Singapore Zoo 新加坡动物园 2016

What a bright and cheery morning. The time is 8am and there is barely anyone else here at the Singapore Zoo entrance (ticketing opens at 8.30am). Yay to free wifi at the zoo entrance!

It is my annual trip to the Singapore Zoo and you know what that means? It is my birthday again. I have said it before and I am saying it again: Singaporeans and PRs gain free entry to the WRS parks (Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari, Singapore Bird Park) on their birthdays! Isn't that neat?

McDonald's Food Icons X Nanoblock With Purchase Of EVM!

Scream, Nanoblock fans!

After Hong Kong and Malaysia, the McDonald's Food Icons X Nanoblock is finally coming to Singapore!

The Nanoblock will be made available in stores every Monday from 22 February 2016 at 11am and each collectible is available for sale with purchase of any EVM (Extra Value Meal). 

The Nanoblock are released as follow:

McDonald's Food Icons X Nanoblock Sneak Preview At Bugis Junction Atrium!

After Hong Kong and Malaysia, Singapore is the third Asian country to launch the McDonald's Food Icons X Nanoblock!

The promotion will be launched next week (22 February 2016) but there will be a sneak preview this coming Wednesday (17 February 2016).

McDonald's will be setting up their smallest store in the world at Bugis Junction Atrium (outside Bossini) and the first 100 customers can order one of the following items: Big Mac, French Fries (M), McFlurry Oreo, Apple Pie, McCafe Premium Roast Coffee or a Coca Cola (S).

Each customer will receive their order free of charge along with one matching McDonald's  Food Icons X Nanoblock.

The restaurant will operate from 12pm and orders are limited to one menu item per customer.

This is a ONE day only event so do not miss it!

On 17 February 2016, we launched the World’s Smallest McDonald’s® for one day only. For those who missed it, get our exclusive McDonald’s® Food Icons x Nanoblocks® Collector’s Kit in stores from 22 February, 11am onwards. While stocks last! For more information, visit https://goo.gl/cduKGG
Posted by McDonald's on Sunday, 21 February 2016

More details on the promotion will be shared soon. 

Current promotion page: https://www.mcdonalds.com.sg/nanoblock

McDonald's Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com.sg

McDonald's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcdsg

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Total Defence Day - There's A Part For Everyone

The British army surrendered Singapore to the Japanese forces at the Ford Factory in Bukit Timah on 15 February 1942.

The annual Total Defence Day is picked on this date to remind Singaporeans of the sufferings of our forefathers during World War II and what we stand to lose if we are unable to defend ourselves.

The sirens on the Public Warning System (PWS) will also go off for a minute at 6.20pm - the historical time that the British surrendered to the Japanese.

Total Defence is the name of Singapore's comprehensive defence strategy, based on the understanding that besides military action, aggressors can also attack the country by wrecking its economic systems, tearing its social fabric apart, targeting Singaporeans' beliefs and commitment to defence, and its ability to recover from disasters, both natural and man-made.

The Total Defence concept encompasses five key aspects – military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence – and focuses on the need for each Singaporean to play his or her part to defend the nation.

River Hong Bao 2016

Marina Bay Sands and Artscience Museum

On the third day of the lunar new year, the folks wanted to visit River Hong Bao so I brought them there via the new Downtown Line which is much more convenient and faster compared to the East West Line. The public transport infrastructure is so well connected now there is no need to own a car in Singapore. 

We alighted at Bayfront Station and exited through Marina Bay Sands.

Movie Review: Long Long Time Ago《我们的故事》

Cast: Mark Lee, Aileen Tan, Wang Lei, Suhaimi Yusof 

Director: Jack Neo 

Genre: Period Comedy

Language: Hokkien and Malay with Mandarin, English and Malay Subtitles 

Release Date: 5 February 2016 

Distributor: Golden Village Pictures, Shaw, MM2 Entertainment
Facebook

*Spoilers ahead*

We all know Aileen Tan can act and she did not disappoint in her role as the ill-fated Zhao Di in Jack Neo's latest movie. In an era where boys are favoured over girls, returning home with three daughters in tow may not be a easy thing especially with a superstitious father like "Si Cek" (Wang Lei).

