Dance like no one's watching

Iceman 1st came across these apps on Windows Mobile Marketplace & told me that the Symbian version is available too. Here’s introducing 3 apps that’re very handy for Singaporeans!

1st is the app to check your mobile data usage. This is compatible for M1 & Singtel subscribers. I tested it earlier & I think it works pretty well. I also like how it gives u the amount used in terms of percentage, which is more intuitive to me than seeing the raw numbers.

The 2nd app is the Roadmate Live. This nifty app uses Google Maps to pull up the map of the place you’re looking for. It also provides extremely helpful information such as live traffic news, carpark rates and bus arrival times. The price for Golden Shoe carpark seemed right so I guess this app should work pretty well. Loads of practical information.

The 3rd app is Filmscope which provides updates on movies screening time and locations in Singapore. Totally cool!

So don’t wait anymore. Go to http:www.sh2sg.com for details!

Posted by Wordmobi

Twitter is down.  So annoying.  Grr.

A friend of mine posted on Facebook recently that she doesn’t quite feel at home staying at her parents’ place anymore.  I suppose that might be ‘cos she has moved out with her husband and children for more than 10 years.  I wondered if I would ever feel that way.  Thus, everytime I go back to my parents’ house, I will pop into my bedroom and sometimes lie on my old bed, just to see how I feel.  It still feels like home.  The familiar view of the ceiling, the lights, the hanging dust thread at the corner of the ceiling – it all looks and feels very very familiar. 

This of course, doesn’t mean that that I don’t feel at home at my current flat.  I do too!  I’m comfortable and am quite happy to settle down here with Iceman.  I wonder if the difference between how many friend and I perceive our parents’ homes is due to time (i.e. she has moved out for over a decade), or ‘cos I’ve always considered my parents’ house to be my own. 

For those who don’t know, I am an only child.  I therefore feel that there’s very little difference between my parents’ assets & property (be it simple furniture or utensils or the house itself) and mine.  Although we’ve never spoken about it, there is a tacit understanding that there is no need to draw a line between my parents and me.  My mom is slightly more explicit about it – in recent years, she has stuck to buying mainly jewellery made of white gold because she feels that I will eventually inherit all her jewellery and it’s no point buying yellow gold ‘cos I don’t like it.

Anyhow, I think it’s kind of a blessing to be able to have 2 homes.  That’s 2 places I feel safe at, 2 places that give me warmth.  Double happiness! 😉

This post is just to gripe.  First I saw a report on Channel News Asia which said that Dee Hsu and husband have 2 daughters, and are trying for a son.  I find that totally insulting.  Why, aren’t the 2 daughters good enough for them?  See – this is why I cannot understand why women change take their husbands’ surnames after marriage.  Why perpetuate the evil cycle?  Females have been condemned for centuries (at least in the Chinese and almost the whole of Asia context) as being inferior to males because they are unable to pass the family name onto the next generation.  But who set this rule?  The men.  And some women help enforce it by taking their husbands’ surnames, as though it wasn’t bad enough that their children wouldn’t be taking on their surnames!  Seriously, I just don’t get it.

I then switched to reading some friends’ updates on Facebook.  Saw a friend post that he was discouraged due to mid-life crisis.  Another friend commented that it happens and it’s time to have a baby.  WTH man!  So are babies the solution to boredom?  Please!  They could be a source of additional woe.  Perhaps that person said it as a joke but people should really think about what their statements mean, joke or no joke.  Pui!

We got our COE on 24 Feb 2010, paid up the deposit to Cycle & Carriage on 27 Feb, but our Kia Rio is still not here!  The agent keeps telling us that it’s in the process of registration, in the process of affixing the licence plate, in the process of de-waxing, and now in the process of being delivered. 

Gosh!  It’s really taking a little too long isn’t it?  The worst part about it is, Cycle & Carriage had the cheek to say once it’s ready, we must collect it immediately or they’ll charge a certain daily fee for “storing” the car for us.  Where’s the fairness in this?  Are we supposed to keep our schedules free for Cycle & Carriage so we can run down to collect the car at their beck and call, whim and fancy?  Disgusting!

——————

[UPDATE]

Called the car agent and asked when when can we collect the car.  I made my point clear that even though Cycle & Carriage gives us 3 days to collect the car (before levying the “storage fee”), it doesn’t mean we will be free every weekday night to entertain their request.  We may have work functions to attend to, etc. 

I also told her that we need to use both cars this weekend and waiting 3 weeks to get the car is not acceptable.  The agent said that this is a normal timeframe but I said I’m not familiar with how Kia/Cycle & Carriage does things ‘cos I don’t get such crappy service from Volkswagen or Tan Chong. 

