Photos & Thoughts

Toyota Corolla Altis Car Servicing (After warranty)

2011-06-20T15:32:00.001+08:00

Got my 2nd hand Toyota Corolla Altis version 2007 (before facelift version) about one month ago, so the next important things to do are tyre change and car service for the new old car that I bought.

After much considerations, I decided to change all four tyres and check the brake pad as the safety is important to me and my wife. I decided to use Michelin XM1 which they claim to be fuel-efficient and long lasting. Change 2 wheels in Singapore and another 2 in JB. Singapore costs me $118 per piece (all-in) and JB costs me RM 220 per piece.

Next, I went to searched online for the best out of warranty Toyota service that is trustworthy and professional. Searched many days, decided to go back to BM Toyota Singapore to service and the price is not cheap for 60,000 servicing, it costs almost $400 for the major servicing as mentioned in the car manual.

Not giving up with this only choice, I found this service centre - Autosaver that is specialized on servicing major brands, Toyota, Honda and Nissan. The price is reasonable, $210 and they followed the car manual servicing guides. So I sent my car to the Toh Guan branch and got it service. All is well and no major parts replacement, phew~~

So, all essential service and replacement done, it is time to hit the long drive up north! woo hoo!

Cell Phone Radiation linked to brain cancer?

2011-06-02T10:59:00.001+08:00

Tuesday's news reads this, WHO reported that the cell phone is a "possible carcinogen" to the brain.
How true is that? Nobody has a solid measurement or findings to prove that.

But I am not taking any chance then. I am using as much handsfree kit and putting the cell phone away from me as much as I can.

If you are interested to know how much your phone's emitting radiation?
Check here : http://www.ewg.org/cellphone-radiation *It is their own study, not mine, definitely.

Hmm... just too bad that Iphone 3GS that I am using now is not on the 10 LEAST radiating phone.

*Taken from Environmental Working Group Website.

1. LG Quantum [AT&T]

2. Casio EXILIM [Verizon Wireless]

3. Sanyo Katana II [Kajeet]

4. Pantech Breeze II (P2000) [AT&T, AT&T GoPhone]

5. Samsung Mesmerize (Galaxy S) [CellularONE, U.S. Cellular]

6. Samsung Fascinate [Verizon Wireless]

7. Samsung SGH-a197 [AT&T GoPhone]

8. Samsung Contour (SCH-R250) [MetroPCS]

9. Samsung Gravity T (SGH-T669) [T-Mobile]

10. Samsung SGH-T249 [T-Mobile]

* Updated December 2010.

Found a good and cheap hotel in Taipei for family size of 4 to stay.

2011-05-29T22:33:00.002+08:00

Reasonable price, cost me NT$3200 per night for 4 pax.
Stayed there for 5 nights.

The hotel website : www.nonganhotel.com.tw 儂安時尚會舘
You may also book the hotel via www.asiarooms.com

If you are worried about privacy, the hotel actually is separated into 2 sections, low floor rooms and high floor rooms. High floor rooms are for long stay, full service stay.

Their bathroom is European style with a bathtub and shower, no separate bathing area. The design of the hotel is modern and clean.

They include breakfast, western breakfast in the hotel rate, so if you don't want to eat at the hotel, you can ask them to reduce the hotel room rate.

You can walk to the hotel from the nearest ZhongShan Elementary School MRT station (LuZhou line, completed not long, you might not find it on Google map) for about 500m.
Unfortunately, non of the major airport public bus pass by this area, so either you get to Taipei Main Railway station and then change to MRT to get there.

Overall, I find it is convenient to stay at the hotel, nearby there are 7-11, supermarkets and food street. Nice area but it was an ex red light district, it is ex, now it is clean. =D

Problem with Starhub Voice Enabled Cable Modem (Motorola SBV5121)

2011-05-29T22:13:00.001+08:00

Yes. I had problem with the modem connecting to my wireless router - DIR-300.
Was using the normal digital modem and then butt itchy, went to subscribe to the fixed phone line service. It is free, so what not right? But I spent alot time trouble-shooting the problem.

I am able to connect to the wireless router but not able to surf internet. The internet connection was fine for the first website pages, read that, pages only, then the connection starts to drop. Got to switch on and off the modem and the router, then managed to surf for few pages, the connection drop again.

At first I thought it is due to the router's firmware, upgraded to version 1.4 from Dlink website. Unfortunately, after upgrading the modem, the connection did not improve at all.

So, I called Starhub few times and finally managed to speak to a more knowledgeable Starhub CSO and he suggested me that he can separate the voice connection and the internet connection using different modem. Ureka! So luckily, I kept my old modem, did not sell to Karang Guni, the CSO asked for MAC address to separate my connection. He was quick and know what is going on and fixed the issue.

So now, I got both modem working, one for voice, one for internet.

Lesson learn, separate them if it doesn't work. I almost wanted to purchase a new wireless router which I am not sure that it will resolve the issue that I had encountered.
But well, if you are lucky and speak to the right party, things will be resolved.

GOOD LUCK.

Army Half Marathons 2009

2009-08-16T17:10:00.003+08:00

I made it! I made it! Completed my first ever 21km run at Army Half Marathon.

Time taken is so so - took almost 3 hours but glad that I finish it by my pair of leg (of coz la, who else).

Army Half Marathon Run experience:

The day started with hunting for toilet, toilets in Raffles City, Esplanade are locked to prevent thousands of ppl using it. Walk here and there, queue up at the Raffles City MacDonald for toilet but the person using it never comes out, most likely doing a BIG, if not, MacDonald locked it. Then walk to Esplanade to look for one. Lucky there was a disabled toilet available! Queues that seldom form for man is forming a snake queue outside. Waited awhile for my turn, phew...

Starting Point - Queue up about 100m from the Starting Point. Lotsa people around. Seeded runners are in front including our fren - Jimmy C.
Met Suet Ting earlier and then Calvin over at the starting point.

0 km : Pehhhhz (Loud hailer horn)! Run starts! Everyone chiongz! The pace was fast... I ran my own pace so not to be tired out too early.

2 km : Enter into ECP near Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resorts, everyone started to slow and walk abit. Hmmm.. guess runners started too fast in the beginning.

3-4 km : Run up Sheares Bridge, more people walking.

5 km : Elite runners made U-turn at East Coast and running back towards the finishing line. While me? Stil have at least 15km more to run. Dun understand how these people can run so fast?!

6-12 km : This stretch is within East Coast Park, the part of the running route that I dislike most. Nothing much to see and just run and run. My walking started liao as fatigue strikes. Run and walk, run and walk. At 10km, when everyone is sweating like pig, the smells of sweat started to spread too... *cough cough*. Started to feel hungry, though there are bananas provided, I don't think I can eat it. If I did, confirm vomit.

12 - 21 km : Fatigues hits me harder, walk more and ran abit. Stop at almost every water point to get my self hydrated. At 14km, the run meets with 10km runners, the wide becomes so crowded that you basically try to avoid knocking or running into others path.

21km : Saw the timer at the fininshing line, showing 2:59. Wooo hoo.. at least I don't see 3 hours yet but I shall take my time as 3 hours.

Tht's all for running experience. Pains sets in... I remember I saw one of the Army Division's station, putting up encouraging words - "Pain is temporary, Pride is forever." It keeps me moving though I am having pain on my heel and legs.

Now? Sitting at home and icing my heels and legs at home.

Will I go again? I think so... next run is Mizuni Wave Run 2009 that starts at 7.30pm. Much later time and 16km. Think should be able to cope. =D

Remember - Voltron?

2009-07-16T11:56:00.000+08:00

Once a favorite cartoon during my childhood time. It is no doubt the nicest toy it had created from the cartoon. Lions ~~~

Living with a condition called Duke Nukem (Game).

2009-07-14T14:39:00.002+08:00

This is my first time knowing this disease exist. It is all due to rare condition called “Moto-Neural Demyelination”. The person's motion is un-controllable and resemble the game - Duke Nukem first shooter hand position. Watch the video to know more about such condition.

Singapore to Penang Budget Flight Schedule

2009-07-07T10:40:00.011+08:00

SIN- PEN

Morning
0700 – 0825 Jetstar (T1)
1015 – 1140 Tiger Airways (BT)
1030 – 1145 AirAsia (T1)
Afternoon
1645 – 1800 AirAsia (T1)
1820 - 1945 Tiger Airways (BT)

PEN – SIN

Morning
0850 - 1005 AirAsia (T1)
1210 – 1335 Tiger Airways (BT)
Afternoon
1505 - 1620 AirAsia (T1)
1710 – 1835 Jetstar (T1)
2015 - 2135 Tiger Airways (BT)

视而不见

2009-07-06T13:40:00.002+08:00

有个阿姨，把吃过的餐具,推到我面前,然后视而不见. 我还望着她,看了看.没反应.厉害!

最近常遇到很多人,可以对很多事情，视而不见，明明就在他面前，可以当作没看到的，高招高手!
想应该是非常非常的‘专注’于其他的事. 你是不是和他们一样，有眼不开？有眼'看开'？

噢,那些餐具最后怎样? 当然没飞回她那里,我唯有向前推咯!