Met with one misfortune after another, her tenacity and perseverance pulled her through all of life's odds against her. 

The Old Bukit Purmei Lor Mee Lost And Found! Reopened @ West Coast Drive!

Update: Bukit Purmei Lor Mee has permanently closed.

By now, you might have already heard about the old Bukit Purmei Lor Mee reopening for business at Blk 501 West Coast Drive.

I was taken aback when I heard the news a year ago that the stall at Bukit Purmei had closed down due to Uncle Teo suffering from a heart attack. However, I am glad that he is back in action again after a year of recuperation.

The current hawker taking over his stall at Blk 109 Bukit Purmei (also selling lor mee) is in no way affiliated with him, as clarified on their FB page. I guess the clarification came about because some customers who did not know about the change of hands thought uncle's lor mee standard has dropped - quite drastically!

One Day Tour To Rustic Kluang, Johor, Malaysia

Wanton Mee RM 5

Last Saturday, I went on a one day trip to Kluang, Johor, Malaysia with my folks. The trip was organised by Dad's friend, the same uncle whom we went to Malacca with two years ago.

Just like the previous time, we dropped by Gelang Patah for breakfast. There were several coffeeshops here and we chose the one furthest away located under Hotel Linkway.

I ordered Wanton Mee but it was no where in sight after 20 minutes despite not being very crowded. I was just this close to beating up the hawker when I found out that his helper is serving those who ordered after me first. Well, I have a coach to catch and we only had 40 minutes for breakfast.

When my order finally came, what struck me first was the small bowl and its even smaller contents. Next would be the mee pok. Isn't Wanton Mee usually mee kia by default?

Nonetheless, the sauce coating the noodle is pleasant - the kind that I like, although the puny wantons and char siew are quite generic.

In Memorium: David Bowie The Goblin King 1947 - 2016

David Bowie
8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016

David Bowie losses his battle with cancer two days ago.

I will not pretend that I am a very big fan of his or marvel what a musical genius he is. Sure, I have heard of his name but I know nothing about this man or the songs he sing.

The one thing I do know (apart from the fact he is a rock singer) is that he plays Jareth, the Goblin King from the movie "Labyrinth" which I never fail to watch whenever it airs on TV.

I loved that movie so much I once recorded it on VHS and now owns it on VCD (bought it from HMV  before it moves out of Singapore).

Qianhu Fish Farm: Marine Exposition 2015

The SG Reef Club held a marine tank competition called the "Marine Exposition 2015" at Qianhu Fish Farm last week.

I have always been amazed by the beauty of marine tanks but I already have difficulty keeping freshwater fish alive as it is so I guess I had better save myself the heartbreak from the lose of livestock and money by admiring other aquarist's tanks instead.

I took the free shuttle bus to the farm from Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange as usual and the competition is right in front of the drop off point.

With Love From Snoopy, Charlie Brown And The Peanuts Gang Exhibition At The Singapore Philatelic Museum

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the debut of the Peanuts comic strip.

An animated movie - "Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie" - slated for release on December 10, is a long, overdue wait for enthusiastic fans of the Peanuts gang.

Aside from the movie, the Singapore Philatelic Museum is collaborating with 20th Century FOX, Blue Sky Studios and Charlie Brown Cafe to put together an exhibition showcasing stamp artworks, stamps and first day covers issued by Singapore, Portugal, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, USA, Japan, Australia and Hong Kong.

Also on display are comic strips and collectibles on loan from private collectors, Charlie Brown Cafe, and Mint Museum of Toys.

Free Peanuts Figurines With McDonald's Happy Meal

McDonald's Singapore will be launching a set of 10 collectible toys from the animation, Snoopy And Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie this coming Thursday, 03 December 2015 at 11am.

The characters are:

01. Charlie Brown And Snoopy Bobble
02. Sally And Snoopy
03. Flying Ace
04. Linus
05. Spinning Snoopy
06. Ice Cleaning Woodstock
07. Lucy
08. Schroeder And Snoopy
09. Peppermint Patty
10. Charlie Brown

The toys come free with every purchase of a kid's Happy Meal.

