Rent... The new Cathay Cineplex!
Much has been said about the new Cathay Cineplex in the papers. Just wanna highlight something that's not written: its toilets!
Quoted from ad: "The return of the Cathay Cineplex will add an amusing twist to any movie aficionado's critique." Hehe. Hard work.
Say 'hi' to Mr Eastwood:
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Rent... a musical turned movie.
A group of 10 people involved in different forms of dreams and loves - "brotherly", "sisterly", normal, friends etc. Quite funny, but what really strikes an impression is the movie sets. Big grey, ashened brick buildings with rusty metal railings inhabited by different races. Add buckets of fire and shredded pieces of flying posters... woah.. a huge conglomerated slum of colors!
Songs are nice, lyrics are fun, cast can sing and dance.... definitely worth the movie buck and a lot more if you do a rent (of the vcd) :-p
"Got a copy of today's Today?"
That was TB's message to me yesterday morning. For the next two hours, it seemed that I was gonna lose a great deal: to be one of 10,000 customers to be granted a free ticket to indulge in the enhanced cinematic experience of the latest movie theatre on the island - The Cathay Cineplex!
It was in such "times of need" that I remembered JJ! That guy has a habit of grabbing multiple copies of Today on his way to work from Tampines MRT. It took only a mere 2 secs for which I touched the papers on his staff's table that he offered the copy to me! And he didn't ask me why I want the papers when I rejected his generosity several times in the past. Phew!
My PRIZE! *points below*
*ring* "Hello? Hello?"
Dammit! What I have been fearing has actually happened! I received the following sms from DC yesterday morning.
"Morning Sling. FYI your phone autodialed me Fri or Sat night when you were talking about someone being very moral. Just be careful about that one-touch dialing, who knows who it will call next. Long distance? =)"
A joke ah? I went on to check the history of my outgoing calls. *slaps forehead* I indeed called DC! That auto-dialed call was made at 12.34am, Sat morning. I thought I was already home by then. Or almost, perhaps; apparently.
Gosh! Who's that someone that I am talking about?! I don't remember talking about morals that night… It probably will be better if it's long-distance, at least I know my words aren't being overheard by a familiar someone.
*Keypad Locked*
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Finally went for a run after nearly a month's rest. Ah... muscle pain tomorrow 0_0
S-LACKERS
Monday - 5
Tuesay - 5
Wednesday - 3.5
Thursday - 5
Friday - ??
If a reasonable person sleeps 7 hours each night, my sums revealed 16.5 hours of sleep on Friday night for me to achieve reasonableness.
Unluckily, the most unfortunate things always occur in the event of too much sleep at one single setting - groggy heavy head, lethargy, dry lips, dry mouth, depression that the entire day is unreversibly gone…
In view of the unpleasantries associated with the lack of sleep and overdose of the same, I shall invoke another set of strategy to minimize the consequences as hazardously described above.
My math dawns upon me a sleep of 10 hours each over a spread of the next 3 consecutive nights - Fri to Sun - should I want to derive a total of 49 hours of sleep per week. This will potentially remove me from the league of the sleep-lackers.
Outlook calender says: appointment with skin doc at 11am (Sat). Gosh, I gotta be in bed by 11pm this night to wake up at 9am tomorrow!
*YAWN*
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Mission failed again. *points below*
FEELING FAT
Just when I made my resolution the previous day to indulge in only healthy food, my colleagues wanted to go eat crabs. Argghh! The rationale of the irrational decision (at least for me) was to celebrate the promotions of me and LPX.
It was a rather ulu restaurant hidden in the mounds of industrial buildings in Defu Lane. From the half-filled seats on a Monday, I gathered it must be a rather respectful outlet serving decent foods.
We had a large sri lankan crab cooked in butter sauce with coconut crumbs, one hotplate beancurd and honey pepper ribs. Large crab, creamy sauce, crispy fried buns - heavenly combination! LPX and I succeeded in eating the body of the crab with fork and spoon. A totally clean affair! Satisfied. The beancurd was alright, round fried ones laid on a thick spread of egg which lined the plate; minced meat and chopped mushrooms completed the palate. The third item came wrapped in aluminium foil. Peppery in taste, they were a little tough and oily. Sinful meal.
The entire episode could have ended earlier if one china man didn't bump his car against my colleague's precious Nissan. Tsk tsk tsk. Luckily her bumper wasn't scratched. If not, dinner will be blown and replaced with a "play" that sees her scolding and cursing the driver.
