Beijing Olympic ticket, can you get it?

We know the Beijing Olympic is coming very soon. China has been very busy in preparing for this event of the year. All the hardware construction is almost done and some are under testing now. Security is beefed up and the city is dressed up for game. Zhang Yimou (张艺谋), the show director still keeping mouth shut on the opening and closing ceremony.

If you are so inspired to join the competition so near home this year, can you still get the ticket? Went to the official ticketing website, only the local resident is allowed to buy from there. For Singapore, you have to go to www.singaporeolympics.com to buy the ticket according to the information. But when I tried in the browser, it only return a blank page. So funny.

I don't know who's responsibility is this? So disappointing.

Frozen meat or chilled meat?

Recently, have been seeing the advertisement promoting frozen meat. The key advantage is cheaper price and equally good as the chilled meat. The price difference could be quite astonishing at 50%.

Are they the same? Theoretically, they are the same. With the meat frozen, you can store it longer and transport to far away place.

Why so cheap? Because the meat was produced at some far flung place like Brazil, Africa which is still low cost country. After being ship to this place, the cost is still relatively cheaper than the chilled version.

Should you eat it? Yeah, why not? By all means go and try it. It is light on your wallet and help to combat the inflation.

Michelin Guide on Tokyo restaurants

Michelin Guide is famous in France for grading the restaurants. It gives 1 to 3 stars to the restaurant after the anonymous testing system. It is well respected in France and losing the star could cause great business losses.

Just last year, they launched the Tokyo version of Michelin Guide. However, this guide is not being accepted by the Japan public. They viewed the guide as not representative for the good food in the city.

1. the restaurants graded only central on certain area
2. the guide provides photo which contradict with the anonymous testing system
3. the rated good food is not so good in Japanese eyes

We don't know how they created the guide. But to move a Euro system to Asia, the blind copy won't work. They have to adapt to the local situation.

Singtel launching iPhone soon?

There is a wide spread news from yesterday onwards, Singtel would win the iPhone race to sign up as exclusive partner. Maybe the source is only and purposely to leak out through multiple channel. As of now, the rumour is 3Q and priced at 600+.

My friend said it is expensive, although he wanted to own one. Ya, I think most of the user won't be able to stomach the high price tag. This price is without taking into account the expensive service plan that user is required to sign up for the iPhone to work properly. What is iPhone if it is without the map function and web browsing. Having said that, the current 2G or 2.5G speed won't be fast enough for the iPhone to perform download.

What I do expect to see is high price tag, user lock in and slow browsing speed. Although I fancy iPhone, since it was launched. But my common sense keep holding me back. Maybe 1 year down the road, the more workable 3G version would be released to ease the browsing pain.

But, hey, we are a bit optimistic. What about the battery life? What if your phone died half way on the bus while you are surfing the internet? If I remember correctly, the battery is not detachable. At last, I still hope to see the phone soon, for more choices. Another half year time, maybe the iPhone killer from Nokia, Samsung would already been launched.

Counting down to Taiwan presidential election

22 Mar 2008 is the magic date to Taiwan. This coming Saturday, the people would decide their fate for the next 5 years. As the pressure mounts, candidate continue the punishing schedule to visit as many places as possible to win votes.

Following the incident on last election, Ma Jing Jiu is in danger according to their security agency. Therefore the police has increase the security and try to protect him from any danger. We certainly don't hope any accident happen like last time, which swing the vote dramatically. I think the chinese in Asia region would certainly like him to win. As the taiwan economy has been in stand still for the past 8 years, they desparately need something, someone different this time.

As an outsider, it is hard for us to understand that by shouting and focusing on side issues, how the existing government manage to rule for so long.

I think most of the people can see how each party behaved in the campaign. Surprisingly, for the green, there are still blind loyal supporters. But for the new generation, economy agenda seems to be the biggest factor in making the decision.

Let's hope they would have a good election and I hope to go there this year.

Hong Kong flu outbreak

Recently, there is a flu outbreak in Hong Kong. 3 kids died in the process. School shut down for 2 weeks to halt the flu spread. Some even fear that it is bird flu in disguise. But eventually, it proves to be human flu only.

It seems to me that flu has became a major issue in Asia nowadays. We don't hear the serious flu outbreak often last time. Why it is now happening more frequently? Pollution? Global warming?

I suggest government to promote more healthy lifestyle. Once the immune system is strong, the flu should pose less problem.

