Activities For The Jubilee Weekend!

Can you feel the footsteps of the Jubilee weekend approaching?

As Singapore marks 50 years of independence this year (09 August to be exact), the President has declared 07 August 2015 (Friday) a public holiday. This will make for an extended Jubilee Weekend over the 07 to 10 August period so as to enable all Singaporeans to participate in commemorating this special milestone in our nation's history.

Over the Jubilee Weekend, special programmes have been prepared for Singaporeans around the island to revisit and experience afresh the journey of Singapore's story.

Here, I have compiled some events which is taking place during this Jubilee weekend!

SG50 Hello Kitty From McDonald's!

Hello Kitty fans rejoice!

Singapore is celebrating her golden jubilee this year and McDonald's is launching the SG50 Hello Kitty series!

This set of unique Hello Kitty plushies is exclusive to Singapore so be the first to get your hands on the limited edition collectibles!

Video: 台湾八仙乐园粉尘爆炸 Horrifying Explosion At Taiwan Water Park *Warning: Graphic*

Last night, I was horrified to learn of the explosion at Formosa Fun Coast, a water park in Taiwan. Colourful clouds of flammable powder were fired at the party goers out of pressurized canons at the Colour Play Asia party which, unfortunately, ignited and engulfed them in flames.

It was like a scene out of a disaster movie as the victims scramble for their lives in the fire.

At the point of penning this entry, casualties numbered to 500 with close to 200 in ICU.

May God bless the injured.

Video below.

In Memorium: James Horner 1953 - 2015

Oscar winner James Horner has been killed after crashing his single-engine plane in Southern California on Monday morning. 

Ventura County fire spokesman Mike Lindbery said the crash happened around 9.30am in the Los Padres National Forest, with the Federal Aviation Administration adding that the plane was an S-312 Tucano MK1 turbo-prop with two seats and that the debris was spread across an acre of land. 

Crews extinguished a fire that erupted in vegetation after the plane became engulfed in flames upon impact, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Horner, a husband and father of two, was later confirmed dead by one of his employees.

Horner's assistant, Sylvia Patrycja, confirmed that it was the beloved composer who died in the tragic accident. 

'We have lost an amazing person with a huge heart, and unbelievable talent,' Patrycja wrote on Facebook. 

  

'He died doing what he loved. Thank you for all your support and love and see you down the road.' 

Jay Cooper, an attorney for Horner, said the plane was one of several owned by the 61-year-old composer. 

  

Horner’s representatives have not commented on the issue. - Daily Mail

Free Minions Figurines With McDonald's Happy Meal

McDonald's Singapore will be launching a set of 10 Minions collectible toys from the animation, MINIONS this coming Thursday, 18 June 2015 at 11am.

The Minions are:

01. Guitar Strumming Stuart
02. Groovy Stuart
03. Minion Caveman
04. Lava Shooting Kevin
05. Chatting Bob
06. Egyptian Hula Minion
07. Minion Vampire
08. Marching Minion Soldier
09. Martial Arts Minion
10. Guard Minion

The toys will come free with every purchase of a kid's Happy Meal.

Hatyai Sabbatical 2015

I must really apologize for the lack of updates.

The first half of 2015 has just gone in a flash. A lot has happened during the last six months and my mind have been bogged down by family matters. All is fine for now and I hope it stays that way.

Last month, my folks and I brought forward our yearly retreat to Hatyai (we usually go during year end) and we took the opportunity to recharge and re-energize. Hopefully, we did not bring the negative vibes back with us.

I think Hatyai has been blogged to death by me so I shall consolidate the entire five days into one single post and not go into the details. Since it is simply a staycation, we spend most of our time sleeping/watching TV in the hotel when we are not out looking for food.

Now if you would fasten your seatbelt, our journey shall begin in just a minute.

Singapura: 700 Years Exhibition At The National Museum Of Singapore

After visiting the Lee Kuan Yew memorial exhibition on level 2 of the National Museum, I proceeded to the basement to visit yet another exhibition - Singapura: 700 Years.

History is one of my favorite subject in school so how could I miss it?

I studied South East Asia history in school and I would like to attribute my keen interest in the subject to my history teacher, Ms Lau Gek Moi who managed to make her lessons unboring.

Entering the gallery, I was thrown back into the pre-Colonial days when the then Temasek was still a Sultanate. Bit by bit, like fragments of a long forgotten memory, the story of Parameswara and the invasion from the Majapahit Kingdom all came flooding back.

In Memoriam: Lee Kuan Yew exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore

This memorial exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore chronicles the life and political career of Singapore's first Prime Minister and founding father Lee Kuan Yew. It also highlights the ideals and convictions that shaped Mr Lee and his generation of leaders.

Through a selection of photographic images and audiovisual recordings, as well as artefacts from the National Collection, the exhibition begins with Mr Lee's formative years as a law student at Cambridge and his early involvement in the anti-colonial struggle.

It also traces his political career from the formation of the People's Action Party, through his Prime Ministership, to his final years of service as Senior Minister and Minister Mentor.

Mr Lee's political biography is inextricably linked to Singapore's own journey from British colony to merger with Malaysia to Separation and independence. This exhibition chronicles that journey and pays tribute to his contributions.

This exhibition will enable visitors to remember and reflect on the solid foundation that he built for Singapore.

State Funeral for Singapore's Founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Today is a day unlike any other for Singapore as we bid farewell to our Founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

The past week has not been a easy one as anguished Singaporeans come to terms with his demise since news of it broke on early Monday (March 23) morning.

