Most useful software list

I read a lot, especially the online news. I also like technology related things, both software and hardware. Recently, I have come across this list of software compiled by download.com and lifehacker which is very good for every level of user.

Check it out.

The best new Windows programs of 2008 - Chrome, Songbird, Smart Defrag, Digsby

Windows Starter Kit: Must-have PC apps - Firefox, OpenOffice, Paint.net, MediaMonkey, 7-Zip, Launchy

Most Popular Free Windows Downloads of 2008

Free Software We're Most Thankful For

Marutama Ramen at the Central

If you do go out walk walk, you should know there is a new shopping centre - Central above the Clarke Quay mrt. Their main theme is Japan. So, you can find many jap food eateries and stuff there.

Although I know about this stall quite sometime ago, but the queue always put me off. Finally, today I went there with friend. The queue although seems to be long, but was moving quite fast.

We are seated and presented with the menu. My first impression on the menu is it is unbelievable simple. There are few choices and I decided on the Chicken soup ramen which cost $12.

The shop decoration is simple and the menu items are only a few. I think they actually try to mimic the Japan shop layout and it is just so simple. Anyway, no matter what, only food quality counts. Having tried so many Japan ramen before, I have a high expectation on this shop, since they said it is famous in Japan.

True enough, the chicken soup is superb. It is thick and rich, one of the best. However, the 12 would only give me plenty of men, onion, seaweed and a piece of char siu. It is rather expensive, looking at the ingredients only. You can put additional topping at extra cost. The noodle is rather thin, but good, although I prefer it to be thicker. Overall, it is a very good ramen.

(I didn't take down any picture, but a google search "Marutama Ramen the central" would give you plenty of images)

Money saving tips for recession

Looks like we are stuck in the recession already. Hopefully, it would be over soon. Although the inflation has receded, but the cost of goods did not really come down. Here are 7 tips that can help to save money.

1. Eat breakfast at home. 4 pieces of bread and 3 in 1 coffee would cost at most 1+. But, fried bee hoon with egg and cabbage plus a kopi would cost 2.90. Bread is less oily some more.

2. Eat at hawker centre rather than food court and restaurant. This is pretty obvious right? The food court and restaurant would definitely cost more. Pick those ulu hawker centre which still charge less.

3. Eat mixed vegetable rice. My office lunch gang frequent nearby food court. Mixed vegetable rice is the cheapest food that can be found among the stalls. Even a fish ball noodle also cost $4, compare to $3+ for a plate of rice. Furthermore, mixed vege rice would give you more nutrition.

4. Watch movie on Mon-Wed. The price is cheaper and the crowd is much lesser than weekend. So, if you really must watch, watch on Mon-Wed.

5. Exercise more. Instead of drinking, party going or karaoke, why don't get some friends to jog together. It is fun, and much more healthy this way. Other entertainment cost much more during weekend, but exercise does not cost more during weekend.

6. Avoid window shopping. People have tendency to go window shopping with nothing to buy in mind. More than often you bought things on impluse. So, if you didn't go, that won't happen at all. Have a shopping list and only follow it closely.

7. Utilise broadband internet connection more. You can chat with friend online to reduce traveling and meeting time. You can read news without buying physical newspaper. There are many ways your unlimited broadband connection can help you save some money.

Spend on what you need to, not what you want to.

Renew passport at High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore

Today went to renew my international passport. Here is the brief details, correct as of Dec 08.

Location:
High Commission of Malaysia
301 Jervois Road
Singapore 249077

Hours(Mon-Fri):
Submission: 8am - 11:30am
Collection: 2:30pm - 4:15pm

Things to prepare:
2 blue background passport sized photo
Original and photocopy of Malaysia IC
Existing passport
Original and photocopy of Singapore PR IC or any pass as proof of status

Transport:
Take bus 14 or 65 from Orchard MRT. Alight at the 4th bus stop. See road sign and walk in.
At the same bus stop opposite direction, you can take bus 32 to Lavendar MRT ICA Building.