I ran 12km today!

2009-06-25T23:16:00.004+08:00

I had a good run with Suet Ting, mixture of run and walk, in between short break. Did a 12.24km run in one and half hour. The run is around NUS area.

Starting point is Singapore Poly gate 4 car park, NUS, Clementi road, Pasir Panjang, Haw Par Villa, Vista Crescent, Kent Ridge Park, Science Park 1, NUH, NUS, Clementi Road and back to the Singapore Poly carpark.

My furthest run in gym is about 5.5km and never did so far and it is outdoor. Quite happy with the result but I think I can better the timing. =)

I hope I have enough distance to cover and be prepared for the Army Half Marathon on 16 Aug 2009. The distance is 21 km I think. Didnt even know the distance. haha.

I will run more and better timing! Hmmm.. will the slim down my tummy? No idea... but I will continue to run and run!

Life so far...

2009-06-19T14:53:00.002+08:00

Still employed. *Thank God.
Went to Taipei again and again. Once every year since.. think 2003.
Going gym at least twice a week.
Tummy still not going down as fast.
Eats multi-grain bread for breakfast since 2008.
Got a small Kenari car that is good enough for city and some Malaysia road driving.
Look forward to travel to other countries : Japan, Korea.
Be a father. *By His will. =D

Cibai? What Cibai? Codename for Microsoft technology la.

2009-05-19T21:13:00.002+08:00

What a name to use... Cibai for a codename by Microsoft.

*Cibai - "In hokkien (one of the chinese dialect), it means woman's private part. Used when cursing or fighting with another person."

See here .

Cibai: An abstract interpretation-based static analyzer for modular analysis and verification of Java classes

We introduce Cibai a generic static analyzer based on abstract interpretation for the modular analysis and verification of Java classes. We present the abstract semantics and the underlying abstract domain, a combination of an aliasing analysis and octagons.

We discuss some implementation issues, and we compare Cibai with similar tools, showing how Cibai achieves a higher level of automation and precision while having comparable performances.

Is this your lost luggage?

2009-05-08T10:31:00.004+08:00

Is this luggage? Check it out at www.isthisyourluggage.com
It might be yours, your long lost luggage might be recovered from this website.

I am really amazed with people's creativity in their daily life, this website owner started to purchase those unclaimed luggage and started to photograph the contents in it.

Have you found your lost luggage?

World Biggest Bed Jump!

2009-05-07T14:27:00.007+08:00

World Biggest Bed at Shanghai Century Square! Woo hoo!

World Trampoline champion, Jiang Yi Qi doing her jump on the world's biggest bed.

This world's largest bed is setup by world's biggest hotel group - InterContinental Hotels Group where they promote their new marketing effort, book 2 nights, get the 3rd night free!

The effort started in Shanghai and will be continuing in Paris, London and New York!
Follow them on twitter - twitter.com/bedjump or worldsbiggestbedjump.com

If you want the free nighte, book yours here!

I really hope I get to eat it now!

2009-05-05T17:52:00.003+08:00

And that is .... this!

It makes me drool and have the sour feeling in my stomach. Really hope I can fly back now, eat couple of bowls and back here again.

Of course not! Just a thought. Although the budget airline going to provide the budget air ticket flying direct from Singapore to Penang, I still need to think twice due to the recession now. Never know what going to happen to tomorrow.

Check that link now to drool with me! haha...

My Canon 40D encounters ERR99

2009-05-05T14:16:00.002+08:00

Bad news if you get this.

I encountered this early Apr and send in for diagnose and repair. It came back as, it's electronic board need to be changed. It will set me back as much as SGD$290 to change it.

What can I do? Repair it by changing the body lo. What to do...

haiz...

You should not disclose your personal information publicly.

2009-05-05T14:06:00.003+08:00

Be careful about your personal information, esp. country that practices the use of personal identity card (IC) like Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. If you are not careful, it will fall into bad hands, real bad hands.

Reasons can be simple and yet nobody bother about it. However, during my last trip to Malaysia, I had noticed Malaysian had been very very very careful with the photo-copied IC. They had ensured that the IC had been canceled with a line stating what it is for and make sure they see it. Beside that, photo-copied credit card (front and back), the cvv number had been darken or removed completely to prevent theft of credit card use.

Why you should do the same?

If you don't, unknowingly, someone will pass your photo-copied IC to the loan shark to receive loans. You won't know until the load shark starts to paint you house door/gate red. By then, it is too late, either you report to the authority (police) or pay up. That's all you can do, worst still is that the harassment will affect your neighbours, by then you will be very shameful over it.

There has been report that this is happening, so please exercise precaution when disclosing your personal information.

Read more.

US President Barack Obama on Jay Leno show

2009-03-20T13:43:00.005+08:00

US President Barack Obama appearing on Jay Leno night show. Any higher profile politician done that before? Don't think so, the world most powerful man is on the show. It shows how much things had changed over the years, politicians combining the comedy with their campaigns and ideas.

It reaches out to far more audiences, far far far more! He is really a new age leader in this chaotic world.

Enjoy the short clip. =) He speaks very well.

Hyundai Picanto anyone? Top car sales in Singapore.

2009-03-20T11:15:00.003+08:00

Top car sales in Singapore and there is a new model by Hyundai - Picanto. Ya, it is Hyundai Picanto you see here. But, for real, it should be Kia Picanto.

LOL. Taken from www.AsiaOne.com [link]

Nikon F Miniature (toy) with Glico Sweet Candy

2009-03-17T13:57:00.004+08:00

I not a big fan of Nikon but this miniature is too cute to ignore. It is sold in Japan with candy. It is made like the real camera but smaller scale.

You can even setup the camera like the real thing!

Taken from [here]

Washing Qualifcation - IN COLESLAW (English at it's broken)

2009-03-05T13:46:00.001+08:00

Washing qualifcation. Wash in Coleslaw.

Stabbing at Nanyang Technological University leaves one dead

2009-03-02T12:48:00.003+08:00

It happens in Singapore now. Yes, it is and it is in NTU. Is it copy cat from US's universities stabbing cases? Or plain revenge? Or ....

Read more and follow the news at www.channelnewsasia.com

SINGAPORE - 2 Mar 2009: A stabbing had occurred at the Nanyang Technological University -- leaving one dead and another is believed to have been injured.

Police could only confirm that there is an incident, but was unable to give details.

Eyewitnesses told Channel NewsAsia that someone had been stabbed, and that a student had jumped.

The body was found at the bottom of a building at the engineering block, which was about five-storey high.

- CNA/yt

How to live to 100.

2009-02-25T11:35:00.002+08:00

The biggest factor that determines how well you age is not your genes but how well you live. Not convinced? A new study published in the British Medical Journal of 20,000 British folks shows that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing the following four things: being active for 30 minutes a day, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.

While those are some of the obvious steps you can take to age well, researchers have discovered that centenarians tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about, and deal with stress—the sorts of things we can emulate to improve our own aging process. Of course, getting to age 100 is enormously more likely if your parents did. Still, Thomas Perls, who studies the century-plus set at Boston University School of Medicine, believes that assuming you've sidestepped genes for truly fatal diseases like Huntington's, "there's nothing stopping you from living independently well into your 90s." Heck, if your parents and grandparents were heavy smokers, they might have died prematurely without ever reaching their true potential lifespan, so go ahead and shoot for those triple digits. Follow these 10 habits, and check out Perls' lifetime risk calculator to see how long you can expect to live.

1. Don't retire. "Evidence shows that in societies where people stop working abruptly, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease skyrockets after retirement," says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, has a different take on leisure time. "After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables," he says. "They're never really inactive." Farming isn't for you? Volunteer as a docent at your local art museum or join the Experience Corps, a program offered in 19 cities that places senior volunteers in urban public elementary schools for about 15 hours a week.

2. Floss every day. That may help keep your arteries healthy. A 2008 New York University study showed that daily flossing reduced the amount of gum-disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria is thought to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart disease. Other research has shown that those who have high amounts of bacteria in their mouth are more likely to have thickening in their arteries, another sign of heart disease. "I really do think people should floss twice a day to get the biggest life expectancy benefits," stresses Perls.

3. Move around. "Exercise is the only real fountain of youth that exists," says Jay Olshansky, a professor of medicine and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "It's like the oil and lube job for your car. You don't have to do it, but your car will definitely run better." Study after study has documented the benefits of exercise to improve your mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bones. "And the benefits kick in immediately after your first workout," Olshansky adds. Don't worry if you're not a gym rat. Those who see the biggest payoffs are the ones who go from doing nothing to simply walking around the neighborhood or local mall for about 30 minutes a day. Building muscle with resistance training is also ideal, but yoga classes can give you similar strength-training effects if you're not into weight lifting.

4. Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast. Getting a serving of whole-grains, especially in the morning, appears to help older folks maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to a recent study conducted by Ferrucci and his colleagues. "Those who do this have a lower incidence of diabetes, a known accelerator of aging," he says.

