tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28197900220309937702024-03-13T10:16:54.626+08:00Signs of LifeBest Viewed With Low Expectationsacurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-33136323977118445352010-10-05T21:19:00.010+08:002010-10-05T23:53:09.612+08:00TV1 Screwed Up the Commonwealth Games<span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5054071191/" title="commonwealth-games-logo by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5054071191_f337079959.jpg" width="350" height="250" alt="commonwealth-games-logo" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>After reading about all the negative hype surrounding the Delhi Commonwealth Games, I found myself looking forward to watching the opening ceremony held last Sunday. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I guess, deep down there was a part of me that hopes to see some mishaps or technical glitches that will mar the occasion, you know, like watching F1 for the crashes. So, I tuned in to TV1 at around 9 pm & was immediately greeted by the familiar deep voice of Hasbullah Awang (who else?). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5054072427/" title="61911858 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5054072427_d60d2dedf7.jpg" width="350" height="225" alt="61911858" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium looked stunning basking under the glow of soft lighting. The ceremony got underway with a performance featuring drums of all shapes & sizes. Fireworks went off & the spectators went wild....not a bad start I must say.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5054072611/" title="DV838732 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5054072611_4f862bfa6d.jpg" width="350" height="249" alt="DV838732" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Then came the marching in of the competing countries, all 85 of them! Holy Queen, how did a tiny country like Britain ruled over such a large part of the world in the past? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5054692348/" title="map_of_the_british_empire_in_the_1920s by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5054692348_f082e2964c.jpg" width="500" height="300" alt="map_of_the_british_empire_in_the_1920s" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Even more illogical is the fact that they managed to convinced their former colonies to happily participate in a sporting event held once every 4 years. Imagine asking China & South Korea to participate in a Japanese Empire Games!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Okay, back to the event. After the boring bits involving speeches by the VIPs, including one by a certain Prince Charles...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5054692828/" title="61911391 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5054692828_e9b48740d1.jpg" width="240" height="350" alt="61911391" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">The ceremony commenced with yoga practitioners transforming the stadium into a large spiritual exercise class.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5054072681/" title="61911460 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5054072681_66158c2c4d.jpg" width="350" height="236" alt="61911460" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">This was followed by a segment called 'Indian Railways'...but just when the colourful train was making its way into the stadium, TV1 decided to end the live telecast! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><b>@&(+=*%^#$!</b></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">This is not the 1st time TV1 had screwed up the broadcast of the opening ceremony of a sporting event. Same thing happened during the <a href="http://acura86.blogspot.com/2008/08/beijing-080808.html">Beijing Olympics</a>. I think RTM secretly hates sports.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Found out from the newspaper the following day that everything went smoothly till the end. No sudden mass outbreak of dengue or any invasion of cobras. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So, I guess I didn't miss much then...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-57601400806008567492010-09-25T13:49:00.025+08:002010-09-27T00:12:49.804+08:00155 km/h to Kampar<span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div><span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5026567872/" title="DSC03383 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5026567872_1e6dc5236a.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="DSC03383" /></a></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">7.00pm</span></span></span><br /><br />In typical Malaysian fashion, the train was still nowhere to be seen. It was suppose to arrive 12 minutes ago, at least according to the ticket that I was clutching.<br /><br />There was no indication of when it will be arriving. No KTM officals around or announcements whatsoever to assure the many travelers waiting at the dimly lit Platform 1 of KL Sentral station. Moments later, a policeman appeared together with a lady clad in bright yellow, asking us to stay behind the yellow line. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Ahh...the train must be arriving soon.</span><br /><br />The train I was referring to is the Electric Train Service (ETS), a high speed service connecting KL-Ipoh launched with much fanfare in August after several delays. It was supposed to cut traveling time down to about 2 hours. Since I was heading to Kampar (to find <a href="http://rachelteng2.blogspot.com/">Rachel</a>), the journey will take 1 hour & 45 minutes, again...according to the information printed on my ticket.<br /><br />The ticket to Kampar cost RM 26, a tad expensive considering a similiar journey on the slower KTM Antarabandar only cost RM 11 for Economy seats & RM 20 for Second Class seats. Since this is the promotional period, prices are likely to increase further in the future.<br /><br /></span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5026566700/" title="ETS by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5026566700_a4924343c5.jpg" width="500" height="372" alt="ETS" /></a></span></div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">7.05 pm</span></span><br /><br />The shiny 6 coach 'bullet' train came to a halt at Platform 1 & everybody promptly boarded according to their allocated coaches. In stark contrast with the romantic ambiance of the waiting area, the interior of the train was brightly lit & everything was in spanking new condition.<br /><br />I settled down into my seat, which was comfortable with generous legroom. The flat screen TV at the front of the coach was showing the many tourists attractions of Perak...Sam Poh Tong, Bukit Merah Water Resort, Gua Tempurung, Keris & Parang making in Kuala Kangsar etc. Strangely, I did not feel threatened even though I am Chinese.<br /><br />Slowly, the train started pulling away...<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5026567316/" title="DSC03385 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5026567316_333df7842d.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="DSC03385" /></a></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">7.15 pm</span></span><br /><br />A lady emerged through the doorway with two guys following closely behind carrying trays filled with canned drinks, bottled water, sandwiches and <span style="font-style: italic;">paus</span>. She stopped by every row to take orders & was surprisingly courteous, like a well trained air stewardess minus the thick make up.<br /><br />Also, the train was really starting to pick up speed. As it hit 90 km/h, a small speedometer magically appeared at the top left corner of the TV. The speed of the train climbed up to more than 110 km/h at certain stretches. While at some other stretches, it had to slow down to below 90 km/h at which the speedometer will disappear, hiding itself in embarrassment.<br /><br />And so the cycle continued, the speedometer periodically appearing & disappearing according to the train's speed.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">7.35 pm</span></span><br /><br />Suddenly, the train slowed down and came to a complete halt in the middle of nowhere. It was pitch black outside.<br /><br />After lying motionless for almost 10 minutes, someone finally decided to clue us in on the situation. Apparently, a Komuter train was blocking the track ahead & we were just waiting for a clear stretch of railway before we can start moving again.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5025950221/" title="1C4H0051_thumb[1] by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5025950221_4b3cc6c9ce.jpg" width="500" height="337" alt="1C4H0051_thumb[1]" /></a></span></div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">8.30 pm</span></span><br /><br />After stopping briefly at Tanjung Malim, the train continued its journey to Kampar. With no stupid Komuter blocking its way, the train was able to unleash its full potential. This is where the train managed to hit the top speed of 155 km/h.<br /><br />I finally arrived at the deserted Kampar station at 9 pm, which is 30 minutes later than what was promised due to all the minor hiccups along the way. But all in all, I think the ETS is still a great way to travel if you are headed up north to Ipoh. Not exactly cheap but safe & comfortable.<br /><br /><br /></span></div>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-67187598450351440292010-09-19T00:40:00.012+08:002010-09-20T23:06:20.289+08:00Casino Wars: RW Sentosa vs Marina Bay Sands 2<span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5001781276/" title="DSC00885 by takerz, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5001781276_c06a6baea7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00885" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" >This is a continuation of </span><a href="http://acura86.blogspot.com/2010/08/casino-wars-rw-sentosa-vs-marina-bay.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Part 1</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" >, this time it's about my visit to the other casino, the Marina Bay Sands.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >We took the MRT to the Marina Bay station before continuing our journey by foot for about 15 minutes, with the distinctive looking towers in the distance acting as our guide. I can't help but marvel at the architecture of the building as I neared it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5001766232/" title="IMG_2001 by takerz, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5001766232_a9bdffe192.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2001" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The integrated resort itself was still very much a work in progress, construction was ongoing all around the place at a hectic pace. After a very enjoyable stroll aided by nice weather & gentle breeze, we arrived at the entrance of 'The Shoppes at Marina Bay'.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >In front of it was a gigantic glass bowl with a hole in the middle, which I presumed is used to collect rain water. A not so subtle </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >feng shui</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" > element incorporated into the design that I am sure needs no explanation.<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5001777520/" title="IMG_1997 by takerz, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5001777520_eece503e0a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1997" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Inside the partially completed shopping mall was a man made canal, where you can experience riding a sampan rowed by a real human. This certainly reminds me of the gondola ride in </span><a href="http://rachelteng2.blogspot.com/2010/09/unforgettable-moment-at-venetian.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Venetian, Macau</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" >.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I read in a website that some of the sampan rowers are actually degree holders. Hmm...not easy to survive in Singapore even with a university's sand paper.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5007859827/" title="IMG_1999 by takerz, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5007859827_3e90b68381.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1999" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Other than that, the mall was filled with luxury brands that can only be afforded if you are really lucky at the gambling tables. Now talking about gambling, the casino is housed within the same building and has a much more discreet entrance when compared to </span><a href="http://acura86.blogspot.com/2010/08/casino-wars-rw-sentosa-vs-marina-bay.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Resorts World Sentosa</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" >. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5001162781/" title="IMG_2000 by takerz, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5001162781_3380cdce30.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2000" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Split into multiple levels, the interior of the casino was stunning with a very high end feel to it. They had workers pushing trolleys from table to table making coffee/tea for the gamblers. If you prefer something plain instead, they will happily hand you a bottle of Marina Bay mineral water.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Alas, we left without placing any bets again but not before grabbing 2 bottles of mineral water for good measure (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >kiasu-ness</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" > at work!). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Outside, we were finally able to witness the three towers up close. It's very hard trying to fit everything into a single frame, that's why we ended up taking many </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >senget</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" > shots like the one below.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5001168187/" title="IMG_2002 by takerz, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5001168187_226b78ed80.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2002" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Another attraction at the Marina Bay Sands was the Helix Bridge, made to resemble the structure of a human DNA. We went back to the bridge again at night but unfortunately all the photos we took were blurry. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5001183947/" title="DSC00887 by takerz, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5001183947_9a6b2ea85b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00887" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Well, this concludes my two part post about my experience at the 2 newly opened casinos in Singapore. Yes, I know it's a bit anti-climatic as I did not actually gamble but I just can't bring myself to do it after seeing this while eating at Maxwell Food Centre. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/5001157929/" title="IMG_1890 by takerz, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5001157929_39b159d596.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1890" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-59091465250927682042010-09-10T23:43:00.011+08:002010-09-12T21:39:43.700+08:00Exploring Resorts World Sentosa<span class="Apple-style-span" ><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div>Here are some of the photos we took while exploring the sprawling ground of Resorts World Sentosa. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Since our visit took place close to Singapore's National Day, the resort was decorated to mark the occasion. This board located not far away from the <a href="http://acura86.blogspot.com/2010/08/casino-wars-rw-sentosa-vs-marina-bay.html">casino's</a> entrance, displayed drawings by children celebrating the event.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4977315252/" title="IMG_1923 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4977315252_2e5fdd4813.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1923" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Public art installations like this colourful butterfly can be found littered around the same area. Visitors can rest their tired legs, sitting on the bench while admiring such artworks. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4976707805/" title="IMG_1925 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4976707805_ca96915c94.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1925" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >At the Festive Walk area was this large fountain called the Lake of Dreams. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4977396708/" title="IMG_1934 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4977396708_55e1ce0c2f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1934" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Here's another shot of the fountain from further away. Note the many pyramids incorporated into its design. Must be the work of the Illuminati again, blatantly hiding such images in public places! Not content with making Santa Claus Hari Raya ads on TV3, they had taken over Singapore as well. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4976714125/" title="IMG_1939 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4976714125_873a5ed38b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1939" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I like how the surroundings were distorted & reflected on this gigantic sphere. Also, it gives new meaning to the phrase 'balls of steel'. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4977400318/" title="IMG_1935 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/4977400318_4be0225400.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1935" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Situated further up was a reproduction of Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture, The Thinker. A man in serious thought sitting on a throne, with water gushing all around. Doesn't it reminds you of the toilet?