enjoyed naturally 7's energetic vocal play performance this evening at esplanade's concert hall. we were introduced to this group by a friend, but then we ended up watching the show without her. anyway.. it's really entertaining. nothing beats watching live show, I guess. though the youtube versions are enjoyable, but they do not do enough justice.
they did 11 songs plus 1 encore in the 1 hour and 10 mins performance. the performance was interactive as well, they cracked jokes, told stories, and got the crowd to sing some part of their well known song. during the introduction section, which was done at almost the end of the show, each personnel showcased their vocal play abilities - drum, trumpet, harmonica, bass guitar, and electric guitar. they sing as instruments, rather than the traditional a cappella way. if you listen with your eyes closed, you might not believe that all sounds come out from their mouths, without any musical instruments involved.
amazing!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
paid a visit to one of far east plaza's mobile phone shops in a mission to get a reasonably priced nokia handphone for my brother. tried calling the shop but nobody picked up, thus we purposely made the trip, but unfortunately that model is out of stock. *sigh*
tried kitchen mogu mogu for dinner. the concept is new, I guess. instead of food counter, customers placed orders at the self-service machines. first was selection of food, followed by combo option - if you want to top up for soup and side dish, then the last step was for drink and dessert. it's quite self explanatory, although the Japanese dishes' names might not be familiar. but there was one lady who's on standby, ready to explain and help whenever necessary.
after placing the order, total amount payable was displayed on the screen, and payment was made by inserting money to the machine. receipt was then issued and we waited a while for our number to be called from the kitchen. once called, we collected the food from the counter.
the food itself was so-so, nothing to shout about. for the price, the amount was quite small. but I guess we paid for the food presentation (Japanese, remember?) and the cute cutleries.
tried kitchen mogu mogu for dinner. the concept is new, I guess. instead of food counter, customers placed orders at the self-service machines. first was selection of food, followed by combo option - if you want to top up for soup and side dish, then the last step was for drink and dessert. it's quite self explanatory, although the Japanese dishes' names might not be familiar. but there was one lady who's on standby, ready to explain and help whenever necessary.
after placing the order, total amount payable was displayed on the screen, and payment was made by inserting money to the machine. receipt was then issued and we waited a while for our number to be called from the kitchen. once called, we collected the food from the counter.
the food itself was so-so, nothing to shout about. for the price, the amount was quite small. but I guess we paid for the food presentation (Japanese, remember?) and the cute cutleries.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
watched watchmen at vivocity's GV grand this afternoon. the event was organized by NTU SCE for all alumni. at $20 each, we had refreshments and GV grand movie experience. it was definitely a good initiative.
however, there were still some things that could be made better, like the coordination between the notification and the actual executions. we were told in a few emails that the reception and ticket collection was to start at 1pm, and yet when we arrived at 1.10pm, they told us to wait outside the lounge as they're not ready yet. in the announcement email, they said that sumptuous lunch would be provided. then in the reminder email, it was downgraded to high tea. and finally at the reception table, we were told to proceed for the refreshment. haha.. how disappointing.
the movie itself was on the dark side of superheroes' lives. it's quite bloody, thus the M18 rating. it's more realistic, as it doesn't dwell on the generic formula of superheroes. but it definitely isn't my favourite.
however, there were still some things that could be made better, like the coordination between the notification and the actual executions. we were told in a few emails that the reception and ticket collection was to start at 1pm, and yet when we arrived at 1.10pm, they told us to wait outside the lounge as they're not ready yet. in the announcement email, they said that sumptuous lunch would be provided. then in the reminder email, it was downgraded to high tea. and finally at the reception table, we were told to proceed for the refreshment. haha.. how disappointing.
the movie itself was on the dark side of superheroes' lives. it's quite bloody, thus the M18 rating. it's more realistic, as it doesn't dwell on the generic formula of superheroes. but it definitely isn't my favourite.
Friday, March 13, 2009
'The unworked steel arrives in my workshop and I have to transform it into parts for cars, agricultural machinery, kitchen utensils. Do you know how that's done? First, I heat the metal until it's red-hot, then I beat it mercilessly with my heaviest hammer until the metal takes on the form I need. Then I plunge it into a bucket of cold water and the whole workshop is filled with the roar of steam, while the metal sizzles and crackles in response to the sudden change in temperature. I have to keep repeating that process until the object I'm making is perfect: once is not enough.'
