Fix Tat MOJO!!!

Gonna to push my Nikon to the MAX! Part 1

2011-12-22T18:27:00.000-08:00

Havn't been updating this blog for a long time! Well, I guessed I've found a new reason for doing so. That is the arrival of my Nikon D3000. Although it's an entry level DSLR, well, that doesn't mean I can't learn to shoot great pictures, right? Got to start from somewhere. So, I decided to dedicate this blog to all my photo-log. Pictures that I took whenever I can squeeze in some free time. Just to make those lens strectch abit.
Ok, to start off, below are some pictures I took while visiting Haw Par Villa. Wow, the place is really run down and in deporable state. It used to be the 'IT' place for festive gatherings. Anyway, will write more about this place and the 'enconters' I had while taking these pictures....feel free to comment.

Food trail in Malaysia....(Part 1)

2011-06-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

I havn't been updating my blogs much these days. Reason is that work have been piling up and finally, I can find some breathing space. Wrong. Just that I've been engrossed in some new hobbies lately. Simple.

Anyway, I decided that this blog needs some refreshing content. I love food. Especially those up North. Where is North? Malaysia to be precise.

Singapore have always wanted to claim that 'We're the FOOD PARADISE'. Yah,right. If we're the FOOD PARADISE, then why some many Singaporean love to travel up Malaysia to get their fix? I mean, we brave through the horrible traffice jams, lousy and slow services at the check points just to taste that wonderful gourmet.

Even with the current stupid system of scanning our fingers at the checkpoints ( to deter terrorist, over-stayers, illegals...), we's rather bite the bullet and succum to the great food, which is just a stone's throw away.

Last week, I went up to JB (Johor Baru) to get my car serviced and was also on a mission to find great food. So I switched on my GPS and decided to seek it wisdom and advice.

It pointed to a place ( can't remember ) that promises it served the 'BEST Bah Kut Teh, probably in JB'. Well, since I'm hungry and my GPS says so, I decided to let it do the 'walking'.

Drove for around 11 km from Plentong and finally reached the location. First look, not too bad. There's a small lunch time crowd at the stall. Then I decided to order what's best. Bak Kut Teh and also spotted my favourite braised pig trotter with vinegar. Ok. Ordered both, without checking out the price. BIG MISTAKE.

Review: Food's not bad. Not too spicy. Not too salty. But the portion abit little.
Price: RM$20 including herbal drink.

Thank Mr GPS for showing me the 'most expensive Bak kut Teh in JB'.

Kite Flying Day @ Punggol

2011-02-05T17:37:00.001-08:00

The annual Pungol Kite Flying day...it was my 1st time attending this event and I personally feels that it needs lots of improvement. Serious improvement. For starters, it needs a location whereby there's lots of wind. The best place, as some seasoned kite fliers told me, would be the empty plot next to Seng Kang Sports Complex. Lots of wind.

But still, kudos to the organizers for bringing such an event to Punggol.

Concert and magical show to wow the crowds.

These are kites that have LEDs attached to it. Nice for night flying.

Never got the chance to see the planes take off.

Trip to Red Dot Museum

2010-11-14T16:21:00.001-08:00

Feeling bored, I decided to pay the Red Dot Museum a visit. Heard alot about it but neer really got the time to go and check it out.

The above display is done by Tupperware. Lots of nice plastic wares...

I like this particular lighting fixture. Made of acrylic rods.

A cocoon? Nice play with lights and textures...

Interesting use of letter boxes...

Pongal celebration in Singapore!

2010-01-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

This three-day Hindu harvest festival falls in the month of Magha, corresponding with the solar equinox. Celebrated in the south, it is marked by the cooking of the rice from the first harvest after the long and arduous winter. This three-day harvest festival is celebrated every year in Magha, from the 13th to the 15th of January. The word 'pongal' refers to the dish of sweet rice prepared on this occasion.