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*Slurps* A few more hours to getting a big fat paycheck!
UP THE TEMPO!!!
Equally hectic:
1. Somehow lost my way in Marina Square as I tried to act smart and avoid the crowds at the bridge next to CityLink by crossing into a uncommonly used path.
2. Visited IT Show. TB bought a Fujifilm Z2 camera and a BenQ dvd writer. Realised Al bought a similar dvd writer of LG brand and received 25 pieces of blank dvds free! And his only costed $79. But the digicam was a cool little compact house, or so the presenter at the booth made it out to be… "Real Photo Technology" he would emphasize.
3. Finally had a chance to book the screening room in Esplanade. Costing $6 per hour, it was a pretty nice bargain especially when we exceeded our official booking slot of 6pm to 8pm by a whopping 40mins! No penalty at all! Now I can return my colleague his "Pirates of Carribean" after so many weeks...
4. Alas, the first step towards a healthier, less costlier lifestyle. No more café cartels or starbucks. Foodcourts and kopitiams shall be the new hangouts. A variety of food in Marina's foodcourt. Not that bad actually.
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The ability to let go of all restraints and yet not feel vulnerable is not easy. A tingling bite it may bring, but the true sense will come home when the mind is relaxed, and hopefully in transcendental state too. It is … a moment you wish for it to end immediately, … a moment you wish to die for the very next. Complicated.
JUMP IN WITH THE RHYTHM!
'Caught'
I was usually late for my docent duty, but that Saturday was a push for luck. I was 'caught' strolling in at 11.15am (official hours: 10.30am to 12.00noon) by Ivy who was with two Student Ambassadors at the Tropical Crops section, just next to Fragile Forest where I am stationed to be at. Ivy is the assistant curator (aka education executive) who's in charge of all docents, and definitely my impunctuality falls outside the acceptable code of conduct for even volunteers. "You will make it up right?" Of course I said I will compensate for that 45 minutes! So much for a solo act! I thought I could get away with it since there were nobody else on duty with me that day. Hai...
'Captivated'
In preparation for the Bangkok trip, it was decided that an itinerary will be planned with the free travel guides in Borders. [Went to Kinokuniya previously; not much of a selection] After an hour or so, I felt sleepy. Not that I am disinterested, but I am just not so used to reading guides. Plus, the wooden bench wasn't very comfortable. I surrendered and very selfishly handed all the guides to TB and started browsing the other fictional stuffs. Being the lazy me, I chose one that was near me, "The Good Earth", by some female writer which I couldn't remember her name besides the initials P and S. A rather easy read which spoke of Wang Lung in some China village before dunno-what revolution (pre-modern China times) - resigned to life yet resilient to the manipulation of fate, or at least that's what I got out of the first 34 pages. I ought to return to find out what' happening in the rest of the hundred pages.
'Mad. Hot'
Not that mad. Not that hot. The take was similar to that of the movie "Super Size Me". Filmed in documentary-like fashion, "Mad Hot Ballroom" talked of kids who grew up in not-so-nice environments (associated with drugs & gangsterism) who changed for the better as they trotted to the steps of latin music. Dance moves weren't as slick as expected, but still made the cut for pleasurable viewing. Kids featured were mainly of african and asian descent. That speaks much of them in capital-rich America huh... Very expectedly, the ending geared towards the successful instilment of confidence and hope and future in those 'problematic' kids as the scenes moved from smiling kids to teary-eyed parents. Worthy of the 3/5 stars rating in ST reviews.
'Subdued'
Rainforest trails seem to be in the rage. Even the Botanical Gardens has one, albeit a short one. Hidden in a small, obscured corner between a fence of leaves, the small flight of cemented stairs looked as if it led to unlimited darkness. No street lamps. The first minute was horrible, since it was difficult to see where you are going without the aid of even the slightest hint of light rays. I tripped a few times as I missed those steps that cut into the first few metres of the trail. Still, sentosa's dragon trail beats it hands down!
'Revolutionary'
Near Botanical Gardens stood Prata Café. Situated next to Evans Lodge, the clientele of this café comprises mainly of hostelites and surprisingly a number of other "pass-bys". Along the stretch of road that led up to the café were two lines of cars parked. Rather strange, when there obviously is a carpark next to the Lodge! While small, it was pretty empty and allows free parking. Apparently this café was once featured in the papers for its maggi prata! Unfortunately this is not a treat for onion-haters (unless you order a 'special'). Anyway, it's really nothing very interesting; just maggi mee with the seasoning powder wrapped in non-crispy prata. The ice lemon ginger drink was a first for me too! Refreshing, with a spicy aftertaste.