The blacksmith paused for a long time, lit a cigarette, then went on:
'Sometimes the steel I get simply can't withstand such treatment. The heat, the hammer blows, the cold water cause it to crack. And I know that I'll never be able to make it into a good ploughshare or an engine shaft. Then I throw it on the pile of scrap metal at the entrance to my forge.'
Another long pause, then the blacksmith concluded:
'I know that God is putting me through the fire of afflictions. I've accepted the blows that life has dealt me, and sometimes I feel as cold and indifferent as the water that inflicts such pain on the steel. But my one prayer is this: "Please, God, my Mother, don't give up until I've taken on the shape that You wish for me. Do this by whatever means You think best, for as long as You like, but never ever throw me on the scrap heap of souls."'
(The Witch of Portobello - Paulo Coelho)
Paulo Coelho's books are always different and inspiring. so far I've read 5 of them. but reading more than one book in a row is just too much for me. this time round I read the witch of portobello right after by the river piedra I sat down and wept. sometimes they went too out of the world.. or maybe it's just me, too down to earth, hehehe..
Sophie Kinsella, here I come!
The blacksmith paused for a long time, lit a cigarette, then went on:
'Sometimes the steel I get simply can't withstand such treatment. The heat, the hammer blows, the cold water cause it to crack. And I know that I'll never be able to make it into a good ploughshare or an engine shaft. Then I throw it on the pile of scrap metal at the entrance to my forge.'
Another long pause, then the blacksmith concluded:
'I know that God is putting me through the fire of afflictions. I've accepted the blows that life has dealt me, and sometimes I feel as cold and indifferent as the water that inflicts such pain on the steel. But my one prayer is this: "Please, God, my Mother, don't give up until I've taken on the shape that You wish for me. Do this by whatever means You think best, for as long as You like, but never ever throw me on the scrap heap of souls."'
(The Witch of Portobello - Paulo Coelho)
Paulo Coelho's books are always different and inspiring. so far I've read 5 of them. but reading more than one book in a row is just too much for me. this time round I read the witch of portobello right after by the river piedra I sat down and wept. sometimes they went too out of the world.. or maybe it's just me, too down to earth, hehehe..
Sophie Kinsella, here I come!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
I finally made the long dreaded trip to embassy for passport renewal. arrived there 15 minutes before the opening time and the waiting area was already full and queue was already formed. when the gate finally opened the queue already reached chatsworth road. I'm not sure if the crowd is due to yesterday's public holiday. thankfully I realized the embassy's closed yesterday before I went down.
I exchanged my IC with visitor pass and went in. following my friend's advice, I entered the main building first to grab a queue number. not an easy task as the queue number-generating machine was not put in a prominent place. I passed it a few times, asked 2 times before finally found it. then I quickly went outside to have my photo taken. another queue number. 6 photos costed me a whooping $10 (application for passport renewal needs only 2 photos, mind you). although instructions were already pasted in the area, people tended to just ask around and the officer (read: mbak tukang fotonya) needed to keep telling them what to do.
armed with fresh-from-the-printer photos, I rushed back to the main building, only to find out that I needed to take another queue number. jeez. by then it was already very crowded, mostly by maids who needed to renew their passports, accompanied by their employers. that means there were at least 2 people crowding the place per 1 passport renewal.
upon submission of application form and documents, I made the payment, then submitted the receipt, and waited again for my name to be called to sign and put my thumbprint on the new passport. when I left the embassy, the queue was still there.
kudos to the new ambassador, though, or whoever enhanced the passport renewal policy, that now we only need to make 2 trips - submission and collection (down from previous 3 trips), that the fee is now only $40 (down from about $80 last time - couldn't really recall how much), that there is a separate cashier section that handles payment, that the photo booth is back to the embassy ground (it was moved to a dingy, unknown corner of orchard tower last time), that the application form is downloadable from the embassy's website, that required information can be found easily in the website. all in all the process is now more efficient.
as I'm feeling generous today, here're a few tips for passport renewal at the embassy, for whoever happens to stumble upon this blog. as a friend put it, "gue ga mau trip gue ke kbri sia-sia...":
- be there as early as possible
- bring IC to be exchanged at the entrance with the visitor pass
- the photo booth is now located at the embassy, outside the main building, near the canteen (go straight from entrance gate)
- queue number for phototaking and payment need to be made at the photocopy booth beside the photo booth
- bring exact amount of cash
- grab a queue number first before queuing up for the phototaking (there's no harm trying)
- the queue number-generating machine is located between counter 2 and counter 3, it is behind the pillar and is not visible from the entrance.
