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!!

Birthday

Today is my brother's birthday and we decided to eat out to celebrate his birthday. We settle down at a coffee shop in Bukit Timah just besides Hyundai show room. That is the first time I went to that area for dinner. We ordered fish, chicken and some vegetables. The food i not bad. After that, we drove to Holland Road Jelita shopping mall. It is a small shopping area and I think it caters for the rich. Cos inside the mall, the things are more "ang moh" friendly. Haha! Well, it is normal since it is located at one of the prime spots.

Orchard Road

Today I went to Orchard Road with my family. I like long time did not visit this place liao. Still the same. Very crowded. We first went to Borders to look at books. Then, we walked to a food court in Scotts shopping mall. After that, we wandered over to Tangs to shop shop. Later, we strolled down to Lucky Plaza where we bought some clothes at Bossini. In a few moments, we crossed over to Ngee Ann City and landed in Takashimaya 10th Craziest Toys Sale 2006. There are so many cheap toys! In the end, we bought a few good things. Finally, we had our dinner at Ajisen for ramen. Finally, it is home sweet home. Time flies when you are relaxing.

COE analysis July 2nd round

COE results out. Cat A this time round edges upwards by $602 to give $10,803. Cat B as usual posted $10,600 which down $201. The demand is still weak but still got enough buyers around to stablise the COE price. Next round is the three weeks break again. So expect COE to go up.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Just came back from watching Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Not bad. Quite exciting. I feel it is better than the first episode where this time got more actions and monsters. In it, they actually mentioned Singapore. I think Holloywood like to mention Singapore. Haha. Any way, this show ends by paving way for third episode. Should be out soon.

Hyundai Sonata

Today, my brother's new car arrived. So we whole family go with him to collect his new Hyundai Sonata. The first impression I had when I see this car is:"It looks big." I get the confirmation answer when I sat inside. The leg room is fantastic and very comfortable. The most impressive feature is the engine. It is very refined and when idling, it is extremely quiet! I heard that Sonata is not selling well. I would say it is too bad. But as far as we are concern, it is a great news cos that means less people driving the same car as you. More exclusive. Heh heh.

Top 10 cars for the first 6 months

Top 10 make for the first 6 months:
1. Toyota 11968
2. Nissan 8986
3. Hyundai 5475
4. Honda 5467
5. Mitsubishi 4537
6. Kia 2833
7. Mazda 2372
8. BMW 1971
9. Mercedes-Benz 1501
10. Suzuki 1169

Top 10 model for the first 6 months
1. Toyota Corolla Altis 5970
2. Nissan Sunny 4946
3. Toyota Vios 3577
4. Mitsubishi Lancer 3482
5. Honda Civic 2578
6. Nissan Latio 2153
7. Hyundai Getz 1740
8. Mazda 3 1670
9. Hyundai Verna 1341
10 Kia Picanto 1236

White hairs

Recently, some people told me I have lesser white hairs. My colleague told me that first. Then, I went to cut hair and my hairstylist also tells me that. They wonder if I ate anything lately. Haha! The only things I ate recently that I never ate last time are strawberry and cod liver oil. So those who got white hairs, maybe you can trying eating those. Heh heh.

Good news

Today I got 2 pieces of good news to share. The first is that my friend's wife just give birth to a baby boy. Congrates to them. The 2nd piece of good news is someone I dislike has left the company. He is sort of attached here. Any way, my boss and I give him a farewell at the Blue Ginger restaurant at Tanjong Pagar. It is a peranakan cuisine. 3 of us ate around $78 after 15% discount using UOB card. The food is not bad and can go next time.

World Cup 2006 finals

In a few more hours will be World Cup 2006 show down: Italy vs France. I dun watched any World Cup live matches but only follow through the news. So far I dun have any favourite team. Also I dun know the history and facts of any footballers or clubs. But based on my gut feeling, I feel that Italy will win. Dun ask me why. The truth is out there!