初音ミク - 千本櫻 Hatsune Miku - Senbonzakura

Senbonzakura/Thousand Cherry Trees/千本櫻

I'm probably late but this is the first time I have heard of Hatsune Miku (初音ミク), a humanoid persona voiced by a singing synthesizer application developed by Crypton Future Media.

The name of the character comes from merging the Japanese words for first (初 hatsu), sound (音 ne) and future (ミク miku), thus meaning "the first sound from the future," referring to her position as the first of Crypton's "Character Vocal Series."

10th Death Anniversary

This Empty Collar

The empty bed and the empty bowl,

the weed covered path we used to stroll;

dog snacks,muddy tracks and the hair on the floor,

and the slap of the flap on your dog door.

 There's still the fence that kept you safe,

and there's still the bandanas I can't put on.

Some things, they remain,

but some things are forever gone.

These old photographs, they can't take your place;

they only bring tears that flow down my face.

Your love was unconditional, mine was the same.

The price of love is memories and their pain.

They say time heals everything

and yes I know that is true

The food and the Vet bills, you were worth every dollar,

but there is nothing so sad and it hurts so bad as I cling to

"this Empty Collar"

Happy 17th Barkday!

I weally weally wuff you

I weally weally do

When I say, "Your wonderful"

It's weally, weally true.

You mean the very world to me

You weally haven't got a clue.

I so tweasure our welationship

cause I'm so in wuff with you.

HAPPY 17TH BARKDAY, DEXTER!

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What Does A Cleaver, A Typewriter And An Abacus Have In Common?

Well, they are used as musical instruments and in a Chinese Orchestra no less!

Sounds unbelievable? I have to admit that I too raised an eyebrow when I came across the videos but after listening to them, I find the sounds... music to my ears!

Check out the performances below.

Musique de Cuisine by NYP Chinese Orchestra

Review: Retro Handheld Game Console

And so, I saw someone flaunting this retro handheld game console on FB the other day. Not to be outdone, I ordered one set for myself too.

I believe 8-bit games form a collective memory for many people who grew up playing such games on the Atari and Nintendo. This is especially so for those from my generation.

I placed an order on October 4 but there were no updates on the tracking website till October 9. I got a little impatient but there was nothing I could do except to wait. Then, I found out that week was their holiday following their National Day.

The package finally got delivered yesterday so I thought I would share the unboxing here.

DIY: Corner Bookmarks And Origami Heart Shape Corner Bookmarks

Just before I went for my ICT two weeks ago, I made some corner bookmarks for a book lover friend of mine. These bookmarks are inexpensive and easy to make so even if you lose them, they are easily replaceable. 

I have long wanted to write up this post when I found out this ingenious way of making bookmarks but have been procrastinating like forever.

If you love reading or know someone who does, perhaps you can try your hand at making your own bookmarks? 

End Of ICT With Marrybrown At iFly, SENTOSA!

After a grueling two weeks high key ICT (which gave me a very nasty blister), it finally ended this morning with a unit cohesion at SENTOSA. What luck it was for me, as I lay in bed last night and read the news about Malaysia's fried chicken franchise, Marrybrown, setting foot in Singapore at SENTOSA's iFly!

I loved their fried chicken so much that I try to have some whenever I visited City Square at JB.

So, after the cohesion ended, everyone out pro-ed and I happily made my way to iFly. The fast food restaurant was officially opened just a week ago on the 1st of October.

I reached there 30 minutes before 11am and being the only customer, had the whole place to myself and all the privacy I needed to take photos.

DIY: How To DIY A Lantern For Mid-Autumn Festival With A Plastic Bottle

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Once again, it's the season to binge on Mooncakes and playing with lanterns!

In today's post, I'll share how to make your very own lantern using just a soft drink bottle. You can hardly call this a DIY because I simply bought a lantern handle which comes with a LED bulb and all I did was to push the bulb into the bottle. The only DIY part I did was make a hole in the cap to insert the ring to hook onto the handle.

You can probably paint the bottle or wrap it with cellophane paper but I think this will do for me.

The photos below are pretty self-explanatory.