Happy Winter Solstice, everyone!
Better known as Dong Zhi (冬至) here in Singapore, this festival is widely celebrated by Chinese everywhere.
“冬大过年”，Mum would say.
In fact, the significance behind Dong Zhi is much more important than the Lunar New Year but people nowadays do not bother with traditions and customs anymore.
“冬大过年”，Mum would say.
In fact, the significance behind Dong Zhi is much more important than the Lunar New Year but people nowadays do not bother with traditions and customs anymore.
Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis
Director: Peter Jackson
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/Action
Language: English
Release Date: 13 December 2012
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Official Site: The Hobbit
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first part of a trilogy film based on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel of the same name.
The two other parts, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is due for theatrical releases in December 13, 2013, while the third film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again is slated for July 18, 2014.
With effect from Sunday, 16 December 2012, Bukit Panjang Bus Interchange will cease to serve the residents of Bukit Panjang.
Existing bus services will be re-routed and call at additional bus stops.
The closure is to make way for a new air-conditioned bus interchange that will be ready in 2015.
As I was meeting someone at the nearby Bukit Panjang Plaza today, I thought I would take some photos of the interchange for memories sake and it seems that I wasn't the only one toying with that idea as I spotted several others doing the same.
There would be a total of 11 bus services affected.
For more info, please check out the SMRT website.
Existing bus services will be re-routed and call at additional bus stops.
The closure is to make way for a new air-conditioned bus interchange that will be ready in 2015.
As I was meeting someone at the nearby Bukit Panjang Plaza today, I thought I would take some photos of the interchange for memories sake and it seems that I wasn't the only one toying with that idea as I spotted several others doing the same.
There would be a total of 11 bus services affected.
For more info, please check out the SMRT website.
Thye Hong Hokkien Mee
Fried Hokkien Mee (or simply Fried Prawn Noodles), is a popular local dish well-liked by many Singaporeans and tourists alike.
With a mixture of thick rice noodles and yellow egg noodles, this noodle dish is first fried over a high flame then stewed in a savory broth till the sauce seep into the noodles.
Throw in some prawns and bits of squid then dish it on a plate (preferably with a Opeh leaf in between) with some sambal and a lime by the side and there you have it, a scrumptious serving of Fried Hokkien Mee.
With a mixture of thick rice noodles and yellow egg noodles, this noodle dish is first fried over a high flame then stewed in a savory broth till the sauce seep into the noodles.
Throw in some prawns and bits of squid then dish it on a plate (preferably with a Opeh leaf in between) with some sambal and a lime by the side and there you have it, a scrumptious serving of Fried Hokkien Mee.
I was at Orchard Road last Friday night (07 December 2012) taking photos of the Christmas decorations when I came across this accident.
This black car was flipped on it's back outside ION across the road from CK Tangs. By then, a patrol car was already at the scene with the police directing the traffic.
The Manhattan Pizza Co. which is famed for it's XXXL pizzas in NYC has found it's way to our shores here in Singapore.
Thanks to Daniel, I had won myself a e-voucher to redeem a free 20" pizza.
Thanks to Daniel, I had won myself a e-voucher to redeem a free 20" pizza.
As usual, I always procrastinated till the very last day of the voucher's validity before I actually made my way down to Orchard Central where the pizzeria is situated.
The place was surprisingly empty when I arrived there on a weekday afternoon. It is located at basement 1 beside Gong-Cha, where MOS Burger used to be.
Cast: Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Robert Capron, Cochata Ferrell, Winona Ryder
Director: Tim Burton
Genre: Animation/Comedy/Horror
Language: English
Release Date: 15 November 2012
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Official Site: Frankenweenie
FRANKENWEENIE is a black-and-white stop-motion animation film brought to you by the critically acclaimed film director, Tim Burton.
Similar to his previous productions (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, etc), Frankenweenie too has a dark and gloomy theme to it's storyline.
His moment of glory was shortlived, however, when Sparky dashed onto the road in pursuit of the ball and was hit by a car.
Cast: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman
Director: Peter Ramsey
Genre: Adventure/Action
Language: English
Release Date: 22 November 2012
Distributor: UIP
Official Site: Rise Of The Guardians
THE GUARDIANS - protector of the children of the world - were made up of a couple of old familiar mythological figures: Santa, Toothfairy, Easter Bunny and Sandman.
The story began 300 years earlier when Jack Frost has just been created out of a frozen lake with no inkling to his past. He soon discovers his ability to freeze anything with a touch but when he ventures out to town, he realises that he can't be seen, heard or even be touched by others.
Fast forward 300 years later, the evil Bogeyman threatens to enshroud the world in darkness. He poisoned the happy dreams of children, causing them to have nightmares and waking up in fear.
Director: Ang Lee
Genre: Adventure/Drama
Language: English
Release Date: 29 November 2012
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Official Site: Life Of PI
While en-route to Canada, a terrible storm hit Tsimtsum, the Japanese cargo ship that they were travelling on and the ship sank, bringing along with it everyone on board.
Life Of Pi is an incredible story about Piscine Patel, a boy who lived in Pondicherry, India.
His mother is a botanist while his father owns a zoo. Due to political unrest in the country, his father made the decision to emigrate the family (and some of their animals) to Canada.
His mother is a botanist while his father owns a zoo. Due to political unrest in the country, his father made the decision to emigrate the family (and some of their animals) to Canada.
While en-route to Canada, a terrible storm hit Tsimtsum, the Japanese cargo ship that they were travelling on and the ship sank, bringing along with it everyone on board.
The Lion King celebrates it's 15th year on Broadway this year and this is Nick Pitera's tribute.
Other than Nick himself, he has the main cast of the show making a cameo in his video!