The festival is celebrated widely in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The time of the festival is of great importance to all Hindus, as it corresponds to the solar equinox when the days begin to lengthen and the nights begin to wane. According to Hindu mythology, this is when the day of the gods begins, after a six-month long night. The festival is spread over three days and is the most important and most fervently-celebrated harvest festival of South India. A special puja is performed on the first day of Pongal before the cutting of the paddy.

Farmers worship the sun and the earth by anointing their ploughs and sickles with sandal wood paste. It is with these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut. The first day is called Pongal Podigai or Bhogi Pongal and is a day of family feasting and enjoyment. Since the festival celebrates the harvest of the paddy crop, the newly harvested rice is first cooked on this day. The rice grains, along with sesame seeds, jaggery, chick peas, groundnuts and dried coconut, are put into an earthen pot filled with milk. This is boiled until some of the milk spills over, and the preparation is called 'Pongal'.

It is generally cooked at an auspicious hour, recommended by the priest, in the court yard of the house. A portion of the cooked rice is offered to Ganesha, and the rest is shared by the family, neighbours and friends as consecrated food. As people greet each other, they ask paal pongita or 'has the milk boiled over?'. Another ritual observed on this day is called Bhogi Mantalu, when useless household articles are thrown into a fire made of wood and cowdung cakes. Girls dance around the bon ire, singing songs in praise of the gods, the spring and the harvest. In Andhra Pradesh, in the morning the girls burn their old clothes and wear new ones after an oil massage and bath. Then follows Pongal Panai, a ritual in which the newear then ware pots are painted and decorated with turmeric, flowers and mango leaves. The second day is known as Surya Pongal, the day for the worship of Pongal. The pongal is allowed to boil over Surya, and the rice cooked in milk and jaggery is offered him. When the foodis being cooked and when it boils over, people shout pongalo pongal loudly and many times to rejoice. On this festive day, a newly-married couple, symbolising freshness and joy, is presented with new clothes by the bride's parents. The servants of the house are also given new clothes to wear.

Bathing in the sacred rivers during Pongal is believed to be extremely beneficial. Hence, devotees flock to Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu to bathe in the waters of the Kaveri, and to Tirunelveli, also in Tamil Nadu to bathe in the river Tamrapani. Bathing in the sea at Vedanaranyam in TamilNadu is also considered auspicious. The third day is known as Mattu Pongal or Gopuja, the day of Pongal Shiva cursed Basava to live on earth forever for cows. It is marked by cattle worship. In earlier times, cattle formed the chief asset of an agriculturalist and it was only proper that their services were recognised and celebrated on this day. The cattle are given a ceremonial bathin the morning, their horns are cleaned, polished and painted, and then decorated with flowers. They are then given Pongal to eat. Arati is performed on them, so as to ward off the evil eye.

According to a legend, once Shiva asked his bull, Basava, to go to the earth and ask the mortals to have anoil massage and bath every day and to eat once a month. Inadvertently, Basava announced that everyone should eat daily and have an oil bath once a month. This mistake enraged Shiva who then cursed Basava,banishing him to live on the earth forever. He would have to plough the fields and help people produce more food. Thus the association of this day with cattle. A festival called Jalli kathu is held in Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tanjavur,all in Tamil Nadu, on this day. Bundlesof money are tied to the horns of Pongal ferocious bulls which the villagers try to retrieve. Everyone joins in the community meal, at which the food is made of the freshly harvested grain. This day is named and celebrated asTamilian Tirunal in a fitting manner through out Tamil Nadu. Muttu Pongal, also called Kanu Pongal, is also celebrated by sisters for the welfare of their brothers. This festival is reminiscent of Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Duja (see Diwali) of north India. A large banana (Musaparadisiaca) leaf is washed. It is then placed on the ground, next to the basil altar in the court yard. On it is placed a branch of the amla (Phylalnthusembelica) tree. On this leaf are placed at four corners, the left overs of sweet pongal and the salty pongal called Vand Pongal, ordinary rice as well as colored red and yellow, five betel leaves, two betel nuts, two pieces of sugarcane, turmeric leaves, and two or three bar (Ziziphus mauritiana) fruit. On this also reposes an oil lamp.