5. Get at least six hours of shut-eye. Instead of skimping on sleep to add more hours to your day, get more to add years to your life. "Sleep is one of the most important functions that our body uses to regulate and heal cells," says Ferrucci. "We've calculated that the minimum amount of sleep that older people need to get those healing REM phases is about six hours." Those who reach the century mark make sleep a top priority.

6. Consume whole foods, not supplements. Strong evidence suggests that people who have high blood levels of certain nutrients—selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E—age much better and have a slower rate of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, there's no evidence that taking pills with these nutrients provides those antiaging benefits. "There are more than 200 different carotenoids and 200 different flavonoids in a single tomato," points out Ferrucci, "and these chemicals can all have complex interactions that foster health beyond the single nutrients we know about like lycopene or vitamin C." Avoid nutrient-lacking white foods (breads, flour, sugar) and go for all those colorful fruits and vegetables and dark whole-grain breads and cereals with their host of hidden nutrients.

7. Be less neurotic. It may work for Woody Allen, who infuses his worries with a healthy dose of humor, but the rest of us neurotics may want to find a new way to deal with stress. "We have a new study coming out that shows that centenarians tend not to internalize things or dwell on their troubles," says Perls. "They are great at rolling with the punches." If this inborn trait is hard to overcome, find better ways to manage when you're stressed: Yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi, or just deep breathing for a few moments are all good. Ruminating, eating chips in front of the TV, binge drinking? Bad, very bad.

8. Live like a Seventh Day Adventist . Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it's important to cherish the body that's on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise. They're also very focused on family and community.

9. Be a creature of habit. Centenarians tend to live by strict routines, says Olshansky, eating the same kind of diet and doing the same kinds of activities their whole lives. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is another good habit to keep your body in the steady equilibrium that can be easily disrupted as you get on in years. "Your physiology becomes frailer when you get older," explains Ferrucci, "and it's harder for your body to bounce back if you, say, miss a few hours of sleep one night or drink too much alcohol." This can weaken immune defenses, leaving you more susceptible to circulating flu viruses or bacterial infections.

10. Stay connected. Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that's particularly prevalent in elderly widows and widowers. Some psychologists even think that one of the biggest benefits elderly folks get from exercise the strong social interactions that come from walking with a buddy or taking a group exercise class. Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the added benefit of having someone watch their back. "They'll tell you if they think your memory is going or if you seem more withdrawn," says Perls, "and they might push you to see a doctor before you recognize that you need to see one yourself."

Spent some time in NYC.

2009-02-19T13:53:00.001+08:00

Walking towards Time Square.

Central park in NYC. It is a big park right at the middle of New York City. Gives you a breathing space amidst the concrete jungle.

New York City road junction , this is the norm in NYC, every junction almost the same.

View from the top of Rockefella building, pay USD $ 20 to have this 360 view of NYC.

Am I getting old or what?

2009-02-11T16:07:00.002+08:00

My appetite has changed:

Smaller/lesser rice will do
Can do without rice, vermicelli or bee hoon is also good
Eating Multi-grain bread for breakfast
Eats Nature Valley Granola bar for tea time
Exercise more often
Drink decaf drinks
Don't mind eating sandwiches

Am I getting old?

Your lifepsan (81 years) in Time Sand

2009-02-02T10:30:00.004+08:00

Official Time Sand by Rolex. Super accurate sand pack that when it is pass through the hourglass, it will really calculate every single second.

Stacks of official Rolex Time sand art installation created by Michael Marcovic.
What you see here is a representation of a average human lifespan of 81 years. Each bag represent 30 days.

Food (Homecooked) for thoughts from Atlanta.

2009-01-16T03:33:00.003+08:00

The sauce is called Hummus. First time eating it. It is made of chic peas. Healthier choice for dips!

Couscous. (pronouce as: "cuss cuss".) Interesting food that I had on board a plane and now I know that it is called couscous.

"It is a Berber dish consisting of spherical granules made by rolling and shaping moistened semolina wheat and then coating them with finely ground wheat flour."

More here.

Nice American style dinner. It is homecook and healthier. Well, after coming to Atlanta for 2 weeks, I had started to feel sick about the food at restaurant and food centre. With this nice dinner cooked by my boss's wife, it has made me and another colleague felt revived!

In short, I am home sick!

The food I took on my plate.

Ran furter than 5km!

2008-12-18T21:24:00.004+08:00

The last run I did was a slower and comfortable pace for me. Managed to run abit further than previous time and it is 5.51km this time! yay!

Online lady dress shop - theluggage

2008-12-16T15:11:00.004+08:00

Helping a friend to promote her online shop, selling ladies clothes. If you are interested, please go to theluggage.wordpress.com

The price is reasonable and the dresses are pretty nice.

*Disclaimer: I do not earn a cent for doing this. Any queries should be address to the website owner. Just helping a friend. =)

Singapore Run Events

2008-12-16T15:06:00.002+08:00

This is for reference only. Please refer to the latest information or updates from the original website.

Upcoming Runs in Singapore

1 Mar 2009 - Newton Active Run 2009
15 Mar 2009 - Suburban Run 2009
30 May 2009 - Singapore Sundown Marathon (Register now to enjoy early bird rate!)

If you are interested in any, start your training today!

I aim to run the Sundown Marathon in May 2009, how about you?

I have been running (All tracked by Nikeplus Sportsband)

2008-12-11T10:40:00.006+08:00

I have been running! Ran a total of 20.65km since I started to join california fitness gym.
Latest run was 4.13km. I know, i know, it is no big deal to most of the runners out there.

Well, as long as I am seeing improvement on my distance, I am happy and will continue to press on to run further. And I had set my goal that I want to run Singapore Marathon next year!
I will be prepared!

Latest run - 4.13km!

Tracking all my previous run. The graph is moving upwards! (click to view larger version for clearer date, lol)

Monopoly (Proprietary) of Technology... AVCHD.

2008-12-07T21:46:00.002+08:00

Shot videos using Panasonic HDC-HS 100 HD video camera. Quite happy with the quality and able to view it crystal clear on LCD TV. (Mine is just a HD Ready, 1080p TV).

All good until I wanted to share the video with my friend using a DVD Burner from Panasonic - VW-BN1 DVD Burner. Well, it only accepts DVD-R, it is a minus DVD, NO plus +DVD.
This is still ok. Not an issue yet.

Then I did manage to burn the video to the DVD and when I try to play on DVD player, it says:
"Format not recognized. Unable to play video."

Why? It is due the proprietary format - .bdmv format video! From what I found from the internet, only Blue Ray DVD player and PS3 are able to play it. Not even on computers.
This is really frustrating. Why this occur? The 2 big boys - Sony and Panasonic who signed the memorandum to hold on to this technology introduced it into their products.
This has caused alot of inconvenience for video sharing. What is the point of burning the DVD when your friends can't view it?

I have no choice but to do it the old fashion way, to copy to my laptop and convert it again.

I am running Singapore Marathon...next year!

2008-12-04T22:46:00.003+08:00

I am running Singapore Marathon...next year - 2009! Not this Sunday 7 December 2008.

I started my training, building up my stamina, strength from last week. Now to next year is like another 365 days? Too early? Nah, having a goal, will help you to train to be fit.

I will be able to run 5km, 10km, 15km, 20km, 25km, 30km, 35km, 40km... then the marathon's 42km!

So, I had set my goal to run next year's 2009 Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon, have you?

RUN YOUR OWN RACE! All the best to all the runners!

My personal exercise program at California Fitness

2008-12-01T09:50:00.005+08:00

Started my personal exercise program last Friday! woo hoo...

Went to the gym at 1pm and leave around 2pm.

Did 20 minutes run for 3km (kinda slow, i know) to build up my stamina and strength after a long or never exercise past months.

Then went upstairs for machines, did 3 types of exercise that build up the back muscle. 15 times for each machines and did 3 sets only(ya, i know it is so little) to build my strength.

Haha.. seems like i keep mentioning about building up strength, anyway, it is true, push too hard will not help.

Hmmm... how much did I pay monthly? Got the offer from a roadshow, pay monthly $68 + 7% GST by installment for Gold member(Can only use 1 gym's facilities). Pretty ok la... since decided to use the gym 3 times a week.
3 times x 4 weeks = 12 times, about $6 per session. Quite worth it.

PC vs Mac (not Mac Vs PC)

2008-11-28T10:57:00.004+08:00

View this at your own humor, not to ask for a fight or condemn, ya... Just Laugh your lung out!

At work

Money

Social

Music

Connect Starhub MaxMobile to Wireless Router to share connection?

2008-11-26T23:27:00.006+08:00

Ever thought of connecting Starhub MaxMobile or USB Mobile Internet to Wireless Router to share connection?

Yes. You can with a D-Link DIR-451 3G Mobile router for UMTS/HSDPA networks with the latest firmware (for your region) from D-Link. Latest firmware is a must to support the latest USB stick - HUAWEI E170 from Starhub. Bought it from Sim Lim Square @ $339. I believe the price will drop next year.