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Music, aircon, comfy seats. I appreciated all these all the while. And now I have grown to love it even more!
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Just attended the card launch at Junction 8! Heard from colleagues that this wasn't as grand as the previous card launches (Airasia card was done in some pub), but I can't be bothered! I went for the launch at 3pm and get to go back (home) by 4pm! No complaints :)
The
website for this new card apparently is not ready yet. Neither is it loaded onto DBS site. Not exactly a very well-designed card - purplish, plain, purplish.
For those who are already sick of having the normal blue or orange debit cards offered by local banks, go for this PLATINUM DEBIT card! The first ever in town!
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Look at what I have got in the goodie bag:
COMMERCIAL BITES: DBS Esso MasterCard - The Complete Motoring Card
Additional 3% discount on top of prevailing station discount, or minimum 6% discount, whichever is higher.
Every dollar charged = 1 Smiles Point 750 Smiles Points = $30 petrol voucher
FREE quarterly non-obligation Engine Diagnostic Assessment & 16 point Maintenance Check* at CAS workshop.
Unlimited FREE vehicle recovery service round the clock!
You should not wait anymore! Apply now and get a 2-year annual fee waiver!* 16 Maintenance Check includes tyre rotation, front wheel balancing, checking of transmission, brake/clutch fluid, brake pad, suspension, side slip, battery water, wiper washer, coolant, power steering, tyre pressure and undercarriage.
Pain ah… PAIN.
19/02 Mon 1st session: The ice treatment.
23/02 Thur 2nd session: The heat treatment.
25/02 Sat 3rd session: I didn't turn up. @@
Each session $30. Total consultation fees = 2 x $30 = $60
Total cab fare = $6.60 + $5.40 + $6.90 = $18.90
Total cost = $78.90
For a sprained ankle. PAIN. Money well-spent. :-s
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Hai... AND it still didn't heal!
Rush Hour
A long tiring day! Gotta rush to the zoo by 10.30am after sleeping for only five hours! Then gotta rush down to see the new flat in Sengkang after duty! Then still gotta rush down to Bugis for steamboat dinner after flat viewing! Arrgghhh! Terribly rush-y day!
In the end, I didn't manage to do up the noticeboard for the Fragile Forest field station as much as I wanted to. At least that was a way to show my contribution as a member of the team being arrowed to take care of communications! Now I can only hope that my efforts at taking care of the developing of the photos were being recognized as part of my determination in contributing to the team!
Got down to Sengkang only at 2.30pm; half an hour late. Haiyo! For two and a half hours, my parents, my aunt, my two cousins and me ran through two flats (ours and neighbouring block's) amidst a sea of arguments. Color, design, dimensions... every single furniture seemed to have an issue with Mum! She loved to ask for our opinion, only to dismiss it after we expressed genuine liking for the color and design of our choices! AND this is not the first time my parents are visiting the new flat! Apparently the issues were being discussed, digested and regurgitated! OMG. Anyway, I am glad that Dad took up the resolute to order from the Designer than to buy from individual furniture shops. That way, we won't, at the very least, end up with horrible color combinations and old-fashion wardrobes!
Met up with the couple, Al, and LS for steamboat at bugis. It was the same $15 one that I ate before. Still don't taste fantastic. But guess I learnt my lesson. Stuck to beef the whole night! :P It was nicer meeting up a smaller group; at least now I grasped a better understanding of their current lives - work, personal and marriage.
Got home at close to 11pm. Ahh.. my parents are STILL at it! Still discussing over the design of the new flat! Now they are even thinking of relinquishing their authority as house owners and therefore their rights to possess the master bedroom to my brother! Why? Cos' my brother argued that the room given to him doesn't have enough 'air' (small windows) for the piano to produce beautiful sounds! Well, it seems like an act of favoritism towards my brother. But I don't care anymore. I have learnt to be satisfied with what I grabbed and obtained! As long as they don't touch my room, they can give whatever room to themselves or my brother!
Frankly speaking, I do like my current house. Close to workplace; accessible from almost anywhere on the island, near the sea too! HAI....