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4976765701/" title="IMG_1945 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4976765701_f2e1167f80.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1945" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Look at the intricate patterns of the roof.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4976777991/" title="IMG_1951 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4976777991_af0864ba05.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1951" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Inside one of the hotel's lobby (I had forgotten which one), we found this cute sculpture entitled 'Adam & Eve'. I think this is what Adam & Eve will end up looking like if the Garden of Eden was in America and they spend their time gorging on hamburgers instead of apples. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4977332888/" title="IMG_1953 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4977332888_ba8127a1dc.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1953" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >The posh shopping area connecting the hotels.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4976727563/" title="IMG_1954 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4976727563_370e77aa34.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1954" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >In front of the hotel lobby, we saw this majestic Rolls Royce Phantom. I have yet to see one in Malaysia. Unfortunately, the only person able to afford this, our Agong prefers to ride in a Maybach. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4977328884/" title="IMG_1952 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4977328884_d4d8dd44ce.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1952" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Following the signages, we arrived at the beautifully landscaped pool of Hard Rock Hotel. Many hotel guests were seen frolicking at the man made beach. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4976803673/" title="IMG_1970 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4976803673_4bf4be61c1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1970" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I particularly liked this private little corner where you can soak yourself in peace, away from the screaming kids.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4977408970/" title="IMG_1968 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4977408970_09a35a3e3b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1968" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Singaporean flags were hung from every balcony of the hotel, reminding me of similiar sights at the government flats in our country. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4977341608/" title="IMG_1971 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4977341608_e9392c47e9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1971" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >This being a Hard Rock Hotel, there was a wall dedicated to showcase memorabilia from the stars. I was excited to see two items from one of my favourite bands of all time, Oasis. First, a sparkle finish Dan Electro guitar owned & signed by Noel Gallagher.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4977304080/" title="IMG_1978 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4977304080_2f57b82a5a.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="IMG_1978" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >And an autographed Manchester City jersey by Noel as well. Too bad he supported the wrong side of Manchester though. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4976698215/" title="IMG_1980 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4976698215_21782bf02a.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="IMG_1980" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Away from the hotel, this is the grand entrance into Universal Studios Singapore. We actually went there a day early to purchase our tickets, as we heard they were sometimes sold out during peak days. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4976781595/" title="IMG_1928 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4976781595_cbca2bd4de.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1928" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >We also spotted this. What? Resorts World Singapore closing down already?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4976794235/" title="IMG_1937 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4976794235_022783b808.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1937" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-20095132904328120942010-09-06T19:02:00.002+08:002010-09-20T23:08:42.416+08:00Casino Wars: RW Sentosa vs Marina Bay Sands<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4967514857/" title="DSC00902 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4967514857_48ebf1cdf9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00902" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div>There aren't many things that Singapore can claim to be better than Malaysia. With the recent opening of 2 casinos however, Singaporeans can now boast of having an extra casino than us. I did not miss the opportunity to visit both while I was there, strictly for research purposes of course.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">We visited Resorts World Sentosa first, by taking the RW8 bus from Vivo City. It took us directly to the entrance, the word 'CASINO' in big & shiny capital letters hanged atop it. This is a proper entrance alright...no need to keep it hidden at the top floor like in Genting Highlands.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4967373961/" title="IMG_1915 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4967373961_5f54efde0c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1915" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The entrance is divided into Singaporean & non-Singaporean sections. A very stern looking Chinese man stood in front it to check the passports of every tourist wanting to enter. He gave mine a long hard look before letting me in. This procedure is definitely less embarrassing than getting pull over by the police in Genting to check for IC (happened to me numerous times). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">While Genting had a fleet of shiny Myvis & Alza to be given away & displayed along the corridor in conjunction with our National Day. Singaporeans have to make do with a Lamborghini Gallardo due to the lack of a national car maker. Tourists were crazily snapping away at the car as cameras weren't allowed beyond that point. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4967376373/" title="IMG_1960 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4967376373_75e32df90e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1960" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The casino itself was very nice, although it isn't as big as I first thought. Punters were crowded around a few tables (the others were either closed or empty), placing their bets quietly. The atmosphere is akin to a library. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">I grabbed a cup of drink from a waiter who was busily walking around, handing out drinks. <i>'Hmm...hot Chinese tea, how healthy'</i> I thought to myself after taking a sip. Walking around exploring the place, I reached the free drinks counter which served only hot Chinese tea (again!) & plain water. <i>'Milo must be very expensive in Singapore'</i>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">We left the casino moments later, having to pass through the same cumbersome security checks at the exit. The new casino certainly looked impressive, but I wonder why the designers completely ignored some basic rules in casino building like having fugly carpets or not displaying the time (they had clocks inside).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4967518981/" title="Las Vegas Carpets by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4967518981_ecbe78a042.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Las Vegas Carpets" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Argh, my eyes!</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">One uniquely Asian element remained in the design though...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>feng shui</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">. Like I said in my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://acura86.blogspot.com/2008/11/gambling-in-dark.html">last post about casino</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">, I am a man of science but here are some of the alleged </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>feng shui</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"> incorporated into the layout. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">If you took the escalators from the hotel, you will have to pass through these LED screens shaped like knives to cut you into pieces.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4967993374/" title="IMG_1966 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4967993374_bd01a2a00f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1966" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">After that, you will have to walk pass a corridor with water like reflections projected onto the ceiling to drown you. The criss cross structure resembled a net trying to capture water fishes like you...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4967381301/" title="IMG_1963 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4967381301_f83877793b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1963" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">If you made it pass all of that alive, you will still be entering a casino situated at the deepest point of the resort, so you're practically entering Hell. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">The feng shui arrangements are so powerful, even this peculiar sculpture of an elephant with a pyramid situated on top, is said to be deliberately placed to trap would be punters. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">Beware the money grabbing elephant!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4967996276/" title="IMG_1967 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4967996276_9d69827c8f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1967" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Note: Post about Marina Bay Sands will be coming soon. (Read it <a href="http://acura86.blogspot.com/2010/09/casino-wars-rw-sentosa-vs-marina-bay.html">here</a>)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-6632076341517855412010-09-03T17:34:00.000+08:002010-09-05T01:56:05.872+08:00A Beary Good Hostel, Singapore<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52451302@N08/4936769513/" title="IMG_1897 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4936769513_70d8654132.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1897" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div>Finding cheap accommodation in Singapore is difficult, more so if you are a Malaysian with the unfavourable exchange rate. The last time me and my girlfriend went for a visit (Jan 2010), we ended up staying in the red light district of Geylang. However for our most recent visit (July 2010), even the hotels in Geylang proved too expensive for our budget.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The only alternative really is to look for a backpacker hostel. We found one such hostel, the punnily named, A Beary Good Hostel located in Chinatown. I was a bit hesitant though having never stayed in such places before. They also do not have any private rooms, meaning we have to sleep on bunk beds in a dorm full of strangers. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52451302@N08/4936758009/" title="IMG_1872 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4936758009_db58653efa.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1872" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But still, we took the plunge after reading nothing but glowing reviews of it from <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294265-d1655965-Reviews-A_Beary_Good_Hostel-Singapore.html">TripAdvisor</a>. The relatively cheap price of $20 per night made things easier as well. Booking is done online through their <a href="http://www.abearygoodhostel.com/">website</a> by placing a 10% deposit. They accidentally charged me double that amount though but did apologised profusely for the error. To make up for it, they threw in a couple of free drinks for us upon arrival. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The hostel is located right smack in the middle of Chinatown. Just alight at the MRT Chinatown station and head towards Exit A to Pagoda Street. At the exit, look up towards the row of shophouses on your left and you will see this sign...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52451302@N08/4936777595/" title="IMG_2031 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4936777595_0128c53a60.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2031" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We got ourselves a double decker bed near the window as per our request prior to booking. The entire room has 5 double decker beds in total and is very clean but slightly cramped due to limited space. Each occupant get their own locker but we being such amateurish backpackers did not bring our own lock, so we ended up purchasing 1 from the counter for $4. Rookie mistake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The blanket provided was quite thin but luckily the air conditioning wasn't very cold at night. During our stay, all beds were occupied, mostly by <i>mat sallehs </i>but we did meet a young couple from Hong Kong who traveled to Singapore together with the guy's mum. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52451302@N08/4937359022/" title="IMG_1905 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4937359022_20cbb9811d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1905" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">The lounge area is a cosy area with some books, DVDs, a PS3 and a Wii. However, the most popular devices by far were the 3 netbooks with Internet access, although typing on the tiny keyboard was pure torture. WiFi is also available FOC as well.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52451302@N08/4937353302/" title="IMG_1896 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4937353302_985a8a7beb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1896" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Glad to report that the toilets & shower facilities were all clean too. Yeah, simple things like clean toilets impressed the heck out of us Malaysians. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Breakfast is included as well, consisting of unlimited slices of plain bread & hot coffee or tea. For Malaysian travelers who insist on having some local fare in the morning, there is a huge bag of cereal clearly bought from a Tesco somewhere in Johor. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52451302@N08/4936765519/" title="IMG_1895 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4936765519_8f084bfc35.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1895" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">All in all, our 2 night stay at the hostel was very pleasant & comfortable. On top of that, you get to meet travelers from all over the world, plus the staff are incredibly friendly & helpful too. This is definitely a place I would recommend for those seeking a place to stay in Singapore on a shoestring budget. Heck, even if you aren't on a tight budget, you can still check this place out for the experience. Save those extra $$$ for the casinos ;) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-42100201048141122182010-09-01T22:03:00.016+08:002010-09-03T23:45:26.056+08:00Flying Low Cost From KLIA<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div><br /></div>Flying low cost in Malaysia usually means having to endure some slight discomfort while waiting for departure at the LCCT. However, plans are underway to construct a new mega low cost terminal (KLIA 2) that will make the current one look like a Tesco hypermart.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Once completed in 2012, the terminal will look something like these graphical renditions....damn cun I tell you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4948571752/" title="4458734783_ef83144825_b by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4948571752_87d518a05e.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="4458734783_ef83144825_b" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4947983039/" title="4421193625_f175bba4e1_b by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4947983039_bb01edb52f.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="4421193625_f175bba4e1_b" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But meanwhile, budget travelers are still going to end up stuck inside the factory-like environment of the LCCT. That is, if you insist on choosing Air Asia... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">For our most recent trip to flood prone Singapore, we chose to fly with JetStar instead (my apologies Datuk Tony) because their fares were the cheapest around (when compared with both Air Asia & Tiger Airways). The best thing about them is that, we get to depart from KLIA. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">So instead of dreary surroundings, we got shiny marble floors & carpeted waiting areas. There is also a Jungle Boardwalk that will let foreign tourists & city folks like me, experience being in the heart of a tropical rainforest.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4936738673/" title="IMG_1842 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4936738673_83e7961696.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="IMG_1842" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Rainforest inside an airport. Or is it the other way round?