Hokkien Rhymes

This fun and whimsical project presents an investigation into rhymes from the local Hokkien dialect and their gradual disappearance.

These rhymes are prevalent in pockets of conversations among an older generation of Singaporeans. Sadly, these quaint rhymes are being eroded through lack of use, with no written records. This project aims to preserve a selection of these quaint rhymes before they disappear.

Movie: Jurassic Park 3D

Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre: Adventure/Science-Fiction

Language: English

Release Date: 30 May 2003

Distributor: UIP

Official Site: Jurassic Park

First of all, if you are wondering, this is not a new sequel to the 1993 franchise but the very first Jurassic Park that debuted on the big screen 20 years ago. It was remastered into 3D to commemorate the film's twentieth anniversary.

When billionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) devised a way to genetically clone dinosaurs, he invites experts of this field - Paleontologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Palaeobotanist Ellie Sadler (Laura Dern) - to a remote island at the coast of Costa Rica for a sneak peek at his unfinished park, hoping they would endorse it to appease the nervous investors and the laywer who represented them. But when the park's security system is sabotaged by a disgruntled employee, hell breaks loose and the visitors are left to fend for themselves against the park's hungry inhabitants.

Video: Road Rage

This incident which happened outside the Civil Service Club at Tessensohn Road was caught on camera by the victim's dashboard camera.

In the video, the victim - a taxi driver was seen slowing down as there is another taxi in front.

It is not clear why there are so many people crowding around the taxi in front but it is evident that they are obstructing the traffic.

The driver horned about four times but upon hearing it, a fat man rushed out in a menacing manner, banging on the victim's bonnet with his fist while a skinny man went over to the driver's side and yelled at the victim to get down from his vehicle.

Happy Vesak 2013

For the uninitiated, Vesak Day is to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. 

It rained rather heavily on Vesak morning but that did not dampen our spirits to visit the Singapore Buddhist Youth Mission at Clementi.

The rain turned into a drizzle upon our arrival and I realized that there is something very different this year compared to previous years. The bazaar which used to be built on the road right in front of the temple's entrance was now built at the court beside it instead.

From what I observed, this arrangement effectively ease the traffic - both vehicular and human. The endless crowd of devotees going into the temple no longer have to jostle with those browsing at the bazaar. 

The freed-up space also meant that vehicles could drive all the way in and u-turn their way out instead of making 3-point turns on the stretch of narrow road and endangering all the people walking on the road.

Please Help This Elderly Man At Ang Mo Kio

While having lunch at Ang Mo Kio a few days ago, an elderly man approached my table and began consolidating all the leftovers from the different bowls into one.

Initially, I thought he is the cleaner here to clear up the table so I did not pay him much attention until he sat down and began to eat out of that bowl!

I was shaken by what I had seen and I knew that I have to help him somehow but how do I go about it without hurting his feelings?

Yunus N Family @ Ang Mo Kio Central Food Centre

Mee Soto is one of my favorite Malay food.

In fact, it is the first Malay dish that I was introduced to when I was young. So far, the best Mee Soto I had is the one from the GSMB canteen at Ayer Rajah. Alas, it is a military camp where I no longer have the authority to visit anymore.

My favorite way of having Mee Soto is to dunk a begedil or fried chicken wing into the soup. I would first eat up all the mee and ingredients before taking my time to enjoy the soggy begedil/fried chicken wing.

Fish & Chips From Yilmaz Western @ Ang Mo Kio Ave 6

The initial plan was to visit Rasa Sayang Western Food at the S11 coffee shop located at Ang Mo Kio Ave 8 (next to MS Color) but due to some unforseen circumstances, I ended up visiting Yilmaz Western instead.

Fortunately, I had done my homework the night before and have a backup plan if not, I would have made a wasted trip!

Over at Yilmaz Western, the specialty I have heard about was their Grilled Chicken Chop which was served on a sizzling hotplate.

Unfortunately, I was informed that the Grilled Chicken Chop is not ready yet and the boss suggested me to order something else. I was a tad disappointed but as I did not want to return empty handed, I ordered a Fish & Chips instead.

Video: The Coolest Melting Machine

You know what's cooler than having a can of 7-Up to cool yourself on a hot, sweltering day?

When the vending machine is made entirely out of ice, of course!

As the block of ice starts melting away, the cans of 7-Up frozen within is then up for grabs.

Don't you think it's a refreshing change to see such ingenius marketing from a different carbonated drink company this time round?

Let's watch it.

Batam 2013: One Day Tour

It has been close to twenty years since I last visited Batam with my secondary school friends. At that time, we went to Waterfront City and the chalet bungalows had only just been completed.

When I learn that my brother had booked us a one day trip to Batam on Labour Day, I was elated to revisit this slow-paced city again!

Early that morning, I brought my folks to meetup with my brother and his in-laws for breakfast at Habourfront where the Singapore Cruise Centre is located on the second floor.

After breakfast, we went up to check in to board the ferry but was told that the gate has already been closed even though we arrived at the stipulated time as told by the tour agency.

The personnel spoke to someone via the walkie walkie and we were given the green light to proceed as the ferry have not departed yet.