Harry Potter is a heavy smoker

Read this news these two days, Harry Potter is a heavy smoker now. He smoke a pack of 20 cigarettes a day. Can't imagine how the movie would become if he need to smoke in the movie casting.

Surprise... surprise... Celebrity needs a positive and healthy image, but after all they are just like you and me.

Causeway jam not going to get better anytime soon

Looking at the current traffic jam situation, the causeway traffic condition is not going to improve anytime soon. As the main culprit is still on the run and people still believe he is in the country, the massive search won't stop.

Before 27-Feb-08, Singapore was rather peaceful. The traffic at causeway might be heavy, but still manageable. On the particular afternoon, the guy escaped and the life has never been the same at causeway already.

Massive jam is very common at the Singapore custom now, as they still search for the you know who. I hope either he get caught or other can prove that he is out of the country already. To save us, the people who still need to use the causeway.

Toa Payoh Good Food Hunt 2

Ya, I am back to Toa Payoh for the good food hunt mission 2. Not because I like Toa Payoh very much, but my dear friend wanted to watch the strongest man challenge.

So, we arrived at the Bradell station and walked to Blk 124 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 for the first stall - Fong Kee Roasted Duck rice. I wasn't sure it is that famous, until I see the signs on the stall. It has won many supporters. We ordered, sit down and start eating. True to its name, the duck and rice is good. I think the specialty is about the sauce, which is a little bit different than the others. It worth the $3.

On the same coffee shop, we also ate the soon kueh. To be exact, hand made soon kueh. It is worth mentioning that it contains lots of soon which is different than the common soon kueh(mang guang only). First time ever, I tried a soon kueh with soon, truly delightful. Next, we went across the road to the hawker centre for the Teochew Handmade Pao. I knew the pao is small before I ordered, but I didn't expect it to be that small. I ordered a char siew pao and ba pao. The pao is pathetically small. I have never eaten such small pao before. Small size but with big taste. It taste great, but is expensive, judging from the portion.

Up to this stage, we were full already. Have to take bus to HDB Hub and prepare to watch the show. The competition started at 1 plus and last till 4pm. I just wonder how long would it take for me to train the muscle like them?

At 4pm, we revisited the Rojak stall at the HDB Hub food court. Ours was among the last few plates available, what a luck! After Rojak, I suggested the Tiong Bahru Pao upstairs. I promised my friend that it is one of the best in Singapore and it has been quite sometime since I last ate their pao. He was delighted with the pao. The pao is juicy and full of taste. Beside that, with a meaningful portion too... Ya, you have to believe me, it is really one of the best in Singapore.

After that, what's next? Our stomach is full already. We already stretch the human limit and the next logical thing to do is to just go back home. I would be back again...

Can you live 3 days with $10 only?

In this high inflation era, all the price has gone up and up. Even without the price increase, we also tend to eat better food. A $2.50 mixed vege rice is not satisfying, we opt for the $4 zi cha. By rough estimate, one has to spend $10 a day on food because you eat out 3 meals a day. So, can you survive 3 days with $10 budget only?

The answer might be an outright no. But... but... they are people capable of doing it and for a family of 6 children. Truly amazing. How do you spend only $10 on food for a family with 8 people? It was featured on the tv program last Saturday - 理财有方.

The keys are
1. Plan in advance the thing you want to buy
2. Cook at home

I am trying. See whether I can survive for 3 days on $10. Hehe... Wish me luck.

王若林 Joanna - Start From Here

If you ask me what album to buy for this year, I would tell you to go for "Start From Here" by Joanna Wang from Taiwan. The album is released in English + Mandarin song format. 12 English songs and 5 mandarin songs. In fact, all the mandarin songs were translated from the English version. She composed 3 songs and the album took 2 years time to finish.

Consider the music element, they were all very good. Her voice is special, very comfortable for the ears. She has warm and mature voice, kind of Norah Jones style. The right voice + good music, you get a great album.

I have been listening to the album over and over again. All I can say is good. Recommended!