</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4936725279/" title="IMG_1838 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4936725279_fd1036c02f.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="IMG_1838" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>This almost made me forget I had a plane to catch</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4936730087/" title="IMG_1839 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4936730087_45300dd675.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="IMG_1839" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>Are we really that near to the Equator?</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Last but not least, a skybridge to our plane ;)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acuratkm/4937331178/" title="IMG_1851 by takerz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4937331178_10daceeff0.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="IMG_1851" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div></div>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-22074864584825247452010-08-31T23:10:00.007+08:002010-09-07T23:54:43.152+08:00Back Up & Running<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hello world,</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I has been a long time since I last blogged. Holy cow, my last post was dated more than a year ago. That was way back during my internship period in Miri before I seemingly just vanished. I have an explanation of course, I always do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">While undergoing my internship, I was completely consumed by work. I was giving my all to the company, leaving little time to blog properly. Being a perfectionist, I could not let myself churn out inferior blog posts (some people call that laziness but I beg to differ).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After finishing my industrial attachment, I transfered my single minded focus towards my final year studies & thesis. Sometimes, spending hours couped up inside the lab conducting experiments. By then, I had practically abandoned my blog & went into self-imposed exile. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Okay, there might be slight exaggeration on what actual happened but that's the way I would like to remember it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But after staying away for so long, I had this sudden urge to revive 'Signs of Life'. My fingers are getting itchy. My girlfriend active blogging might have something to do with it as well (visit her blog </span><a href="http://rachelteng2.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, I hereby officially declared my blog to be up & running again. For now ;)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-32690022458972388762009-05-27T20:42:00.009+08:002010-09-12T22:34:21.243+08:00Of Oil, Seahorses & Crocs<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CStudent%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="Edit-Time-Data" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CStudent%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_editdata.mso"><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* 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5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style=""><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </o:lock><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" spid="_x0000_i1031" type="#_x0000_t75" style="width: 262.5pt; height: 394.5pt; visibility: visible;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CStudent%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image001.jpg" title="100_0345"> </v:imagedata></v:shape></v:path></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Last week, my girlfriend visited me here in Miri bringing some much needed warmth from Semenanjung. I gladly became her tour guide for her short stay in Miri.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our 1</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">st</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> stop is the Petroleum Science Museum situated on top of the curiously named Canada Hill. This is where it all started, where oil was first found back during the days of the White Rajah.
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Situated in front of the museum is a structure almost a century old, Well No 1 affectionately known as ‘The Grand Old Lady’, ignoring the obvious phallic symbolism behind the tall erection.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCsWlo1sh0mhnKRClc7o3ILaWEqb5RDlEYLMHpB7rcsfNFq52TVB0-f-fxQOfyUa_PoJB_VdurdEhQOyiLkA9Z-6y7S6_NK7KYK7-tRMYux-Ol1ePrqNTJ964dpM91kCdERaIFTYU7bk/s1600-h/100_0345.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCsWlo1sh0mhnKRClc7o3ILaWEqb5RDlEYLMHpB7rcsfNFq52TVB0-f-fxQOfyUa_PoJB_VdurdEhQOyiLkA9Z-6y7S6_NK7KYK7-tRMYux-Ol1ePrqNTJ964dpM91kCdERaIFTYU7bk/s400/100_0345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340485648965221810" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style=""><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" spid="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75" style="width: 441pt; height: 294pt; visibility: visible;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CStudent%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image002.jpg" title="100_0346"> </v:imagedata></v:shape></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Exploration & production of oil moved offshore after the oil on top of the hill has been sucked dry. A few production platforms can actually be seen from the top of the hill, churning out thousands of barrels of oil per day that earned Miri the unofficial nickname of Oil Town.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcuPm0SenjyyXWlsbk76R1IzdkRqGL1rI56H1gLGc5oFCQvylwmW5ZC9UVa_SM9z3vAtvruuWxy50gAH5vRTDPxSoYjfkbzizRrhFxooN4Bua08CTXPT7fr4oj79AOAoWnicXt8C8qWA/s1600-h/100_0346.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcuPm0SenjyyXWlsbk76R1IzdkRqGL1rI56H1gLGc5oFCQvylwmW5ZC9UVa_SM9z3vAtvruuWxy50gAH5vRTDPxSoYjfkbzizRrhFxooN4Bua08CTXPT7fr4oj79AOAoWnicXt8C8qWA/s400/100_0346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340486621651229842" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Entrance to the strikingly designed museum is free but sadly many of the exhibits are in bad conditions. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >After the short history lesson on oil & how it catalyzes the growth of the city, we visited another symbol of Miri - the Seahorse. While not as famous as their feline friends of Kuching, the mascot of the city can be found everywhere - in the middle of a roundabout, on key chains, on the signboard of a food court etc. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Perhaps the largest of them all is the Seahorse Lighthouse, which took us a couple of wrong turns before finally finding the place. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvPw5E5oNQ3QsJllIBikRSU9x6nxGYxheLpB9vp06Q0MKdo2B9_iicAbqLH1u8uVsZJj0rDbeYkIdS0szjOJOzFTaRLnI8JWQDx16L9ibwTQBhRM-JSHns_VN_OiVv3Pm75lkNh0G7FQ/s1600-h/100_0372.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvPw5E5oNQ3QsJllIBikRSU9x6nxGYxheLpB9vp06Q0MKdo2B9_iicAbqLH1u8uVsZJj0rDbeYkIdS0szjOJOzFTaRLnI8JWQDx16L9ibwTQBhRM-JSHns_VN_OiVv3Pm75lkNh0G7FQ/s400/100_0372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340488425645907522" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style=""><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" spid="_x0000_i1029" type="#_x0000_t75" style="width: 291.75pt; height: 438pt; visibility: visible;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CStudent%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image003.jpg" title="100_0372"> </v:imagedata></v:shape></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How a city known more for its oil came to be associated with the sea creature is unknown, but statues of seahorses in the middle of a busy roundabout are definitely more aesthetically pleasing than a monument of oil barrels. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The next day, we went to Brunei, a country so boring it deserves a blog post of its own. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">On the 3</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">rd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> day & running out of places of attraction to go, we decided to visit Miri’s Crocodile Farm. Entrance fee is quite steep at RM 10 & since it’s a Monday, the place is eerily deserted. There is a mini zoo if crocodiles aren’t exactly your cup of tea. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Not much to see though except for some bored looking monkeys, a sleeping leopard cat, a hungry & desperate stork chewing on rocks, a pair of stressed out sun bears and what the sign claimed to be the world’s most dangerous bird, the Cassowary. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMAbO0yAmXrSlMpKVv0v4ovF9PF3cAWrQov7Zc5kyyhDvSHBerGaqogvkcjpPL4-94BvkiVMLmrS39lzzyEXJrK6TR4lIB4y3XWcyYhCy3kbLbYPxGe9-J7RF4V1b29oZzidg_03r0hE/s1600-h/100_0394.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMAbO0yAmXrSlMpKVv0v4ovF9PF3cAWrQov7Zc5kyyhDvSHBerGaqogvkcjpPL4-94BvkiVMLmrS39lzzyEXJrK6TR4lIB4y3XWcyYhCy3kbLbYPxGe9-J7RF4V1b29oZzidg_03r0hE/s400/100_0394.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340488430117039394" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style=""><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" spid="_x0000_i1028" type="#_x0000_t75" style="width: 429.75pt; height: 286.5pt; visibility: visible;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CStudent%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image004.jpg" title="100_0394"> </v:imagedata></v:shape></span></p> <p face="arial" style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-style: italic;">The desperate stork
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But the star attraction is of course the crocs. We climb up the wooden platform, built using planks with gaps in between so you can have a good look of your killer in the unfortunate incident of one of the planks giving way, to have a better view. </span></span></p><p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xruU-KIYAdOhjQEvAX4CkJrTSAERTKBXeUkthur0trP0HnKs6yRA7VVYJotQxSFoeN5LKDdlD_g0VBuOFMplT9ahfBhD0o6xbcrnGL6qGglUx3RopElJhQNSIeGsuDRMqMC1QvZBCew/s1600-h/100_0401.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xruU-KIYAdOhjQEvAX4CkJrTSAERTKBXeUkthur0trP0HnKs6yRA7VVYJotQxSFoeN5LKDdlD_g0VBuOFMplT9ahfBhD0o6xbcrnGL6qGglUx3RopElJhQNSIeGsuDRMqMC1QvZBCew/s400/100_0401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340491229359388482" border="0" /></a></p><p face="arial" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style=""><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_5" spid="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style="width: 456.75pt; height: 304.5pt; visibility: visible;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CStudent%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image005.jpg" title="100_0400"> </v:imagedata></v:shape></span></p> <p face="arial" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Crocodiles aren’t very animated or active creatures, preferring to lie around for hours on end under the sun. Having been around since the time of dinosaurs, I believed such behavior to be the pinnacle of evolution. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtRcXtkpBuJWwS-N2koBi4rt4t5gEbyz2THvMoAOTNNzVPDMcsl_rZ3FRgEQsVNikNOpR3Njwu2x2-glQZ4x1aBFy1W0zV6g6quFVwDcqWOUV0qwb087-z1hDqEVCE43-mwrBaGUMuFA/s1600-h/100_0405.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtRcXtkpBuJWwS-N2koBi4rt4t5gEbyz2THvMoAOTNNzVPDMcsl_rZ3FRgEQsVNikNOpR3Njwu2x2-glQZ4x1aBFy1W0zV6g6quFVwDcqWOUV0qwb087-z1hDqEVCE43-mwrBaGUMuFA/s400/100_0405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340491244578022898" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style=""><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style="width: 459pt; height: 306pt; visibility: visible;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CStudent%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image006.jpg" title="100_0406"> </v:imagedata></v:shape></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It’s supposed to be feeding time at 11.30am but perhaps due to the global economic slowdown, there isn’t any chicken throwing feeding frenzy that day. I am sure the crocs aren’t happy with such cost cutting measures. Somebody bail out these poor crocodile farmers please…</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVj5aGE7BJXAUNe_UJgAk-T5hpJneZzCEN93xTTphepocDA-8sHGe-URnMDxqlO7zYIvgJfuAeAVPwNQZS1xQjkHlZXkRlKoc7w7Ontig9Vf1uaqleCa72GewY7DXvyd94Fa-wGMRVmA/s1600-h/100_0406.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVj5aGE7BJXAUNe_UJgAk-T5hpJneZzCEN93xTTphepocDA-8sHGe-URnMDxqlO7zYIvgJfuAeAVPwNQZS1xQjkHlZXkRlKoc7w7Ontig9Vf1uaqleCa72GewY7DXvyd94Fa-wGMRVmA/s400/100_0406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340491233827602066" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" align="center"><span style=""><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_7" spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style="width: 459pt; height: 306pt; visibility: visible;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CStudent%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image007.jpg" title="100_0405"> </v:imagedata></v:shape></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Just before the exit is the obligatory souvenir shop, for those who preferred their crocodiles dead and in a variety of colours. </span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Before flying back to KL, she bought some black pepper & rattan baskets as souvenirs from exotic Sarawak. That concludes our little tour of Miri city and it will be a couple of months before we see each other again.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></p> acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-12405135108928459102009-05-03T22:32:00.000+08:002009-05-06T21:28:03.709+08:00There Is Something About Miri<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiTsDeKWr_LxJA7yTiijn5xnOIbgqnddR0hS-pinNRqaon5_H-uFqDVqiDYUJjL7WIi4G_8V5rXqjzqG3Wi7Gzx7ETQnE-rEbTPe9yGYPyLk3OhYGXNWDcK-gb5AW-gbAjmjfCb6Y0SE/s1600-h/m_17meekolok2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiTsDeKWr_LxJA7yTiijn5xnOIbgqnddR0hS-pinNRqaon5_H-uFqDVqiDYUJjL7WIi4G_8V5rXqjzqG3Wi7Gzx7ETQnE-rEbTPe9yGYPyLk3OhYGXNWDcK-gb5AW-gbAjmjfCb6Y0SE/s400/m_17meekolok2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332688051069410530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kolok Mee</span><br /><br />Miri people have an unhealthy obsession with kolok mee. There are stalls selling the exact kind of noodles EVERYWHERE!<br /><br />Kolok mee is actually like wantan noodles tossed in oil, top with minced pork & char siew. Unlike wantan mee though, it does not have soy sauce so it looks pale in comparison.<br /><br />It's simple & cheap, you can get a bowl at around RM2.30. But I find it bland & oily. The popularity of this noodle really baffles me.<br /><br />Maybe it's an acquired taste. Maybe it will slowly fall in love with it. Maybe I will even crave it when I went back to KL. But right now...I am just not that into it.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxm2KLWtvAwz8SR4SySI6h_9OGU8rFyQC9tGGJB7fVJtUpyHTU71Zu2yB1YdGzH58-5x97rukcqAg9F4qXe9F2OQX6OqwfuishuF1S1mwfyE1aNskc_vTAXbPihrCBBW8M4AzcdEtqnI/s1600-h/ae36lo2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxm2KLWtvAwz8SR4SySI6h_9OGU8rFyQC9tGGJB7fVJtUpyHTU71Zu2yB1YdGzH58-5x97rukcqAg9F4qXe9F2OQX6OqwfuishuF1S1mwfyE1aNskc_vTAXbPihrCBBW8M4AzcdEtqnI/s400/ae36lo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332700004902656946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >This is kinda cute</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pimp My 4WD</span><br /><br />I had this impression that many people in Sabah & Sarawak drove 4WD because of the bad condition of their roads. But I found out that it's only partially true here in Miri.<br /><br />You are more likely to find Myvis & SLKs (Small Little Kancils) on the roads than pick up trucks. That being said, pick up trucks are a common sight around town.<br /><br />And they are not ordinary 4WDs mind you. The 4WDs here are usually extensively modified with large chrome grilles & bling bling wheels. They make the Kelisa-with-oversized-exhaust-pipes owners in Semenanjung look like wussies.<br /><br />The roads in Miri aren't that bad either. In fact, I am surprised the pick up truck isn't as popular in KL, it will be perfect for navigating our pot hole filled roads.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn0Iob6wQw1V4omJCosqp3TqHo9dqI7mGOqf7OExZW7s54kzUWenKBOTgee3Lxj1Ch3lC3zAK4W6FOgqlsW6J-FsJfK2KkNlid_hMh2mDLCefl3iQxatFPe8Jf0r42lU3jxFo-0zdsGs/s1600-h/f_frontbumperm_35abed5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn0Iob6wQw1V4omJCosqp3TqHo9dqI7mGOqf7OExZW7s54kzUWenKBOTgee3Lxj1Ch3lC3zAK4W6FOgqlsW6J-FsJfK2KkNlid_hMh2mDLCefl3iQxatFPe8Jf0r42lU3jxFo-0zdsGs/s400/f_frontbumperm_35abed5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332692255437168434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >This is just desperate</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1Malaysia</span><br /><br />Aah..this is the latest buzz word coined by our beloved & highly respected PM. I can probably imagine the reaction of the people here in this part of Malaysia to be...<br /><br />"Har? What is that guy on the TV talking about?"<br /><br />People here in Miri learn to coexist in harmony with each other. Not far from our office, a church stood side by side a mosque sharing a common perimeter fence.<br /><br />Some Chinese can speak Iban, while the Ibans can speak Foochow.<br /><br />Just last week, while I was 'enjoying' my non-halal kolok mee in a Chinese kopitiam, I saw a Muslim family sit a few tables away ordering food from a Muslim operated stall situated in the same shop.<br /><br />I must be the only one who noticed it as the other patrons continued enjoying their breakfast without batting an eye.<br /><br />1Malaysia? People here have been living as one all along.