Just plug into the USB port on the router and connect to the internet with simple internet wizard provided on the router admin page.

So, have fun!

I started to run! No joke! Got proof by Nike+ !

2008-11-24T23:03:00.003+08:00

Yes. I started run! Okok, no big deal, it is less than 2km, 1.96km to be precise. But it is a good start for me.

The nike+ sportsband is quite accurate. Towards the end of my run, I increased by pace and that's why the graph shows upward trend. =)

Hmmm, personally I feel that this is giving me some push to run more, as I can track my progress better.

ST, I am aiming to run a full Marathon next year - 2009! I am preparing for it!

I went ShenZhen (Last day)

2008-11-23T17:41:00.001+08:00

Took the Metro, never under-estimate China's capability to be a modern country. It is world class and safe.
I find that it is abit like Taipei's metro. haha..

Yes. I went to LuoHu Shopping Centre 罗湖商业城. Went to shop abit and to see for myself what the place is like. It is pretty much like Holiday Plaza in Johor Bahru. Lotsa lotsa genuine goods sold there but not of good quality.
My friends told me if you decide to buy, make sure you give them maximum 1/3 of the price quoted. Seriously, I did that and it works but it gets abit tiring to negotiate with the stall owner. Ma fan la.. why can't they just give you the best price and sell the goods to you?

Open space near LuoHu Shopping Centre. Was walking back to Metro after shopping at LuoHu.

Then I took the metro to another station 2 stops away - LaoJie 老街. Should have come here earlier. It feels abit like Taipei's XiMenDing. Ate this bowl of beef rice noodle at RMB 10 (SGD 2.20), it tastes good! Well, now the hygience in China has improve quite alot, it is quite safe to eat at the roadside stall.

After that, went around to walk for about 1 hour and bought few more things and hurrily left for my flight back to Singapore.

Intercontinental ShenZhen

2008-11-23T17:29:00.001+08:00

The hotel brandish the Spanish style theme. The bell boy and ladies wore the Spanish style clothing. Look at the guy holding on to the door. Can you see the pinkish stockings? haha. They really dress for the theme. No joke!
As for ladies, they wear the traditional Spanish polka dots dress to welcome the guest.

The Metro entrance is located right in front of the hotel, just walk pass the hotel's inner and you will see the ShenZhen Metro (Subway, MRT, Tube) entrance. Very convenience.
Beside this, opposite the hotel, you need for 5 mins, you will get to shop local groceries at Wal-Mart (China).

Inside the lift, it is red in color theme while the carpet of the lift is also showing some bull's image, I tried many angles to view but still can't see what is the image. haha.

The front desk, the circle are all bull. Hmm... the hotel owner loves the bull alot!

I went ShenZhen, China.

2008-11-23T17:08:00.003+08:00

Went to ShenZhen on 17 - 20 Dec for business trip. Took 7 am Silkair direct flight from Singapore and arrived ShenZhen at 10.50am. Stayed at Intercontinental ShenZhen hotel for 4 days. The food served are nice, better than what I had eaten at any hotel.

Passed by this Windows of the World park on the way to hotel. You can visit this park by ShenZhen metro. Very convenient!

This is my room for 4 days.

The view from my room at the balcony. It features a pirate's ship.

30 reasons for Great Depression 2 by 2011 by PAUL B. FARRELL

2008-11-21T16:50:00.002+08:00

Read this, if you still don't know what is going to happen in coming years... not to instill fear in you. But it is a good read... haiz.. 30 reasons somemore.

America's credit rating may soon be downgraded below AAA
Fed refusal to disclose $2 trillion loans, now the new "shadow banking system"
Congress has no oversight of $700 billion, and Paulson's Wall Street Trojan Horse
King Henry Paulson flip-flops on plan to buy toxic bank assets, confusing markets
Goldman, Morgan lost tens of billions, but planning over $13 billion in bonuses this year
AIG bails big banks out of $150 billion in credit swaps, protects shareholders before taxpayers
American Express joins Goldman, Morgan as bank holding firms, looking for Fed money
Treasury sneaks corporate tax credits into bailout giveaway, shifts costs to states
State revenues down, taxes and debt up; hiring, spending, borrowing add even more debt
State, municipal, corporate pensions lost hundreds of billions on derivative swaps
Hedge funds: 610 in 1990, almost 10,000 now. Returns down 15%, liquidations up
Consumer debt way up, now at $2.5 trillion; next area for credit meltdowns
Fed also plans to provide billions to $3.6 trillion money-market fund industry
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are bleeding cash, want to tap taxpayer dollars
Washington manipulating data: War not $600 billion but estimates actually $3 trillion
Hidden costs of $700 billion bailout are likely $5 trillion; plus $1 trillion Street write-offs
Commodities down, resource exporters and currencies dropping, triggering a global meltdown
Big three automakers near bankruptcy; unions, workers, retirees will suffer
Corporate bond market, both junk and top-rated, slumps more than 25%
Retailers bankrupt: Circuit City, Sharper Image, Mervyns; mall sales in free fall
Unemployment heading toward 8% plus; more 1930's photos of soup lines
Government policy is dictated by 42,000 myopic, highly paid, greedy lobbyists
China's sees GDP growth drop, crates $586 billion stimulus; deflation is now global, hitting even Dubai
Despite global recession, U.S. trade deficit continues, now at $650 billion
The 800-pound gorillas: Social Security, Medicare with $60 trillion in unfunded liabilities
Now 46 million uninsured as medical, drug costs explode
New-New Deal: U.S. planning billions for infrastructure, adding to unsustainable debt
Outgoing leaders handicapping new administration with huge liabilities
The "antitaxes" message is a new bubble, a new version of the American dream offering a free lunch, no sacrifices, exposing us to more false promises

Will the next meltdown, the third of the 21st Century, trigger a second Great Depression? Or will the 2007-08 crisis simply morph into a painful extension of today's mess to 2011 and beyond, with no new bull market, no economic recovery as our new president hopes?

Perhaps some of the first 29 problems may be solved separately, but collectively, after building on a failed ideology, they spell disaster. So listen closely to "leading indicator" No. 30:

At a recent Reuters Global Finance Summit former Goldman Sachs chairman John Whitehead was interviewed. He was also Ronald Reagan's Deputy Secretary of State and a former chairman of the N.Y. Fed. He says America's problems will take years and will burn trillions.

He sees "nothing but large increases in the deficit ... I think it would be worse than the depression. ... Before I go to sleep at night, I wonder if tomorrow is the day Moody's and S&P will announce a downgrade of U.S. government bonds." It'll get worse because "the public is not prepared to increase taxes. Both parties were for reducing taxes, reducing income to government, and both parties favored a number of new programs, all very costly and all done by the government."

Reuters concludes: "Whitehead said he is speaking out on this topic because he is concerned no lawmakers are against these new spending programs and none will stand up and call for higher taxes. 'I just want to get people thinking about this, and to realize this is a road to disaster,' said Whitehead. 'I've always been a positive person and optimistic, but I don't see a solution here.'"

We see the Great Depression 2. Why? Wall Street's self-interested greed. They are their own worst enemy ... and America's too.

I need exercise!

2008-11-13T15:08:00.004+08:00

I need exercise! I need exercise!

Got my med check result and cholesterol and fats level is unsatisfactory.

The ratio of good and bad cholesterol is not normal. Off by 1 point (5.55 vs 4.00 -normal).

So now i declare i need exercise, lotsa of it! No la... will do it regularly instead.

I bought a Nike Plus armband during my trip in Melbourne, AUD 79.99 and with the currency drops, it is about SGD 78.99. It is cheaper than getting 1 in Singapore! haha.

And then i bought a shoe pouch from Grant Wood Technology. It is for storing nike+ sensor, so that it can be use with non nike+ shoe.

Received it yesterday and each costs US 15.00. Shipment took 10 days to arrive Singapore. Yay!

Melbourne Honeymoon Part 4

2008-11-10T23:27:00.001+08:00

Yay.. 12 Apostles, taken by me. My work. LOL.

Actually it is taken from a far on a viewing platform.

Back to the famous Flinders Station. At the junction before all the cars crossing.

We actually went to the Melbourne and see a handful of Kangaroos. The standing kangaroo is a baby, as the weather is still kinda cold, it keep putting it's head into it's mother's pouch.

I told my wife that I will try to visit every zoo in every country that I had visited. =)

Melbourne Honeymoon Trip Part 3

2008-11-10T23:01:00.001+08:00

The clean and homely Southern Heights room that we spent one night. It is charged at AUD 135 per night and they serve continental breakfast too. Home style.

The bathroom that is 5-stars.

From the house, it overlooks the Great Ocean, face south. This B&B actually situated at Lavers Hill and not near the ocean. If you like the hilly feeling or staying away from the hustle bustle of the road and sea, this is the place you should stay.

The lovely owner, from left, Mary and Lex. They hosted us for the night and they are very very friendly and nice people. They made our Honeymoon even sweeter! Mary is from Kuching, Sarawak. So my wife and myself being Malaysian, felt kinda homely with the couple.