In case you are wondering who's Nick Pitera, I have blogged about this talented youtube sensation, here before.
今天想向大家介绍的是在网上口碑深获好评的甘英饭店（Kan Eng Restaurant）。
我心理非常纳闷为何到过合艾那么多次却从未听说过有这么一家店？
据我所收集到的资料显示，甘英是一间小有名气的餐厅。它不但深受当地人欢迎，就连许多游客都会慕名而来。
这次的合艾行，我就特地找上门看看它是否真的有如网友所评价的那么好？
店内虽然只有一些简单基本的陈设，它胜在于地方够宽敞也很通风。但对我来说，最重要的还是这里的环境很干净。在这儿用餐非常的舒服。
一翻开menu就察觉到店家很用心地把里面的每一道菜都拍成了照片。就算是语言不通的我们只需用手指点给服务员看就行了。
据我所收集到的资料显示，甘英是一间小有名气的餐厅。它不但深受当地人欢迎，就连许多游客都会慕名而来。
这次的合艾行，我就特地找上门看看它是否真的有如网友所评价的那么好？
店内虽然只有一些简单基本的陈设，它胜在于地方够宽敞也很通风。但对我来说，最重要的还是这里的环境很干净。在这儿用餐非常的舒服。
一翻开menu就察觉到店家很用心地把里面的每一道菜都拍成了照片。就算是语言不通的我们只需用手指点给服务员看就行了。
甘英的营业时间是从早上10.30至晚上9.30（2点至5点休息）。每当到了繁忙时段，就会产生座无虚席的情况！
为了避免久等，最好是提早一点到。
为了避免久等，最好是提早一点到。
位于蠡園酒店（Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel）1楼的Shabushi是结合了旋转生锅和自助寿司的概念。
简单的说，师傅会把生锅的配料放在盘子后再摆到运输带上而运输带将会围绕着餐厅的吧台而行，方便食客随意地拿。
寿司则是以自助的方式呈现。
以345泰铢（13.80新币）就能吃上两种日式料理实在是物超所值！
但有趣的是，此店规定顾客必须在75分钟（即1小时15分钟）内吃完否则每超时10分钟将会有额外20泰铢（0.80新币）的收费！
这家Hachiban Ramen位于蠡園酒店（Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel）的1楼。打从入住这家酒店那天起，我就一直想试试这里的拉面了。
但由于两老比较向往吃道地的街边泰国料理，我就没向他们提出此要求。
然而，父母见我每次经过此店都会放慢脚步因此就问了一句：“是不是要吃拉面啊？”
真不愧是我爹娘也！那么了解我！
就这样，我们终于走进去啦！
之前提到，我们入住了全合艾（Hatyai）最高的酒店 - 蠡園酒店（Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel）而在它第33层的顶楼有个非常廉价，叫Sky Buffet的自助餐。
成人只须区区的169泰铢（6.70新币），就能够享用丰盛的一餐。乐龄还享有50%！
听说这已经是起过价的了 - 之前是149泰铢（5.90新币）呢！
听说这已经是起过价的了 - 之前是149泰铢（5.90新币）呢！
既然有这么划算的自助餐，我们又岂能错过？
合艾处于泰国南部宋卡府，靠近马来西亚的边界。是许多马来西亚于新加坡人爱到的旅游地点。
我家几乎年年都会到那放松一下，所以今年也不例外。
只是，我们这次决定不安排任何的行程；我们不去拜佛，不逛水上市场，不光赏人妖秀也不去看美人鱼。
这些都是往年去过，看过，玩过的因此没必要再花钱去多一次。
只是，我们这次决定不安排任何的行程；我们不去拜佛，不逛水上市场，不光赏人妖秀也不去看美人鱼。
这些都是往年去过，看过，玩过的因此没必要再花钱去多一次。
因为纯粹是staycation，所以大部分的时间除了在酒店附近买东西，吃东西和按摩外，就是呆在房里补眠。
这次的旅行有爽到 ～
宝贝
今天翻出你的遗物，
才惊觉你已離開了那么多年。今天翻出你的遗物，
每逢想起你的点点滴滴，
心里就会不由自主地揪了一下。
在开始写这篇时才赫然发现，
原来我已没有任何你的照片可用了。
往年都是反复地使用那几张仅有却已发了黄的照片。
非常纳闷为何当初没能为你留下多些回忆呢？
自从你离开以后，
我都尽量避免经过我们曾一起散步的街道。
我都尽量避免经过我们曾一起散步的街道。
Penang is a melting pot of cultures with east-west influences. Apart from its exotic food, what piques me the most would be their heritage.
The Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi (龙山堂邱公司), or simply, Khoo Kongsi for short, is a clan association in Penang that was built by the immigrants from Sin Kang village in the Hokkien province of China for the purpose of looking after the welfare of their fellow clansmen.
Before my visit, I wonder why many have commented on the elusiveness of its location? It was only when I was there in person that I truly understood what they meant.
The main entrance at Cannon Street bears no clue as to what might be inside as it looked just like any of its neighbors along the entire row of pre-war building.
Some people suffer difficulties
Making friends for life
But when it come to you, my Pal
You're better than a wife!
You're always pleased to see me
You hang onto my every word
You will follow me to the ends of the earth
completely undeterred!
Maybe because you can't talk back
that helps the situation.
But I'll do anything for you, my friend
Without any hesitation.
Gurney Drive
Mention Penang and what comes to mind?
For me, it's the iconic Penang Laksa and Char Kway Teow (Penangites spell it as Char Koay Teow). And where better to enjoy Penang hawker fare than Gurney Drive - home to Penang's most popular street food?
Well, just think of it as Penang's equivalent of our very own Newton Circus.
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