We hurried in and was just in time to hear our names being announced over the PA system.

Navy Open House 2013

Set your course and embark on a navy experience with us!

Take the ship’s helm, man the guns, and visit the bridge to get a sense of what life’s really like rolling the waves on the high seas. More than just the sea and the sun, there are also lots of fun and other entertainments for the family. Visit us at the NS Portal booth @ HEART Tent, and you will get to play games and win cool prizes!

Would You Pay $96 For Two Plates Of Seafood Hor Fun?

How about $60 for 2x "Union" Cucumbers, $72 for 2x Hong Kong Kailan or $72 for 2x Spinach Toufu?

That was how much a customer is being charged for at Chen Fu Ji （陈福记）, a restaurant offering chinese cuisine at Riverside Point, Clarke Quay.

The bill for the entire meal adds up to $3922.70!

(click to enlarge)

Video: The Longest Death Scene Ever In Movie History

"Kareteci Kız" (Karate Girl) is a 1973 Turkish film directed by Orhan Aksoy.

Zeynep (Filiz Akin) is a mute girl who has lost her ability to speak because of an accident.

One day, five prison fugitives came to their house where her father was slained and they took the money meant for her operation to regain her voice.

Due to the shock, Zeynep regains her ability to speak.

The fugitives were caught but Zeynep had wanted to take her own revenge, therefore she told the police that the fugitives are not the ones who have attacked them.

视频：《白狐》

目前非常喜欢这首合唱版的《白狐》。

觉得歌词跟意境都很美，犹如走进琼瑶小说里的情景一样；目睹男女主角那刻苦铭心却天意弄人而无法相爱的一段凄美爱情故事。

永远的“阿哥”黄文永

via

今天傍晚5时许，新传媒资深艺人黄文永因第四期淋巴癌在新加坡中央医院与世长辞，终年60岁。

去年11月出席《戏剧情牵30》时，他以明显消瘦的身子出现在节目上就开始引发了许多关于他患病的传言。

那也是他人生中最后一次站在舞台上。

Random: Starbucks

Just a random post of instagram from Starbucks.

Nice place to chill and to while a lazy afternoon away.

Would have loved to own an establishment like this.

Video: Inception Cat

Today, I'm sharing this video that has gone viral on the internet.

A cat in Russia was seen rising its head slowly outside the windowsill before lowering itself and disappearing from sight.

The cat's bizzare antics coupled with its wide-eyed expression and sound effects makes this video a hot discussion among netizens.

As for why this video is named "Inception Cat" is because the music used here is one of the soundtracks from the movie INCEPTION.

Don't you think this soundtrack really follows the actions of the cat like it is especially composed for this video?

Let us watch this video together.

视频：地铁大叔大战幼儿！

近日在网上看到一则让人气愤的视频想与大家分享。

在影片里，一名幼童因为咳嗽没捂着嘴巴而被坐在一旁的大叔责骂并且“问候”了祖宗十八代。

本来嘛，小孩犯错是应该从小就开始纠正过来的不过，这位大叔的反应也未免太夸张了吧？

孩子毕竟还那么小，大叔却对他连续地说出一些不堪入耳以及极为侮辱女性的词汇！

这又何必呢？

我看到这里还真觉得有点看不过去！

Anti-Social Behavior At The Cinema

On Saturday evening, I brought my parents to watch G.I Joe: Retaliation at the cinema but I was left fuming mad because I was unable to concentrate on the movie as the woman sitting behind me was munching on melon seeds.

MELON SEEDS?

Yes, melon seeds. You can even call them Quachee or 瓜子if you like.

So while we were watching the trailers, this woman with her husband and two young girls came in and sat in the row behind us.

That is when the rustling of plastic bags and them talking to one another started. Well, I thought that they were just settling down and everything would be fine once the movie starts but unfortunately, that is just the prelude of what's to come.

Hong Kong Street Jen Poo Kee XO Bee Hoon @ Clementi West Street 2

UPDATES (8th June 2014): Hong Kong Street Jen Poo Kee has moved location. New address is updated at the end of this post.

XO Fish Head Bee Hoon

Clementi West, also known as "West Coast", is where I frequent as a kid because Mum used to do her marketing here at the West Coast Market. As Grandma also lived here with her eldest son, coming here is almost a weekly routine for us.

I remember coming to the market here for breakfast and I, in particular, loved the Pig's Organ Soup especially the chili. Alas, I could not remember which stall it is and I doubt the stall is even there now.

We stopped coming after Grandma and uncle's family moved to another estate.

That was many years ago.

How I Became An Adopted Child

Every Easter, I would follow my parents to pay our respects to my ancestors at Tze Dor Aum （自度庵）at Sin Ming Road.

As a routine, we would first make our way to the main hall where we pray to the various Buddhas before going inside the columbarium to greet my Great Grandma, Grandparents and youngest uncle.

Following which, we would go back outside to the communal area to lay out the offerings we had prepared and invite them for a meal.

After assuming they are done with their feast, we would bade our farewells and clear the table for the next family to use before heading to Tai Pei Yuen （大悲院）at Balestier to visit my big uncle and his wife who were also my Godparents.

As for how I became their adopted son still baffles me this very day.