I exchanged my IC with visitor pass and went in. following my friend's advice, I entered the main building first to grab a queue number. not an easy task as the queue number-generating machine was not put in a prominent place. I passed it a few times, asked 2 times before finally found it. then I quickly went outside to have my photo taken. another queue number. 6 photos costed me a whooping $10 (application for passport renewal needs only 2 photos, mind you). although instructions were already pasted in the area, people tended to just ask around and the officer (read: mbak tukang fotonya) needed to keep telling them what to do.
armed with fresh-from-the-printer photos, I rushed back to the main building, only to find out that I needed to take another queue number. jeez. by then it was already very crowded, mostly by maids who needed to renew their passports, accompanied by their employers. that means there were at least 2 people crowding the place per 1 passport renewal.
upon submission of application form and documents, I made the payment, then submitted the receipt, and waited again for my name to be called to sign and put my thumbprint on the new passport. when I left the embassy, the queue was still there.
kudos to the new ambassador, though, or whoever enhanced the passport renewal policy, that now we only need to make 2 trips - submission and collection (down from previous 3 trips), that the fee is now only $40 (down from about $80 last time - couldn't really recall how much), that there is a separate cashier section that handles payment, that the photo booth is back to the embassy ground (it was moved to a dingy, unknown corner of orchard tower last time), that the application form is downloadable from the embassy's website, that required information can be found easily in the website. all in all the process is now more efficient.
as I'm feeling generous today, here're a few tips for passport renewal at the embassy, for whoever happens to stumble upon this blog. as a friend put it, "gue ga mau trip gue ke kbri sia-sia...":
- be there as early as possible
- bring IC to be exchanged at the entrance with the visitor pass
- the photo booth is now located at the embassy, outside the main building, near the canteen (go straight from entrance gate)
- queue number for phototaking and payment need to be made at the photocopy booth beside the photo booth
- bring exact amount of cash
- grab a queue number first before queuing up for the phototaking (there's no harm trying)
- the queue number-generating machine is located between counter 2 and counter 3, it is behind the pillar and is not visible from the entrance.
Monday, March 09, 2009
You have to take risks, he said. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
Every day, God gives us the sun - and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven't perceived that moment, that it doesn't exist - that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if people really pay attention to their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment. It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting our frontdoor key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousands and one things that all seem the same to us. But that moment exists - a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.
Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest. Our magic moment helps us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments - but all of this is transitory; it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.
Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won't suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when that person looks back - and at some point everyone looks back - she will hear her heart saying, "What have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage: the certainty that you wasted your life."
Pitiful are the people who must realize this. Because when they are finally able to believe in miracles, their life's magic moments will have already passed them by.
(By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept - Paulo Coelho)
Every day, God gives us the sun - and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven't perceived that moment, that it doesn't exist - that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if people really pay attention to their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment. It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting our frontdoor key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousands and one things that all seem the same to us. But that moment exists - a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.
Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest. Our magic moment helps us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments - but all of this is transitory; it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.
Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won't suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when that person looks back - and at some point everyone looks back - she will hear her heart saying, "What have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage: the certainty that you wasted your life."
Pitiful are the people who must realize this. Because when they are finally able to believe in miracles, their life's magic moments will have already passed them by.
(By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept - Paulo Coelho)
Thursday, March 05, 2009
had dinner at waroeng 613 at concorde shopping mall this evening with a girl friend. we were famished when we arrived, and a while later we stepped out feeling so very full. ordered nasi uduk, ikan bakar, es campur and pisang bakar. too bad I didn't bring my ixus, so photos were taken with my handphone.
the nasi uduk set came with tahu goreng, urap, empal, kerupuk and a bowl of sayur asem. the sayur asem was left untouched as neither of us fancied it. the ikan bakar set came with rice, tahu goreng, urap and kerupuk too. nasi uduk was nice, although the beef empal wasn’t tender enough. urap was great too..
we shared the es campur and pisang bakar for dessert. es campur was really tasty due to the amount of coconut milk, I guess. pisang bakar was expensive, $3.30 for 2 slices, but it was really sweet, warm, topped with chocolate, cheese and condensed milk… yum! definitely nicer than es teler 77’s version I tried some time back.
the place was easily accessible. in fact I went pass it a few times but haven’t got a chance to try it out till today. it’s bright and colorful – mostly pink, purple and orange. they put baskets full of chiki on each table for snack.. there’s also a book shelf full of magazines and comics like detektif conan and donald duck. this place is great for lazing around, eating snack while reading comics. it’s not crowded too, we wondered how they’d survive, given the location.
Monday, March 02, 2009
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