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-7203678019433581362009-04-29T20:24:00.001+08:002010-09-07T23:56:45.130+08:00That Sinking Feeling<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6Wt40-HKYd21Oe8hZVXqzsWGbNokgImoZQ2XNdvQJqHkK7mKAzNtB59TYXqyWQgYh7BqL4C3YujyfEdRPUfl68qRKl67hXa3AQ1oRV7bRDAhQFq6Z_bwgKjb2LXKw3aqcEt2gCLMwk4/s1600-h/DSC01484.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6Wt40-HKYd21Oe8hZVXqzsWGbNokgImoZQ2XNdvQJqHkK7mKAzNtB59TYXqyWQgYh7BqL4C3YujyfEdRPUfl68qRKl67hXa3AQ1oRV7bRDAhQFq6Z_bwgKjb2LXKw3aqcEt2gCLMwk4/s400/DSC01484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331274639055785778" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The tranquil surroundings of the training ground</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" lang="en-gb"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">" Intern will most likely be required to commute to our offshore facilities "</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span lang="en-gb" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I was quite excited when I found out about this in my confirmation letter. After all, not everybody gets the chance to commute to an offshore platform in the middle of the sea.<br /><br />The closest I have been to it is in PetroSains, but instead of fighting for tickets with hyperactive schoolkids for entry to the platform, this time I am going to the real thing.<br /><br />And because of that, I need to clear 1 last hurdle before I am deem worthy.....the <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Basic Offshore Safety Emergency Training</span></span><br /><br />The 3 day training is conducted at SMTC's training ground not far from our office. We get a rough idea of what to expect from our conversation with colleagues who had done it all before.<br /><br />Of course, they told us it's going to be a fun & enjoyable ride. Yeah, right...<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UnK8iWrmAh4uX9vA67cE5-9LA1uhiwlQ65Gn5f8J2S0NZMW_irzR9VI_IbAGQjvvFtdmZrVEx5tW7a7uTlQOZ4h4uj4bVv5PVJLcPvfI42s0hKNB-AoS0E40k4qUIBZmNv_Ezxkh69A/s1600-h/DSC01472.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UnK8iWrmAh4uX9vA67cE5-9LA1uhiwlQ65Gn5f8J2S0NZMW_irzR9VI_IbAGQjvvFtdmZrVEx5tW7a7uTlQOZ4h4uj4bVv5PVJLcPvfI42s0hKNB-AoS0E40k4qUIBZmNv_Ezxkh69A/s400/DSC01472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330115486795251970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span lang="en-gb" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">First thing that you will notice after stepping into the training ground is the large swimming pool. You see that 2 storey high platform in the pic, that's where we are supposed to jump from as part of the training.<br /><br />But for the 1st day, we did not do any water related activities. Instead, we learn all about <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">FIRE & FIREFIGHTING. For the practical training, each of us took turns to enter into a Smoke Room, which if you haven't realised already, is a room completely filled with smoke.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeltHYpod0wIBbDuQd2OmSFFkD_hOmsOwrn77uWQG6Z3e0q5GQeJn18qzcKEI6u72ZvjvznzVBsgWalpWBh-N6PhI_x-wBFAUf9pQcTpVUHaKUXp8JFflMbFVOwtzjYkVRc4JDT_sbuOM/s1600-h/DSC01476.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeltHYpod0wIBbDuQd2OmSFFkD_hOmsOwrn77uWQG6Z3e0q5GQeJn18qzcKEI6u72ZvjvznzVBsgWalpWBh-N6PhI_x-wBFAUf9pQcTpVUHaKUXp8JFflMbFVOwtzjYkVRc4JDT_sbuOM/s400/DSC01476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330115492677719266" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The Smoke Room is actually the little container<br />beneath</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >the helicopter</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span lang="en-gb" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Don't be fooled by the small size of the room. It's very dark inside, you won't be able to see a thing. The trick here is to keep your right hand in constant contact with the wall & sooner or later you will reach the exit.<br /><br />Then we moved on to extinguishing a fire with, well a fire extinguisher. This is the same thing a bomba will demonstrate to you during one of those dreaded fire drills. Somehow, I haven't tried doing it before because I was <span style="font-style: italic;">*cough*</span> too shy to volunteer every time they came to my school.<br /><br />There is no exception here though, so everybody has to do it ala <span style="font-style: italic;">Burning Flame. </span><br /></span></span><br />On the 2nd day, we did our <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> And yes, it is really as scary as it sounds.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVo9vJyH9lbGzSlB32_F9jzBD48ZJpwYK0FGIf_LWTaEuJ5Q9KrTmVD1MpLGLJloO_s4Kgh7QLQGpGh9HaheE0fnAQMheCk3mtoJFaBy2KBQPL9rMJWl8mSq46qnKUNV-CsjIkOq4tA4/s1600-h/DSC01475.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVo9vJyH9lbGzSlB32_F9jzBD48ZJpwYK0FGIf_LWTaEuJ5Q9KrTmVD1MpLGLJloO_s4Kgh7QLQGpGh9HaheE0fnAQMheCk3mtoJFaBy2KBQPL9rMJWl8mSq46qnKUNV-CsjIkOq4tA4/s400/DSC01475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331265781550236034" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span lang="en-gb" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />For the HUET, we are supposed to use this thingy called the Emergency Breathing System (EBS). This thing is suppose to help us breathe 'normally' when we went underwater. We had to breathe through our mouth instead of nose, it is quite a challenge and definitely not 'normal'.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6DBeP7I0Ye9vvi9boERMSABSqPsKhCSku4Pfws4WvjO7IaHVUbQY_Hgp9YQP9zVfBx9Ukds7eDS_RkNci-O1Y5Fm7uSMDBD1wMbvK9QRnTKSu-eSSf2Hm6G-qc-SJQuMjilKjWkTGLo/s1600-h/DSC01481.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6DBeP7I0Ye9vvi9boERMSABSqPsKhCSku4Pfws4WvjO7IaHVUbQY_Hgp9YQP9zVfBx9Ukds7eDS_RkNci-O1Y5Fm7uSMDBD1wMbvK9QRnTKSu-eSSf2Hm6G-qc-SJQuMjilKjWkTGLo/s400/DSC01481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331273937030125858" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Now is a good time to start panicking</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span lang="en-gb" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">Then, we got into a fake helicopter & where they slowly dunk us into the water. Once the water reaches chest level, we all deployed our EBS. Before long the whole heli went underwater & PANIC kicks in!<br /><br />I unbuckled my belts quicker than you can say 'Houdini' & immediately drag myself out of the damned thing thru the window.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB5NKZ-gpvUhoiUpdg2lJ0UT2npKUo1HC7HGJ6GAnR_DZL2r2I1T0CRqtc5Cm-TQFk4MEZn_RuF5q4VC-hh14UoEisnltJc1p9mm8rI8O79TnHEGdNIfMOWpYnOk63TRPn70800xINr4/s1600-h/DSC01482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB5NKZ-gpvUhoiUpdg2lJ0UT2npKUo1HC7HGJ6GAnR_DZL2r2I1T0CRqtc5Cm-TQFk4MEZn_RuF5q4VC-hh14UoEisnltJc1p9mm8rI8O79TnHEGdNIfMOWpYnOk63TRPn70800xINr4/s400/DSC01482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331273946547001074" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Ever wonder what it feels like to be inside a spinning</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >washing machine?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span lang="en-gb" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">It's very scary, more so for a non swimmer like me. I am not even using the EBS correctly, just virtually holding my breath & clinging on for dear life.<br /><br />The worst part is we had to get back in for another 2 rounds. For the 2 rounds, the heli was capsizing & we were being turned upside down. It's even scarier as we remained underwater for a longer period of time.<br /><br />Can't believe the company actually paid RM1000+ for us to undergo this kind of torture. It's like volunteering ourselves for waterboarding.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8e3E-sWwjMt1nikT9EPyR-G3nd9JvjYh9nKFQfbJhS00Jn20JrC9_NkllXIwqtZNx7F7Q37BazRy-eK2uNgSSyD-4auCX43Lt3ROs6r-7SNsTrzQZ6tCwro51saZrSgVs7nDFKjvjez8/s1600-h/DSC01483.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8e3E-sWwjMt1nikT9EPyR-G3nd9JvjYh9nKFQfbJhS00Jn20JrC9_NkllXIwqtZNx7F7Q37BazRy-eK2uNgSSyD-4auCX43Lt3ROs6r-7SNsTrzQZ6tCwro51saZrSgVs7nDFKjvjez8/s400/DSC01483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331273951553473026" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >The whole heli sinks faster than the global economy</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span lang="en-gb" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;">The 3rd & final day is also spent mostly in the pool. This time we had our lifejacket on & had to do all the survival techniques such as chain swimming, huddling & the survival circle. I actually enjoyed this part, with the lifejacket on you felt like you are lying on top of a giant water bed. </span></span></span></span></span><span lang="en-gb" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ysgs4Spxka9IGJq7HGkj0zHIZsItOddVfpEwaj81VHahIzP9UvXqJPGT2btfRHUwayV5Pfy4daHRjzCJRyX72L-1XvhrsAIcRs4cv4T-vsaFubA9B31HQeOvKDtp5Jukc2V1Gesb1eg/s1600-h/DSC01480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ysgs4Spxka9IGJq7HGkj0zHIZsItOddVfpEwaj81VHahIzP9UvXqJPGT2btfRHUwayV5Pfy4daHRjzCJRyX72L-1XvhrsAIcRs4cv4T-vsaFubA9B31HQeOvKDtp5Jukc2V1Gesb1eg/s400/DSC01480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331273952613892034" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Doing the survival circle</span><br /></div><br /><span lang="en-gb" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);font-family:Calibri;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />And finally before we can get the safety endorsement, we had to jump from 8 metres into the pool! Suddenly the platform looks so much higher than the one I remember seeing during the 1st day.<br /><br />Looking down to the wavy waters underneath will make you develop vertigo instantly. But there's no turning back from there.<br /><br />When it's my turn to jump, I strode up to the platform & stood at the very edge of it. One hand covered my nose while another held on to my lifejacket. Then, I took 1 look below to make sure there's no obstacles. Took a step forward & just plunged downwards.<br /><br />The most important thing here is to cross your legs, or else there will be no more happy hours for you according to my trainer.<br /><br />With that, I concluded my BOSET Training. I got my safety endorsement, a certificate & a car sticker that reads...<br /><br />I SURVIVED SMTC!<br /></span></span></span></span></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-55427385745727805562009-04-19T01:24:00.001+08:002010-09-07T23:57:04.917+08:00Suddenly In Miri<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72qiKZSSD4BO02EfEVuM7OY6gXb0LP9ssHdOeW2d2UXqpQjyNyGpSwufD-aJk3-4QDYxi27jTqx59VzvLd3-66VVIBmuNnxm33vcp4v4Pj3TEONiGbcgBGJu5amyYNspZLdyMc5QP-XA/s1600-h/DSC01454.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72qiKZSSD4BO02EfEVuM7OY6gXb0LP9ssHdOeW2d2UXqpQjyNyGpSwufD-aJk3-4QDYxi27jTqx59VzvLd3-66VVIBmuNnxm33vcp4v4Pj3TEONiGbcgBGJu5amyYNspZLdyMc5QP-XA/s400/DSC01454.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326793826177755442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It's been months since my last blog post. In fact, I am suppose to blog about my trip to Melaka but everything came to an abrupt end during the intense period of studying for my finals.<br /><br />Didn't even log into my Blogger account for ages. Obviously, there will be a massive gap in the timeline of this blog.<br /><br />I was enjoying life in KL, went to Melaka during my last post...then suddenly <span style="font-style: italic;">*poof*</span> I am in Miri, Sarawak now.<br /><br />The obvious question will then be, what am I doing here in The Land of Hornbills, Kolok Mee & Kenny Sia?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*answering my own question*</span><br /><br />Well, I am here to do my internship, attached to a large/huge/gigantic multinational company for 20 long (hopefully not miserable) weeks.<br /><br />I am not going to name the company though, in case I need to badmouth them here in my blog in the future. Due to my tendency to procrastinate, I am actually already into my 2nd week of internship.<br /><br />I depart from LCCT on 12th April. Since I will be relocating myself there, there is quite alot of things to bring along. My 2 luggage bags looked like it's going to burst open anytime.<br /><br />And when I check in both my luggage bags, imagine my horror when I found out that it was overweight by a whopping 7kg & for that I was charged an extra RM105! That's almost the price of my flight ticket itself!!<br /><br />My friend's luggage bag was even larger, he can even fit a washing machine in there if he wants to. And for that he was fined close to RM200. That makes me feel a whole lot better ha ha<br /><br />It's like going for the movies & buying another seat just to put your popcorn. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks alot Mr Tony Fernandes.<br /><br />Two hours later, we arrived in Miri. The airport is so much better than LCCT. It makes LCCT looked like Tesco with check in counters & lots of chairs.<br /><br />For all you ignorant city dwelling people who thinks Miri is just a small shanty town. It's actually a Bandaraya which puts it on the same level as <span style="font-style: italic;">*gasp*</span> KL.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTj59DIF7j0wSmxJ9broD6ulH3Bzujc6p10UOJKfYxol8vjObCMGuIxsuo-_zSge12f7D37V08FfJeFBD6hRrS_22kHVSbOXRULgm5r5U9EjQQ6crFQ8ee_yqTy3TTR_8v6RCIwam22I/s1600-h/DSC01455.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTj59DIF7j0wSmxJ9broD6ulH3Bzujc6p10UOJKfYxol8vjObCMGuIxsuo-_zSge12f7D37V08FfJeFBD6hRrS_22kHVSbOXRULgm5r5U9EjQQ6crFQ8ee_yqTy3TTR_8v6RCIwam22I/s400/DSC01455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326792736063551298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We checked into Imperial Hotel in the heart of Miri. We get an amazing room with kitchen, washing machine, Astro, a double bed & daily buffet breakfast to boot...all paid for by the company.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRrdri52NURlf2LTrZi3EPWBuCa0WdAjlTbw8p6RU3Dmw3jSF5i0fz3svGq4dEtgTQums5R43EFv-N8FX9RwnKjHoNZjpWPOhpJ6Kdj2XKGsoA5LcHZGeGoQOeCLmlfmpnpPNDdsb6Vg/s1600-h/DSC01456.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRrdri52NURlf2LTrZi3EPWBuCa0WdAjlTbw8p6RU3Dmw3jSF5i0fz3svGq4dEtgTQums5R43EFv-N8FX9RwnKjHoNZjpWPOhpJ6Kdj2XKGsoA5LcHZGeGoQOeCLmlfmpnpPNDdsb6Vg/s400/DSC01456.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326792742456913858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjH9YxAf7MWm0mlVHzdb0diWaLoDQ0ZmMAYUG7ezTVHNm6Kdi8yNoyHP-qGd1UNvyCLHrRpEeuRxPn9nXN0d7Mfgnw74C8AJL08qMMNpDshd4BCk-YheUg8-7y_KbNafEqiD7WoMzI76U/s1600-h/DSC01457.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjH9YxAf7MWm0mlVHzdb0diWaLoDQ0ZmMAYUG7ezTVHNm6Kdi8yNoyHP-qGd1UNvyCLHrRpEeuRxPn9nXN0d7Mfgnw74C8AJL08qMMNpDshd4BCk-YheUg8-7y_KbNafEqiD7WoMzI76U/s400/DSC01457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326792746519715986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We lived like kings, at least for 5 days.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkZU2nkS0huj7GmDESJKEQeNzguyKXw1ayxKrCSQ55XuW_zq1bcIajpNLjwXVEuGWwMnb1gzBMC8yA5GikG9GiI7zYZhJUlqqwOSSZc-NW_uKBb_4HJv0X1bu97LBsbayjp6vfIpHxlc/s1600-h/DSC01460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkZU2nkS0huj7GmDESJKEQeNzguyKXw1ayxKrCSQ55XuW_zq1bcIajpNLjwXVEuGWwMnb1gzBMC8yA5GikG9GiI7zYZhJUlqqwOSSZc-NW_uKBb_4HJv0X1bu97LBsbayjp6vfIpHxlc/s400/DSC01460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326792749710986354" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It has been an enjoyable 1st week in this part of Malaysia. Will try to blog more about life from the eyes of a KLite in Miri, but don't get your hopes too high though ;)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-28808419903442818272009-02-16T00:52:00.001+08:002010-09-07T23:57:40.240+08:00Menara Taming Sari<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmKnvqnZxRW-bVjcGYBeRjEOvuMnHL78vrr01kA1kV21KliodfNXX2xG6vK2_8uOCB0Wm5tXoZkRz0BJoDK2X-DXYHdcsMWbmpE7WkTwHo0HnAFZmEZBQYzf3943-foXSHZjiOAOWbsE/s1600-h/DSC01585.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmKnvqnZxRW-bVjcGYBeRjEOvuMnHL78vrr01kA1kV21KliodfNXX2xG6vK2_8uOCB0Wm5tXoZkRz0BJoDK2X-DXYHdcsMWbmpE7WkTwHo0HnAFZmEZBQYzf3943-foXSHZjiOAOWbsE/s400/DSC01585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303094126957100562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It's good to be back blogging after a long absence, was kidnapped by Choy San as Renaye will say.<br /><br />Truth is, things had been rather hectic lately but still, I managed to find some time for a trip to Melaka over the weekend. The place certainly transformed a great deal since my last visit...<br /><br />Noticed that there is a newly added phallic symbol at the heart of Melaka called Menara Taming Sari.<br /><br />It's actually a revolving tower named after the <span style="font-style: italic;">keris</span> belonging to the (fictional?) local warrior, Hang Tuah. Hang Tuah meanwhile is the idiot who killed his friend out of blind loyalty.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-tXP7AOAVTNwcIVbo361r4vJavTTcXKHRT70X76-lgki_bgBSNNYjekSkyVbK2LN8LY4sy9u0mvpBa_Ey37_pMpL8sM6uOq_yShwWw6kVwqWo_uDdVHD4P93qfJt19ZrkrlLLoS9RTA/s1600-h/DSC01552.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-tXP7AOAVTNwcIVbo361r4vJavTTcXKHRT70X76-lgki_bgBSNNYjekSkyVbK2LN8LY4sy9u0mvpBa_Ey37_pMpL8sM6uOq_yShwWw6kVwqWo_uDdVHD4P93qfJt19ZrkrlLLoS9RTA/s400/DSC01552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303093090435503106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The legendary <span style="font-style: italic;">keris</span> now is said to be in the possession & part of the royal regalia of the Sultan of Perak. We need verification from Datuk Nizar for that though.<br /><br />A ride on the revolving tower cost RM 10 per person with MyKad. The cashier insisted on seeing ours before giving us the 50% discounts. Oh, well...<br /><br />The 7 minute ride is supposed to offer you a glimpse of the development taking place in Melaka.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27Zk4GjDuW4rfPRbqbGwZITg6mgOono7VdWxQdnePiyyGH27kBmJ0FkJyXniCJP7d_ZgQgrl4Itberhf2ZA1rL5ixakyAjn8o7BWLfeyH7tyDy3umjmGPcKF6bbS38YVnoY9sxyiC43g/s1600-h/DSC01573.