Thanks Lex and Mary!

To book a place at Southern Heights, visit www.southernheights.com.au

Tel : +61 3 5237 3131

Email : southernheights@bigpond.com

Melbourne Honeymoon Trip Part 2

2008-11-10T22:29:00.001+08:00

On Tuesday, we drove to Great Ocean Road. The scene is simply magnificient. The sea, the wind and the view, very very nice.

We rented a Toyota Yaris from Hertz that cost us about $35 per day and plus excess (insurance) that is another about $35. 1 day rental = $70. Rented for 48 hours and we drove to Great Ocean Road.

We passed by many beautiful scene and arrive a B&B(Bed & Breakfast) homestay at Southern Heights.

First stop at some viewing platform. We got so excited even at the first stop and started taking picture. This is someting Asian will do in Melbourne, very typical. Haha.

From the viewing platfrom, we oversee the flat land that is covered with shrubs and with a road emerging from no where.

One of the coast.

We arrived at the Memorial Arch at Great Ocean Road at Eastern View. It is a tribute to those who built the Great Ocean Road.

Melbourne Honeymoon Trip Part 1

2008-11-10T22:10:00.003+08:00

Spent 9 days at Melbourne. Took a flight on Friday night and arrive Melbourne the next morning.

We were picked up by our good friend, James from the airport and went to St.Kilda for brunch.

We saw Proton Waja in Melbourne! haha..

Sausages and hams sold at Victoria Market.

Music boxes hanged on a board. There are many music to choose from!

Well, you can see sign right? It is independent toilet that will self-clean. This is shot at Blackburn where the neighbourhood is a chinese dominant area. You can find all the authentic chinese food here, James brought us to Blackburn for a authentic Hong Kong style roast duck. Yummy!

Going to Melbourne! My first time going there...

2008-10-23T23:05:00.005+08:00

I am going! I am going! Woo hoo.. the excitement starts now!

Booked my air tix in July 08, then start to book hotel end of Sep 08, settle visa, book car and travel insurance in Oct.

Places to visit for myself and my wife: Melbourne CBD, Great Ocean Road and maybe Philips Island if I can still drive after the long way back from Great Ocean Road.

So now, all set and good to go! Will post alot of Melbourne photos when I am back.

What cost the Ferrari F1 team their trophy? Technology!

2008-09-29T10:31:00.008+08:00

Ferrari being one of the best F1 team in the world, when they should be winning, they lost and the blunders came from technology.

They, the advance and fore-runner in technology team, is the only team that do not use the lollipop sign in F1 race. This has cost them trophies, pit crew bruises, fuel pipes and headline in F1.

The lollipop man who is standing in front of the car, can see all the actions and completion of the tasks assigned to the pit crew. Once all clear and the traffic is clear, he will then change the sign to Gear 1 and move up to let the car drive out of the pit. All these? none with Ferraris. They use the Red, Amber, Green light instead. Yes, it will reduce the pit stop time but it didnt work since the last race - Valencia. 3 errors including this, encoutered by team Ferrari. Read here.

The pic above showing the pit crews who only ran like 3 minutes later down the pit lane to remove the still attached fuel pipes from Massa's car. Massa was waiting for pit crews to come forward to retract the fuel pipes for him to continue racing. It took the crews minutes that is crucial to Massa's racing time to run to him. You can see on the TV that the crew is jogging towards him and not running. Amazing! I think next time when Ferrari selects their pit crew, they'll have to go for a 100m time trial test. haha.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节快乐) !

2008-09-12T17:58:00.005+08:00

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Some say, Happy Mooncake festival... Some say, Happy Lantern Festival!

All the same but the best it is called as Mid Autumn Festival, ya!

This is the time where we enjoy the gathering with a group of friends or reunion with some of your relatives.

Remember don't overeat the mooncake!

Origin of Mid Autumn festival :

Chinese version - http://www.china.com.cn/ch-jieri/zhongqiu/2.htm
English version - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Autumn_Festival

Ending of Babylon A.D movie

2008-09-11T17:20:00.003+08:00

Can someone explain to me what does this scene means at the end of movie?

"A superpower woman on the verge of giving birth, tells Van Diesel...
'Please take care of my babies.'
"

Suddenly the next scene shows:

"Two kids - Black and White on each hand of Van Diesel...

Then Van Diesel says, 'Let's go home.'
"

Ends.

What ending is this? From the start of movies, there were actions, actions and more thrills. Sometime some shots are even motion pack that you can't see who is hitting who... makes me dizzy at the same time.

Van Diesel was told to bring a girl (a package) from Russia to New York, so you know la... an action hero, surely he brought her there after going through much fights, car crashing and etc.

And it ends with that.

What did I watch?

Thanks Nuffnang for the movie treat!

2008-09-10T13:59:00.002+08:00

Thanks Nuffnang!

I was there and was shy to take photo but am grateful to Nuffnang for treating me to the movie.

I think it was Meng who asked which is my blog and I told him that I am not that active. =D

Anyway, thanks for organizing and giving nuffnanger a treat! Thanks !

Action/sci-fi blockbuster: Babylon A.D

2008-09-02T21:23:00.002+08:00

Babylon A.D official website : www.babylonadmovie.com

I would like to catch this movie because it is another movie by Van Diesel and Michelle Yeoh! I am sure with both action stars, this movie will definitely be another hit!

The things I'd do to catch Lewis....

2008-08-27T13:43:00.004+08:00

Singapore will be having it's first ever F1 race next month -September in the downtown area and it is a night race! A 1st in F1 history.
To book your ticket, go to www.singaporegp.sg !

This is ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity to catch Lewis Hamilton in the flesh!
Quick, go visit www.catchlewis.com

So, what would I do to catch Lewis? whip out all my savings to get the best seat during the F1 in Singapore!

Baby Red Cherry Shrimps FOR SALE

2008-08-26T09:42:00.002+08:00

I have plenty of red cherry shrimps in my tank and it is still breeding.

I see more babies in the java moss currently, more in the making. (Lotsa females are pregnant)

If you are interested, please drop me a comment with your name and email address, I will contact you soon. And of course, only available in Singapore.

=)

Roller coater ride... on Taxi!

2008-08-26T09:39:00.002+08:00

Last night, again.

Roller coaster ride on a taxi.

"Bkt. Panjang please, uncle"

"Ok"

~Vroom... eeeeee... Vroom....

~Vrooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom..... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Almost puke in the taxi, really can't take it!!!!!

Entire journey drove like racing car, overtake... overtake. Tail-gate...

wah lau eh~~~~~~~~~~ !!

Hate them?! Nah... fastest mode of transport, though expensive. What to do?!

Some classic moment - Chuan Chuan... in the year 1999.

2008-08-05T00:08:00.002+08:00

Chuan Chuan in year 1999 Christmas.

MRT coming to my way! In 7 years time (2015)

2008-07-31T10:28:00.004+08:00

Yay! Confirmed news. MRT is coming to my neighbourhood! It is coming to Bukit Panjang!
Though it is not directly linked to where I stay, it is about 10 mins from my place. Reasonable la! Where got MRT built right below your flat one?!

It will be ready in year 2015 - 7 years later. Well, worth waiting la. By then, my kids is big enough to take train to downtown. Haha.

Now the LTA is asking for naming of the station. Should I suggest:

1. Bukit Panjang
2. Ten Miles

Tank after trimming (Hair Cut)

2008-07-28T21:43:00.001+08:00

So much cleaner and brighter now. I cutted the java moss round shape to make it like mushroom shape. Haha!

Dunno what they are feasting on.. keep eating..

I climb.. climb...

Climb some more...

Oil Price coming down... air ticket going up!

2008-07-28T13:08:00.005+08:00

Current crude oil price stands at $123.68. Dropped from $140 plus at high point...

Air ticket increased by $400 per pax. I wonder why?

1 week after I bought a SIN-MEL Singapore airline ticket, the price increased by $400 per pax.

Why? Why?
Of course, cited many reasons.. security tax la... airport tax la... blah blah...

Well, lucky i bought earlier... 1 week earlier. I think now not just budget airline that you need to book earlier, even prestige airline too.

Moral of the blog: Book early, else you lose more money!

...
....
.....
......

No wonder inflation keeps going up...

Singapore Taxi Drivers

2008-07-24T23:26:00.004+08:00

Beloved drivers...

We (the passengers) know that you are very tired of your job

You don't need to step and release the accelerator every 5 seconds

You don't need to adjust the aircon vent every 1 minute

You don't need to tell us what issues you are facing

You don't need to wind down and up the window to let fresh air into the taxi every 10 minutes

You don't need to stretch your body while driving to wake us up

You don't need to show us 'BUSY' sign when you want to take call

You don't need to help us to be there earlier than we suppose to

Just don't need to...

Tank update

2008-07-23T22:38:00.004+08:00

Current tank condition after 4 months. Thick bushes (top)- Java Moss. The thick bushes has become a heaven for baby shrimps, they got nurtured there and find protection from the Tetras maybe. But most importantly, it has provided the food source and shelter to the babies.