English track

01.Let's Start From Here
02.Lost In Paradise
03.As Love Begins To Mend
04.Bada Bada
05.Lost Taipei
06.The Best Mistake I've Ever
07.I Love You
08.For No Reason
09.Stages Of Flying
10.Now
11.True
12.New York State Of Mind

台湾政治日日新

台湾政治是我日日追看的新闻。里面风云莫测，诡异多端。不多久就有新鲜事发生。距离台湾总统大选一个星期多的时间，当人人都看好马英九可以胜出，无端端冒出了踢馆事件。几名党员跑去民进党总部调查，然后被包围。现在好了，被他们抓到了痛脚，这还不大做特做文章？

从选战开始到现在，我们不难看到人性的扭曲。好好的竞选,不是该阐述治国理念及国家的大方向吗？却被刻意模糊了焦点，拼命的拿其他事来掩盖民进党的缺失。就好像我们在说不过人时拼命的想转移视线一样。

Election fever paralyse Malaysia news portal

You might think election is over and everything should be back to normal, but the fever is still there. We need more ice cubes to cool it down. Since the shocking news on Sunday, majority of the news portal in the country still experience slowness or even inaccessible.

Malaysiakini was "down" past two days, I just managed to see the front page today. Newspaper website like sinchew and nanyang were slow for previous two days. However, today I cannot even access them. The sites were experiencing heavy traffic, and sorry to the readers, that means you can't access it properly.

I think it is inevitable that everybody is so concern on the election news. Not before the election only, but even more concern after the result announced. Some of the people actually fear that there would be troubles. However, till now, the things have gone smoothly. Touch wood, let the transition be smooth and everybody get back to work.

Everybody should do some reflection. The losing ruling party should think of what went wrong, what's the key problems and how they should move forward. The now in power opposition should not get carried away, because the hard work has just only begun. Running a government is much more complex than designing election campaign and slogan. All people should do their part to build a better Malaysia.

My hope for the "new" Malaysia.

1. Eliminate the widespread corruption
2. Improve the country security system
3. Throw away the old thinking and adapt to the globalisation world
4. Everybody should be treated fairly and allow to prosper

12th Malaysia General Election result

I think this year would be an eventful year for the world. Malaysia already have it now. More news are being released for the election result. It is official news that opposition won the state of Penang, Kelantan, Kedah, Perak and Selangor. This is quite unthinkable one week ago, they were just out to deny the majority, not winning the control of individual state. Nevertheless, after the shock, people realised that we have enter into a new world. The world of change.

The opposition has used the slogan - change for the election campaign. It works spectacularly and unexpectedly well. The dissatisfaction on the ground finally translated into something more tangible and concrete. The voice should be heard and act accordingly. Problems like corruption and crime should be the main problem to be tackled.

We hope the opposition can really change, for the better. Change the screwed system to a transparent system. Change anything that is not efficient. Change the life of people to better.

兵败如山倒 － 第12届马来西亚大选感想

经过了星期六的投票，成绩在晚上开始公布，结果是令人震撼与措手不及的。吉兰丹、吉打、槟城、霹雳、雪兰莪皆落入反对党的手中。他们需要组织州政府与实现竞选承诺。我想每一个人都抱着一样的想法，那就是反对党会赢多一点，但不至于赢这么多。选民应该是希望国阵继续执政，但在要多一点反对声音的想法下投下手中的一票。所以结果是令人始料不及的。

这几年来挥之不去的问题继续困扰着大家－贪污、腐败、物价高涨、治安差劲、种种的乱象。这些都反应在这次的投票中。希望当权的会正视这些问题并给于改善。这就是民主的力量，人民才是老板。

槟城的形势最令人大跌眼镜。就连许子根博士都落败。我还满不忍心看到这一切的。对他在电视中的印象还蛮好的。另外，行动党也惊讶地大胜。接下来该关心的是没有经验的反对党要如何组织与经营州政府？他们能做得更好吗？我们只能拭目以待。

这是一个分水岭，让我们期待更好的马来西亚！

马来西亚大选图片集

今天另外一位博客haan分享了在他的家乡适耕庄的大选情况。文章中包括了大量的图片。有很多的大选图片。竞选标语，海报排阵都令人耳目一新。我是没空回家去看看。在这里只能看图，感受大选的热度。

你也看看吧！

Election Mess in Sekinchan
Election in Sekinchan - DAP

09-Mar 更新

大选感想

Woodlands Hokkien mee

This post is to continue on the Hokkien mee topic. I took the picture but forgot to upload it for quite sometime. I tried this stall near the Woodlands check point at the old woodlands centre last month.



It was around 8:30pm, and there is still a long queue at the stall. Obviously the business was very good. I ordered a plate $2 to try. After a close to 20min wait, the auntie asked me whether I want to take on the $3 order which she could not find the guy. Don't want to wait another 10min more, I am happy to accept the offer.