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27Zk4GjDuW4rfPRbqbGwZITg6mgOono7VdWxQdnePiyyGH27kBmJ0FkJyXniCJP7d_ZgQgrl4Itberhf2ZA1rL5ixakyAjn8o7BWLfeyH7tyDy3umjmGPcKF6bbS38YVnoY9sxyiC43g/s400/DSC01573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303093093057981938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">From above, we get a good view of the Eye on Malaysia ferris wheel, another newly added tourist attraction. Are they trying to turn Melaka into a World Heritage Theme Park now?<br /><br />On a clear day, you can probably see pirates cruising along & lording over Selat Melaka as well haha<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeHjJWWRu5AzlEPcDYT1t0QllXO03GpavGrxmvDQgG6RCSJR7_A-Kvsw4ZU6YQu21LOxUWIyH5OD6xR_04yysbeC_52XufgCzaq3MEwT5jqUx7w2jxcTPVZd0jH5a_4_UV2apfVYmKuI/s1600-h/DSC01561.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeHjJWWRu5AzlEPcDYT1t0QllXO03GpavGrxmvDQgG6RCSJR7_A-Kvsw4ZU6YQu21LOxUWIyH5OD6xR_04yysbeC_52XufgCzaq3MEwT5jqUx7w2jxcTPVZd0jH5a_4_UV2apfVYmKuI/s400/DSC01561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303094683417019970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The <span style="font-style: italic;">sampan</span> is actually the Maritime Museum, a must visit for every <span style="font-style: italic;">rombongan sambil belajar</span> to the <span style="font-style: italic;">Bandaraya Bersejarah</span>.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9NsDQBy9h6ckr99pt8gd3AZFjwhJfqDqAm40dMKwM377QXvOSHI_eER5GBEzqgZ7n0MOEx15KHrdwuLqmCWtvgZi4WWK9gsXwwE-nUu14_wgmUyFdpVAKEenEVw2UEsOPTN5aDEY_qc/s1600-h/DSC01563.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9NsDQBy9h6ckr99pt8gd3AZFjwhJfqDqAm40dMKwM377QXvOSHI_eER5GBEzqgZ7n0MOEx15KHrdwuLqmCWtvgZi4WWK9gsXwwE-nUu14_wgmUyFdpVAKEenEVw2UEsOPTN5aDEY_qc/s400/DSC01563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303093104338937330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Nothing wrong with that of course, for museums are great places to learn about the past. A place for antiques, old & out dated stuff.<br /><br />Ahh...that explains why there is a Muzium UMNO here ;)<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEief5flCa_62sLn3Wdxe15NRnBzUE1ZNCxsJ1svwiLRYhXw2BWfI-bPMHSyKdlZ4ozJDpqGYksLurRCulfEczvITokoiLyYShwcmAJvzlMc5UCDRwwdxF_vpac7vg1NCliLOze43qoF9s8/s1600-h/DSC01571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEief5flCa_62sLn3Wdxe15NRnBzUE1ZNCxsJ1svwiLRYhXw2BWfI-bPMHSyKdlZ4ozJDpqGYksLurRCulfEczvITokoiLyYShwcmAJvzlMc5UCDRwwdxF_vpac7vg1NCliLOze43qoF9s8/s400/DSC01571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303093099863968146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Cyi_2ChyphenhyphenM-Cx6a-D746bZER_-LpZlghvusIKYd_7dlwzRrGBm0clOArkta73ynX9zYefdSIaL3sO2SXFevh2dsQor5dmfeeioTXwywInm-SA54fMv_8glKZTuNJWxeX80bCNGI3h88M/s1600-h/IMG_3127.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Cyi_2ChyphenhyphenM-Cx6a-D746bZER_-LpZlghvusIKYd_7dlwzRrGBm0clOArkta73ynX9zYefdSIaL3sO2SXFevh2dsQor5dmfeeioTXwywInm-SA54fMv_8glKZTuNJWxeX80bCNGI3h88M/s400/IMG_3127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303093708999110082" border="0" /></a>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-42894471555045040162009-01-29T14:40:00.002+08:002010-09-08T00:03:27.239+08:00Red Cliff 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk3XPcCxTLuid0T5hz0MVzTHqBXXIEE7fIw9KE914Y4Px_ObXW6oLz2ZHocydXVQDNI3gUYcl1mjbaiZLiVyFB1X155CrssLF8p6Jwg5KI3u9O-In_k7BH4vDZaU8XalqZQQFBdrHtqs/s1600-h/red-cliff1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk3XPcCxTLuid0T5hz0MVzTHqBXXIEE7fIw9KE914Y4Px_ObXW6oLz2ZHocydXVQDNI3gUYcl1mjbaiZLiVyFB1X155CrssLF8p6Jwg5KI3u9O-In_k7BH4vDZaU8XalqZQQFBdrHtqs/s400/red-cliff1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296727555783983634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />What better way to usher into the New Year than having a bloody and violent Chinese history lesson at the movies right? And we can all thank John Woo for saving the CNY movie genre with this 2nd part of Red Cliff.<br /><br />After feeling slightly cheated by the trailer for the 1st movie, we are finally treated to some awesome battle scenes in the 2nd. But not before another hour of intense build up & strategizing.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58DEAsveU7ACvsE2AzeMgQ9nUvVGEKI9hLqeAqlzz29mcj5YKAi3Eh4ZhTydcEm8QJ3ew6bQoCLW4QtwajHW_msvbNqatUV5wL7Wpz_Kb6Bev1aHwNAm5AAW1D1mI-_cIw5a6NGgjGKE/s1600-h/U1584P28T3D1796026F326DT20071117201744.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58DEAsveU7ACvsE2AzeMgQ9nUvVGEKI9hLqeAqlzz29mcj5YKAi3Eh4ZhTydcEm8QJ3ew6bQoCLW4QtwajHW_msvbNqatUV5wL7Wpz_Kb6Bev1aHwNAm5AAW1D1mI-_cIw5a6NGgjGKE/s400/U1584P28T3D1796026F326DT20071117201744.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296727546094908626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Do I have to remind you to wear your helmet every single day?</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Well, things are never that easy with the Chinese. Even war acquire a deeper, more philosophical meaning.<br /><br />Listen as Zhou Yu (Tony Leung) & Zhuge Liang (Takeshi) spout out fortune cookie quotes, Sun Tzu's teachings and Confucius sayings at every opportunity.<br /><br />Also, this being a John Woo film, expect to see some trademark stuff from the director like...<br /><br />His fetish for white doves<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGkpR9vDnwEhEWX6ZTAHKPrypMS8Zpk6OyMw9S2RXUe73HCOfGtyCWRufyDPqz7SU_IoJvhcDgbq-XdC7mLn6-vWYeEBIkNPMGNiPCHjdiXRx1g9LnwR8VD8w16o4-S30FrFx1D6-Xgg/s1600-h/dsc01087.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGkpR9vDnwEhEWX6ZTAHKPrypMS8Zpk6OyMw9S2RXUe73HCOfGtyCWRufyDPqz7SU_IoJvhcDgbq-XdC7mLn6-vWYeEBIkNPMGNiPCHjdiXRx1g9LnwR8VD8w16o4-S30FrFx1D6-Xgg/s400/dsc01087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296727542339432898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">The bird look tasty roasted or deep fried</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The theme of brotherhood. Hmm...is it me or is the relationship between Zhou Yu & Zhuge Liang really pushing the boundaries of 'brotherhood'?<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0xsPLykesQvFIWEEyVxotvE1sjPDqSP61d0iaZ69A_Hu7xuy9Iof1giYMdr46WuPcxCX-Ut66QJcQtWSAyNrvdcT6VfkvjRvFLqVX26YTzTrRyEtXhMalR8hsSzy-VuU2_qaXPuZnZM/s1600-h/U1171P28T3D1668195F329DT20070808120241.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0xsPLykesQvFIWEEyVxotvE1sjPDqSP61d0iaZ69A_Hu7xuy9Iof1giYMdr46WuPcxCX-Ut66QJcQtWSAyNrvdcT6VfkvjRvFLqVX26YTzTrRyEtXhMalR8hsSzy-VuU2_qaXPuZnZM/s400/U1171P28T3D1668195F329DT20070808120241.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296727547860638434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Sometimes brotherhood takes a<br />bad seat when you need a smoke</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And Chow Yun Fat leaping out sideways with two guns blazing. Nah, that was just wishful thinking on my part.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU20fAxZobISE65w5H_KU-eGnjDRpyRL-yd4-zqZF0mcRNiHizXx2uW7Xrg1dpXwV7BpCEbJK__jL-pxICxyl6iCo9-FTLXCwhFgMTFIJZJGdEW_lJ4hG-hOFzVfwEpmXK2NVUPgSHGcc/s1600-h/l6124666091_9388.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU20fAxZobISE65w5H_KU-eGnjDRpyRL-yd4-zqZF0mcRNiHizXx2uW7Xrg1dpXwV7BpCEbJK__jL-pxICxyl6iCo9-FTLXCwhFgMTFIJZJGdEW_lJ4hG-hOFzVfwEpmXK2NVUPgSHGcc/s400/l6124666091_9388.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296727557664913778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Sliding down the rails & toothpick is optional</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Apparently, the Chinese also invented many of the methods employed in modern warfare.<br /><br />Biological warfare, grenades, sophisticated crossbows and kamikaze attacks were all used in the battle thousand of years ago.<br /><br />Heck, we even saw the soldiers play an ancient form of football (called <span style="font-style: italic;">Cuju</span>) with skills that would make a Brazilian proud.<br /><br />Ahh...another testament to the greatness of Chinese civilization. This will definitely make your skin glow a brighter shade of yellow. Just perfect for the New Year.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28dCeCS6r4PamGYfa456DaInDZoBdbjIFhPI_1p4ZSWie-P9Wyj3v9MMfb8zdpCQZhnIjgmW759VKuWy_-gGZC6IOTc_xWnSAlh29uA2iteesgAFGKEYK6GmVkFeAVgngGmfQ9-D-NbU/s1600-h/confuciussay35.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28dCeCS6r4PamGYfa456DaInDZoBdbjIFhPI_1p4ZSWie-P9Wyj3v9MMfb8zdpCQZhnIjgmW759VKuWy_-gGZC6IOTc_xWnSAlh29uA2iteesgAFGKEYK6GmVkFeAVgngGmfQ9-D-NbU/s400/confuciussay35.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296736646389848066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-88214332565061459082009-01-14T22:50:00.001+08:002010-09-07T23:58:32.700+08:00Do The Right Thing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekChAr7KrqH57yodRCzLwGmSBC03r_Hopgn27BaJhCi3qMnU-nB10qgeDrbipqzTku_krJFlmE5DFMUNvR5kFtA4iJagONjbreFrm436dd-EyXYO1-TuVn6vlRhf8OBDzvuG031WkpFE/s1600-h/sdscrowd.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekChAr7KrqH57yodRCzLwGmSBC03r_Hopgn27BaJhCi3qMnU-nB10qgeDrbipqzTku_krJFlmE5DFMUNvR5kFtA4iJagONjbreFrm436dd-EyXYO1-TuVn6vlRhf8OBDzvuG031WkpFE/s400/sdscrowd.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291202724089471874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The banners are up, security suddenly tightened, posters and articles trading accusations filled the walls of faculties. All these can only mean one thing...the campus election is around the corner.<br /><br />Once again, the fight is on between the pro-aspirasi and pro-mahasiswa factions.<br /><br />Although, student bodies are prohibited from being affiliated with any political parties, it's little secret that one faction is pro-establishment (pro-aspirasi) while the other is anti-establishment (pro-mahasiswa)<br /><br />Student politics are a reflection of national politics, no matter how the authorities try to conceal it.<br /><br />Perhaps mirroring the political situation outside of campus, the odds are heavily stacked against the opposition in the campus polls as well. The authorities are known to throw their backing behind pro-aspirasi candidates to ensure their victory.<br /><br />During my 1st year, all Chinese students were made to attend a gathering to listen to some talk by the representatives of the Chinese student committee. We were told specifically not to vote for the pro-mahasiswa or 'green faction'<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9OoucYsMnkx5jdexEDrT-dWAa6Z5nWBC_bRWWDPXzvR9vVjfOoJtiSGHf6Wwyr_PurrumQbiS5h8xB-mIK3Ck0cE54WGJk5PkdW991vY4zlYIWMYoVBDms5CiOOQ_vm30GRJhMehTHg/s1600-h/115.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9OoucYsMnkx5jdexEDrT-dWAa6Z5nWBC_bRWWDPXzvR9vVjfOoJtiSGHf6Wwyr_PurrumQbiS5h8xB-mIK3Ck0cE54WGJk5PkdW991vY4zlYIWMYoVBDms5CiOOQ_vm30GRJhMehTHg/s400/115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291195293968907890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">This is what happen when you let them win</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">If they came to power, the Chinese students will suffer. There will be strict enforcements on our attire & entertainment will be forbidden (except nasyid performances). Our campus will be turned into a Taliban approved learning centre!<br /><br />Those possibilities alone are enough to make us gullible 1st year students make the 'right choices'.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQ9iQPWsad-JWLFoHVxlI8LSvFb3cNviifCz0JGoyH7joSxsuGsJCMinpjnZNs8fUFkiXf20cQVTo76FFHxnlC_wbEpQv2EvCOmfLeoDTUT82MPdMwsC0nGV14WIOcjXqfQiYNoHl74w/s1600-h/mansuh-auku.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQ9iQPWsad-JWLFoHVxlI8LSvFb3cNviifCz0JGoyH7joSxsuGsJCMinpjnZNs8fUFkiXf20cQVTo76FFHxnlC_wbEpQv2EvCOmfLeoDTUT82MPdMwsC0nGV14WIOcjXqfQiYNoHl74w/s400/mansuh-auku.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291198621388009666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Random picture, nothing to do with this post whatsoever </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And for those of us who live in residential colleges, rumours that we will be kick out of college if we voted for the 'wrong' candidates will be passed around every year.<br /><br />College authorities made it clear that they support the pro-aspirasi candidates. More intimidating is the fact that the ballot paper is marked with a serial number traceable to our names.<br /><br />Doesn't matter whether those rumours are true or false, the majority wouldn't want to take the risk.<br /><br />Nobody really cares about student politics anyway. Student activism is severely curtailed in Malaysia unlike their counterparts in other countries, where they are influential in initiating political, social & economic changes.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KTpzWCUr0nLkAnnZrveQXtfOhhfx_k5i3KF5AIjNnLHDOtiw9Q1jE-AorlCt1X0K_4NtSrH5F-vmwd2davRxbHTiYbu8uDDx4Ieyk-zJ1ywYXHjES5pm1QoxmCAxr0Heg23sMKJiCsM/s1600-h/Tiananmen_Tank_Man.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KTpzWCUr0nLkAnnZrveQXtfOhhfx_k5i3KF5AIjNnLHDOtiw9Q1jE-AorlCt1X0K_4NtSrH5F-vmwd2davRxbHTiYbu8uDDx4Ieyk-zJ1ywYXHjES5pm1QoxmCAxr0Heg23sMKJiCsM/s400/Tiananmen_Tank_Man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291195287010298306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Student activism means standing in from of a tank to make a point</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But here, the candidates are reduced to fighting over petty issues like prices of food in cafetaria and the bus schedule.<br /><br />I hope I do not get into trouble for my rantings. Did I not mentioned that threats and intimidations aside, the campus elections are 100% clean & fair. And I promise that when election comes, I will do the 'right thing'<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-29605761775032437422009-01-10T01:31:00.001+08:002010-09-07T23:58:59.881+08:00Der Die Das<span style="font-family:arial;">My German classes are starting next week. I will be taking Level 4 but unfortunately, I can still hardly string a proper sentence in German. Listening to native speakers is a challenge but...I am going to persevere.<br /><br />I know, it might not be as cool as learning Japanese or Korean. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Yet, I am glad I am learning German as an extra language because : </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">1) when I see an object, I will quickly classified it as masculine, feminine or neutral. In German language, everything falls into those 3 categories.<br /><br />So, a table is masculine, pig is neutral, a cup is feminine etc etc...<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">2) it makes me want to try & watch a German movie. I did watch 'Der Untergang' eventually.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqrc2brNPNYSHl3s_PM-Vw9b_OmK8cgC0o3yLgf-uT6uKVGI2WCV8-l10ob37ryprQWPlr6AOrIwUt76csgTX5lDFCgMBOjffWXtdCnCQgRKGG1M3lbB7jOnobePlVFEL5543Hno1h68/s1600-h/Untergang.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqrc2brNPNYSHl3s_PM-Vw9b_OmK8cgC0o3yLgf-uT6uKVGI2WCV8-l10ob37ryprQWPlr6AOrIwUt76csgTX5lDFCgMBOjffWXtdCnCQgRKGG1M3lbB7jOnobePlVFEL5543Hno1h68/s400/Untergang.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289375317730345426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It's a great movie about Hitler's downfall...but I gave up trying to make out what they are actually saying in German halfway through the movie. Reading the subtitles are so much easier.<br /><br />3) when I order a burger at McDonald's, I knew that 'ich liebe es' written on the box means 'I'm lovin' it'<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hx6PszZIvG_09Xgn4eil0VzbZX2Yk6lt37V_kYqqagDXDkELWO48DAfmEuU4YLDkgMIlp1F7hoem3p6W84jKrON_fjzkQaFmPXKVSlc7DYQFGlqrDBMQOJAATLGsi20PeAF0QGQQFMo/s1600-h/ich-liebe-es-big.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hx6PszZIvG_09Xgn4eil0VzbZX2Yk6lt37V_kYqqagDXDkELWO48DAfmEuU4YLDkgMIlp1F7hoem3p6W84jKrON_fjzkQaFmPXKVSlc7DYQFGlqrDBMQOJAATLGsi20PeAF0QGQQFMo/s400/ich-liebe-es-big.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289374616416827058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">4) I found out that Deutschland is actually Germany, not Holland.<br /><br />5) I discovered that some English words</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, such as kindergarten </span><span style="font-family:arial;">are borrowed from German.<br /><br />6) I can spell using fancy alphabets lik<span style="font-family:arial;">e ü, ä, </span>ö and ß<br /><br />7) I will not starve to death if stranded in Germany, but what I eat will be limited by my vocabulary, meaning - bread, sausages, potatoes & onion soup.<br /><br />8) I can pronounc<span style="font-size:100%;">e </span></span><span style=";font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:100%;">Michael Ballack & Bastian Schweinsteiger</span><span style="font-family:arial;">'s name correctly.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsobvjlmLddE15yZEdcHoSFJnaezFHjtVnWxztN9h4KfKzTcOjh8auiHf9pJiQ6tXQAmrMWclX9oRGN6-4FrVx_Tc-tGE4bb0wwVNwXCSL2SMUdHj3pmTyVGrochrBnSqgzzGy2NxK0U/s1600-h/Ballack_Chelsea_DW__309769g.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsobvjlmLddE15yZEdcHoSFJnaezFHjtVnWxztN9h4KfKzTcOjh8auiHf9pJiQ6tXQAmrMWclX9oRGN6-4FrVx_Tc-tGE4bb0wwVNwXCSL2SMUdHj3pmTyVGrochrBnSqgzzGy2NxK0U/s400/Ballack_Chelsea_DW__309769g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289376937138781714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">9) whenever I watch Project Runway (can't believe I actually admit it), I like hearing Heidi Klum bid farewell to the contestant using the German phrase 'auf Wiedersehen'<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">10) I can now curse in four different languages.