my all time fav game on my iPod!