In Tamil Nadu women perform this ritual before bathing in the morning. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the festival starts after everyone has bathed. All the women, young and old, of the house assemble in the courtyard. The eldest married woman distributes a handful of rice to all the others. The rice is placed in the centre of the banana leaf, while the women ask that the house and family of their brothers should prosper. Arati is performed for the brothers with tumeric water, limestone and rice, and this water is sprinkled on the rangoli in front of the house. Sisters apply a tilakon the fore heads of their brothers, and give them fruit, sweets, sesame seed and jaggery. The brothers thank their sisters for their good wishes and give them money and gifts. The celebration of this festival probably originated very early on. From the very beginning, the first agriculturalists realised the importance of a good crop, which sustained the entire clan. And since, to him, it depended on some super natural element, he thought it fit to thank the gods after a good harvest. Further, it was believed that all that is new, a new crop, the first catch of a season, and the first born of a domestic animal, was sacred and hence not to be touched by man until certain sacramental ceremonies were performed. A part of the new was sacrificed to the gods or spirits, and one's ancestors, and only Pongal then could it be consumed.

In addition, it was realised that the fruit of the earth and animals for food should not begarnered until they were ready. This was emphasised by the community; and until a ritual was performed, nothing could be gathered, slain, or eaten. The harvest festival of Pongal symbolises the veneration of the first fruit. The crop is harvested only after a certain time of the year, and cutting the crop before that time is strictly prohibited. Even though Pongal was originally a festival for the farming community, today it is celebrated by all. In the south, all three days of Pongal are considered important. However, those south Indians who have settled in the north usually celebrate only the secondday. Coinciding with Makara Sankranti and Lohri of the north, it is also called Pongal Sankranti. Though traditionally 'pongal' is cooked using the newly Pongal harvested grain, nowadays it is not easily available. Therefore families not directly involved in agriculture cook 'pongal' using old rice, to give thanks in the traditional way.

This is worth thinking about...

2009-12-17T00:18:00.000-08:00

I was wondering around the neighbourhood one day and notice this installation art piece. Wonder why there's mentioning of it in the local papers or atleast some helpful information on it's very existence...

This picture was actually pasted on the floor, more like floor art? The theme I guessed it's about neighbour-liness...as you know, we lived in close proximity of each other in our tiny flats and there are times when conflicts/misunderstandings can arise for such closeness. Guess that's what the writer is trying to say here.

Infamous Sungei Road, Part II

2009-05-16T03:33:00.000-07:00

Anyone lost his bike lately?? Try looking for it in, you guessed it right, Sungei Road. Check out the pics I've secretly taken with my spy cam..keke..

Even the place has now become a tourist attraction! Check out the pretty Jap girl on trishaw...

The Infamous Sungei Road...

2009-05-09T05:09:00.000-07:00

If you're a tourist to my sunny island state and would like to know more about 'the other' side of squeeky clean Singapore, Sungei Road is the place you MUST visit. This place used to be filled with activities back in the 50's. It's 'famous' for it's weekend flea market. Over here, you can find lots of nick-nacks, oddities and sometimes antiques. Best of all, if you happened to have your suitcase or expensive Prada shoes stolen, most likely you'll find them here. Yes. Sungei Road. This place used to known as "thief's market". Guess the moniker tells alot about it's 'background'..
Lost your bike? Come down to Sungei Road and you'll mostly probably find it! If you're unlucky, the bike would have been stripped down to parts and sold off...

You can find lots of interesting stuff during the weekends. It's open everyday and Sunday's the most packed.

Vintage and Classic Stuff for Sale!!

2009-03-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

History of this helmet design...

This design is unique ONLY to Singapore and Malaysia as during the 70s, full face helmet were banned. So the designers from SIDI decided to come up with this unique helmet design that protects the cheeks in the case of an accident and still allow plenty of ventitlation especially in hot and humid,tropical countries.QuantityI have 10 sets of this similar design helmets, brand SIDI. NOS. With original box. Conditon excellent. Sponge inside like new! Color and design print may varies.