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-68795890871151316092008-12-25T00:30:00.002+08:002010-09-08T00:13:26.117+08:00Double Doses of Donnie<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqJjSBlFFJTjXIHH64DecZTIg3sA1fqardOsE4ZPbyHMnSOK41XuyTrfI0DJJEwH4R9Mfn2WC2yPbW-ofzXg6SFzgW99bkSfZQR-qAuGF-6pDUR02vDY2zoJN4PZ5q4St4BoLczGOHZc/s1600-h/ipman14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqJjSBlFFJTjXIHH64DecZTIg3sA1fqardOsE4ZPbyHMnSOK41XuyTrfI0DJJEwH4R9Mfn2WC2yPbW-ofzXg6SFzgW99bkSfZQR-qAuGF-6pDUR02vDY2zoJN4PZ5q4St4BoLczGOHZc/s400/ipman14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283818726657559234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">The Americans have SuperMan</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">The Japanese have UltraMan<br />The Chinese have Ip Man</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My heart has been filled with heavy anticipation ever since the released of the <a href="http://acura86.blogspot.com/2008/10/donnie-yen-kicks-ass_10.html">impressive trailer</a> for the movie, Ip Man. After watching the movie last week, I can safely say that the movie surpassed my every expectations.<br /><br />It was so good, I watched it TWICE! Yeah, I know I am such a sucker for Donnie.<br /><br />The movie was set in Foshan (Wong Fei Hung's <span style="font-style: italic;">kampung</span>) during the 1930s. During the time, Foshan was thriving under the economic boom & the affluent residents took up martial arts as a hobby.<br /><br />The bustling town centre even has its own Martial Arts Street where countless martial arts school are situated in close proximity to one another. Each specialising in a different sect of kung fu.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmBGMkpllCROG3mtxmEzJwDwLslOOooMnBaqSQlk0H912jXgy_W_c2zjmnFCnWAsHTmj2mJdLDCuARO-Wu3UkqPK1grb91f4_fK4J1FKN8c-nPabJClueBsREUSOCa2eNst6dKvJs6x4/s1600-h/ipman3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmBGMkpllCROG3mtxmEzJwDwLslOOooMnBaqSQlk0H912jXgy_W_c2zjmnFCnWAsHTmj2mJdLDCuARO-Wu3UkqPK1grb91f4_fK4J1FKN8c-nPabJClueBsREUSOCa2eNst6dKvJs6x4/s400/ipman3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283818537339648194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Little known fact #1 : Ip Man can kill 2 stones with 1 bird</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Ip Man (Donnie Yen) though isn't the master of any of them. Rather he is an aristocrat who lives in a Western style bungalow, and did not seem to need to work for a living.<br /><br />He spends all his time practicing Wing Chun much to the chagrin of his wife.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRXzPtZndysOXc9sMIWFH9-BtIUt7BeKfWgdpip2CkzWiYdnZ2dtBWNkDFkIsThI2mAJRoemWZfyGGJkHsTk3DoHt2YbM3cMLxZ0FP0YSw4U2r3TYOzrttX_tdrli4dIUkjWpthpHgH4/s1600-h/ipman5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRXzPtZndysOXc9sMIWFH9-BtIUt7BeKfWgdpip2CkzWiYdnZ2dtBWNkDFkIsThI2mAJRoemWZfyGGJkHsTk3DoHt2YbM3cMLxZ0FP0YSw4U2r3TYOzrttX_tdrli4dIUkjWpthpHgH4/s400/ipman5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283824373697139170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Little known fact #2 : Ip Man can sneeze with his eyes open<br />& lick his own elbow<br /></span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now, when it comes to acting I didn't expect much from Donnie. But as Ip Man, he is unbelievably restrained & subtle, even funny. This just proves that miracles do happen during the festive season.<br /><br />In the 1st half of the movie, we saw Ip Man taking on opponents in a mostly friendly manner. Carefully making sure to get his wife's approval through eye contact beforehand.<br /><br />Then, the Sino-Japanese war broke out. The once bustling city was devastated. Food were scarce under the harsh Japanese rule. The Chinese are fragmented in spirit & martial arts became the unifying force. Sounds familiar huh?<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRfNY5Pj_8Gib8nEAlcWR__ecVnyB0yqbhNdsFoRmfB4e00EjHfSZGx6HtU_R-6gpT1N7JYBDmMUBxEjRi4GydjqVOtZx5RWYmRJ4UJDomz9OaTEa-XAp9Un7g_Pw5Ob3PiGhPR8GMCA/s1600-h/ipman17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRfNY5Pj_8Gib8nEAlcWR__ecVnyB0yqbhNdsFoRmfB4e00EjHfSZGx6HtU_R-6gpT1N7JYBDmMUBxEjRi4GydjqVOtZx5RWYmRJ4UJDomz9OaTEa-XAp9Un7g_Pw5Ob3PiGhPR8GMCA/s400/ipman17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283818728413283890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Little known fact #3 :When Ip Man smokes, the cigarette gets cancer<br /></span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The storyline may be generic but the usually cardboard villains get a more sympathetic treatment here. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The story is quite engaging but we all came to see some serious butt kicking. And it doesn't take long for that to happen on screen.<br /><br />The fights are the best I have seen for a very long time. Absolutely jaw dropping stuff.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTd2pmqn_XzfED4AbsjWK-E0hb2JUPt-TV9oj8cfkQVjXYGaZagnf9RRzeEOInvyGfxJMuYJSGYcWGIy50Z15gy0v1dWQ5zG3dcrIh3mFHtCrZMmsXUKnvTtzY6w0rCTnqzcSa6CZa5c/s1600-h/ipman6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTd2pmqn_XzfED4AbsjWK-E0hb2JUPt-TV9oj8cfkQVjXYGaZagnf9RRzeEOInvyGfxJMuYJSGYcWGIy50Z15gy0v1dWQ5zG3dcrIh3mFHtCrZMmsXUKnvTtzY6w0rCTnqzcSa6CZa5c/s400/ipman6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283818541107238370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Little known fact #4 :Ip Man is so fast, he can run around the world<br />& punch himself in the back of the head<br /></span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The Wing Chun style is authentic, distinctive & a joy to watch on screen. Those machine gun like punches still amazed me even on repeated viewings.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">The fights can be brutal & bloody. But the amazing choreography from Sammo Hung makes it all look like poetry in motion. Those evil Japanese deserves them anyway.<br /><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioP1U0S8nB2bYc3D7_xie1s2kC3Uc9M3LCauZRV1m2Hujn4I_H_hZYcdSwSWFJ7s4OfyPDwKT5kWYcA74x9NCNPbbVUepDM9-4HBBqWkjufwqdDS66entIe2wk9A1l2uhMLFVzg7hhNI/s1600-h/23002_200812170301181.thumb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioP1U0S8nB2bYc3D7_xie1s2kC3Uc9M3LCauZRV1m2Hujn4I_H_hZYcdSwSWFJ7s4OfyPDwKT5kWYcA74x9NCNPbbVUepDM9-4HBBqWkjufwqdDS66entIe2wk9A1l2uhMLFVzg7hhNI/s400/23002_200812170301181.thumb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283832410453679778" border="0" /></a><span style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Little known fact #5 : During WW2, the leading causes of</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">death of Japanese are....1. Heart disease, 2. Ip Man, 3.Cancer<br /></span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Against Ip Man, the Japanese karate exponents doesn't even stand a chance. During 1 particular scene, he took on 10 of them & leave a pile of bodies behind (a nice homage to Bruce Lee's similar scene in Fist of Fury)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Ip Man is like a one man army. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">How the Chinese lost the war against the Japanese is beyond me.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud2t-S-UTWCeD5pBpRi9RCgwFl1vnlQkjh-3Ez1kgrUC0CBgVdkeBsjms8bk2MOQ9isvhi0R16aWmR0PILDpdsBV7wyBVf1sSRHZ29UrvAERC64um5OEppFTYGNNlBCLERIgA3g-Uvuo/s1600-h/1pman10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhud2t-S-UTWCeD5pBpRi9RCgwFl1vnlQkjh-3Ez1kgrUC0CBgVdkeBsjms8bk2MOQ9isvhi0R16aWmR0PILDpdsBV7wyBVf1sSRHZ29UrvAERC64um5OEppFTYGNNlBCLERIgA3g-Uvuo/s400/1pman10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283818520949202242" border="0" /></a><span style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Donnie faints after hearing that Tony Leung is going to play Ip Man.<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Well, this is not the only biopic on the Grandmaster. Wong Kar Wai is said to be making a movie about Ip Man with Tony Leung playing the title character. This must be some kind of joke. C'mon Tony? The last thing I wanted to see is Ip Man butt naked!<br /><br />Anyway, a sequel this time with Donnie Yen reprising the role is currently in the works as well. I am excited already.<br /><br />As you have probably noticed, I am struggling to fit in more hyperboles to describe the film. So, if you are just going to watch 2 movies before the year ends, watch Ip Man TWICE!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-45784587412980747822008-12-12T01:36:00.002+08:002010-09-08T00:02:16.870+08:00Trapped Inside a Disco<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne4gaeMMfMKd2JJyYJ4jFJq_9h9gvUN3T_LvzrtxaZeFMAzD6zNYN3JvC55zoiGpwM6kBTZPSoJdvZxHMIpUvWK45ETUCtIqx2U6WhIDOT5FdiojWrgRNn2nq72sASYZET4gccdQ_aYo/s1600-h/torture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne4gaeMMfMKd2JJyYJ4jFJq_9h9gvUN3T_LvzrtxaZeFMAzD6zNYN3JvC55zoiGpwM6kBTZPSoJdvZxHMIpUvWK45ETUCtIqx2U6WhIDOT5FdiojWrgRNn2nq72sASYZET4gccdQ_aYo/s400/torture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278621689132378194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Bush wants you to shut up</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The Americans apparently had been employing a new method of torturing detainees being held in Guantanamo & Iraq....by using music.<br /><br />Extremely loud music played directly into the ears of detainees, designed to induce sleep deprivation, prolong capture shock & disorient detainees during interrogations. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I think this is one of the cruelest form of torture, right there alongside water boarding.<br /><br />We all knew how music can totally mess up people's minds. After all, we too had our own Guantanamo moments before.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtvOSiQtWw3FBNjalcrreiYET87kc3XkWXzm0HLlcRHM92FkHH21w7AStDgMoD8WL8i3nkQj1DSAuOtQdDBNlQWCW4T55H_4TB_cY_-JoWkxnGLQ_fQq6jRGo9StXxhpZlnAjRu1et-g/s1600-h/guantanamo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtvOSiQtWw3FBNjalcrreiYET87kc3XkWXzm0HLlcRHM92FkHH21w7AStDgMoD8WL8i3nkQj1DSAuOtQdDBNlQWCW4T55H_4TB_cY_-JoWkxnGLQ_fQq6jRGo9StXxhpZlnAjRu1et-g/s400/guantanamo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278621696815809474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Those orange jumpsuits are as bad as the music</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Like the neighbour who insist on sharing his love for heavy metal music with you. Or radio stations that keep on playing the same songs repeatedly throughout the day.<br /><br />Just how many times can you listen to Soulja Boy in a day before you start contemplating suicide?<br /><br />The prisoners were subjected to higher degrees of brutality of course. One detainee describes being left in a pitch black booth for up to twelve hours with the heavy metal music blaring.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2DGHalX2D6f2kAA8q_9Pn8wsRtc9O6zsenwfUy4weJAoa5m9MuB1T4wn0SsKu1h3U6ifsBnOBHR4e__dAdur44YOsKW5SPoKLMklhd5cOfcdQFZyijn5dPd7eBYM65mLlripAzHLPF4/s1600-h/metallica-band.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2DGHalX2D6f2kAA8q_9Pn8wsRtc9O6zsenwfUy4weJAoa5m9MuB1T4wn0SsKu1h3U6ifsBnOBHR4e__dAdur44YOsKW5SPoKLMklhd5cOfcdQFZyijn5dPd7eBYM65mLlripAzHLPF4/s400/metallica-band.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278626034109927202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">magined the royalties they would have earned</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Unsurprisingly, heavy metal and rap are most often featured on the torture playlist. Some of the most common being Metallica's <span style="font-style: italic;">Enter Sandman</span>, Drowning Pool's <span style="font-style: italic;">Bodies</span>, AC/DC's <span style="font-style: italic;">Shoot To Thrill</span> & Eminem's <span style="font-style: italic;">White America</span>.<br /><br />I think the prisoners will go equally crazy if being forced to listen to Mandopop love songs by Fahrenheit, Twins or F4.<br /><br />The guards do have a sick sense of humour, like choosing the song <span style="font-style: italic;">Staying Alive</span> for torture when the victim is certainly wishing for otherwise. Blasting prisoners with Britney Spears's music, so that they too suffered like the rest of the world.<br /><br />Some of the choices are bizarre like the Sesame Street theme song & Barney's <span style="font-style: italic;">I Love You, You Love Me</span> song. I agree with the Barney song though, it traumatises my childhood before.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7Q6hBAhOHuI4CYGKdiEb-yyo1uE5u0_ICIHmaMTuJ-M2hviHmNa1OfFzG9mlbr8NlxH0hgsU-7BJUe0fvVSEQSw93jvxQqlNPh8zRcp83hE_RxdI1ZawA3L942jfxM9F1mvtJVdnnOQ/s1600-h/sub-square-barney.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7Q6hBAhOHuI4CYGKdiEb-yyo1uE5u0_ICIHmaMTuJ-M2hviHmNa1OfFzG9mlbr8NlxH0hgsU-7BJUe0fvVSEQSw93jvxQqlNPh8zRcp83hE_RxdI1ZawA3L942jfxM9F1mvtJVdnnOQ/s400/sub-square-barney.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278621698034176226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Let me entertain you with a song, my only song</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The irony here is that, America being a country that always positioned itself as the defender of human rights are violating them so blatantly. Nobody should be subjected to such sadistic form of torture....<br /><br />Nobody, not even that irritating neighbour of mine.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-40046255333741973812008-11-30T05:28:00.002+08:002010-09-08T00:03:04.509+08:00Gambling in the Dark<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">For many Malaysian Chinese, entering Genting Highland's casino is treated like a symbolic passage into adulthood.<br /><br />Being able to enter means that you have now reached the age of 21, matured enough to decide who to vote for & how to squander your wealth.<br /><br />Me and a few friends went to Genting for over long overdue initiation 2 weeks back. Now, when it comes to gambling, the Chinese have a long list of superstitions. You can find some of it <a href="http://www.cassaon-casino.com/chinese_gambling.php">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBh1wApWIk3H3dRGX8HVSYljPG7Ensc_Bm8m26f2yl5UA2Av6hwXX47WllTDTL5GWFtZxwCIFVaCR7MmYD7z_wVkK9C85-HA277sV9lvuK3tBH4RFmeEOfE-uOd-vPfWHHcGx0mBBMKs/s1600-h/god_gamblers_gal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBh1wApWIk3H3dRGX8HVSYljPG7Ensc_Bm8m26f2yl5UA2Av6hwXX47WllTDTL5GWFtZxwCIFVaCR7MmYD7z_wVkK9C85-HA277sV9lvuK3tBH4RFmeEOfE-uOd-vPfWHHcGx0mBBMKs/s400/god_gamblers_gal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275635612912727570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Chow Yun Fat doesn't seem to have a problem with dark colours</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I was wearing a black T-shirt for the trip, one of my friend (let's called him <span style="font-style: italic;">Superstitious Boy</span>) quickly pointed out that bad brings BAD LUCK. <span style="font-style: italic;">Superstitious Boy</span> was wearing a bright red shirt & God knows what underneath for maximum ONG-ness.<br /><br />Being a man of science, I brushed aside his comments. I would love to see his expression when I came back down with 2 suitcases full of cash. As if trying to proof a point, I brought along a black jacket too.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUdW6XaFItcOWTIJf4YCCPthYuWWQYX3ucPPmpSL7nXRo7WvMb2WcJhvqNaJs8cjbdqEKIcvRmISmnfBfwdF-VtZCoNbVEk6a6CaaoWyAQlnXmqZQjX8ms-5J9996zacYBy3sGl4iGIGY/s1600-h/suitcase-money.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUdW6XaFItcOWTIJf4YCCPthYuWWQYX3ucPPmpSL7nXRo7WvMb2WcJhvqNaJs8cjbdqEKIcvRmISmnfBfwdF-VtZCoNbVEk6a6CaaoWyAQlnXmqZQjX8ms-5J9996zacYBy3sGl4iGIGY/s400/suitcase-money.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275633406845726146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">I would have 2 of those please</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Once inside the casino, we walked around before settling on a table playing Big Small, exchange our cash for chips & observe...<br /><br />Trying to identify a pattern...Big, Big, Small, Big, Small, Small, Small, Big again, then Small.<br /><br />Finally, I conclude that there was NONE.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nEuwkwDWFReesvjh1pEzAIAMjj8DZaWqqzwox7dNEdLmBzEF2PnQV8fre6zwmBw8PM4wNij7Hl76Zk_b4VbNI8d2yiJ6I7stIkGCA9pgADGFWsNFd5VdyG-vmhyphenhyphenJmI_I7zDrerkWbeU/s1600-h/photo_10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nEuwkwDWFReesvjh1pEzAIAMjj8DZaWqqzwox7dNEdLmBzEF2PnQV8fre6zwmBw8PM4wNij7Hl76Zk_b4VbNI8d2yiJ6I7stIkGCA9pgADGFWsNFd5VdyG-vmhyphenhyphenJmI_I7zDrerkWbeU/s400/photo_10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275633413118540450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">I tried counting cards, problem is they used dice!</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">So, I sat down & placed my bet. I was inconsistent, winning some losing some. But what really irks me is my friend who was standing behind me.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Whenever he wanted to place his bet on the table, he would leaned forward & put his hand on my shoulder. That's a BIG no-no when it comes to gambling, but I am a man of science remember?<br /><br />Oh, I think I should also mention that <span style="font-style: italic;">Shoulder Toucher</span> is BALD, just like a MONK!<br /><br />Soon enough, both me & <span style="font-style: italic;">Shoulder Toucher</span> lost all our chips. Meanwhile, <span style="font-style: italic;">Superstitious Boy</span> was on a roll, his stack of chips keep on multiplying.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCKsOwe1yneRoVQbTOGGX1efwq3S1SctGXgqdYwi2d_N5KMxqkpVSRgNris1Hmn5QZYnQ4RaEgLuIjcMGWVmjMu9H3kRRtDovvNj4aC3hbfJAm1a8pfQ4hyDF2awix1Nc4olgGR_SLAu9/s1600-h/god_of_gamblers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCKsOwe1yneRoVQbTOGGX1efwq3S1SctGXgqdYwi2d_N5KMxqkpVSRgNris1Hmn5QZYnQ4RaEgLuIjcMGWVmjMu9H3kRRtDovvNj4aC3hbfJAm1a8pfQ4hyDF2awix1Nc4olgGR_SLAu9/s400/god_of_gamblers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275633401293875282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">That's my exact expression when winning</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />He was evidently enjoying himself, while me & <span style="font-style: italic;">Shoulder Toucher</span> was reduced to walking around aimlessly & queuing repeatedly for free drinks (might as well get my money's worth!)