Pulled by an open-topped ceremonial land rover, Mr Lee's body was brought to Sri Temasek atop a Gun Carriage for a two-day private wake inside the Istana where President Tony Tan Keng Yam, the Sultan of Brunei and Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing were among the visitors.

The Passing Of A Legend - Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew

Tribute site beside Jurong Regional Library

Grave news shook the world in the wee hours of March 23rd 2015. 

Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore has passed away peacefully at 3.18am. He has been warded at the Singapore General Hospital since February 05 for severe pneumonia where he remained critically ill. He was 91.

For the days leading up to his demise, the PMO (Prime Minister's Office) has been updating Mr Lee's health status daily. His deteriorating  health is worrying and I knew what is to come but still, I was shaken when the inevitable happened. 

A Day With The Singapore Zoo, River Safari And Night Safari!

Last Sunday, I spend my birthday at the Singapore Zoo and River Safari for the second consecutive year ever since I found out that Singaporeans enter WRS (Wildlife Reserves Singapore) parks for free on their birthdays.

I arrived at the Zoo bright and early that morning to collect my complimentary tickets from the ticketing booth.

After getting my tickets, I head straight for the River Safari because I wanted to see the Manatees and Araipaima first.

While most people visiting the River Safari naturally turn left towards Rivers Of The World, I head for the opposite direction towards the Amazon Flooded Forest where the Manatees and Araipaima are.

The River Safari is designed in a loop so visitors can just go clockwise (or anti-clockwise like I did) around the park. The Rivers Of The World is at the beginning of the loop while the Amazon Flooded Forest is at the end of it. Since the majority of the crowd are at the other side, I have the Amazon Flooded Forest all to myself!

DIY: Biological/Chemical Filter For Aquarium

I have been toying with the idea of making my own biological cum chemical filter for a long time. I am using a overhead filter but it is kind of small to add in any other media after putting in the filtration wool.

Since my overhead filter is only fulfilling the mechanical aspect of the filtration system, this project will enhance the biological and chemical step.

There are three components to the filtration system:

- Mechanical

- Biological

- Chemical

Char Siew Pau And Kuih Lopes At Cafe@Heart

Cafe@Heart is located on the second level of the new National Heart Centre building opposite SGH Block 4.

I was there with Mum for her blood test and having fasted since the previous night, she was extremely hungry after done with the test. The cafe was just diagonally opposite from the clinic so we made our way there for a light breakfast.

McDonald's X LINE Plush Collectibles With Purchase Of EVM From McDonald's!

Are you a fan of LINE characters?

Then Brown, Cony and friends should be of no stranger to you.

McDonald's is collaborating with LINE to bring you your favorite LINE characters!

The set of five plushie will be made available in stores every Monday beginning 05 January 2015 at 11am. Each plush is priced at $4.90 with purchase of any EVM (Extra Value Meal™).

For the next 5 weeks, one design will be released every Monday at 11am:

• Cony (from 05 Jan) 
• Sally (from 12 Jan) 
• Cony (from 19 Jan)
• Moon (from 26 Jan)
• Leonard (from 02 February)

Our Army Exhibition - A Soldier In Every Family

Our Army Exhibition - A Soldier In Every Family came to the open space beside Westgate, Jurong East two weekends ago. 

I took the opportunity to visit the exhibition to learn more about the technology and weaponry used in our defenses. It was an eye-opener to learn about the latest technology and also seeing some familiar equipments which accompanied my days with the armed forces.

How To Turn Off Annoying Facebook Game Invites (Read: PIRATE KING) On Android & IOS

For Android

1. Click the 3 lines on the top right of your Facebook page.

How To Turn Off Annoying Facebook Game Invites (Read: PIRATE KINGS) On PC

FOR COMPUTER

1. On the right panel of your Facebook page, click "See More" under "Recommended Games".

ONE PIECE Collectibles With Purchase Of EVM From McDonald's!

ONE PIECE fans rejoice!

McDonald's is finally bringing in collectibles of the popular anime!

This series will be made available in stores every Monday from 17 November 2014 at 11am and each collectible is priced at $2.95 with purchase of any EVM (Extra Value Meal).

Customers are allowed to purchase ONE figurine per EVM, subject to availability.

Two designs will be released every Monday at 11am for three weeks:

• Zoro and Robin (from 17 Nov) 
• Franky and Chopper (from 24 Nov) 
• Sanji and Brook (from 01 Dec) 

From 08 December, three designs will be released instead of two.

• Nami, Usok and Luffy (from 08 Dec)

In addition, a limited edition THOUSAND SUNNY paper ship is available from 8 December at $3.95 each, with purchase of a EVM.

*Only 100 ships is available per store!

School's Out! Holidays In! Where To Bring Your Kids This School Holiday?

My apologies for the lack of updates as I was away for two weeks ICT. Although it's stay out all the way, I would flop into bed the moment I reached home every night because no one can shag me out like SAF can.

After ICT ended, the first thing I did was to visit Qianhu Fish Farm. Actually, I was there to get  a overhead filter as the current internal filter is not efficient for the bioload

I'm keeping Lionhead Goldfish at the moment and you know how messy goldfishes are. I had to get my hands wet every few days to strip down the filter and to wash out the gunk so I figure a overhead filter is much easier for maintenance.

Anyway, another reason I was there is to take a look at the Ranchus as I am smitten with them lately.

9th Death Anniversary

God looked around His garden
And He found an empty place
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your precious face

He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest;
God' s Garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain
He knew you' d never ever
Get well on earth again.

So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered " Peace be thine "
Then He took you up to Heaven
With Hands so gentle and kind.

It broke our hearts to lose you
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God welcomed you home.

Author Unknown