How did I managed to keep up the plants? Pour Flourish Excel daily BUT make sure it is at a right dose. Not too much not too little. Just nice. For me, no measurement, it is my gut feeling cuss i ALMSOT killed my entire tank's living creature with overdose. So watch out!

Baby shrimps have grown up. Feasting on Algae tablet. My tank is more like breeding grown for red cherry shrimps now. From 22 to currently, maybe 100?! It is possible. Just many of them.

See them behind the tank.

More of the red cherry shrimps. Feasting on another algae tablet.

Baby shrimps in my tank!

2008-06-16T11:49:00.003+08:00

Finally, like a sheperd or herdsmen, finally seeing your flocks of animals under your care finally give birth, the feeling is high and exciting!

If you do follow on my blog, about 1 month ago, i over-dosed the Flourish Excel in my tank, killed fishes and beneficial snails in my tank and caused slight algae bloom, and now it is full of new life, this has been encouraging for me as a newbie on aqua planting and fish keeping.

For the past few days, I finally see some baby shrimps appearing on java moss in my tank, i had let the moss to grow as much as it can and not trimming it. Now it is a heaven for the baby shrimps.

I do have 10 Neon Tetras, 2 Otocinclus and many adults red cherry shrimps in the tank, which might be attacking the baby shrimps, however as the moss provided a natural protection for the baby shrimps, they survive!

Am so happy to see them grow, so tiny, have to look at them carefully to find where they are. Once you found them, they are happily picking the algae from the moss.

Hope they will grow and mature in the couple weeks.

Cute otocinclus behavior

2008-06-11T22:48:00.000+08:00

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull

2008-05-25T23:51:00.006+08:00

This the lastest Indiana Jones movie shown on cinemas now. The adventure starts in the desert Southwest in 1957 - the height of Cold War.

In this movie too, Indian Jones met his son for the first time.

Well, my reviews on this movie, the original taste of Indiana Jones is still there, no more no less. Just that I am watching an old man running, jumping and performing all the stunts... haha.

The crystal looked abit plasticky, it is not as crystal as it says. But overall, the movies never stop entertaining you with all the stunts.

If you like Indiana Jones's adventure, don't miss it! I am not sure whether Harrison Ford will still be able to perform in all those stunts!

Official Website : http://www.indianajones.com/

J.CO Donuts & Coffee

2008-05-23T16:09:00.005+08:00

Had 1 donut from them today, not bad. Soft texture... I not a big fan of donuts anyway...

In case you don't know, the J.CO Donuts & Coffee found in Singapore is under master franchiser, Breaktalk.

Surprise no? Actually not surprising, since diversifying is the way to maintain or further grow the company's revenue.

This actually happened during Dec 2007. So, who is this J.Co Donuts?
*J.Co is the fastest growing donut & coffee chain in South-East Asia. Within a short
span of 2.5 years, J.Co has grown to 30 outlets in 9 cities in Indonesia. It recently
began its foray into Malaysia with the opening of an outlet in Pavilion Shopping Mall
in Kuala Lumpur. *

Their webite : www.jcodonuts.com

Overdose of Flourish Excel

2008-05-20T10:44:00.002+08:00

Did something stupid, overdose flourish excel into my fish tank. Why did I do such act? There left a bit of liquid in the bottle, so just pour every single drop in it, i believe the volume is more than 15 ml.

The observation:
Fishes started to swim on the water surface, grasping for air.

The effect:
Fishes suffocated and died.

All the neon tetras in my tank died except the 2 hard and strong Oto survive the ordeal. So sad as these tetras have grown alot, some up to 1.5 inch long.
How the Oto survive? They have suckle that helps them to hold on to the tank's wall. I saw one of the Oto, stick their mouth above the water surface and breathe heavily.

However, this do not mean that flourish excel is no good, it is good for all the living creatures in the tank when you use it at the right quantity.

Added 50 little cherry shrimps and black peat.

2008-05-16T10:52:00.002+08:00

Went to C328 to get Flourish Excel as the supply is running low.

As usual when you make a trip there, you will want to shop around to see what you can buy, maybe this is how guys spend their money. lol.

I saw a bag of baby cherry shrimps 50 for $10. Thinking I got nothing much in my tank, so I bought it. haha. Then got a pack of Algae wafer for them to feast.

On the other hand, I had been thinking how to lower the pH in my aqua tank, always in the range of 7.5. My cousin did recommend me some solutions but abit difficult to maintain like using Reverse Osmosis water to remove the bad substances from the tap water.

So when paying for my stuffs, I spoke to the shopowner's helper, maybe son,on how to reduce tank's pH, he told me can try to use black peat in the filter instead of dosing with chemical liquids. It is safer this way and friendlier to the fishes. So i got 1 box of black peat and put into my canister filter.

This morning before leaving for work, the water had turned abit cloudy, I believe it should be caused by the black peat. Will blog again whether the peat had managed to reduce the pH and make the tank a happy place for fishes.

Short Holiday In Malacca (Melaka) Part 2

2008-05-06T00:21:00.004+08:00

Chicken Rice Ball! 5 chicken rice ball = 1 bowl of rice.

Kampung Chicken, Chicken feet and bean sprout to go along with the chicken rice ball.

The famous quote by some famous person's wife, "It is worth a peanut."
Now I understand where does that come from.. haha. This is a peanut money exhibit at Malacca historical museum and thus confirming the saying, "It is worth a peanut."

Another exhibit, Peacock head boat.

Short Holiday In Malacca (Melaka) Part 1

2008-05-06T00:20:00.005+08:00

Drove to malacca(melaka) from Singapore during the May Day holiday. The distance from Singapore is about 200km. Took me about ~~1.5~~2 hours to arrive Malacca. Journey was smooth throughout the North-South Highway.

Toll fee for using the highways, estimated to be RM30.00.

Where to stay in Malacca(Melaka)? Any budget hotel in Malacca(Melaka)? Yes, there is.
I stayed at a budget hotel called Fenix Inn, costing RM80 per night (additional RM30 for public holidays and weekends). The room is clean and no foul smell.
Every air-conditioned room has got a bathroom attached, tv, internet access(using network cable) and clean towels.

Driving direction to Fenix Inn:
The hotel is also near the historical site in Malacca, it is actually quite easy to locate, once you arrive in Malacca town, look for Dataran Pahlawan, a new mall or Mahkota Parade Shopping Mall.
Once you are able to see Dataran Pahlawan on your left, drive to the end of the road till you reach a T-junction. Turn right at the T-junction and then keep left and turn left. Actually you are making a U-turn to Jalan Merdeka as the road is a one-way traffic. You should see Kurnia Insurance office on your right before turning left into Jalan Merdeka where the hotel is.

Famous chicken rice ball shop in Malacca- 古城鸡饭粒

Fenix Hotel on the left and there is a Carrefour diagonally opposite. This road is facing the Dataran Pahlawan Mall.

Christ Church Melaka built by the Dutch.

Windows under shadow.

Behold and lo! 2nd time eggs in red cherry shrimp stomach again!

2008-05-05T23:59:00.004+08:00

1 week after the lost of eggs, I see eggs inside one of the female red cherry shrimp again! woo hooo...!!

I am happy and crossing my fingers this time, hoping some miracles will happen, that is I can see new life in my tank. But, I better lower my hope, I am not sure whether any of the other 2 are male or not. Why I bother male or not ? Cuss in order to fertilize the eggs, male shrimp is needed to provide the sperms! haha...

So, let's wait and see!

I will blog about it as it progress.

New plants and latest tank setup

2008-05-04T16:45:00.004+08:00

New plants added last wednesday.

TONINA SP. 'MANAUS'

My current tank setup. Right foreground plants (Brazillian Sword) that have grow so much since I first planted it.

No more eggs. Sad.

2008-04-29T21:17:00.004+08:00

All the orange eggs I saw on my cherry shrimp earlier this week, is now gone.

Yes, gone. No longer under the abdomen of the female cherry shrimp.

Found out that the shrimp knows whether to keep or release the unfertilized egg. Unknown how they know, i guess it is the best solution for the cherry shrimp community I have in my tank.

I guess I have to wait for another round and male cherry shrimp is mature to fertilize the eggs.

Let's just wait!

My cherry shrimp once thought died,now back to 4 and maybe more!

2008-04-26T23:49:00.001+08:00

Eh.. what is the red and orange color thing there ?

Oh! It is my pregnant cherry shrimps!

Once thought 1 of the cherry shrimps died, but after few weeks, tonight I saw all 4 and one of them is pregnant!! yay! Happy la!!

My planted tank update 2

2008-04-22T22:15:00.003+08:00

Little O2 pearl on the rock moss.

O2 Bubbling Java Fern.

Cherry shrimp near the surface on my drift wood.

My cute little Otocinclus.

More about Otocinclus:

The perfect little catfish for the community aquarium the oto will do a fine job at keeping the algae in check. Small to large aquariums will benefit from their service as this fish bothers none and is usually left alone.