<br /><br />At the end of the day, <span style="font-style: italic;">Superstitious Boy</span> exchange his chips for cold hard cash, while I make it a point not to mentioned the 2 suitcases full of money earlier *<span style="font-style: italic;">zipped</span>*<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">I still have faith in science, but I must admit on that day I got my ass kicked by 5000 years of Chinese superstitions. Final score :</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">SUPERSTITIONS - 1</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">SCIENCE - 0</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-38688512893460736882008-11-28T00:53:00.001+08:002010-09-08T00:03:39.653+08:00Of Men & Umbrellas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d6Y7vqmvZhLEU38NwJv1isYWkQiIJ2_O1eLvkTg7bVgqD-4RUFjzPwn5JSS955wIHjORNVNAykifwE_LG49Ce3yZ7fI01sGyCZcBYKycdJYpbuUbr0lspPMoB2kwoFw61HHIhxv7Uq9i/s1600-h/umbrella460.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d6Y7vqmvZhLEU38NwJv1isYWkQiIJ2_O1eLvkTg7bVgqD-4RUFjzPwn5JSS955wIHjORNVNAykifwE_LG49Ce3yZ7fI01sGyCZcBYKycdJYpbuUbr0lspPMoB2kwoFw61HHIhxv7Uq9i/s400/umbrella460.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273410497631236338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I has been raining heavily in Kuala Lumpur this past few days. As Malaysians, we are all used to this 2 weather conditions : it's either raining cats & dogs or it's hot as hell.<br /><br />Therefore, owning an umbrella seems logical. It shields you from the sun & also prevents you from getting wet. Unless, you are me that is.<br /><br />I have a disdain for umbrellas...<br /><br />You see, I have my own unique way of dealing with what Mother Nature threw at me.<br /><br />If it's just drizzling, I will RUN. If it's raining slightly heavier, then I will just RUN FASTER. If it's really pouring, then I will wait....and when it's lighter, I will repeat either of the steps above.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua4hZbc1tgxtqNPYkJ_VHkcqQPE-0oIHLoOCnSL0de0EgOge2hWag_ggjm5lF3EbpEyQiyn3bTNgOHyPu4yI0gplluQB1Cb1ameFGGM7MeJmelFiGPbH55Crekh3-wAZd9T6XFLeKR50i/s1600-h/1_fullsize.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua4hZbc1tgxtqNPYkJ_VHkcqQPE-0oIHLoOCnSL0de0EgOge2hWag_ggjm5lF3EbpEyQiyn3bTNgOHyPu4yI0gplluQB1Cb1ameFGGM7MeJmelFiGPbH55Crekh3-wAZd9T6XFLeKR50i/s400/1_fullsize.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273408734110475346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">I do not want to be known as the Wally with a Brolly</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I do not have the habit of bringing an umbrella along with me. It has been that way since as far as I can remember.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I remember owning a raincoat during my schooling days as I insist on the NO umbrella rule. Needless to say, I do not use the raincoat either when it's raining. Only flashers & serial killers use them.<br /><br />You don't see soldiers scampering away looking for umbrellas when it rains, do you? So, maybe it's a guy thing. Something to do with the Y chromosome I am sure.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuQCVSXYKeLn4_uGsRlNpD1JJm5SYKatdSRHp62hYahyTehcwyyq6FpBE6hwGuzmZynK-e2yGkkPjyfgtPvvevMD6FKRJKkg7tlqMYRxgzfO5oAAgPfdf9PyibpFaTlASwZl7KKN2QRR1/s1600-h/610x.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuQCVSXYKeLn4_uGsRlNpD1JJm5SYKatdSRHp62hYahyTehcwyyq6FpBE6hwGuzmZynK-e2yGkkPjyfgtPvvevMD6FKRJKkg7tlqMYRxgzfO5oAAgPfdf9PyibpFaTlASwZl7KKN2QRR1/s400/610x.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273411048529105826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">There must be an umbrella somewhere inside that bag</span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Personally, I find umbrellas quite troublesome. It's amazing how nobody has perfected the umbrella even though it has been around since ancient China.<br /><br />It's flimsy, easily broken & flips upside down during heavy winds.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c2pLfz8AJ-XTJHM-5fkOJQzF0IpgAnwTPFSw5QYSWFBvj0j9huWfFijlMioak4LpGy8z4FSdApqeAP2bX9-O7WYdu-aBzRLoqNzdQHpSnHQRTUAh5xqEVAP0Wk8KSgybMlpG-l-lNyTa/s1600-h/xinsrc_470601021102903704417.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c2pLfz8AJ-XTJHM-5fkOJQzF0IpgAnwTPFSw5QYSWFBvj0j9huWfFijlMioak4LpGy8z4FSdApqeAP2bX9-O7WYdu-aBzRLoqNzdQHpSnHQRTUAh5xqEVAP0Wk8KSgybMlpG-l-lNyTa/s400/xinsrc_470601021102903704417.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273407919283365026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Bush having trouble with the umbrella. Okay, no surprises here</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Some people chose to use those big golfing umbrellas that you can hold a Chinese wedding dinner underneath. I hate those even more.<br /><br />They are the express buses of the umbrella world, they forced others out of their way by bullying them with their size.<br /><br />One more thing, how do you enter your car while holding an umbrella anyway? It's a no win situation because you are bound to get wet.<br /><br />That's why when it rains, I became Forrest Gump. I just keep on running.....<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-32965875088701675622008-11-22T01:28:00.001+08:002010-09-08T00:03:57.410+08:00Prison Break Coming to an End<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXhBcBq35vHdI-2iTjnh2EQBZfG4-s5xD-Fl8oUgliZc5DnUBCrUd7vVB3g1bjHxsijhBTwjdqlgtM7DLUVlyFxJpOyV0Ln_a1vmKb_X3cqcK8HVvdFN96nn8mGE1ixxyXm4To06OBjDS/s1600-h/6893-1199757058-prison_break_-_preview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXhBcBq35vHdI-2iTjnh2EQBZfG4-s5xD-Fl8oUgliZc5DnUBCrUd7vVB3g1bjHxsijhBTwjdqlgtM7DLUVlyFxJpOyV0Ln_a1vmKb_X3cqcK8HVvdFN96nn8mGE1ixxyXm4To06OBjDS/s400/6893-1199757058-prison_break_-_preview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272315241880679666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Prison Break is coming to an end & the current season will be the last. This news came from Wentworth Miller (aka Michael Scofield) himself during an interview <a href="http://www.prisonbreakbuff.com/2008/11/20/wentworth-miller-says-season-4-is-the-last/">here</a>.</span><br /><br />This is bad news indeed for I have been following the series faithfully for four seasons.<br /><br />It's surprising to learn that the series suffered from poor ratings in the States. I personally enjoyed every bit of it but I think a few bad decisions cost the series it's ratings.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9bLfNOPk8g8aKGKmHI2fnMwkbmnch5sNASTeKtF6ECKOpR6fzaQouS2gRKnbVyJipNgkziQuGUeOzZJ2H_05jimivjYKGuLKPPDk0jlzkF3BYUjg2OpmcFMa4Y8-ThGU9_zS-6iOIVLo/s1600-h/pbspoi9.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9bLfNOPk8g8aKGKmHI2fnMwkbmnch5sNASTeKtF6ECKOpR6fzaQouS2gRKnbVyJipNgkziQuGUeOzZJ2H_05jimivjYKGuLKPPDk0jlzkF3BYUjg2OpmcFMa4Y8-ThGU9_zS-6iOIVLo/s400/pbspoi9.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272316228601850242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">If live action doesn't work, maybe we should try cartoon<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />One of them being the decision to kill many of the more interesting characters in the series. In fact, </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">so many characters ended up dead, I had trouble keeping count</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">.<br /><br />I understand the deaths were meant to drive the plot along & create some shock value. They are trying to say...it's dangerous world out there if you are a escaped con. And I think we got their message.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyfphXiqF8FQdjU7vkIadXKBcuwIM8QRFASNFTAp5wTWpPeQvVvbKzRv_i799RmmIsWZQAtObTXS9uMoE85v6cNKMb59np3Pjm5k2x2Nh_tiVbi-ELYoT-dZtiQCX2sf2VXcHsjVmukw4/s1600-h/Prison-break-s2-jpeg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyfphXiqF8FQdjU7vkIadXKBcuwIM8QRFASNFTAp5wTWpPeQvVvbKzRv_i799RmmIsWZQAtObTXS9uMoE85v6cNKMb59np3Pjm5k2x2Nh_tiVbi-ELYoT-dZtiQCX2sf2VXcHsjVmukw4/s400/Prison-break-s2-jpeg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272315249427424034" border="0" /></a><span style=" font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">Fox River sounds like a nice place to settle down</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">But when the writers went on a killing spree, it loses the initial shocking properties & make them look desperately out of ideas. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">It's like, whenever the writers ran out of ideas, they gather in a secret room & vote somebody out of the show.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When they chopped off Sara's head in Season 3, I think many viewers just gave up & subscribed to Astro On Demand. At least, those TVB series always have happy cheesy endings.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZaUjMG-nL2dQjVSjQEnXVRUwhnOzbu3dVCa46Y_8lpW4KFhMDBVlKcny-OwwzdAZtVXMYZogvdQaijUPzmYy-bBPESOGJ50n2MWN4ZD3xMfFwZEFO65uakCujseiE5tBy4BrAL4WOpTq/s1600-h/Prison+Break+-+sona6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZaUjMG-nL2dQjVSjQEnXVRUwhnOzbu3dVCa46Y_8lpW4KFhMDBVlKcny-OwwzdAZtVXMYZogvdQaijUPzmYy-bBPESOGJ50n2MWN4ZD3xMfFwZEFO65uakCujseiE5tBy4BrAL4WOpTq/s400/Prison+Break+-+sona6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272316248442515842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">You definitely do not want to drop your soap in here</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">The new characters introduced are not as colourful as those that died. Case in point : Wyatt the big bad hitman added in Season 4.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />What the writers had in mind was probably a cold blooded, emotionless hired killer. But Wyatt turns out to be a dull, slow & clumsy looking gorilla.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYBwj4ZJPQu2MwLYqbvbLhrFQAgTukE1Eqz9WHmwu1CRuWmc4ueiDxwIWqVjVMLDPQKPSZEwdr_0IEOahyR8AIiJc_KtDMVNUh-FYINdmJullyI9YniBaRPyUd-et2sWkj4EWeQc4yXLT/s1600-h/cress-williams-prison-break-season-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYBwj4ZJPQu2MwLYqbvbLhrFQAgTukE1Eqz9WHmwu1CRuWmc4ueiDxwIWqVjVMLDPQKPSZEwdr_0IEOahyR8AIiJc_KtDMVNUh-FYINdmJullyI9YniBaRPyUd-et2sWkj4EWeQc4yXLT/s400/cress-williams-prison-break-season-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272315257038271410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">I am so dull, my victims pleaded for death</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Also, how far can you stretch a series about prison breaking anyway? It's a minor miracle the show lasted for four seasons!<br /><br />In Season 4, we don't even see any prisons as the series took on an entirely different direction. My teacher used to call it <span style="font-style: italic;">lari daripada tajuk</span>.<br /><br />I guess it's only logical & appropriate to finally end the series. I will definitely miss it. After all, it isn't easy to find another series that manages to make engineers look so hot & desirable *<span style="font-style: italic;">sigh</span>*<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cZeoVcb9yyNEO3nfrFSjKX5CuGZeydFH4-s_Jc-DtrhCVP6ztJ7nWdJYS37UKZ1IbnjnfNRusOSvlU7Sw1HT85FyyjNTyGBDv9NPPbBuQPgkXIzjYWYN3_8tWDfHNrmAfP7YFZNYilA9/s1600-h/b10219811.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cZeoVcb9yyNEO3nfrFSjKX5CuGZeydFH4-s_Jc-DtrhCVP6ztJ7nWdJYS37UKZ1IbnjnfNRusOSvlU7Sw1HT85FyyjNTyGBDv9NPPbBuQPgkXIzjYWYN3_8tWDfHNrmAfP7YFZNYilA9/s400/b10219811.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272316234876946210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">All engineers look like this</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-19536600260768498552008-11-19T17:01:00.001+08:002010-09-08T00:04:17.415+08:00James Bond Never Dies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1taumfYmq08LPoWBLzColampykfTb-eG_s9aWYqK8mNWNiVYnbRXPujH9hFyTrKHzXG6WZoaRSIZIG4d2Yh-JZTaeoh0JCmtn-4R7BdELmEa-N8Erf-Xhe-5WEUnaxeyL7soVrEJkY8ei/s1600-h/quantum_of_solace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1taumfYmq08LPoWBLzColampykfTb-eG_s9aWYqK8mNWNiVYnbRXPujH9hFyTrKHzXG6WZoaRSIZIG4d2Yh-JZTaeoh0JCmtn-4R7BdELmEa-N8Erf-Xhe-5WEUnaxeyL7soVrEJkY8ei/s400/quantum_of_solace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270662714479576530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have never been a fan of Bond, James Bond. But the last movie, Bond Episode 21 : Casino Royale was good. It was a much darker & grittier movie than expected. Which makes me look forward to watching Bond Episode 22 : Quantum of Solace (see how I make the titles less confusing this way haha)<br /><br />Continuing from the previous installment, they decided to make this new one even DARKER & GRITTIER with almost zero humour! Now, this makes the Bond purists very unhappy. They want their Pierce Brosnan back!<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuMtzl4p1Fi5-ks-ykXQbSd0i_VqBmNASwZqKpnksz_V8knejru7YGafkXimq2QPrZNxN1FcqD-rrJwPMqpoaF_X6fEiZhPUHdEMs-NIYYHdBC-4N744SOL-Cd2kCUKhTFgKjOXRpJmxY/s1600-h/163736__tomorrow_l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuMtzl4p1Fi5-ks-ykXQbSd0i_VqBmNASwZqKpnksz_V8knejru7YGafkXimq2QPrZNxN1FcqD-rrJwPMqpoaF_X6fEiZhPUHdEMs-NIYYHdBC-4N744SOL-Cd2kCUKhTFgKjOXRpJmxY/s320/163736__tomorrow_l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270469385304853186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">I am through with you Bond, I am moving to Wisteria Lane!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I am glad they didn't listen though. When your Bond girl turns into a Desperate Housewife & chooses a plumber over you, you know that it's time for a makeover.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7ir68iYhAlagF4BbwNwBVNOq51QiMRKgrgXe89vtctncXEThnQmycIhYWdmfYtR6Tn4rbhm3Oc0afiapiWf3S81ZytTE9G1b3w5tla5wsDXnGLNcV8l3NAHjDDCm-ioJ6577txSFHD43/s1600-h/desp-395x298-photo9_0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7ir68iYhAlagF4BbwNwBVNOq51QiMRKgrgXe89vtctncXEThnQmycIhYWdmfYtR6Tn4rbhm3Oc0afiapiWf3S81ZytTE9G1b3w5tla5wsDXnGLNcV8l3NAHjDDCm-ioJ6577txSFHD43/s320/desp-395x298-photo9_0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270665861824318834" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">A visibly happier Teri Hatcher</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Of course, Bond movies being Bond movies, you MUST have these :<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Opening Credits<br /><br /></span>Bond holding a pistol. Check. Bond firing a gun. Check. Bond falling into water. Check. Silhouettes of nude gals. Check. Theme song sung by famous people. Check<br /><br />I think they get the traditional Bond opening sequence spot on. And I will give them extra credit for managing to put it all off without reminding me of any Stephen Chow spoofs.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXot7D7n1cSQQaz32aNxKl8qXmGP3TzfZy3yzoBiMPd7gTWhm8Ykj6W3XBxWNA5VGtF1mdiIz6EbFzy5RufXE5zRqsSomjaShsBVsKg4HZQjxnpgmUxIU1dBs4kX_6dlz5FwwXp7Amwnll/s1600-h/25830368.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXot7D7n1cSQQaz32aNxKl8qXmGP3TzfZy3yzoBiMPd7gTWhm8Ykj6W3XBxWNA5VGtF1mdiIz6EbFzy5RufXE5zRqsSomjaShsBVsKg4HZQjxnpgmUxIU1dBs4kX_6dlz5FwwXp7Amwnll/s320/25830368.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270656688585131106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gadgets<br /><br /></span>This new Bond isn't much of a geek, the only gadget he possessed was a Sony Ericsson hand phone. He very much prefer using his <span style="font-style: italic;">kung fu</span> fighting skills to get out of tricky situations, most of the time he ended up killing his opponent much to the chagrin of M.<br /><br />As for cars, we get a glimpse of the Aston Martin DBS which was mercilessly destroyed (again) very early on in the film. For a list of all cars featured in the film go <a href="http://paultan.org/archives/2008/11/16/cars-used-in-the-bond-movie-quantum-of-solace/">here</a><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBLm9Bnj7tXcVdXXcIxXj42V8oNbHPjItCn46ODFi519W4gFvIX_uEtaGhACznoPalNMPgBQ4Fbi2sZBY7ju9wif7zS_OuBtlqD9l4mdquO7bVyJSAlwzKq8a4XEwZHyGsnmUAR21dXJv/s1600-h/james-bond-aston-martin-dbs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBLm9Bnj7tXcVdXXcIxXj42V8oNbHPjItCn46ODFi519W4gFvIX_uEtaGhACznoPalNMPgBQ4Fbi2sZBY7ju9wif7zS_OuBtlqD9l4mdquO7bVyJSAlwzKq8a4XEwZHyGsnmUAR21dXJv/s400/james-bond-aston-martin-dbs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270663079523926850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And Q is still nowhere to be seen...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Bond Girls<br /><br /></span>We have got Gemma Arterton & Olga Kurylenko as eye candy this time around. Though Olga is tougher than your average Bond girl, kicking ass together with him just like an Ukrainian Michelle Yeoh.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPQMnCnujuTFUzU1jl3YpNJvutHTDICsqYghM20T4vD4l6Vo1l_1zIFtkqeUtJEBC5K6GHnsV7VjwRYpF8w0Z-Pbb-QZOg7SxD3prEv8x6DI8eAUnSX-K_cs_yVfYQ7wuAWTwf0CyYh1b/s1600-h/quantum-bond-girl-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPQMnCnujuTFUzU1jl3YpNJvutHTDICsqYghM20T4vD4l6Vo1l_1zIFtkqeUtJEBC5K6GHnsV7VjwRYpF8w0Z-Pbb-QZOg7SxD3prEv8x6DI8eAUnSX-K_cs_yVfYQ7wuAWTwf0CyYh1b/s400/quantum-bond-girl-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270663080924332898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">I love man with big guns : Agent 47, Max Payne now Bond</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Bond only beds Artenton in the movie. And thanks to our thoughtful censorship board we have to rely on our power of imagination to guess what happen.<br /><br />Well, it's only a small price to pay to ensure we do not let dirty Western culture pollute our innocent minds.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Villain<br /><br /></span>In keeping up with the times, the villain in this episode is a *<span style="font-style: italic;">gasp</span>* freaking ENVIRONMENTALIST who is hell bent on taking over the world....one natural resource at a time!<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0SlBJqYywQa0nu8zhFZ-qweAX1nWxpmW1RQtZidGlaDOeIC1HEiHxicqXX3wszyjurKNmVeselldNCn9ToWILh2ify2ezvvz3wnOM093iOkbKxxxZgUPUAGlnC9iTc6dEn5b6DvwXLwz/s1600-h/question.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0SlBJqYywQa0nu8zhFZ-qweAX1nWxpmW1RQtZidGlaDOeIC1HEiHxicqXX3wszyjurKNmVeselldNCn9ToWILh2ify2ezvvz3wnOM093iOkbKxxxZgUPUAGlnC9iTc6dEn5b6DvwXLwz/s320/question.