I've place these items on Ebay.sg
Please read below before bidding, thank you!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>
Delivery in Singapore
Winner to self collect in Singapore ONLY.

Local buyers
I prefer bank transfer or COD.

International Buyers
Place email to me for freight charges before bidding! However, should you decide to bid before my quotation,I'll still honour your bid but the freight charges could be higher than expected due to size and location of your country.
I accept PAYPAL(preferred)

Information:
These helmets are all Size M. They fit a typical Asian male size, like myself, 1.68m normal built. I also have Size L, but from the looks, size of helmet is same but the sponge inside slightly thinner.

Design 1

Design 2

Design 3

Buy with confidence! These helmets are NOT REPRODUCTIONS! They're NOS (New-Old-Stock) and comes with SISIR approval sticker. Genuine GRP, not cheap plastic.

"Somewhere, Over the Rainbow..."

2009-02-01T21:58:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I last saw a rainbow appearing in the sky. That was until 27th Feb 2009. What a wonderful sight to behold! I was having my dinner at around 6pm and suddenly there was a buzz around the coffee shop. Someone excitedly mentioned that a rainbow had appeared in the sky. I looked up, what a sight!

Mysterious spot along Bras Basah Rd...

2009-01-01T22:06:00.000-08:00

What is so interesting about this place, you might ask? Well, for starters, on this exact spot, holds an interesting and chilling folk lore behind it. Many people doesn't know about it, but many years ago, on this exact spot, there is an old tree which was used for worshipping purposes. The tree is being tied with a large yellow cloth and there is an alter at the foot of the old tree. Before the shopping mall was developed, there's some old buildings where it now stood over. Legend or that's how the newspaper reported it, when some contractors were asked to remove the old tree for development of this place, the tractors will not operate. Worse, someone actually died trying to cut down the tree with a chain saw. Many priest were sent to offer prayers and finally, the tree was cut down. I can't really verify these 'stories' but, as you can see from the picture, the bald spot, without any grass, is the exact spot where the tree once stood.

And because of the tree, the construction of the building had a weird disconnection between the foyer. It's not the design, I remind you. I've seen the tree and the construction before.

Sculptures that tells a story...

2008-12-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

I was at the Singapore General Hospital, visiting my sick father-in-law ( who had sadly passed away due to lung cancer a few days ago ) and saw this building smack right in the middle of the vinicity. I was particularly attracted to the eagle sculpture as it looks pretty like those seen on top of Nazis flag poles during WWII. By the way, this building now belongs to the Ministry of Health. You can see from the columns that this building is definitely colonial times. I tried to go in and explore the place but was stopped by the security guard.

This sculpture depicts a ring of hope at the bottom which eventually transform into a bird that flew off...guess it means freedom when one dies???

This bronze sculpture shows a heart, a rather complicated heart, with twirls and curls.

Singapore's 1st Bikers Show at SG Flyer!

2008-11-30T18:39:00.000-08:00

Went to the Singapore's 1st Bikers Show, held next to the Singapore Flyer. First look already gave me a 'not-so' impressive feel. One thing is the venue. Second is the weather.
I'll start with the venue. Although it was held near the iconic Singapore Flyer, there wasn't much place for fellow bikers to park their bikes. Most have to park them on the pavement ( and risk being fined ) or in the nearby carparks managed by shopping malls. I personally think the best venue to hold such an event is near the now defunct Singapore national stadium. There's alot of empty parking lots and also ample space to organise bazzars, street show, stunt bike riding...etc.

One of my favourite bikes, the Triumph Tiger Cafe Racer Replical.

I remembered back in the late 90s, there was such a similar Car & Bike Show held at the former World Trade Centre. Impressive turn out of bikes. Infact, the bikes in the parking lots are much better then those in the show room. Again, the organisers fail to see this part and let history repeat itself. I guess the leopard never changes it's spot....

Do you think she is 'show-girl' quality? I don't think so...