My planted tank update

2008-04-22T22:05:00.004+08:00

Dunno what these two plants are. Anyone can help?
There are roots coming out from the branches. When I bought it, it is stuffed in a ring holder, can see it on the right? Now the roots is growing down into the soil.

Identified: HOTTONIA PALUSTRIS
Hottonia palustris is a pinnate-leafed aquatic plant native to wetland areas throughout Europe, where it is threatened, endangered, or extinct in certain parts of its range. It is usually found growing totally submersed except for the long flower spikes each bearing a set of light purple flowers. It is often used as a medicinal herb. Although relatively uncommon in the aquarium trade, it is used extensively as a decorative plant in ponds.

2 of my cherry shrimps saying "hi" to each other.

One of it.

Current condition of my planted tank.

Benefits of DIY CO2

2008-04-20T17:50:00.003+08:00

Yup. Finally my DIY CO2 is producing CO2 constantly throughout the day.

I start to see O2 bubbles produced on the plants. This is the scene I loved the most because it is just marvelous, how the plants can breath and photosynthesis. It is a beautiful scene of God's creation.

So what's the benefits?
1. Plants is able to photosynthesis better. (Without the CO2, I never see any O2 bubbles)
2. Plants is growing faster. Hopefully not inviting algae. =)
3. It is cheap to DIY CO2 because you don't need a specialized tank.
4. Lower the pH of the water, everything in the tanks seems livelier than before.
5. My fishes too. There were some mucus on the tetra's stomach and spread to few tetras. After the constant release of CO2 into the water, the condition has improved.
Slowly seeing mucus on the Tetra's stomach to diminish.
6. Using it with Flourish Excel is no harm, of coz you must follow the suitable dosage daily.

So, are you thinking to DIY your own CO2? Try today! Get your ingredients and tools ready!

DIY CO2 Part 2

2008-04-18T21:42:00.004+08:00

CO2 in the making in the bottle. Finally got the mixture right. =)
With the same recipe, I will update again on the duration of CO2 it can produce. Watch this space!

Steady stream of CO2 bubbles forming on the CO2 diffuser.

Another view of the CO2 diffuser.

DIY CO2

2008-04-17T00:12:00.006+08:00

The stuffs needed for the DIY CO2:

Used Water Bottle (preferred 1.5 ltr)
Glue gun
Instant Yeast
Sodium Bicarbonate (Soda)
Bubble counter
CO2 diffuser
Measuring Spoons
Small air valve
Air pipe , preferred transparent type
Measuring cup for baking (Not in picture)

Poke a hole through the bottle's cap using screw driver and inserted the air valve into it.

Bottom view of the cap.

CO2 diffuser ~~with anti-backflow valve~~. *Anti backflow valve removed as it will hinder the low pressure CO2 gas from reaching the CO2 diffuser effectively.

Managed to DIY all these last night and test the recipe and i works. Took about 1 hr then I see the small bubble flowing in the bubble counter. Yay!

But it is not yet diffusing in the tank yet, as it takes another few hours to build up in the bubble counter bottle and pump into the CO2 diffuser. Shall see the result tonight.

Follow up on this development:
The 1st CO2 mixture was a failure as I used wrong quantity of sugar. It caused the reaction to be slow and short-lived.
Then I re-do the CO2 mixture with correct quantity, within 30 minutes, I see CO2 bubbles forming in the bubble counter.
And for the next half hour, I start to see CO2 released into the water through the CO2 diffuser.
Success on the 2nd try!

Another update on the CO2 brew: The recipe will last you 9 days of CO2 supply, after which you need to brew it again. Took me 5 mins to prepare it, getting pro! haha.

4 Red Cherry Shrimps Added!

2008-04-13T22:36:00.006+08:00

Yes. Adding new species into the tank. Haha. Went to C328 and Polyart(Another aquarium shop near C328). Bought these cute little Red Cherry Shrimp from Polyart @ $0.80 each. Total of 4 shrimps, and at the point of posting this blog, one of them died. Haiz...hopefully is due to not in gd condition when purchased.

Red Cherry Shrimp.

Few of it's brothers or sisters,maybe. lol.

Another view of Red Cherry Shrimp.

1st time cooking Penang laksa.

2008-04-13T22:34:00.001+08:00

First time cooking Penang laksa. Lotsa ingredients in it to cook in 1 pot. Looks OK. Taste yet to improve... haha. Dun worry, YA, it will be in time for a good taste on 27 Apr. Haha..

Neon Tetra

2008-04-10T23:45:00.003+08:00

6 neon tetras in my tank. The Indian Almond Leaves at the background.

Indian Almond Leaves (Ketapang Leaves)

2008-04-10T09:29:00.009+08:00

Photo taken from http://aqualandpetsplus.com

Indian almond leaves, huh? What Indian? Oh. it is a leaves that are commonly found in Southeast Asia country. So much so that it is trampled, trashed and unwanted.

Benefits of Indian Almond Leaves to aquarium:
"Like driftwoods and peat, they release heavy amounts of tannic acids. You may not like the looks of yellow water but your fish will naturally benefit from its use. The tannic acids will considerably lower the pH level depending on the hardness levels. Allow one large leaf of 8-10 inches per 10 gallons although I admittedly do not follow what is often recommended as I really like the idea of having a leaf litter in my aquaria no matter the size. Removal of tannic acids is done by either use of activated carbon or doing plenty of water changes."

But in the west, US or Europe, these kind of leaves are much sought after and sold in pack.

Next time, before you trample it, value it and take a good look at it, you are stepping on $$$. Lolx.

Photo taken from http://aqualandpetsplus.com

1 day after the Amazonia II soil in....

2008-04-09T23:02:00.002+08:00

1 day after the soil.

Little otto, short fins. Maybe is the species's characteristics?

Neon Tetras!

Close up view.

All shots taken using Canon Ixus 860 IS camera in Aquarium mode and macro mode.

Recipe for making CO2 (Yet to try this)

2008-04-09T14:23:00.001+08:00

Recipe from my cousin to make DIY CO2 gas:

1) 8 x 1/2 cup(60ml) tap water + 4 x 1/2 cup(60ml) hot water (ratio 2:1)
2) 5 x 1/2 cup(60ml) sugar
3) 1 x 1/2 tea Spoon(2.5ml) yeast
4) 3 x 1/2 tea Spoon(2.5ml) soda powder (Natrium bicarbonate)

Got Amazonia II soil in!

2008-04-09T13:57:00.004+08:00

Went to C328 again last night and bought a 3 litre pack of Amazonia II soil. The substrate(soil) was put into my tank last night. Took abt 1hr to settle all the soil and re-planting.

The water was cloudy when I poured water into it. Took abt 1 night to settle down by filteration.

The water pH reduced from 7.5 to 6.5. Yay! This pH is important as it provide a suitable environment for fishes and plants to live in.
Oh ya, I did a test on my tap water, it is 7.5 pH. So kinda alkaline.

After which, this morning, i put in 6 tetra and 2 ottos. I hope they will be fine when I go home tonight.

Information about the substrate (soil) :

Amazonia II shares same characteristics with Amazonia for promoting the aquatic plant growth, but it emphasizes the water condition adjustment effect. Compared to Amazonia, Amazonia II tends to lower pH and KH, and it is recommended for the case where tap water is in alkaline.

Slightly abstract shots taken at Kent Ridge Park

2008-04-04T22:21:00.001+08:00

Stairs.

Trunk.

3 nuts.

Thread.

About Taipei Neijiang Hotel

2008-04-04T17:01:00.003+08:00

This hotel is located near XiMenDing MRT station in Taipei. Abt 5 mins walk from the mrt station.

It is a 7-Storey high hotel at Neijiang junction. I had stayed there for 3 times. hehe.. supporter rite ? haha...

Facilities is pretty basic, well, I don't need anything fancy cuss most of the time is out of the hotel anyway. Just need to bath and sleep. The room has TV, cupboard, small fridge, hot shower and hot water dispenser.

And the hotel only have double bed, so you gotta share with your roommate. The hotel do provides simple breakfast everyday, sandwich and boxed juice/tea.

Nearby hotel, my wife and I found a nice 煎包(fried bun) stall. NT30 per bun. Very nice! Go find it... you will pass by this store when you are walking to XiMenDing MRT from the hotel. Happy finding!

To go to this hotel from Chiang Kai Sek airport, walk out of the luggage collection area and turn left. Walk about 20m and you will see many bus counters there. Look for Feigo(飞狗）bus counter and tell the staff you want go to hotel neijiang, should cost about NT $160 per pax.

Once you got the ticket, just wait for the counter staff to inform you when to board.
Enjoy!

*How do you go back to Chiang Kai Sek airport from Neijiang Hotel ?
I recommend you to take a cab, cab ride should not cost more than NT 120 to get to 国光客运东站 (Guo Guang EAST Bus Terminal). Once you reach there, buy a ticket to the airport and board the bus to airport. Total journey should not exceed 45 minutes provided traffic is smooth.