It was a very big plate of mee for $3 only. I was very full after eating this. The owner is very generous on the mee and sotong. Every mouthful I would get one or two slice of sotong. So far, this is the only mee I ate with so many sotong. The mee is fried in wet style and the taste is fair. The gravy is not rich but contain enough taste. Consider the portion vs taste, worth the money.

Botak Jones again at woodgrove

I just had it last week at Clementi. Never did I thought, so fast, I am back again. But this time round, it was the Botak Jones at Woodgrove, Woodlands. Maybe it is because I owe a picture of it. There you are...



This time round, I ordered the Cajun chicken plate. I didn't order other dish, because I thought I would be beri beri full after this. Yes, I am right. The portion is still very big and can keep you full till dinner time. The fries were just alright, coleslaw better and in generous portion(unlike most Singapore food which lack of vege). The chicken itself is nicely flavoured but a bit too dry. Consider all aspect, it is still worth the money. But I don't want to get fatter, so I would stop myself from going there again in coming months.

Also, visited a tau huay stall in woodgrove. It was very nice. I never had a tau huay that is so soft. Can you imagine it is still softer than steam egg or chawanmushi? It is just behind the Loy Kee chicken rice. But you have to take bus 912 there from Woodlands interchange.

Have you tried the Coca cola zero?

The coca cola company has launched the new product - Coca cola zero in Singapore. I started to see the advertisement over many places since last week. I think there is a marketing campaign going on.

Out of curiosity, I purchase a bottle from NTUC to check out the tag line. Full taste, zero sugar. You guess what? It is the coke light in disguise. I cannot sense any difference in taste between this zero and light version.

So, it is just a rebranding exercise. To bottle the without sugar version in a new name. Frankly, I am not a fan of light version, so does the zero. The after taste of artificial sugar still lingering.

Toa Payoh food hunt

Last week's workload has came down a bit, so finally got sometime to enjoy the weekend. The other friend, Mr See also quite free. So, we decided to embark on the journey for good food. With the help of local food blog ieatishootipost, we went to Toa Payoh for the food hunt.

The first stop was at HDB Hub basement food court. First was the Hainanese bun by Gideon 300, together with a cup of teh C. I ordered a coconut bun. The bun is compact, different texture, heavier than usual bakery shop bread. Stuffed with yellow coconut, it was a satisfactory experience together with the teh C.



Next, we tried the Soon Heng Rojak, going at $2 only. The stall issued queue ticket, so you can wait in comfort on the seat. How was the taste? Good! This is one of the good one that I have ever tried. Respectable portion with right mix of prawn paste, the taste is just right. The you tiao was heated and provides the rojak with little warm. Beside that, the peanut is also generous.



Next, we took the bus to Blk 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7 for the popiah. Very unfortunately, we went too late. The stall was closed in the late afternoon. We have to settle for other food. I ate this Tye Hong hand made fishball kuay teoh. I chose this because the word "hand made" and it did not disappoint me. You can taste the handmade inside the ball. It has rough texture and very pleasing, at least to me.



The last one we had was Dove Dessert's cendol. It is the signature dish of the stall and recommended. It is good. I tried a couple of cendol in food court's dessert stall before. Those are standard food court quality which I think is not up to the standard.

So, what's good about this version? The ice is finely shaved and gula melaka is very fragrant. The sweetness is well balanced, with nice cendol and generous red bean. I cannot ask for more from this dessert already.



After the cendol, Mr See and I were so full, that we have to call it a day. I would plan for another hunt in the near future.

Trip to Azabu Sabo

Last Friday, went with a friend to Azabu Sabo(麻布茶房) at Marina Square. Before we decided on the shop, we are not sure what's the offering there. After went in, I realised that I read about the shop in newspaper before. They specialized in dessert.

After going through the menu, I decided to eat the ramen. It should be 札幌拉面，I forgot the english name already. The special thing is a small piece of butter on the ramen, which I think it is supposed to mix together with the men.



In more detail,


The taste is quite disappointing. The men is not Q and the soup is a bit too plain. For health sake, I didn't mix the butter into the men, and that might be the key reason. Or the authentic taste is supposed to be like that?

After that, ate the dessert - Green tea ice cream + red bean with dumpling. In my opinion, the combination is not to my liking. The green tea taste nice, but too plain, and overpowered by the sweetness of red bean. Red bean itself, if stand alone is good enough already.

Well, everyone has his/her own taste. Some like it, some do not.