I asked the agent if there’s anyone I can speak to to escalate this matter.  She said no.  So I asked her, if I wanted to write a complaint letter, who can I address it to?  She evaded my question and said she’ll chase the delivery folks again.  I ended the call in a very calm tone, telling her to please help check on the delivery and if it’s not possible, then give me the name of someone I can address my complaint letter to.

Mid-way through typing this update to my earlier post, the car agent called.  Our car is ready for collection.

Since moving out about 2 weeks ago, I’ve tried to go to my parents’ house to visit my bunnies as often as possible.  Here’re some recent photos I took of them.

Pinky’s in front and Horlicks is lying behind him.  Weather’s just too hot in Singapore for them to get up to do anything. 

This odd structure was put together by my dad.  Funny looking it may be, but it’s Pinky and Horlicks’ playhouse.  They really enjoying exploring all levels.

Here’s a pic of the stealth, “ninja assassin” Coffee hiding in the shadows.  I had to use the flash on my hp camera in order to take a pic of him!

I have some really cute videos of Pinky and Horlicks creating havoc inside the house but I’m too tired to retrieve and upload them to youtube.  Will do it another night.  Sleepy…

Haven’t had the chance to sit down, collect my thoughts, and post a proper blog post for some time.  I’ve gotta admit the last few posts were churned out more due to obligation than inspiration.  Anyhow, just wanted to update everyone that Iceman and I have shifted to our new flat and have more or less settled down.  We had the opportunity to visit Deli Turk’s branch at East Coast last Fri and here’s the stuff we ate.

Humus and freshly baked pita bread (I think it was pita bread – I’m not absolutely sure but it was yummy for sure.  The texture of the bread was light and slightly toasted.  Wasn’t tough or chewy at all).  The humus was ok… not fantastic but the serving was very generous and it was a good starter to have.

Our main courses. 

Left: Adana Kebap (chicken) – spicy minced chicken meat grilled on a skewer.  Well marinated and very tasty.  Goes great with the rice and slightly sweet onions.  If you love chilli like me, you won’t miss out walloping the grilled chilli that came with it.  Loved this!!

Right: Shish Kebap (lamb) – the meat was reddish on the inside so I didn’t try this (I’m squeamish when it comes to red meat that’s not fully cooked).  Iceman assures me, however, that the lamb was very tender and well flavoured.  No worries about it being pungent at all.  The sides were the same as mine so I assure you they were good.

We had my favourite Kunefe for dessert.  This alone, is worth going back for.  The shreds of pastry flakes baked to a crisp, filled with unsalted mozzarella cheese and served with honey syrup and cream.  Too marvellous for words.

Seeing the well done up interior and elegant setting, I think the East Coast Deli Turk may be the main branch but I didn’t ask.  Turkish music played in the background while we were there and I was pleased that the music was audible but not too loud which made conversation easy.  Whatever the case, this place is worth revisiting! 

For more information, do check out their website at http://eastcoast.turkishcuisine.com.sg/index.asp.

I love songs with great melodies & lyrics.

Amen!

Anyone remembers the old Tiger ad campaign – What Time Is It?

Well, for those who don’t remember, or perhaps just forgot… the Hokkien version was by… Cai Lizhang!  Heh.  This was the brainchild of the original artistic director who came up with the ad campaign, Liang Weifeng (if my sources are correct).

Here’s the English & Hokkien version of the ad for your listening.  T.G.I.F.!

Simi Diam Siah?

I’ve been tweeting quite a bit with fellow fans of David Tao and I observed that some of his fans are really loyal and nice to him.  I suppose fans are always very sweet to their favourite singers, actors, etc. 

I then asked myself who is my favourite singer?  I guess I’m a great fan of David Tao because he sings well, writes great songs and produces excellent music.  He’s also a very good live entertainer and speaks fluent English & Mandarin (language abilities always impress me). 

I can’t really decide, however, if my favourite singer is David Tao, or a local singer who has since disappeared from the scene – Cai Lizhang.  I’ve sort of forgotten about Lizhang ‘cos he has never released a solo album and I used to listen to him live at Muchuan.  That said, he was really really funny in all the live sessions, and I really love his voice. 

Anyway, the end of Feb was Lizhang’s birthday and so to wish my idol a Happy Birthday, here’re 2 songs sung by him for your listening pleasure.

疯了[audio:CaiLiZhang-FengLe.MP3]

每次醒来 [audio:Cai-Li-Zhang-MeiCiXingLai.MP3]

Happy Birthday Lizhang!!