She is a crowd pleaser. I guess she's the only model who really put her heart and soul in posing for the cameras. The rest of the show models are either fiddling with their handphones or just sitting in corner chit-chatting away. Disappointing turn out for this year's event. I hope the relevant organisers can do a better job next year, if there is going to be another one.

Foreign workers in our backyard...

2008-11-25T22:37:00.000-08:00

I know my post on this subject is wayyyyyyy late but I think the residents from Serangoon Gardens have a valid reason for their objection on the 'garment's' decision to build a workers' dorm in their neighbourhood. Below is a picture taken near my work place. The place is rather quiet at night and near these private landed houses, although there isn't any large scale worker's dorm in sight, some of the old shop houses are leased out for them to stay.
Everyday, when I walk pass the area, I'll see lots of empty beer bottles lying around. Some smashed. And all these can be found in the dark alley between the roles of terraces.
Imagine if you are staying here and you have people drinking and talking loadly in your back yard till the wee hours... how would you feel? Can you sleep in peace? hum...

Sin-Post....lousy service!!

2008-11-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I was all choked up with anticipation, can't wait to lay my hands on the new LG KF750 Secret handphone which I have purchased online through Singtel. Since this was my 1st time ordering things online from Singtel, I was having that kind of 50~50 feeling..."Will my parcel be damaged? Will the courier guy tipu the items inside? ...." Alot of such -ve thoughts were racing through my mind.
At last 5th Nov, the D day for my parcel to be delivered. As the option for delivery is 6pm ~9pm, I immediately called up Sin-Post Customer Service first thing in the morning and told them that I won't be home till 8pm. So can they schedule the delivery to be made after 8 since their last slot is 9pm? The answer was ok. I left them my contact number and told them to call me to check 1st before delivery cos I don't want the guy to make a fruitless trip.
After work, I immediately rush home, hoping to receive my parcel. Reached home 745pm. Phew! Made it. But then.......KNN!!! Saw this notice on the door step:

It's delivery advice stating that I wasn't at home at the time of delivery. Look at the Delivery notice, it stated "720pm". Didn't I just mentioned that I've already informed them not to deliver before 8pm??? And the courier guy didn't even bothered to call me to check. SHIT!!!More annoying things to come.
This morning, 6th Nov, I immediately called up Sin-Post and told them that I would like to do a self-collection since 'I've missed' last night's delivery. They did a check on their system and couldn't find a trace of my pacel!!!OMG!! Gave them the Article number and when the lady on the other side of the line did a search, said there's no such Article number in their system@@ WTF!!!
I immediately did my own checking and this is what I, someone not from Sin-Post, able to find in their system:

It states that my item wasn't delivered because 'Address Empty" and the delivery time was "807pm". Can you believe this?? Looks like they're trying to cover up and say that they did came as per my requested time but I wasn't in! Hello, the Delivery Advice states clearly its '720pm'. What actually happened during this 47mins lapse? Did the courier guy make a quick one and then go home shake leg and key in '807pm', forgotten that he has written '720pm' in the Delivery Advice? Haiz.....so much for service.

Recession 'proof'?

2008-10-26T01:34:00.000-07:00

Finally got some spare time and decided to go down to China Square after several months of absence. The place looks different. Less crowded. Less shops. Seems like the global on-slaught of the credit crunch has taken it's toll on toy collectors too? Several months back, when you go down to CS arnd 3pm, the place would be cramping with thongs of people looking for great bargains. But now, the same time when I took these pictures, the situation looks totally different.
Is it because nowadays, everyone's watching their wallet? Preparing for the financial 'next Tsumnami' to claim it's next victim? Visiting CS has been my favourite past time. Walking around, you'll be surprised to find toys that you once played with many years ago is still in prestine condition, kept under the good care of it's owner. CS is the ONLY place in Singapore that houses such a wide array of toy collectors under one roof.