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270656694550550402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">I will not hesitate in adding melamine in your milk</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />All his <span style="font-style: italic;">konco-konco</span> drove environmentally friendly hybrid cars. I wouldn't be surprised if he separates his trash or brings his own reusable chopsticks when dining out.<br /><br />Hardly menacing at all. I bet Bond isn't losing any sleep over this guy.<br /><br />He didn't even look the part of a Bond villain. What no scars on the face, bullet lodged inside the head or shedding tears of blood?<br /><br />This is what Bond villains should look like...<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77O3JQ5WZUVtajRqDjslBo5-eZsHytD2mE7XmIz0cuJI3Ms14Jk02stUJVEVmubZoxYEnMudMWflWR4D9uD5cOM47yDqQMnMYSYEVsxwY7PXWlToKsvhyphenhyphen2eKJh6DoFwHShLowPUxdc9mr/s1600-h/drevil.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77O3JQ5WZUVtajRqDjslBo5-eZsHytD2mE7XmIz0cuJI3Ms14Jk02stUJVEVmubZoxYEnMudMWflWR4D9uD5cOM47yDqQMnMYSYEVsxwY7PXWlToKsvhyphenhyphen2eKJh6DoFwHShLowPUxdc9mr/s320/drevil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270656687832511410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;">For greater results, add mini sidekick</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Humour</span><br /><br />This movie is dead serious from beginning till end as James Bond was in an unforgiving mood. I miss the humour and witty lines from the British spy.<br /><br />We don't even get to hear him say 'Bond....James Bond'<br /><br />All in all, Quantum of Solace is never near as good as Casino Royale. Let's hope they got the next movie right.<br /><br />If not, then we should really bring back Pierce Brosnan for James Bond : The Musical.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSZnhgfO7wr6yII_vnXduWp9zOYc-7xXOjWce_LtCaphrg-XZmD91LDFjdkhOqs7RtflcsyKW6npG2K5qU-Hs9wYzNIkof1UR8diFGw7tc97Ym3bb-jDAy_Mm2tA3pzOye7N9k_18LTbl/s1600-h/quantum_of_solace_081.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSZnhgfO7wr6yII_vnXduWp9zOYc-7xXOjWce_LtCaphrg-XZmD91LDFjdkhOqs7RtflcsyKW6npG2K5qU-Hs9wYzNIkof1UR8diFGw7tc97Ym3bb-jDAy_Mm2tA3pzOye7N9k_18LTbl/s400/quantum_of_solace_081.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270663083609623730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">That will really make the purist jump off buildings</span><br /></span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-74045638876178523422008-11-14T17:40:00.001+08:002010-09-08T00:05:07.337+08:00Obsessed With Flags<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I hasn't been very prolific lately, largely due to my final exams. I am now down to my final paper so I reckon I should sneak in a post in between studying ; )<br /><br />Anybody with a Facebook account should really try the game, Geo Challenge. How can a game about identifying flags and maps can be so addictive, I really have no idea. But I am currently hooked on it.<br /><br />It's fun to see how many flags or countries you can identify....at first. Then, you realised your friends just pip your high score. And that's when things started to get UGLY!<br /><br />It is now officially a race with more than just pride at stake here. The highest scorer also wins exclusive bragging rights during the upcoming Christmas gathering.<br /><br />I am now obsessed with getting the most number of correct answers in the quickest possible time! I Googled the maps of Europe and Africa, memorising the the locations of EVERY major city....I think my Geography teacher would be proud.<br /><br />I came across a lot of flags during the game. And I can safely say that Europe has some of the most unimaginative flags. Almost all of them consist of three stripes, either horizontal or vertical. Even the colours are alike.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc__73r9RyGSYWMSCLndyOpqs-TE8i0-nDdxiCjBizhM-QjV_KEsWMO5-4I3IGznA5N2zFA3Pl2rAcOPmGVjg5oLWB0eRuQyc84qG3CZpWV29KeKc9LQS0Am3JzYw1bqKfuni8rdp5-bW/s1600-h/8099,1157309634,2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc__73r9RyGSYWMSCLndyOpqs-TE8i0-nDdxiCjBizhM-QjV_KEsWMO5-4I3IGznA5N2zFA3Pl2rAcOPmGVjg5oLWB0eRuQyc84qG3CZpWV29KeKc9LQS0Am3JzYw1bqKfuni8rdp5-bW/s400/8099,1157309634,2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268585139501134050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Middle East is another area with similiar looking flags. It's like they are copying each other when designing their own. Somebody should sue them for plagiarism.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXWcu9rNI-jDV_rHQx1OO8T0lxgvCzY-Yig0XwQPueX6ZS_Lp8rMeIn5xAvyPfdAnPSJc96q05WPp1YEJ6026YzVRqLf3z0mFbPGST82xNMf92q-p5yDWrzAkUk6vPDiAFpvU6bBSHNIe/s1600-h/middle-east-flag-colors-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXWcu9rNI-jDV_rHQx1OO8T0lxgvCzY-Yig0XwQPueX6ZS_Lp8rMeIn5xAvyPfdAnPSJc96q05WPp1YEJ6026YzVRqLf3z0mFbPGST82xNMf92q-p5yDWrzAkUk6vPDiAFpvU6bBSHNIe/s400/middle-east-flag-colors-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268585140220871954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I also came across flags with more creative designs, like the vibrant flag of Seychelles. I could not pin point Seychelles on the atlas but I can tell you their flag is pretty just like a rainbow.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-ntHJhI5wZxoXSVauoXr_rajnDOnN6c20iidkeKe3Tfr2L6LUPAINXSM8GFl8X_vGA5xl08cEo35nb8NFjAIh52tkMZsPgGYUeXCi8I32l46TT_63rYJ-dh1jROtYedIOCedyrUxvUjT/s1600-h/seychelles-flag.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-ntHJhI5wZxoXSVauoXr_rajnDOnN6c20iidkeKe3Tfr2L6LUPAINXSM8GFl8X_vGA5xl08cEo35nb8NFjAIh52tkMZsPgGYUeXCi8I32l46TT_63rYJ-dh1jROtYedIOCedyrUxvUjT/s320/seychelles-flag.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268596285906307074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Not to be mistaken with the Gay Pride flag which coincidently look just like a rainbow too.<br /><br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9htFR2jLfCrWMGhZNLlMZmRs8ks0XqzyHQkVUc0pg0BGocIuKFH7hA3qycyid7uSQzj50W5yOSeu5CRoTotQXkDWXWza_OX8fqIwvgYtSNJC0DFUcef1bS6fP_j3YwqZ5L7iDSfVjkq4/s1600-h/gay-pride-flag-738850.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9htFR2jLfCrWMGhZNLlMZmRs8ks0XqzyHQkVUc0pg0BGocIuKFH7hA3qycyid7uSQzj50W5yOSeu5CRoTotQXkDWXWza_OX8fqIwvgYtSNJC0DFUcef1bS6fP_j3YwqZ5L7iDSfVjkq4/s320/gay-pride-flag-738850.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268595848669099314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Of course, if you let the flag designers run riot with their imagination then this is probably what you will get. A castle and a key from the flag of Gibraltar. This flag reminds me of Super Mario, I had no idea why.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJZM_k-KxxrDwPkva8Sl9EM0Us0tLBRFsey8wm1XQFVJYOioG7wafy2TvonXd3HVb8YSsricxUckr4yaoiZSaEHqTPj5SGJhESUztWFqTjO-cz6HKP8riM9RAjWGkpTWx6BkblnYI90US/s1600-h/Gibraltar.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJZM_k-KxxrDwPkva8Sl9EM0Us0tLBRFsey8wm1XQFVJYOioG7wafy2TvonXd3HVb8YSsricxUckr4yaoiZSaEHqTPj5SGJhESUztWFqTjO-cz6HKP8riM9RAjWGkpTWx6BkblnYI90US/s320/Gibraltar.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268595861437565682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">What is a castle without the mythical dragon right? The flag designers probably had the same question too. That's why they came out with such kick ass flags as Wales & Sri Lanka.<br /><br />Ok Ok the second one was probably a lion. Still it was a lion holding a SWORD. How cool was that!<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9QhizNKaXP3HdfgnbVX8tkFBZLrKdpvBLPM8MTvROtOtx7kn5h5H73qjn-mc-RXDzv0dVtRhCdKF8GL1NCX1hnTF77lp-lYBOwLdje_dKh1lsQawsNpA5xbedgxC74ZRSHSdA2K4RM_G/s1600-h/Wales_flag_large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9QhizNKaXP3HdfgnbVX8tkFBZLrKdpvBLPM8MTvROtOtx7kn5h5H73qjn-mc-RXDzv0dVtRhCdKF8GL1NCX1hnTF77lp-lYBOwLdje_dKh1lsQawsNpA5xbedgxC74ZRSHSdA2K4RM_G/s320/Wales_flag_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268596277052586914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Wales</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8hlRt5rY7uP30eRnbVUzWNORiYvIj2DrWOxkcirmbXDvDwZab3YB6PXsCF0wOq1ljRt4VstAlRMunE167YuSag3lD0rXloqQ_nh-i5XCu_0s-6qkZpCTrN6jc5EjJv_QjafFEITkr2dD/s1600-h/sri-lanka-flag.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8hlRt5rY7uP30eRnbVUzWNORiYvIj2DrWOxkcirmbXDvDwZab3YB6PXsCF0wOq1ljRt4VstAlRMunE167YuSag3lD0rXloqQ_nh-i5XCu_0s-6qkZpCTrN6jc5EjJv_QjafFEITkr2dD/s320/sri-lanka-flag.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268596281957740386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Sri Lanka<br /></span></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Kenyans put a tribal shield with 2 spears in the middle of their flag. Maybe they are trying to send a warning...'All Intruders Will Be Speared To Death'<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCj1Nc_7Z520ncylp6Au4hKN3Ffev4IJ58r5aY7GQh7C2YwbR_NBgu-_1W7OKniJLTNAuOcVnIwcXbnoAasdmf4EWavFNtuh1PIUEYaOG3z73GcNOpOCYDAmXNCJpyKqvfGOLHqU83AfI/s1600-h/ke-lgflag.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCj1Nc_7Z520ncylp6Au4hKN3Ffev4IJ58r5aY7GQh7C2YwbR_NBgu-_1W7OKniJLTNAuOcVnIwcXbnoAasdmf4EWavFNtuh1PIUEYaOG3z73GcNOpOCYDAmXNCJpyKqvfGOLHqU83AfI/s320/ke-lgflag.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268595862829280498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And then there is the flag of the Isle of Man. Which had exactly the same symbol from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Air Badak Cap Kaki Tiga</span>. What a weird source to draw inspiration from...<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_ljHH0VCmHc5Qn6Qz6TkeFSpAtFYNyBahP40-wkO2vgrY7S84aWitlf1w8I3zrlnBFRRWHOZnKir_gqeI78jOixHqlr7CuoF4kh_iJ2zi_bngpBSxGktov4N2YjBXAfFaJ7N-n7TbsWQ/s1600-h/800px-Flag_of_the_Isle_of_Man.svg.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_ljHH0VCmHc5Qn6Qz6TkeFSpAtFYNyBahP40-wkO2vgrY7S84aWitlf1w8I3zrlnBFRRWHOZnKir_gqeI78jOixHqlr7CuoF4kh_iJ2zi_bngpBSxGktov4N2YjBXAfFaJ7N-n7TbsWQ/s320/800px-Flag_of_the_Isle_of_Man.svg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268595428974538194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The flag of Nepal deserved an honourable mention too, for being different. Instead of a rectangle, it's the shape of 2 right angled triangles merged together. I suspect it was designed by Mathematicians.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-odY8sJIAuA51A1sNUpQ27vpYTgmLejCbi5D6tdaOMUkAdG8lKRP0YhYW_oktOl4q5l72UndmBcbftoF1KHynkAMsN0lmb5B_iE0oHLkyazdeujXovP7OFiPR8nVfS4MLIpl7RoXHCCO/s1600-h/nepal-flag.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-odY8sJIAuA51A1sNUpQ27vpYTgmLejCbi5D6tdaOMUkAdG8lKRP0YhYW_oktOl4q5l72UndmBcbftoF1KHynkAMsN0lmb5B_iE0oHLkyazdeujXovP7OFiPR8nVfS4MLIpl7RoXHCCO/s320/nepal-flag.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268595870532942898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Talking about beautiful flags. Apparently the Peruvian flag has been voted as the most beautiful flag in the world. Now that's a bit unfair because no one told me how to vote!<br /><br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-dDrfzbeoLZz0oRHAlP5NkVZ_8Dp_33V7EQ4Nscog1FWhgyEI1Ro_Cl2rz-AceH5WCcpqW4sfnPBBwNuhrxtn39L98m1ITc4bWFWylhSuRAGygOOT-DXEc4XWM-fK8K_61xCgmoHi8x8/s1600-h/peru_flag_24k.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-dDrfzbeoLZz0oRHAlP5NkVZ_8Dp_33V7EQ4Nscog1FWhgyEI1Ro_Cl2rz-AceH5WCcpqW4sfnPBBwNuhrxtn39L98m1ITc4bWFWylhSuRAGygOOT-DXEc4XWM-fK8K_61xCgmoHi8x8/s320/peru_flag_24k.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268596285774779922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I would definitely vote for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Jalur Gemilang</span>, even though it look suspiciously like the flag of another nation. Yes, that one.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbgM354fRz7C7sliqNiepfkmryn_k79ovPizNvo8IAiwOgPrULc8ypFAANs9WurhxQcnEfOfSjXiqn1HAtPRgJYnUYpXZ-i_PM0bMpgsvNqKiV8qFMHnTfqivPy-AKNDLDNPPzlqfWE4q/s1600-h/malaysia_flag.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbgM354fRz7C7sliqNiepfkmryn_k79ovPizNvo8IAiwOgPrULc8ypFAANs9WurhxQcnEfOfSjXiqn1HAtPRgJYnUYpXZ-i_PM0bMpgsvNqKiV8qFMHnTfqivPy-AKNDLDNPPzlqfWE4q/s320/malaysia_flag.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268595867557808034" border="0" /></a>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-54320140414782686222008-10-30T02:11:00.001+08:002010-09-08T00:05:38.787+08:00My Pic in The Star<span style="font-family:arial;">My picture was featured in The Star last week, but due to my current period of intense studying I do not have much time to blog about it.<br /><br />To be more precise, my picture was featured in Thumbnails on the 20th October. It won 1st prize, which means I am RM 100 richer! And to save you the trouble of scavenging back your old newspaper, which you probably won't, I have conveniently provide you with a link to the picture <a href="http://thumbnails.thestar.com.my/view.asp?id=3641">here</a>.<br /><br />On second thought, I might as well post the picture in my blog. So here is my winning masterpiece...<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY7tUTG475bAWTCSOh39JJdwsC5RBsSeAFeXOVYDaqalilRW-RjcPeFvcKgb_gG7sRUFwuwCcqI1FiJoWmEqcM6Bc4rOh01Mif4vUFjOzEHfFpt25iHuyY9I8Bg9ADTXdtJ0k1R9dg8Jh/s1600-h/ThamKahMeng.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY7tUTG475bAWTCSOh39JJdwsC5RBsSeAFeXOVYDaqalilRW-RjcPeFvcKgb_gG7sRUFwuwCcqI1FiJoWmEqcM6Bc4rOh01Mif4vUFjOzEHfFpt25iHuyY9I8Bg9ADTXdtJ0k1R9dg8Jh/s400/ThamKahMeng.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262644264497959522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Boxed In : Can anyone help him? This man is wondering<br />how will he be able to manoeuvre his car.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The caption above isn't my own though, The Star probably thinks that mine wasn't good enough for national consumption, so they made one up themselves. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The shot was taken at a parking lot directly opposite Wisma MCA. I was waiting for my gf there, feeling bored I took out my phone & starts to fiddle with the camera. Since I am not a cam whore & cam whoring in front of Jalan Ampang can be quite embarrassing, I took some pics of the surroundings instead.<br /><br />The parking lot is really crowded with cars blocking each other's way. At first, I took some pics of the chaotic situation. And then this poor guy came along....<br /><br />He was trying to remove his car but it was blocked by another vehicle in front. That guy look lost, trapped in a sea of cars.<br /><br />In fact, he was trying to get the attention of the parking attendant, who took quite some time before removing the blocking car. And more than enough for me to capture it using my cutting edge 2 megapixel camera ^~^<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div>acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2819790022030993770.post-34996254895483710582008-10-11T04:31:00.003+08:002010-09-08T00:13:43.158+08:00Donnie Yen Kicks Ass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cWDFDBSdQT16ZGXUqWqBA_tdf7eNuoK8nWJF_XRj8eTEFTGwK7TG_etSJ9zAymUo9IsfXWXHjm-OKn0nv5M6Kb6W24V3AQZXM-KOOPkXnwvFJWtRq_A3swbk9MI71YOY9WkBfRDE8SvD/s1600-h/ipman_title.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cWDFDBSdQT16ZGXUqWqBA_tdf7eNuoK8nWJF_XRj8eTEFTGwK7TG_etSJ9zAymUo9IsfXWXHjm-OKn0nv5M6Kb6W24V3AQZXM-KOOPkXnwvFJWtRq_A3swbk9MI71YOY9WkBfRDE8SvD/s400/ipman_title.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255625701292123074" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Good kung fu movies are hard to come by these days.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />Jet Li had stop making them, Jackie Chan isn't exactly in his prime anymore while Sammo Hung is contented with working behind the scenes. Things are certainly not looking good for kung fu cinema.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />Thank God we still have Donnie Yen!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Okay, forget about Painted Skin where he was used to provide comic relief rather than kicking ass & cracking heads. While you are at it, erase your memories of Dragon Tiger Gate too which felt like a super long shampoo & Nokia commercial.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67mxUJ-54z1yqS0XkspltVAbEkHlkE9QV8AYth3JDk-A_Yc1T2Oqp2beY4nknjs0992y_NElqhexL13AvUgYMUmC9VjaciEdSb4cgXfPb84QvT60zijJrdL0f2oySBmtorlEEukQDpnOt/s1600-h/dragon+tiger+gate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67mxUJ-54z1yqS0XkspltVAbEkHlkE9QV8AYth3JDk-A_Yc1T2Oqp2beY4nknjs0992y_NElqhexL13AvUgYMUmC9VjaciEdSb4cgXfPb84QvT60zijJrdL0f2oySBmtorlEEukQDpnOt/s400/dragon+tiger+gate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255625695208109282" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Donnie Yen returns to form in his new movie, Ip Man. Ip Man is famously known as Bruce Lee's sifu & a master of Wing Chun.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXJ6QbJaCCjWq5f1H3l6MWFCtg4iQJ6W_Danyme4uH70Ob37uGu-zUNI77wLOgZggWw2E-Akfifw12K6HOWK54ZbTRLqwRKjolRAm_blSeknKnrxpETVuTLWmyrcME3JgxUook7MRJrLD/s1600-h/ipman01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXJ6QbJaCCjWq5f1H3l6MWFCtg4iQJ6W_Danyme4uH70Ob37uGu-zUNI77wLOgZggWw2E-Akfifw12K6HOWK54ZbTRLqwRKjolRAm_blSeknKnrxpETVuTLWmyrcME3JgxUook7MRJrLD/s400/ipman01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255625701861989698" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The trailer is out & looks darn impressive. This is what Donnie Yen does best....kicking ass & cracking heads. Watch out for scene where he fired rapid punches like a machine to the chest of his opponent. Poor guy</span>
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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; text-align:center;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><s style="font-family:arial;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">download the movie as soon as it was available<o:p></o:p></span></s> </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>watch it in the cinema come December 18th</span>
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<br />acurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11546972120052113645noreply@blogger.com6