To view the photo of this hotel, click www.neijiang-hotel.com.tw

Useful Aqua Plant Finder Link

2008-04-04T14:54:00.001+08:00

Got this useful link from my cousin to search for Aqua Plant.

Click Here .

Driftwood in tank!

2008-04-04T00:42:00.005+08:00

Went to C328 again today, trying to get Java Moss. Unfortunately, upon enquiry with the lady boss, she said, "Forgot to order Java Moss today..."

Upon hearing that, my dear lao por, suggested we go to the other aquarium shop nearby to try our luck. And woila! They have 2 packets of Java Moss, small packet $3 each. And so we bought and then visited the shop. They are selling lotsa fishes, many kinds.
We were so attracted by the different kind of fishes they sold, when the fishes is in school (group), really really alot, like 1 fish per inch that close.

Came home and finish off things needed to settle and started to plant. Took me abt 1 hour to complete the tying.

As you can see, drift wood is abit oversize. So the top is over the water surface.

Learnt that tying the plants using the nylon string is not easy, tend to slip off by itself. Gotta try other knots, maybe I'll look for pathfinder or Linus. haha...

I am still finding the touch of aqua planting, this is my first time doing it. Not sure whether the plant will survive anot. Dosed 1 cap of seachem flourish excel after planting and changing 40% of the water. Also abit of Beneficial Bacteria.

Bought more aquarium stuffs and plants

2008-03-31T22:40:00.012+08:00

Had been searching for the right shop to get the stuffs I need at the cheapest price until Linus saw my blog and spoke to me abt it. Wow... he told me got 2 places that are selling cheap and nice stuffs, one at Nature Aquarium opposite Thomson Medical Centre and another one at Clementi Block 328 (nickname: c328).

So, Linus jio-ed me to go together and we met at the shop at 7.30pm. He came all the way from Hougang to shop with me and gave me tips on what to get. Both of us, were like aunties in the market shopping for vegetables, as what Alice said abt us. Walk in and out.. and around the shop, looking for stuffs needed.

In the end, I got something and considered lower end on my spending, see what I got below.
1. 55W Aqua Planting Lights
2. Seachem Flourish Excel lioquid
3. JBL complete fertilizer tablets (1 box)
4. Termometer
5. Nylon String to tie the plants to drift wood
6. Timer
7. Java Fern
8. Dunno wat plant on pebbles
9. Dunno wat plant on wire mesh
10. Drift wood

*All shots taken using Canon Ixus 860 IS using auto mode and aquarium mode.

All the stuffs here except a piece of drift wood which is soaking in water.

Putting the plants temporarily inside the tank while waiting the drift wood to discharge tannine.

Some moss on pebbles. Dunno the name...

Chendol plant/Ah Pek plant.
(sci.name: Utricularia graminifolia)
'Brazilian Micro Sword'
Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis

Java Fern.

Setting up a new Aqua Tank

2008-03-26T10:19:00.003+08:00

Thanks to my sifu who is also my cousin, gave me lotsa advices and helping me to decide what to get and what is the next step. Finally, the initial setup has begun!

New tank with fresh water. Had been running the fresh water for days to prepare it for new habitants.
Dropped 2ml of Beneficial Bacteria into it and few ml of anti-chlorine liquid.
Fish tank size: 2ft(width) x 1ft(height) x 0.8ft(depth)
Bought it from Qian Hu aquarium shop.

The In and Out pipes. Can see the outlet is generating lotsa current in the water on the surface.

This is the U-shape water outlet. Abit like snorkel.

External filter that I am using - Fluval 204. Good enough for my small tank.

Don't wait till last minute (till you are gone..)

2007-11-28T14:51:00.000+08:00

The dragon boat incident had taught me some life lessons. Some life lessons that are pretty hard to learn and always been forgotten at good times.

Dont wait till you are gone. Alot of time, we put our own interest first, "I can still go to church next week. Is alrite that I don't attend today." Aren't this familiar ?
You and me, at times, we do have some things on our priority list that pushed going to church, worshipping the Almighty God behind....
Once, twice... is ok. I will go back to You Lord, one day. Let me attend to this special occasions..
After a few time, we no longer see the importance of worshipping the Lord, start to see it as a chores.
If you are lucky, you realize it early and go back to the Lord.
If you are not, I am not sure where you will end up.
So, don't wait till you are gone!

Spend time and cherish every moment with the people around you. Be it 1 min, 2 mins... do your part as a loving being on this earth. If you are christians, live it as the Lord has instructed us to be, LOVE EACH ONE ANOTHER.
The person's life you briefly interacted might have an impact from your action or yourself blessed by doing so.
On the other hand, your family and friends, cherish the time you have with them, every moment, every seconds. Because you neva know when you will see him/her again.

The big ME ME ME.
We had always put ourselves as number 1. The big ME has broken many lives, causing breakups, divorces and separations.
If you like this ME, you will see yourself in a smaller world by yourself. Studies in Korea has found that many more individuals live alone, thus even coffee table is just a small square for you and your cup of coffee. How sad, isnt it ?

So, please please lowercase this ME to me. Are'nt this small me, looks better?

Take care of others and put them first in your life, am sure that they will be blessed with you around. This is how Jesus lived his short life on this earth.

Today, make an impact and change how you think, you never know when is your final breath.

In Remembrance of Reuben Kee

2007-11-27T14:16:00.000+08:00

Photo shot last month in 14 Oct during One Heart concert at Thomson Chinese Church.

It happens so sudden and all the One Heart members are in the state of shock when Ps.Matthew Yuen announce the news of him missing.

He is one of the 5 deceased during a Dragon Boat Race mishap in Phnom Penh (Myanmar) on 23 Nov night. He was found 40 hours later at the down stream of Tonle Sap river.

Now found and the body is back in Singapore, we pray that you and your family to be taken care by the Lord.

We human will not be able to accept the fact and why it happens but to trust that God has His will for all these.

To see how talented he is :
- http://www.reubenkee.com/
- Youtube

Classic Nintendo Days! Finally.. on internet!

2007-09-17T14:50:00.000+08:00

A MUST share!

This classic nintendo games link with all the friends.
http://www.handheld.remakes.org/online.php

Am sure the link do help you to recall your childhood favorite games!
Enjoy!

够力哦！月饼也加大！

2007-09-14T17:15:00.000+08:00

猜猜这是哪家公司送的？够力的大吧！和我的笔那么大。

Made by Orchard Hotel.

星和 = Starhub

可能是 4 in 1.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER - 2007 Thomson SDA Chinese Church Annual Retreat.

2007-09-10T12:28:00.000+08:00

Yes, we did it! Love One Another!

Photos can be downloaded from here.

Halo on 23 Aug 2007 (At tooth relic temple)

2007-08-27T13:55:00.000+08:00

Biscuits World..... [by Jacob]

2007-08-21T11:17:00.000+08:00

Biscuits display at Junction 8 Shopping mall on 17 Aug 2007. While it looks so interesting and grand, those biscuits used, I think can feed 50 children. Well, for the fun of it, shot some photos.
Oh ya, the marketing plan works well, the sales was brisk and cashier keep ringing'.

India's Taj Mahal.

Singapore's Esplanade.

KL's Twin Tower.

Paris's Eiffel Tower.

How to go back to Singapore from Senai Airport?

2007-08-14T15:39:00.001+08:00

BUS:

Walk out of the luggage collection area.

Exit by the first door you see on the left after stair case.

You will see a counter selling bus ticket to Kota Raya. Buy the bus ticket RM 8.00and watch out for the next bus timing. Don't miss it.

Once you board the bus, it will send you to KOta Raya City Lounge.

Upon arrival at Kota Raya City Lounge, look around for buses to Singapore.Bus No: 160, 170, 950 or Causeway Link.

Board any of the bus, it will send you to JB custom.

From then, you just need to follow the crowd and join the bus queue.

Congratulations! You are on the way to Singapore!

How to go Senai Airport from Singapore ?

2007-08-14T15:38:00.000+08:00

BUS:

Take MRT to Kranji MRT station. Once you reach Kranji MRT, cross the road using the overhead bridge you see on the left side when you exit the MRT station.
Take any JB bound bus to JB Custom at Kranji MRT:
- SBS Transit bus heading to Larkin or Kota Raya: 160, 170
- Causeway Link (CASH ONLY)

The bus will take you to Singapore custom, go thru the customs clearance.

Walk out of the arrival hall and take the escalator down. Make a U turn and you will see all the bus stops. Look for 160 or 170 bus sign. Then board any 160, 170 bus that comes.

The bus will take you to the JB custom.

After clearing JB custom, walk out towards the newspaper stand and turn left.You will see people queueing for buses.

Look for "Kota Raya" bounded bus, board it.You will arrive Kota Raya in 10 mins.

Once you arrive at Kota Raya (City Lounge) walk inside the building and look for a bus counter that is selling RM 8.00 bus ticket to airport.
There will be a sign showing departure time, don't miss the timing.Board the bus and you are on the way to Senai Airport! Enjoy!