Process:
1. Reach the high com and exchange visitor pass
2. Once arrived at the office, go to counter to get an application form (SGD0.50)
3. Fill up the form and join the queue. Get all documents ready, they would check.
4. Queue number would be issued and wait for the turn
5. After counter check ok, pay SGD128(subject to change) at payment counter.
6. Get the ticket and come back afternoon 2:30pm

7. In afternoon, exchange the pass and enter again
8. Wait for your visitor pass number to be called
9. Give back the ticket, collect passport and receipt

Since my old passport has more than 6 months left, they kindly extended the expiry of new passport by 6 months. There are also photocopy service and photo taking service available on the spot.

Reader, leave your comment if anything being missed out or you would like to add.

我看海角七号

上个星期，去看了电影海角七号。过去几个月，已经听说了它在台湾屡创佳绩，心中不仅纳闷它吸引人的地方在那里？在我去看之前，已经预料它可能并不会很好看。

出了戏院之后，它果然并不是非看不可，但影片有它过人之处。故事讲的是一个失意的青年在回到了家乡之后与其他村民组成乐队表演，间中穿插了七封过期了的信。每一个人物都有他们背后的故事。每一个人的背后都累积了一点的感动，仿佛其中的一个就发生在你我之间。加上口耳相传，累积出无敌票房。这是一个现象。它的成功是出人意表的。也许下一部海角八号，就没了它的票房。

它也使我想起了881，也是一个现象。881有着非常好的票房，令人始料不及。成功之处就是引起了老一辈的共鸣，再加上媒体的推波助澜，成就了一个历史。然而881的故事结构比较松散，连贯性不够。相较之下，海角七号就好多了。

海角七号故事乡土味较重，也比较接近生活。故事本身也有蛮多笑点的。戏中的live表演，也有抓住人心的魅力。如果你不介意没有炫丽的特效，值得一看。

Olive Vine Pasta Fusion @ The Food Place Raffles City

I was window shopping at Raffles City and passed by the level 3 - The Food Place. The food court just completed the renovation and reopen. The design and signboard is brand new, but still operate by Food Junction. In the stall list, I found some unfamiliar name, so decided to check it out.


Quite classy design. Different than your usual food junction food court. Maybe they are aiming to go more high end.

After browse through all the stall, this stall caught my attention - Olive Vine Pasta Fusion. There are couple of factors - the pretty smiling lady boss, the flame powered pasta cooking, using of olive oil, no msg added, affordable price and interesting menu item.

I quickly decided to try the Fettuccine Carbonara. The reason being I just passed by one restaurant selling the dish at 12.90 with service charge etc. This one is selling at 6.90 only. Price being one of the reason, but the pasta looks good on the picture too.


Looks tempting right? You want to rush down to pasta shop now?

At this stall, the noodle type is fixed. I have tried carbonara at different place before. The key thing about carbonara is it must go along with Fettuccine. Somebody told me this, and I don't exactly know why. I guess is because the ribbon noodle can better carry the cheese sauce with it. So, you eat more cheese sauce and gain more weight.

Inside the sauce, there are cheese, ham, bacon and garlic. If you like cheese, this tastes heavenly. To me, the standard is really good. A good sauce with right ingredient and tasty noodle, this made up a satisfying pasta meal at a very good price. What say you? Go and try it yourself.

Omurice at Takashimaya food court

There is one omurice shop at Takashimaya basement 1 food court operated by Ajisen. I saw it long time back but never really eat it.

Yesterday, it was my first time trying. I was there during the lunch time. Not many people in the whole shopping centre. At 11am, the crowd has not come out for lunch, I guess. After walking one round, I settled on this omurice stall. There is no queue and I guess eating something different is what I am looking for.

Originally, I ordered the set with crab meat and some other seafood. But the auntie said sold out. End up I ordered the chicken cutlet with Japanese curry.


This is how it looks like. It cost $8 with $1 top up to get a green tea.

Actually, I wasn't expect a lot from this dish. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised that it is really good. I have had the omelet with rice at some other place that serve no purpose, but obviously this is not.

The fried rice is good, but not fantastic. The egg goes very well with the rice. It actually help to pull up the overall taste. The curry is tasty and the cutlet is crispy. Dip the cutlet into curry and go along with the rice and egg, that makes an excellent meal.