Bowling

Today I was overwhelmed by a sudden impulse to go bowling. So I decided to go to the bowling center in the civil service club for a couple of games as they have an August promotion where per game is only $2.60. I invited my mum along and two of us any how throw the ball into the lane. My average score is 120 per game while my mum got around 90. Not bad for starter. Heh heh.

Science Center

Today I went to Science Center with my parents. It has been a long time since our last visit there. I heard that now Science Center has changed a lot so I decided to bring my parents there. At first, I tot nobody goes Science Center. But I was wrong! There are many people. The entrance fee is $6 for adult and I got 10% discount using Safra card.

Science Center is really big and consists of 2 levels. We reached there around 1pm and I feel it is really a bit late. We walked for 5 hours until it closed at 6pm but many things we only see it briefly. I think it should take 1 whole day (or more) if you want to try all the experiments and read the descriptions carefully. Any way, I feel it is really a fun and good learning trip today. Maybe I will go down again soon.

Crystal Jade Jiang Nan

Today I went with a friend to try out Crystal Jade Jiang Nan Restaurant cos we have a $30 voucher redeem using the Starhub points. This restaurant is located in Ngee Ann City at a small corner. It is quite a middle up class restaurant. From the design to the staffs, it is very Chinese. At a time, I thought I am in China. We ordered some China style food. It is very nice! The service is not bad also. Staffs are quite attentive and friendly. Overall, we ate around $53 after using the voucher.

COE analysis August 2nd round

This round COE shot up again and closed quite high in recent history. Cat A up $1,088 to $12,989. Cat B up $1,389 to $13,890. The reasons threw in the market for the increase are that many new models are released and also the dealers are afraid that the COE quota for next 6 months will down. So they are rushing to secure the COE as much as possible by this round. It is uncertain if the COE quota will reduce or not. If LTA reduces the quota, this will further push up the COE price and in turn the car prices. But market overall believes that this might not happen. Market leader Toyota feels that LTA has no basis to cut the quota as the number of cars scrap this year are still very high. So who is right and who is wrong? Only time will tell. Next round is the one to be take note of to see how the trend goes for the next 6 months.

Seventh month dinner

Once a year, I will attend the Seventh month dinner organised by the committee members in my neighbourhood. I always like to attend because it is a rather unique thing in Singapore. Sitting and eating with some stangers plus witnessing the bidding and singing are some things you dun get to do everyday. Haha! The food is usually quite nice and got free flow of drinks. This year a bit special is my brother actually bidded for something. He bidded for a bicycle and he got it. But I say my bicycle is still better. Haha! Any way, businessman likes to bid something for good luck. So I hope he has many luck in return.

Dancing Diva

I just bought Jolin's CD+DVD version of her latest album, Wu Niang (Dancing Diva). I feel this album is quite nice. She dances quite well too! Feminine and girly. Haha. I think many guys like to have her as girlfriend (but not wife). Any way, she got a lot of different make over in her music video. Overall, quite a good album.

Imperial Treasure Teochew

In order to celebrate my passing of PhD, I treat my family for a dinner. After looking at a few reviews, we decided to go Imperial Treasure Teochew Restaurant at Suntec City. Its concept is very similar to Crystal Jade Restaurant. I heard that it is set up by Crystal Jade former managing director. Any way, we order a set menu for 8. I feel that the food is quite nice. Service also quite good. But one thing I feel a bit not good is the speed of the food served. It is too fast! Haha. Initally, you need to wait for a while. But once the first dish come, it is unstopable and you sort of have to eat a bit faster. But overall, good. We ate about $370 for 7 adults and 2 children.

Equinox

I just came back from a dinner at Equinox Restaurant. It is located at the tallest hotel in Singapore and South East Asia. Yes, it is at 70th floor of Swissotel The Stamford. The food I feel is quite nice. Portion wise is not too big but with rice and bread, I am very full. The view is very nice too! You can see the whole central business district and town areas. Guess what? Tonight got fire works! So it is actually a good experience! The bills come up to around $212 after a 15% discount using Amex credit card.

COE analysis August 1st round

As I predicted, expect COE to go up. This round COE did shoot up quite an amount. Cat A up $1,098 to $11,901. Cat B up $1,901 to $12,501. This round of increament is fuelled by 3 reasons. First is the usual three weeks break. Second is the recent new models introduced into the market. Third is the fear of COE quota reduction in September quota review month. So expect the price to go steady or up a bit for the next few rounds. But according to newspaper, a cut in COE quota is unlikely. Hence, be patient and you will be rewarded by end of the year. Haha.

Dragon Tiger Gate

I just came back from watch the movie, Long Hu Men (Dragon Tiger Gate). It is based on a comic book. I feel the show is not bad. The story flow is quite good and fighting scenes are good. Special effects not too bad lah but not the tip top type. But I dun like the ending. It is different from my expectation. Any way, I feel overall it is worth to consider watching.

Doctor of Philosophy

After weeks of preparation, today I did my oral presentation for my PhD study. I have many sleepless nights just to prepare for this big day. This is after many rounds of refining my speeches and slides with the help by my boss. Any way, I think I am lucky because the examiners did not ask too diffcult questions. After 5 years of hardwork, I finally got my "Harry Potter" hat. Heh heh!!