This wasn't the case years back had Clark Quay hadn't gone for the major face lift. Back then , toy collectors, like myself will throng this place for cheap, good finds. Clark Quay was the flea market haven back then. I have even tried my hands at selling my collection at this place. Great crowds with plenty of space to roam and lots of things to see. If you ask me to compare CS to Clark Quay, I'd say Clark Quay has more to offer the CS. But ever since Clark Quay's reno, many of the toy collectors/sellers have relocated to CS for good.

It took the initative of one man, Mr Michael Poh, to come up with the idea of reorganizing this niche group of 'disbanded brothers' and Sunday Flea Market @ China Square was born! I'm not helping to promote or am I related to Mr Poh but I think, should any toys collectors who happened to visit my blog, do drop by this website to know more about the toy collecting scene in Singapore.

Favourite OJ..( O-Jian)

2008-10-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

This is my one and only favourite stall that sells the cholestrol choking and mouth-watering OJ( O-Jian or Fried Oyster). This stall is located in Hougang Ave 1 and will be shifting to new premise soon. Everyday, this stall is always packed and the poor( but very rich) guy cooks non-stop. His wife ( blocked by him) also sells the most lip smacking fried kway teow in Hougang! Do you know that hawkers in Singapore can be very rich? Just imagine. 1 plate of OJ cost SGD$3.00. One day, atleast 100 plates. Times that by 24 days, given that he rest 6 days in 1 month. How much would he have earned? The last time I saw him was at the petro kiosk. He was driving a Toyota Camry... so guys, if you want to taste the best OJ in Hougang, go to Blk 435A, Hougang Ave 8.

A Gracious society??

2008-10-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

This notice caught my attention when I entered my lift this morning. Seems like there is a 'war' going on between a 'spitter' and someone who actually went on to condemn this disgusting act of spitting in a public service life....txk~txk...What has Singaporean become? Even though we're 90% literate, there's still a group out there who's educated and still behaves rather crude. I've seen the digusting spit in the life many times, especially near the entrance. Very disgusting. Greenish-yellow...YUCK! Maybe the 'Spitter' suffering from some incurable, inflammed throat or maybe this person needs some 'deep-throating' to clear the phlem...heheh..

What's up?

2008-10-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

Saw this banner outside a restaurant under renovation. Check out the spelling. After all these years the government has been pushing so hard for the "Speak Good English" campaign, I think it's about time they introduce, "Spell Proper English" campaign. So much for "Fine Daining..."

Wanton mee!!

2008-10-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

All my adult life, I've always craved for this favourite Cantonese dish, the Famous Wanton Mee. The succulent roast pork juice flowing freely in the plate, that piece of crispy lard and that springy yellow noodle. To me, wanton mee is best eaten dry. With lots of chilli to go with it. That's why, when a friend told me that there is a wanton mee stall at Tembling Rd, I immediately rushed down to give it a try! :P

After waiting for 20 mins ( OMG! 2o mins!! ), my noodle finally arrived. Check out the expression on those guy's face. And the price not that cheap too.
My noodle finally arrived. 1st look, normal. Nothing special. Roast pork thinly sliced. Wanton oso not much, the most 4. Give the noodles a thorough mix. *Slurp*........

So much for paying SGD$3.00! Taste bland and the chilli is so-so. Soup's ok. But I'll never return to this place for 2nd helping....

New World, Old World

2008-10-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Look at the picture above. Very futuristic design, right? Well, it belongs to our beloved SingPost. Yes. Our post office headquaters in it's finest. The design reflects Singapore's progress towards modernization and also as a developed nation. We've come a long way since independence. This area used to be a kampong, a swampy area. But look at it now. Industrialized and the landscape is ever evolving. As I'm writing this blog, construction is still on-going in the surrounding area...
Now look at the picture below. With all this modernity and aggressive development going on, there's still room for improvement....
Sometimes, I do wish that Singapore's progress can slow down abit. Things changes too fast. If you will to leave Singapore, say 3 years ( work or studies abroad ), you'll be amazed, no SHOCK, when you couldn't recognized the place anymore. Yup, that's how fast things are moving in Singapore....